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The City of Caldwell was established in 1890, and the first lawman was a Marshal. When the police department was officially formed in 1903, Thomas Dryden took charge of the streets answering to anything from officer to chief. Since then, the Caldwell Police Department has seen 28 chiefs of police. Our current chief of police is Chief Chris Allgood, who took the reigns in August, 2007.

The first police station in Caldwell was located at Arthur & 7th, and had its own jail, which was probably only big enough to accommodate one prisoner at a time. That wasn’t too bad for the city at that time with its biggest problems being animals running a muck and a few town drunks. In fact, sometime after 1910, in order for an officer to get information about a call before the department had radios, he would have to watch for blinking red lights on top of some of the local buildings. If they started blinking, that was his clue to get back to the station and find out what was going on.

In 1907, a new city hall building was built where the fire department is currently located. The police department was also located in that building. It then moved into the building where the current Chamber of Commerce is and stayed there until the mid 1960s. The department then moved to 605 Main street and moved again in 2001 to its current location at 110 S. 5th. A five million dollar project paid for by a bond enthusiastically supported by 71% of Caldwell residents, the building has now become a centerpiece for the current Indian Creek project.

Caldwell became headline news in 1906, when former Idaho governor, Frank Steunenberg, was assassinated at his home at 16th & Dearborn - after dynamite was rigged to his gate and exploded when Steunenberg opened it. One of the first controversies the Caldwell Police Department experienced occurred in 1901, when then-Marshal Kirkpatrick killed a man in the performance of his duties. The issue became such a hot topic that the Marshall was charged with murder and later acquitted.

Caldwell has lost two officers in the line of duty. The first was in 1945 when Carl Siegman was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking his beat. The second was Keith Judd, who, as the chief of police, was shot and killed by a 15 year old sniper. The bullet immediately paralyzed Chief Judd but took 3 ½ years to kill him.

Some other interesting facts about the Caldwell Police Department (as compiled by Robert Sobba in the book, “The History of the Caldwell Police Department):

Some of the first ordinances prohibited were: cattle running at large, vagrancy, and a statute that mandated prisoners to work. If they refused, they were only fed bread and water. The council also authorized the purchase of balls and chains to secure prisoners. One of those originals is on display at the police department.
The first Marshal, T.H. Callaway was paid $30.00 per month. In addition to being the Marshal, he was also responsible for fixing the bridge, repairing fences, and securing voting places.
Houses of “ill fame” were fined $5.00 a month.
In 1896, the first curfew ordinance was put into place. Youths had to be off the street by 9pm, when the fire bell rang.
When somebody was arrested, they were immediately brought before a judge, no matter if it were day or night. If the person pled “not guilty”, the marshal would go around town and bring in citizens to act as a jury.
In 1909, the city council passed an ordinance stating that motor vehicles must travel with lights on at night, have a permit, and set the speed limit at 8 mph.

Even way back when, Caldwell-ites needed their news. Some of the headlines in the Caldwell Tribune in the early 1900’s read:

“Marshal Callaway and a drunk had some trouble and the marshal’s cane figured conspicuously. A dray picked up the remains and escorted them to jail.”
“A big, fat tramp fell in Marshal Callaway’s hands the other day and he flatly refused to work. The ball and chain were attached to his feet and he was stationed near the bank.”
“A drunk was given five days for recreation and reflection.”
“An effort is underway to form a Law & Order League in Caldwell; the object being to purify the air in some localities.
“Dog licenses are due and Marshal Callaway is cleaning his little gun. All dogs not licensed by next week will be shot.”

Both the City of Caldwell and the Caldwell Police Department are rich in history. As we reflect on the past, we also look forward to the future and making our own history. Thank you for being part of it!
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Caldwell Police Chiefs or Marshals and Dates of Service:
(courtesy of Robert Sobba)

Chris Allgood from August, 2007 to Present
Robert Sobba from November, 1999 to August, 2007
Doug Law from December, 1994 to August, 1999
Robert Sobba from December, 1984 to December, 1994
Richard Dormins from February, 1981 to December, 1984
Charles Astleford from November, 1961 to January, 1981
Keith Judd from December, 1952 to November, 1961
Dale Haile from October, 1949 to December, 1952
Robert Flood from January, 1948 to October, 1949
Wesley Compton from December, 1947 to January, 1948
Ernie Mason from May, 1945 to December, 1947
C.S. Claussen from May, 1941 to April, 1945
H. Felton from June, 1938 to May, 1941
O.J. Boyd from May, 1933 to June, 1938
J. Fred Rowland from May, 1927 to May, 1933
D.M. Shree from May, 1925 to May, 1927
W.F. Howard from May, 1923 to May, 1925
J.W. Watkins from July, 1922 to May, 1923
John Baker from May, 1915 to July, 1922
Robert Calvin from August, 1913 to May, 1915
D.D. Campbell from May, 1913 to August, 1913
G.W. Hodson from September, 1911 to May, 1913
Thomas Dryden from May, 1909 to September, 1911
G.W. Hodson from February, 1909 to May, 1909
H. Maxey from April, 1907 to February, 1909
Fuller from August, 1906 to April, 1907
J. Baker from June, 1905 to July, 1906
George Freman from May, 1904 to May, 1905
G.H. Fuller from April, 1903 to May, 1904
Thomas Dryden from December, 1902 to April, 1903
J. Baker from June, 1902 to December, 1902
William Cope from March, 1902 to June, 1902
Thomas Dryden from December, 1901 to March, 1902
W. Kirkpatrick from May, 1899 to December, 1901
H.N. Maxey from May, 1898 to May, 1899
J.P. Johnson from July, 1897 to May, 1898
E. Maxey from August, 1896 to May, 1897
D.F. Mack Eborger from July, 1896 to August, 1896
J.D. Johnson from May, 1895 to July, 1896
J.M. Martin from April, 1892 to May, 1895
T.H Callaway from January, 1890 to April, 1892

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