Oldest Police Chief in United States - Stanley's Chief Ralph Handsel
Chief Ralph Handsel
U.S. Oldest Police Chief
In 1989 Ralph Handsel retired, at age 82, from his position as Chief of Police of Stanley. He once confided that from a very young age he wanted to be a policeman. Though his first work was not in law enforcement, rather it was in textiles and construction, he shortly learned of a need for a deputy in Stanley and applied for the job and was hired to work with Chief James V. Stroupe, Sr., in 1932.
After Chief Stroupe's retirement Ralph Handsel was made Chief of Police on 12 May 1941. He was made Chief of the Fire Department in 1941 as well. James L. "Jim" Rutledge was hired as a deputy police officer in 1946. In those first years Stanley did not own a police car. Chief Handsel and Deputy Rutledge drove their own cars. Their first car was purchased by the town in 1951, a black Ford with a circular red light and siren combination on top of the car.
Many people who were school children in the '40's, '50's, and '60's will remember with fondness Chief Handsel standing as a sentinel directing traffic in front of the school assuring the safety of the children as they were brought to school in the mornings and picked up every afternoon.
Chief Ralph Handsel was selected by the Stanley Jaycee's as Man of the Year in 1968.
In the 1970's the police force was made up of six men and it was said that Stanley had one of the lowest crime rates of any town around. It was around this time that Chief Handsel became president of the Gaston County Law Enforcement Association, a position he held for several years.
In October of 1988 Stanley's Police Chief, Ralph Handsel, at age 81, was recognized as the oldest Police Chief in the United States. He received a letter from President Ronald Reagan that said:
"You can be especially proud of the unselfish manner in which you have served your fellow citizens, giving so much of yourself to protect those who live in your community."
"We all owe a debt of gratitude to people like you who daily place the safety and well-being of others before their own. Nancy and I send our appreciation and congratulations for your humanitarian and civic minded service."
A street that connects Mauney Road and Hovis Road was named Ralph Handsel Boulevard in honor of the Country's Oldest Chief.
Also Stanley artist, Dr. Bailey Graham Weathers, Jr. sculpted a bronze bust of Chief Handsel, and in his memory it is displayed in the town hall.
Ralph Handsel, born on 2 October 1906 was the ninth child of Dora Isabel) McGinnis and Sidney Daniel Handsel. On 13 May 1925 he married Alma Luetta Ballard, the daughter of Hattie and Jake Ballard.
Chief of Police Ralph Handsel died at age 84 on 16 April 1991. His wife, Alma, died, also at age 84, on 2 July 1993. They are both buried in the Stanley Cemetery, alongside their daughter, Mary Nell, and near their son and daughter-in-law, Ralph McCall Handsel, Jr. and Faye Clemmer Handsel.
Copyright (c) 2007 Stanley Police Department
Stanley , North Carolina 28164
Stanley, North Carolina is a small town, but one of the oldest in Gaston County, actually beginning in the early to middle 1700's. An elusive prospector named Stanley panned for gold in a creek that came to bear his name. Mr. Stanley left the area and his exact identity was lost to time, however, a community sprang up along the creek which became known as Stanley's Creek Community. During the Civil War years, the town's railroad depot, Brevard's Station, named for the original landowners, the Alexander Brevard family, was a major departure point for soldiers leaving for the war, and also for sending provisions to soldiers in the field.
Changes in Police Force
In February of 1912 Julius C. Gaston tendered his resignation as Police Chief. James A. Rankin, who was the town tax collector, was appointed Town Marshall for the unexpired term of John C. Gaston.
In December of 1912 A. C. Taylor was appointed as an assistant policeman for the Christmas Holiday.
James A. Rankin was re-elected as Town Marshall in May of 1913, however, he resigned shortly thereafter. Henry Michael Summerow was elected Building Inspector. John Bunyon Bennett was then elected Town Marshall and Tax Collector. At that time the town board decided to purchase for the policeman a billy club, pistol and a badge. His duties included the new position of Sanitary Policeman, to replace Mr. Summerow who apparently resigned. It was his responsibility to visit every home in town, inspect the outdoor closets at these homes each month, and report to the town board the sanitary conditions therein.
In July of 1913 Mr. Bennett resigned and George W. Stone was elected as the new Town Marshall. Mr. Stone resigned the position in October of 1913 and his replacement was Conrad G. Derr. On November 9, 1914 Samuel Mauney was elected as Town Policeman, replacing Conrad G. Derr, at a salary of $30.00 per month, plus commission for collecting taxes. His responsibilities also included repairing the railroad "bridges" or crossings in town.
Arthur G. Lay was elected Town Marshall on September 16, 1918. His responsibilities were that of tax collector as well as keeping the railroad bridges and town roads in good repair. Mr. Lay held that position until January of 1922 when S. W. Broom accepted the position as Chief Marshall. Mr. Broom resigned several months later and Arthur Lay resumed the duties except this time he did not have the responsibility of street repair. In the May election of 1923 J. Benjamin Wallace was elected Chief Town Marshall and Street Commissioner. Ben Wallace resigned in 1923 and C. I C. dark was elected to fill the position. Then in November of 1923 J. G. Colvin was elected Chief Marshall with a salary of $75.00 per month.
After J. G. Colvin, Mr. Jim V. Stroupe was elected as Chief Town Marshall, (in 1925). Chief Stroupe didn't drive a car so James Cleveland Jamison (father of Catherine Jamison Bennett and Paul Jamison) drove him around on his police calls.
On July 22, 1932 it was reported in the Gastonia Gazette that "Officer J. V. Stroupe and his deputy, Ralph Handsel have been on some traces as to the source of homebrew that has been reported as being brought here of late."
The Gastonia Gazette of July 30, 1932 reported that "Thieves entered the meat house of J. B. Lutz, aged eighty five, farmer on route one, last night and carried off several hams and five bushels of potatoes. J. V. Stroupe chief of police, is on some hot trails."
Police Chief Ralph Handsel (right) and Deputy Jim Rutledge after an arrest in which a large amount of "white lightnin" was confiscated
Ralph Handsel was made Police Chief on 12 May 1941. (See "Ralph Handsel") James L. "Jim" Rutledge was retained as an assistant policeman on 4 November 1946 and for many years he and the chief were the town's "police force."
The town of Stanley purchased from Dr. B. G. Weathers property on the corner of Main and Carpenter Streets, on which to build a new Police Department and Town Hall. (This property was part of the Sally A. Finger estate). The date of purchase was 13 March 1946 and the Town Hall and Police Department were built shortly thereafter.
