History of Watsonville and the Watsonville
Police Department
On October 10th 1769, Fray Crespi and Miguel Costanso a member of Portola's expedition described crossing a river that the soldiers named "Rio del Pajaro" because they had seen a large grass stuffed bird. The town became known as Pajaro.
In 1851, Judge John H. Watson arrived in the Pajaro Valley because he claimed to own some of Sebastian Rodriguez' property. Judge H. Watson laid out a township near the Pajaro River. A Santa Cruz County undersheriff referred to the area where Watson lived as Watson-ville and the name remained. Watson ultimately lost his claim against the Rodriguez family but he stayed in the area. Sometime in 1862, Watson left Watsonville and moved to Nevada. Watson never returned to Watsonville.
The history of Watsonville Police Department dates back to 1868. Watsonville was incorporated in 1868 and several men served as "Town Marshals." The Marshals were responsible for dealing with various problems such as gambling, prostitution, public drunkenness, bar fights, thefts and murders. "Night watchmen" (patrol officers) assisted the Town Marshals in carrying out various duties throughout the night. During this time prisoners were tied to a tree or post because there were no jails in Watsonville. Some prisoners were kept in a hotel room under guard.
In 1856, the citizens of Watsonville raised enough money to build a jail. The first Watsonville jail was built in 1869 but was burned down by unknown persons in 1877. In 1878, Watsonville started a chain gang and the prisoners worked out their sentences on the chain gang. On Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1913, a new jail was opened on Rodriguez St. In 1937, the city decided to build a larger Police Department and jail at 231 Union St. In 1982, the Police Department moved to 215 Union St where it is currently located.
Watsonville Night watchman John Wesley Alford worked diligently in arresting the prostitutes of Watsonville. On February 6th 1897, Night watchman Alford was shot and killed near Ginnochio's saloon on S. Main Street during his night patrol. Large rewards were posted for the capture of the murderer but he or she was never identified. Alford was 43 years old and was survived by his wife and eight children.
In 1903, Watsonville was granted a charter and the trustees elected the Chief of Police. The first Chief of Police was F.A. Rassette elected and confirmed on 05/11/1903.
By 1906, a red light was installed at the intersection of Main and Beach Street. The light would alert police officers that they needed to respond to the police station for an incident.
On the night of October 25, 1920 at about 1140 pm, Officer John T. Whalen was shot to death in a city lot near the jail. According to witnesses, Officer Whalen arrested Fred Pena for disturbing the peace in front of 259 Main Street. Officer Whalen was last seen escorting Fred Pena to the jail. Shortly thereafter witnesses reported hearing several gunshots. Shortly before midnight, Officer Whalen's body was located by a Southern Pacific officer who happened to be riding his bicycle in the area. Officer Whalen started his career as a Watsonville Police Officer in 1907. On October 26, 1920, Fred Pena was arrested for the murder of Officer John Whalen .
Town Marshalls
J. D. Byrd served from 1868-1873
W.S. Neal served from 1873-1877
H.J. Knevels served from 1877-1879
W.S. Neal served from 1879-1887
C.W. Bridgewater served from 1887-1890
Jerome Downing served from 1890-1892
C.W. Bridgewater served from 1892-1902
Howard Trafton served from 1902-1903
Watsonville Police Chiefs
F.A. Rassette 1903-1907
Thomas J. Albright 1907-1911
Sylvester Whitsett 1911-1925
Robert L. Hasting 1925-1934
James "Matt" Graves 1934-1947
Frank Osmer 1947-1951
Everett Dicks 1951-1954
Frank Osmer 1954-1962
Carl Hartmeyer Jan. 1962-May 1962
James Cunningham 1962-1975
Al Williams 1976-1981
Ray Belgard 1982-1988
Terry Medina 1989-2009
Manny Solano 2010-present
The Watsonville Police Department Uniform Patch
The patch was adopted in 1976. The top section which shows a bird over a verdant valley commemorates Portola's expedition. The soldiers came across a river and found a grass stuffed bird. The soldiers named the river "Rio del Pajaro."
The lower right section, depicting a grove of sempervirens, represents the first time the Europeans saw the coastal redwoods.
The lower left section of the patch depicts the short lived Bear Flag Republic during which Watsonville was a small farming community just prior to statehood in 1850.
The year at the bottom of the patch 1852, is the year the town became known as Watsonville. It is also the year of the first town election.
Acknowledgments:
Pajaro Valley Historical Association
Watsonville Public Library
Officer Monica Gonzalez
Atkinson, F.W. (1935) 100 Years in the Pajaro Valley 1769-1868. Register and Pajaronian Press
Watsonville Chamber of Commerce (1952) Watsonville the First Hundred Years.
Lewis, Betty (1976) Watsonville Memories that Linger. Valley Publishers
Lewis, Betty (1980) Watsonville Memories that Linger Volume 2. Valley Publishers
Partnership 
The history of Watsonville Police Department dates back to 1868. Watsonville was incorporated in 1868 and several men served as "Town Marshals." The Marshals were responsible for dealing with various problems such as gambling, prostitution, public drunkenness, bar fights, thefts and murders. "Night watchmen" (patrol officers) assisted the Town Marshals in carrying out various duties throughout the night. During this time prisoners were tied to a tree or post because there were no jails in Watsonville. Some prisoners were kept in a hotel room under guard.
In 1856, the citizens of Watsonville raised enough money to build a jail. The first Watsonville jail was built in 1869 but was burned down by unknown persons in 1877. In 1878, Watsonville started a chain gang and the prisoners worked out their sentences on the chain gang. On Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1913, a new jail was opened on Rodriguez St. In 1937, the city decided to build a larger Police Department and jail at 231 Union St. In 1982, the Police Department moved to 215 Union St where it is currently located.
Watsonville Night watchman John Wesley Alford worked diligently in arresting the prostitutes of Watsonville. On February 6th 1897, Night watchman Alford was shot and killed near Ginnochio's saloon on S. Main Street during his night patrol. Large rewards were posted for the capture of the murderer but he or she was never identified. Alford was 43 years old and was survived by his wife and eight children.
In 1903, Watsonville was granted a charter and the trustees elected the Chief of Police. The first Chief of Police was F.A. Rassette elected and confirmed on 05/11/1903.
By 1906, a red light was installed at the intersection of Main and Beach Street. The light would alert police officers that they needed to respond to the police station for an incident.
On the night of October 25, 1920 at about 1140 pm, Officer John T. Whalen was shot to death in a city lot near the jail. According to witnesses, Officer Whalen arrested Fred Pena for disturbing the peace in front of 259 Main Street. Officer Whalen was last seen escorting Fred Pena to the jail. Shortly thereafter witnesses reported hearing several gunshots. Shortly before midnight, Officer Whalen's body was located by a Southern Pacific officer who happened to be riding his bicycle in the area. Officer Whalen started his career as a Watsonville Police Officer in 1907. On October 26, 1920, Fred Pena was arrested for the murder of Officer John Whalen .
Town Marshalls
J. D. Byrd served from 1868-1873
W.S. Neal served from 1873-1877
H.J. Knevels served from 1877-1879
W.S. Neal served from 1879-1887
The lower right section, depicting a grove of sempervirens, represents the first time the Europeans saw the coastal redwoods.
The lower left section of the patch depicts the short lived Bear Flag Republic during which Watsonville was a small farming community just prior to statehood in 1850.
The year at the bottom of the patch 1852, is the year the town became known as Watsonville. It is also the year of the first town election.
Acknowledgments:
Pajaro Valley Historical Association
Watsonville Public Library
Officer Monica Gonzalez
Atkinson, F.W. (1935) 100 Years in the Pajaro Valley 1769-1868. Register and Pajaronian Press
Watsonville Chamber of Commerce (1952) Watsonville the First Hundred Years.
Lewis, Betty (1976) Watsonville Memories that Linger. Valley Publishers
Lewis, Betty (1980) Watsonville Memories that Linger Volume 2. Valley Publishers