The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-25
(By The Out Easter)

Some old time police history was attached to the recent death of William H. Brickel of the Brooklyn district. The Brick els were German, and like many other of that par ticular race located across the Bank street bridge in the days when the Irish comprised the greater lot of residents of that well known section of Waterbury. It has always been claimed. and truly so, that the Irish and the Germans were almost one ill their mingling and effort at merry making. No two races ever got along better. in Waterbury, at least. Old Hellman grove, back of the old Hellman and Kipp brewry, now Largay's, almost had as many Irish as others at the old time picnics held by the va rious German organizations at this favorite meeting place of. many years ago.
 Named in 1884
 Billy Bricke1 was a clean cut young man when he joined the police force on Dec. 10, 1884. Hen ry A. Matthews Democrat was the mayor; the police board com- prised Thos. R. Martin and A. I. Goodrich as Republicans and James Nicholson and Eugene Sul- livan as Democrats. George M. Egan had been chief about year, and Thomas DoddS was the act ing Lieutenant. They were the only ranking officers. The patrol men were William Duncan, George W. Root, John Byrnes, John Pagan, Patrick Hickey, Maurice Noonan, Myles McNiff, Bernard F. Cahey, Charles B. Dean, Mi chael Sullivan and MT. Brickle. or II in all. Patrolmen at this time, were appointed at the pleas ure of the board, but in March, 1885, charter amendment was adopted, wherein all policemen were permitted to hold office without interference from the newly appointed board.
 In this respect listen to what the well know chief of years ago said about the condition and strength of the department, to wit: "The condition of the force in discipline and efficiency is as good as ex- pected considering the demoraliz- ing effects of an approaching elec- ton. I fear more time has been given by some members of the force for the last two or three months discussing the merits and probable chances of success of the different candidates for police commissioner than have been giv- en to devising the best means to prevent the violation of law or the detection of criminals. Here after. there will be no occasion for this state of things to exist, as the members of the force will know that their tenure of office will de- pend upon their own good con- duct, and not as to whether the 0luAf1Qudl COALllllGooAVAlO1 10 O 44ACAAu of theirs or not"
 And that was fifty years ago, too.
 Bank Holiday
 During the early winter of 1889, Feb. 5, to be exact, there was a bank robbery at Newtown. Word was sent to the Waterbury police headquarters. A detail of cops went down to the old New Eng land railroad station, and walked the tracks toward Towanti. The police were headed by the brave and fearless Major Chas. R. Ban non, then the only sergeant of the department. Back of him were Policemen Jack Pagan, Jim Healey, John Sullivan, Frank Blakely and Billy Brickel.
 Said the Soldierly Ramon to his comrades: These bank robbers are desperate men; they may get us at any moment, and 50 be on guard; as the commanding officer, and following my military train ing, I shall lead"