The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-07-06
By THE OUT-EASTER

There is always interesting his- tory in the death of an old time cop.
 We looked up some theother day when it was announced that Pa- trick J. Hayes, a retired sergeant of the police department had died. Sergeant Hayes came from Out East, or at least the Hayes family, of which he was part, lived on Wall Street, about the time he was named to the police department 50 years ago, or to be exact, July 10, 1894. He took the place of Michael F. King of the West End; Policeman King died on June 25, 1894.
 In the early years of the Wa terbury police department the record shows that many civil suits for damages were brought against its members, and that some of the men detailed for police duty lost their homes and what proper ty they owned by reason of a false arrest, or making an arrest over the threshold of a home, without a duly signed warrant. In those days, we understand the city failed to protect the police man; nowadays ample legal serv- ice is given to a policeman in time of trouble, and especially in a civil action.
 In 1853, when the city of Wa terbury was incorporated, 25 spec ial constables were appointed to preserve the peace of the city. But their jurisdiction did not extend beyond the city limits. That same year a "city prison" was rented on Brook Street. One Sam Warren was the official turnkey" He got fifty cents, each time he turned the key. Brook Street then a pretty little l. ne, with nice little dwellings on either side, be- came rough and uncouth" as a petition of protest read, submit ted by the property owners. The Mayor ignored the land owners, and challenged them when they threatened court proceedings.
 'Taint 'so," declared Mayor Julius Hotchkiss, a Democrat, the first in the city to hold the office, when it was charged the "city prison" was a nuisance. But by the lst day of May, 1860, before the Civil War. the city had bought 8 strip of land on Phoenix Ave- nue, and that was the "city pris- on" until the new station was built in Harrison Alley. and possession taken Feb. 1, 1890. This building was given up Jan. l9, l9l6, when the new municipal and police and fire headquarters were entered for the first time. Now it looks as though the headquarters of 25 years ago will soon have to be enlarged to accommodate the increase in police business.
 Sergeant Hayes was a striking looking figure when he doffed his police uniform for the first time in the glorious days and nights of the middle nineties. The sum- mer uniform was his first. com- prising a dome shaped helmet, gray or light in color, a long and rather heavy blouse, and with blue trousers to match. His first tour of duty was in the business section of South Main Street runs ming from 9 D, m. to ' a, m, And thic meet ha laakrnllad for a long time, always in the night season, for there were few men on day duty, and Pats chance for such a tour would not come through for years, But he never complained; his goal had been reached when he was appointed, inasmuch as the history indicates there was much wire-pulliDg and political twists to be straightened out before the final vote was taks en, And as a rule, only Democrats figured, on account Of the large number of such votes on election day,
 Sergeant Hayes used to relate his first meeting with the then head of the police department, the late Chief George N, EgaD,
 sOffieer Hayes" remarked the Chief in his words of advice, "re- member always, you are now policeman; you gill be on your own; We shall advise you from time to time, but always bear iD mind you are responsible and aIlkweTable for your own acts. You must interpret the law yourself, Co your enforcement Of matters before you on your post, Neither the captain, lieutenant, the seT- geanis nor myself can advise or instruct you io make an Illegal arrest, Of you see . violation, you nave the power of arrest, but be extremely careful ln entering home. without due process of the law; you must have a legal war rant to enter . home. because that ls a mans castle. and hls rights to peace and quiet there are most