Houston Blue: The Story of the Houston Police Department

5. The Marshal Becomes the Chief

41 5 The Marshal Becomes the Chief J ohn G. Blackburn was the first head of the Houston Police Department to be referred to as chief of police rather than marshal, signalling another step in Houston’s advancement from town to city. Blackburn was born in Mississippi and moved to Marshall, Texas in 1871, where he resided until departing for Houston in 1887 to become a blacksmith for Southern Pacific Shops. For the next eight years he worked in this capacity. In 1895, he formed a partnership with W. F. Black and opened a private blacksmith business . Blackburn entered public service following his election as alderman in the spring of 1898. That December, Mayor Brashear selected Blackburn to fill the vacancy as head of the police department. In 1898, Blackburn was elected city marshal and upon re-election in 1900 took on the sobriquet of “chief of police.”1 An examination of police rosters over the preceding decade finds no mention of Blackburn except as chief. But this does not preclude that he was unaware of the dangers and challenges faced by the rank and file officer. In the following speech Blackburn outlines a number of themes familiar to policemen in any century: There can be no doubt but that the position of a police officer is an honorable and responsible one. Surrounded by dangers, he must, at a moments notice, risk his own life to save that of others. Facing the cold blast of a winter’s night or the blazing sun of a summer’s day, rain or shine he must patrol his post possessing the strength of a giant and the agility of an athlete, never losing his temper no matter what comes before him, or what position he finds himself in. Calm and collected, he must face danger; close-lipped, open eared, knowing only obedience to law and the command of his superior 42 Houston Blue officers. These are but a few of the requirements an ideal police officer should possess.2 It is instructive to examine the hierarchy of the HPD under Blackburn. Assisting him was Deputy Chief Henry C. Thompson, who also happened to be “one of the oldest officials in Houston.” Prior to his appointment to the position, Thompson headed the Detective Department, where he rose to prominence following his successful pursuit and arrest of several notorious gangs of forgers and counterfeiters, many of whom were sentenced to terms in the state penitentiary. As deputy chief, Thompson ran the department at night. He was assisted by First Sergeant Jack S. Busey, who was responsible for managing the force of night patrolmen and mounted officers.3 Daytime police management was entrusted to Second Sergeant Charles Williford, who, according to the police yearbook for 1900, “occupies his official position alone through merit.” He was promoted from mounted officer to sergeant the previous year. Williford managed the entire force of daytime police. Next in the developing bureaucracy of the HPD was Chief Clerk Martin T. Forrest. He was recognized by his peers when elected secretary and treasurer of the City Marshals and Chiefs of Police Association of Texas. Forrest P C J G. B, D , –A ,  (HPD A) The Marshal Becomes the Chief 43 was elected to successive terms in this office. His nighttime counterpart was Night Clerk J. T. Grinstead. Both were responsible for record keeping.4 The Detective Branch, while under the supervision of the Police Department , was, according to official policy, “left almost entirely to their own resources and [were] under but few restraints or instructions.” They were the only members of the police department who were not required to wear regulation uniforms. John W. Smith and Charles C. Quin were regarded as two of the best detectives. One contemporary described what he thought made a good detective: In personal appearance he does not differ from an ordinary individual . Sometimes he is young—sometimes old. Perhaps he is large or small, but whatever his appearance is, he must be possessed of good, sound, common sense. A collegiate education is by no means essential—just a general knowledge of persons and things. He must be able to judge human nature at a glance; be quick of perception, and quick to act; he must form an opinion instantly, and must not waver or be half-hearted in actions; he must pay strict attention to the minutest details, as it is often from these...