History of Nevada Mo Police Department
Katherine Kerbs
Back Row-2nd from left (Dad)
Front row: Butterfield, Fred, Preston Dixon, City Manager Mr. Wilson, Sterling James, Stanley Brittingham, ? (Dad)
Back row: ?, ?, Woodfill, ? Katherine Holmes, ?
Cottey student finishes history of NPD
By Rusty MurryNevada Daily Mail
As the spring semester draws to an end at Cottey College, so does Katherine Kerbs' directed study course, which was to research and write a history of the Nevada Police Department. Kerbs was intimidated in the beginning, but spent about 3 1/2 working on the project which "went really well" before she finished.
Kerbs started her project with very little actual material. She had an old ledger, some crime scene photos, a scrapbook and a couple of physical artifacts, but once the word got out that she was doing the project, Kerbs said she "received a lot of support," and "everything she got was useful."
Kerbs said that even though she found quite a bit of information, she had "just scratched the surface," of the material that's out there. Kerbs said she got a lot of good information from Kaye Brittingham-Murry of Kansas City, Mo., whose father Stanley Brittingham served on the Nevada Police Department for many years. Brittingham served as a patrolman, sergeant and lieutenant. He was appointed chief of police in 1960 and served in that capacity until 1964. Brittingham died in Nevada in April of 2008, but Brittingham-Murry was able to give Kerbs a lot of information including some photographs.
Kerbs said the information she found on the department kind of took its own direction and she ended up focusing her work on the technology they used. She said her final "paper has a technology focus" and shows that "the dedication and compassion of our officers has been instrumental in our police department."
Digging deeper into her material, Kerbs found out that the Nevada Police Department was started in 1890 with five officers and a chief, and she found a photo from 1900 of three officers and a chief. Kerbs said she didn't find "a ton" of material to "work with, but I was able to make good use of what I had." Old city directories were a good source for her as were issues of the Nevada Daily Mail she found on "Google News."
Kerbs also found out that women were important to the police force. There were no early female officers but they worked in dispatching, she said. She mentioned two in particular. Esther Chester and Katherine Holmes were good examples of the dedication and compassion of the department. Kerbs related a story about a young woman who was accused of stealing and arrested. She had a young son that had nowhere to go and Holmes took the boy in until the matter was resolved.
Kerbs also mentioned the police department's willingness to listen to the public. A "wave of crime" in early 1964 created a public outcry. The public clamoring for action led to a meeting in which it was determined that the downtown area was unprotected. The decision was made for an officer to "walk the beat" in that area. The crime stopped and a suspect was eventually apprehended.
Kerbs said her research project has "been a really wonderful experience." She said it has taught her perseverance and given her appreciation for the community and the number of people who were willing to help her. Kerbs said that she was required to put eight hours a week into the project but she put in much more than that.
She also said "I'm excited to see what becomes of my project." Her instructor at Cottey, Angela Firkus, is going to try and find another student who is willing to continue the research, so the history will be more comprehensive.
Kerbs presented her findings in a public presentation in room 109 of the Rubie Burton Academic Center on the Cottey College campus on Thursday, May 10. The 20-minute presentation included the contents of the 10 page paper as well as a slide show.
Kerbs, the salutatorian of the Bronaugh High School Class of 2010, plans to attend William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., after receiving her associate degree from Cottey College. She wants to major in English and minor in history. Her long-term plans are to become a lawyer.
As the spring semester draws to an end at Cottey College, so does Katherine Kerbs' directed study course, which was to research and write a history of the Nevada Police Department. Kerbs was intimidated in the beginning, but spent about 3 1/2 working on the project which "went really well" before she finished.
Kerbs started her project with very little actual material. She had an old ledger, some crime scene photos, a scrapbook and a couple of physical artifacts, but once the word got out that she was doing the project, Kerbs said she "received a lot of support," and "everything she got was useful."
Kerbs said that even though she found quite a bit of information, she had "just scratched the surface," of the material that's out there. Kerbs said she got a lot of good information from Kaye Brittingham-Murry of Kansas City, Mo., whose father Stanley Brittingham served on the Nevada Police Department for many years. Brittingham served as a patrolman, sergeant and lieutenant. He was appointed chief of police in 1960 and served in that capacity until 1964. Brittingham died in Nevada in April of 2008, but Brittingham-Murry was able to give Kerbs a lot of information including some photographs.
Kerbs said the information she found on the department kind of took its own direction and she ended up focusing her work on the technology they used. She said her final "paper has a technology focus" and shows that "the dedication and compassion of our officers has been instrumental in our police department."
Digging deeper into her material, Kerbs found out that the Nevada Police Department was started in 1890 with five officers and a chief, and she found a photo from 1900 of three officers and a chief. Kerbs said she didn't find "a ton" of material to "work with, but I was able to make good use of what I had." Old city directories were a good source for her as were issues of the Nevada Daily Mail she found on "Google News."
Kerbs also found out that women were important to the police force. There were no early female officers but they worked in dispatching, she said. She mentioned two in particular. Esther Chester and Katherine Holmes were good examples of the dedication and compassion of the department. Kerbs related a story about a young woman who was accused of stealing and arrested. She had a young son that had nowhere to go and Holmes took the boy in until the matter was resolved.
Kerbs also mentioned the police department's willingness to listen to the public. A "wave of crime" in early 1964 created a public outcry. The public clamoring for action led to a meeting in which it was determined that the downtown area was unprotected. The decision was made for an officer to "walk the beat" in that area. The crime stopped and a suspect was eventually apprehended.
Kerbs said her research project has "been a really wonderful experience." She said it has taught her perseverance and given her appreciation for the community and the number of people who were willing to help her. Kerbs said that she was required to put eight hours a week into the project but she put in much more than that.
She also said "I'm excited to see what becomes of my project." Her instructor at Cottey, Angela Firkus, is going to try and find another student who is willing to continue the research, so the history will be more comprehensive.
Kerbs presented her findings in a public presentation in room 109 of the Rubie Burton Academic Center on the Cottey College campus on Thursday, May 10. The 20-minute presentation included the contents of the 10 page paper as well as a slide show.
Kerbs, the salutatorian of the Bronaugh High School Class of 2010, plans to attend William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., after receiving her associate degree from Cottey College. She wants to major in English and minor in history. Her long-term plans are to become a lawyer.
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Police History Photo Gallery
History Photos of the 1950′s and 1960′s. We have very little photo’s of the Nevada Police Department and need the public to help. How you can help: Help us find these historical pictures of our past. If you have any information on photo’s or have any photo’s of the Nevada Police Department we would Love to obtain a copy of those photo’s of our great history. Every photo of the Nevada police department will be hung up in the hall way for inspiration for the officers and on the website. Please help us make our history alive again threw your generosity.
Police History Photo Gallery 2
As promised, we have posted the photos that you have given us of our fine police department from 1909 to the 1950s and 1960s. Many photos from our departments past have never been seen because it was never thought to keep them at the department for our records. Now that’s why we need you to help us Rediscover, Recover, and Bring New Life to our history’s department. Call the Nevada Police Department today and find out how you can help us Recover our history. Nevada Police Department (417) 448-5100
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