Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-15
Ranking Police Sergeant Ele-
waited to Head of Depart
ment by Board.
CHIEF To BE DETECTIVE
AT HIS OWN REQlIES 7
SIeuth Work Appeals to Popular Of
ficcr and He Refuses to Reconsider
His Resignation-Sersea Brid9ers
Takes Mtchelrs PIace-changes
Effective on July I.

After accepting the resignation Of
Chief of Police John W. Reynolds, the
board OF police commissioners last
night elected Patrol Sergeant Timothy
A Mitchell as chief of police, named
Detective Sergeant Henry f. Bridgers
as patrol sergeant to fill the vacancy
created by the elevation of Sergeant
Mitchell and gave Chief Reynolds his
old post as detective sergeant. The
changes are to become effective on
July l, 1910
While many of Chief Reynolds
friends had hoped that he might be
induced to withdraw his resignation,
the chief was insistent and the board
accepted the resignation with reluct-
ance. The commissioners unanimously
passed a resolution thanking Chief
Reynolds for his faithful and efficient
work during the FIVE years he has
been at the head of the police depart
ment.
Much Specializing.
With the announcement Tuesday
that the chief had rendered his resig-
nation there was much speculation
as to what action the board would
take and many rlmors have been cur
rent during the past two days. II was
said by some that the commissioners
would name an outsider as the new
chief of police, but those who were
in touch with the situation We're sat
isfied that the commissioners would
name a man within the department
and for that reason the action of the
board was not at all surprising. Ser
geant Mitchell was the ranking SER
geant and the logical man to succeed
the chief
When Chairman II. b. Holmes rap
ped the board to order last night,
Il. ID. Holloway and DR.. Samuel W
HObson. the other two members of the
board were present After some rou-
time business was disposed of. the
chiefs resignation was read and act
Cd upon.
Chief Reynolds Resignation.
The resignation read as follows:
Newport News. Va.
April II. 1910.
Nj II. B. Holmes, Chairman
Board of Police Commissioners.
Newport News, Va.
Dear Sir
II hereby tender my resignation as
chief Of police to take effect at The
end Of the present fiscal year In re-
signing from this position. ! wish 10
tender my sincere thanks TO every
member Of the board for the hearty
cooperation given me during my
term OF Office
In resignirS as chief do not de-
sire to sever ny connection with
the police department if I can avoid
it. but would respectfully request. If
the board can consistently do so with
out prejrdice to the rights of any 9TH
CT member Of the department, that in
the reorganization OF the department,
yOu reiBstste me in the position
which held at the tine OF my pro-
molten TO my present position.
My reasons for making the above
request are good ones, two OF which
are that think | can serve the city
with more satisfaction TO the people,
and J know that can with more
satisfaction TO myself
Very respectfully.
tSigncd j. W. REYNOLDS.
Chief OF Police
Comes Into His Own Again.
Before being elevated 10 the Office
# chief five years ago. Chief Rcy-
nolds held the post Of detective ser
gean; for a number Of years Dcfec-
tive work appealed o. him and his
record as the detective sergeant was
an excellent one. lie was rciucfan;
% give up this work IN become the
chef 81 the department and 1t was
only after strong pressure had been
brought 10 bear that nc consented to
accept the chicfship.
Sergeant Mitchell. who Is 10 b. the
chief on and after July !. has been
Chief Reynolds right nand man ever
since hc was made chief Following
his election 10 the chicfship. Chief
Reynolds requested the police board
% make Nr Mitchell sergeant. Mr..
Mitchell bad worked In the police de-
partmcnt several years. bat AZ that
ftu.n -. "a. ~..r4rlff..r.f 81 fre rLfurard