Imperial Valley press., 1934-11-03

co Courage, resourcefulness and determination
moulded into his character at an early age.
Since those early days, he has added courtesy,
initiative and efficiency, learned partly during a
hitch that most rare of beings, popular men,
ber of the military police during service in the
United States army at the time of the World War.
Tact and consideration where possible made him
popular. Main force when necessary made him
respected
Prior to joining the sheriffs force here in 1928,
Chief Oswalt took up ranching and still main
tains ranch 1t has taught him, at least, the
meaning to the taxpayer of his dollar, and the ne
cessity for stretching that dollar far it will
go in county government.
That knowledge was put into practice to the
benefit OF Ell Centre city taxpayers, when Sterling
0SWalt became chief of police in 1926. In the in
terest of efficiency, and to provide the city with
law enforcement agency second to none, Chief Os-
walt instituted reorganization of the department
that provided full residence patrols, system of
signal lights keeping constant contact between
members Of the department, hourly reports by pa
tromen To headquarters and also originated b
complete system of recording all calls and records
received by the police department. One result has
been that an average OF only four minutes is re-
Quired to answer call to any part of the city,
any hour of day or night
1t was Chief Oswalt too, who organized an
auxiliary force to supplement the police depart
ment in case of disaster riot. Through the CO.
operation of Boyce Aten post of the American
Legion, this auxiliary can be called, fully equip
ped with arms and ready. to obey orders, at any
hour.
further qualification that peculiarly fits
Oswalt for the job of sheriff in Imperial county
is his ability to speak Spanish fuently and the
firm friendship that exists between Chief Oswalt
and the Mexican officials in Lower California.
friendship which neither change of administration
across the International line nor any other factor
has been able to disrupt.
1t is a common thing for the police in Los An
geles and other coast cities to notify Chief Oswat
and to seek his aid and through him the aid of
Mexican officials in apprehending criminals want
ed in those places He is known as a man who can
work with the Mexican authorities.
A concrete example of the benefit to the county,
of this knowledge and experience on the part of
OSWalt was cleary y demonstrated when he was con-
nected with the sheriff's office. At that time Os-
walt was instrumental in obtaining evidence
against Mariana Cazares and Alvno Mendez slay-
ers of Mike Fornasera, farmer MelOland.
Cazares sent to the gallows and Wendez to the
asylum for the criminal insane for life. He also
followed the trail of Jim Calhoun in Mexico and
brought him back to face charge of Staying Jean
Hudson. Calhoun is serving time in prison for his
crime.
The above should convince the reader that J.
Sterling OsWalt does have the background, the
ability and the experience to efficiently discharge
the duties of sheriff of Imperial county We have
gone to some length so that many who may not
know him personally might have a better idea of
the type of man }. Sterling Oswat really is. We
feel sure that if you study his qualifications care
there ND dvouU caS