City of Odessa Police Department - Odessa, Texas

Traffic Officers Burns and Tommy Dyers, mid 1950's Officer N.E. "Pop" Ratliff was the first employee to retire from the Odessa Police Department with a salary. Jack Tomlin, who progressed to the rank of Lieutenant was sent to the FBI Academy in Washington D.C.. In 1955, convicted rapist Harry L. Butcher was put to death for 2 rapes that occurred in Odessa. This was the first formal death sentence on record for Odessa. Odessa Police Department Motorcycle Division switched from traditional hats to motorcycle helmets. 1950's Odessa Police Department, 221 North Lee The Police Department moved out from housing with the Fire Department into the old City Hall Building at 221 North Lee (City Hall was then moved to 6 th & Graham). The Inn of the Golden West in the background, today is known as the Lincoln Tower Retirement Community. In 1956, 60,000 people attended the Permian Basin Oil Show. City employees, in 1957, voted to participate in Social Security. The population of the City was 73,733 at this time an increase of about 43,000 people in 5 years. Three motorcycle Officers before helmets were worn OPD shoulder patch that was worn from the1950's through the early 60's Motorcycle Officers with their new helmets Traffic Captain M.L. Buhn with motorcycle unit In 1958, the vehicle fleet of the Odessa Police Department consisted of 10 Patrol cars, 3 Detective Units, 1 Accident Unit, 7 Motorcycles, an Assistant Chief’s car and a Chief’s car. All officers received a new badge at a cost of $10.00 each. The population of the City of Odessa was 79,521 people. In 1959, the Police Department and Municipal Court employed a total of seventy-five (75) employees. The starting salary for an Odessa Police Officer was $350.00 a month. In 1960, the Odessa Police Department received a new teletype machine that put the Department on line with other area agencies. The salary of a Police Officer increased to $360.00 a month a $10.00 a month raise. Chief Cariker announced that music would be played in the lobby of Corporation Court (Municipal Court) to sooth the tension of citizens paying traffic fines. In 1964, the Odessa Police Department purchased it’s first polygraph machine at a cost of $1,395.00. The Personnel Director announced that the Police Department was facing a severe personnel shortage, due to several police officers resigning, forcing the City to implement a 48 hour work week. Chief Cariker announced that the Police Department would conduct vacation watches for private citizens. Continue to Page 5 [history_5.htm] Site Maintained By Webmaster, City of Odessa Command Staff Photos by Alton's Photography Odessa, Texas Hosted By: City of Odessa Email Webmaster