The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1919-01-23
GEO. SHEPPARD
is CITY'S NEW
POLICE CHIEF
Montana Man is Appointed by
Mayor Tweedt to Succeed
C. E. Copeland
COUNCIL VOTE IS A TIE
]. B. Hayden Resigns as Deputy but
Will Stay on Job Until His
Successor is Appointed

After seven years of continuou.
service in Kennewick's police depart
ment, during five years of which hi
has been its chief, G. E. Copeland, OF
the fourth of February, will turn over
the affairs of his office to George Shep-
pard, who received his appointment
as chief Tuesday evening at the, first
regular meeting of the new city coun-
Gil.
Not only has the appointment
aroused not a little acrimonious pro-
test from Mr.. Copeland's friends, and
been the one topic of street conver-
sation during the week, but it has
been responsible for the first friction
between members of the council and
the mayor which has developed since
the days when S. M. Lockerby used
to sit at the head of the table and
when there was seldom if ever har-
mony in the official family.
With Councilman G. M. Annis alb
sent the vote of the council stood three
for and three against confirmation,
and Mayor Geo. E. Tweedt, to break
the tic, cast the deciding vote in fa-
vor of the appointment. Councilman
D. S. Brogunier, Guy Hayden and L..
C. Gardner voted to confirm and Coun-
4cilmen R. Gilcrest, Chas. Haas and f.
+. Beste voted against confirmation.
In submitting the appointment Mayor
Tweedt gave no reasons for making
the change and Chief Copeland pre-
sented his application for reappoint-
ment in the form of petition signed
by 63 business men and business en-
ployes.
In opposing the appointment Coun-
Gilman Gilcrest said that he believed
the wishes of the business men should
be considered and that a. petition
signed by practically every business
man in the community should not be
ignored. Councilman Brogunier ex-
pressed the opinion that the selection
OF chief of police was for the. de-
termination of the mayor and council
and the business men had no right to I
butt in. Councilman Beste said he
understood that Mr.. Sheppard was not
a citizen of the State of Washington
and questioned his eligibility to hold
the office. Councilman Haas protested
against the appointment of an sal
most total stranger" in preference to
man who had been. a resident and
taxpayer of the community for years
and who had given general satisfac-
ton as chief of police.
Mayor Twecdt said that he had in
vestigated Mr.. Sheppard's record and
was satisfied that he was not only
qualified to discharge the duties of
the office, but that his references in
dicated that he could be depended upon
TO give the city good and efficient
service. He submitted several letters
OF recommendation from parties in
Montana where Mr.. Sheppard was for
time employed as deputy sheriff.
Mr.. Sheppard came to Kennewick ,
last July from Lewistown, Montana,
and since that time has worked in /
and around the city. His work brought /
nun in contact with but few people ,
ana consequently his acquaintance in ,
ene community is very limited. If
The resignation of J. B. Hayden as !
ueputy policeman was read and placed 1t
on !. nle, but was not accepted. Mayor {
i"eedt announced that as yet he had /
iound none whom he wished to ap- f
point as deputy but Mr.. Hayden had /
asreed to continue in his present ca I
pacity until successor, could be .
, found The mayor said he wished to ! q
soldier. :.
Den Bergen was reappointed street .
s'nlnissoner, and Judge c. Staser was u
,s'alned = as police justice. DR.. Walter #
- rlson was appointed health officer. f
inian Brogunier drew a place %
o. 'he health board and Mrs. E. M. 10
i y was named as additional member a
-. le board. Councilman Haas was q
eu mayor protein by his colleagues a