Police Department History

 

 

Department History

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The first election in the City of Seguin was held in 1853. Along with a Mayor and City Aldermen, a City Marshal was also elected. Little is known about the City Marshals' who served from 1853 until 1925.

The best known City Marshal was Max “Buck” Bergfeld, who was first elected as City Marshal in 1925. Buck Bergfeld served as City Marshal for 47 years, until his death in August 1972.

In 1948, a Traffic Division was formed. The Traffic Division was separate from the City Marshal's Office. W.C. Hoffman (a former Department of Public Safety Trooper), was named the Supervising Officer. At that time, the force consisted of Hoffman, with 1 full time officer and a part time officer. The Traffic Division worked 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, out of a small office at City Hall. All the calls came through the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office, which was under the leadership of Sheriff Phil Medlin.

In April 1949, Leroy Schneider joined the Traffic Division. In 1950, the Traffic Division moved to a small office at Central Fire Station, 110 East Elm. In the 1950's, the Traffic Division remained small, with 4 officers. Leroy Schneider left for military service December 1950, and Charles Ehrhard joined the department in April 1951 and Walter Lampmann joined the department in April 1953. Leroy Schneider returned to the Traffic Division in December 1954.

During the 1960's the Department started to grow. Captain W. C. Hoffman left the Department in 1960. Leroy Schneider was appointed as Captain of the Department. Joe Burges became Mayor, and in 1960, the Traffic Division moved to a building at the fairgrounds. This building had previously been used in World War II to house cavalry horses, and after that, it became a production area and offices for a tamale company. The Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum is presently located at this site.

On September 26, 1965, Joe L. Carrillo was shot by an AWOL soldier driving a stolen car. Carrillo stop the vehicle for a traffic violation. Carrillo recovered and served to 10 years as a Detective. Additional details on this incident under the link Officer Memorial.

In 1966, the Police Department purchased a three-wheel Harley Davison motorcycle, which was assigned to an officer who worked the downtown area, taking care of traffic problems, crime prevention and issue parking citations for the parking meters that were in the downtown area. The motorcycle was later also used for patrol in Starcke Park. At that time, the Department had grown to a 14 man force.

During the 1970's the Department continued to expand, with additional officers in the Patrol Division and Criminal Investigation Division. A SWAT team created and the FTO program was developed. In December 1970, Charles Erhardt, who joined the department in 1951, retired.

In November 1971, a Charter revision approved by the voters, created the Department of Police. The Seguin Police Department was officially formalized. At that time, Leroy Schneider became the first Chief of Police of the Seguin Police Department. Walter Lampmann became the Assistant Chief of Police. During the time period of November 1971 to August 1972, the City of Seguin had both a Police Department and a City Marshal, until the death of Max "Buck" Bergfeld in 1972. In April 1974, another Charter revision was approved by the voters, eliminating the position of City Marshal.

Under Mayor Al Koebig's administration, the Nauman's Supermarket on N. Camp St. was purchased and remodeled to be used as the Police Headquarters. In June 1972, the Seguin Police Department moved to it's new headquarters at 410 N. Camp St . The department had a 17 officer force at this time. During the 1970's, the Police Department began providing weapons to the officers and started the assigned car program, set up the communications system, which included new radios in the dispatch center and vehicles, along with portable radios issued to the officers and the department started using radar for enforcement of post speed limits. In the mid 1970's, the Department received a grant to build a color photo lab within the building, thereby the department started using color photographs for crime scenes, accidents and mug shots. With its own darkroom and photo processing equipment, all photographs were processed by the department.

Also during the 1970's the amount of training that officers received was increased. In 1974, Sergeant Robert Zoboroski, who was in charge of the Criminal Investigations Division, was the first officer from the department to attend the FBI National Academy at the FBI Training Center in Quantico , VA.

On July 20, 1975, Detective Joe L. Carrillo, who was shot in 1965 during a traffic stop, died as a result of the gunshot he had received 10 years earlier.

During the 1980's, the Department had outgrown the existing space at 410 N. Camp St. Donegan Insurance Agency had moved into a new location in 1986, and the City purchased the old Donegan Building at 424 N. Camp St , next door to the Police Headquarters. This building was remodeled and in 1987, Police Central Records, Municipal Court and Police Administration were moved into this building. (In 2005, Municipal Court moved out to their present location at 660 HWY 46 South.)

Remodeling was then started in 1987 at the existing Police Headquarters at 410 N. Camp St. , being completed in 1988, which added offices for the Criminal Investigation Division, enlarged the Communications office and added offices for Patrol supervisors. Heading the Police Department was Chief Leroy Schneider, Assistant Chief of Administration Walter Lampmann and Assistant Chief of Operations Robert Zoboroski. At that time, the department had 37 officers on the force.

During the 1980's, the Department added a Canine unit that was trained for narcotics searches and apprehension. The department also had several officers who were certified as intoxilyzer operators and they had vehicles equipped with video cameras for DWI enforcement.

During the 1990's, the Department saw additional growth and changes, with new equipment and technology. The Seguin Police Department continually strives to increase the quality of service it provides the citizens of Seguin . The implementation of 9-1-1 emergency dispatching in 1991 has enabled citizens to receive immediate response to emergency situations. The Communications Personnel take calls for police and fire in the city and handle all requests for medical assistance for all of Guadalupe County . All communications personnel are trained in police and fire dispatching as well as being certified emergency medical dispatchers, qualified to administer pre-arrival instructions until EMS arrives.

In April 1991, Assistant Chief of Administration Walter Lampmann retired from the Seguin Police Department. The Administrative responsibilities were taken over by Assistant Chief, Robert Zoboroski.

In 1991, the Seguin Police Department applied for a grant through AACOG for a computer system. In 1992 the Seguin Police Department was awarded the grant and the first computer system was purchased. This was the beginning of the computer age by the department. A Records Management System, Courts System and Computer Aided Dispatch System was installed by the end of 1992.

The Seguin Police Department has been fortunate in that nine of its officers have attended the National FBI Academy in Quantico , VA. The advanced management training these officers have received has benefited the Department, as well as the citizens of Seguin .

National FBI Academy Graduates

Robert L. Zoboroski	99th Session	1974
Miguel E. Rosas	108th Session	1977
Mark A. Zoboroski	114th Session	1978
James E. DeLaGarza	117th Session	1979
Reno W. Reiley	120th Session	1980
Harold D. Burns Jr.	136th Session	1984
James K. Boeck	138th Session	1984
George Alex Jr.	163rd Session	1990
Juan G. Garcia	168th Session	1992

Chief of Police Leroy Schneider retired from the Seguin Police Department on January 31, 1993, after serving 38 years with the City of Seguin . Assistant Chief Robert Zoboroski served as Interim Chief until a new Chief of Police was hired.

In May 1993, Gary Hopper was hired as the second Chief of Police of the Seguin Police Department. Chief Hopper worked with the Live Oak Police Department for 15 years and was the Assistant Chief of Police there before coming to Seguin . Chief Hopper had attended the 146 th Session of FBI National Academy in 1986.

During the 1990's, the Department incorporated the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, the Blue Santa program, Halloween Safe House and South Texas Youth Ambassador's Rally. The existing S.W.A.T. team was revived with additional officers and training. Under Hopper's administration, the department continued to add computers and updating technology. With a couple of grants in 1998, the department added laptops in several patrol cars and purchased digital cameras which eventually replaced the old film cameras. With the digital cameras being used, the officers could view photographs before leaving the scene and insure that they had good photographs. The first Citizen's Police Academy was held in 1995 and the first graduates formed the Citizens Police Academy Alumni.

In 1996, the 24 th and 25 th Judicial Narcotics Task Force came under the command of Chief Hopper. The Task Force was funded though a state grant, and was responsible for working narcotic cases in the area.

On December 31, 1999, Assistant Chief Robert Zoboroski retired from the Seguin Police Department, after serving 35 years with the Department. In July 2000, Ian “Buddy” Lovestock was hired as Assistant Chief of Police. Lovestock had previously worked for the Seguin Police Department from June 1980 to October 1984 as a Patrol Officer. He left Seguin in 1884 to become the Training Coordinator for AACOG Police Training Academy and then went to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office as Training Coordinator, before returning to Seguin as Assistant Chief.

The Department also purchased 2 Kawasaki motorcycles that were used by Motorcycle Traffic Officers.

In February of 2003, Assistant Chief Ian “Buddy” Lovestock left the Department. The city hired Bob Young as Interim Assistant Chief. On May 31, 2003, Chief of Police Gary Hopper retired from the Seguin Police Department, after serving 10 years with the City of Seguin . Bob Young served as Interim Chief until a new chief was hired.

In June 2003, Luis Collazo was hired as the third Chief of Police of the Seguin Police Department. Chief Collazo had worked for the Port Arthur Police Department and Gidding Police Department, where he was Chief of Police. Chief Collazo had attended the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville . The police administration was restructured and in November 2003 Reno Reiley was promoted to Deputy Chief.

The Department continued to sponsor the Halloween Safe House every year at the Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum on October 31st. During the Christmas Season, the Department, along with the Lions Club, sponsors the Blue Santa Program. Toward the end of the school year, the Police Department D.A.R.E. hosts the South Texas Youth Ambassador's Rally. A new program started by the department was the Cops and Kids Picnic which is held at Starcke Park in May of each year.

The Citizen's Police Academy Alumni was reorganized and several additional Academy's were sponsored. The CPAA works with the department at the Halloween Safe House, Blue Santa Program, Cops and Kids Picnic, South Texas Youth Ambassadors Rally, and July 4th Parade. They also assist the Police Department in other functions.

In 2005, the Seguin Police Department has been fortunate to have an officer attend the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville . Maureen Watson attended the 114 th Administrative Officers Course. The advanced management training she received will benefit the Department, as well as the citizens of Seguin .

The Department increased the number of Canine units, which are trained in apprehension, as well as narcotics and bomb search. The Department D.A.R.E. Program continued to serve the Seguin I.S.D. 5 th grades and started serving the St. James Catholic School 5 th grade. The department also became a TCLEOSE certified training provider, which allowed the department to provide training with Certified Police Instructors.

The construction of the new Leroy Schneider Police Station was started in August 2005 at the corner of N. Guadalupe St. and Medlin St . During the period of September to December 2006, the Seguin Police Department moved to it's new Headquarters at 350 N. Guadalupe St .

In November 2006, the City of Seguin began implementing a new radio communications system. The communication system implemented narrow band frequencies to comply with FCC mandates. The Police Department implemented a digital communication system for their primary channel. The new communications system was installed in all City Departments and allows them to communicate with each other in emergencies.

The Police Department hired retired Officer Johnny Kinsfather, as a part time Motorcycle Traffic Officer. The Department replaced the 2002 Kawasaki motorcycles with 2007 Harley Davidson Police Motorcycles and in 2008 added a third Harley Davidson Police Motorcycle.

The Department was fortunate to be able to send an officer to school to become a Polygraph Operator. Aaron Seidenberger has become Seguin 's first polygraph operator. The training and required equipment purchase came from donated funds to the department.

The Department also started the work on building a Firing Range for use by the officers for training and required annual qualification. The Firing Range was built on City owned property at the old Stagecoach Landfield. This funding for this range was through a private donation to the department.

On March 31, 2008, Chief of Police Luis Collazo retired from the Seguin Police Department, after serving over 4 years with the City of Seguin . Deputy Chief Reno Reiley became the Interim Chief until a new Chief of Police was hired.

The Seguin Police Department received their first Black and White Patrol Vehicles in April 2008, the start of the transition from the white patrol vehicles that the department had been using for a number of years.

In August 2008, Kevin Kelso was hired as the fourth Chief of Police of the Seguin Police Department. Chief Kelso had worked for the Victoria Police Department and was the Captain of Operations. Chief Kelso had attended the 221 st Session of FBI National Academy in 2005.

The Firing Range at the Stagecoach Landfield was completed in September 2008.

In 2008, the Department has 49 sworn officers, with 36 officers assigned to the Patrol Division, 6 officers assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, 1 officers assigned to D.A.R.E. and 5 in Administration. The Department also has 1 full time officer and 1 part time officer assigned as a Motorcycle Traffic Officers. There are 11 civilian personnel assigned to the Telecommunications Division and 4 support personnel.

On December 31, 2008, Deputy Chief Reno Reiley retired from the Seguin Police Department after serving over 36 years with the Department. In December 2008, Wade Goolsby was hired as Deputy Chief of Police.

 

In August 2010, the Seguin Police Department upgraded their computer system, installing the "CRIMES" system from Sam Houston State University's College of Criminal Justice. The new system integrates computer-assisted dispatch with mobile communications, offense reports, automated crime and incident reporting, arrests, bookings, property room and jail management. The purchase of new equipment and software was purchased with federal grant funds secured last year.

Mobile computers are being installed in patrol cars. This will allow officers to be dispatched electronically without the use of the radio. It will also allow officers to write their reports in the patrol car. Officers will also be able to receive information from DPS on drivers license and license plate information. On August 26th, the first patrol car was able to communicate electronically with the computer-assisted dispatch. The mobile computers, MDT's, communicated wirelessly with the computer network at the Police Department.