Melvin Arthur Willmirth This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. www.fcle.net

   www.fcle.net/history/profiles/ - [Cached]

   Published on: 7/24/2007   Last Visited: 12/3/2007

   Melvin Arthur Willmirth Appointed: 1955-1975
   
   Mel Willmirth was born in Coalinga on June 3, 1914, the son of an oil fields mechanic. He was raised there and educated locally. He left high school before graduation to work in the oil fields. In the late 1930's he was hired as a police officer by the City of Coalinga. In 1942, he was appointed Superintendent of the Fresno County Industrial Road Camp, located in the Coalinga area. Granted a leave of absence by the county, he served three years in the U.S. Navy during WWII, returning to the superintendent's job after his discharge. In 1954, he was elected Fresno County Sheriff, defeating the tainted incumbent, Joseph Tracy. Willmirth easily retained his position in the next four elections. He was unseated in the contentious 1974 election by Guy Langley. He died in Fresno on December 6, 1979, survived by his wife, Pauline, a son and daughter.
   
   During Sheriff Willmirth's watch the sheriff's department moved into the era of modern policing. Under his leadership the sheriff's department became one of the first in the state requiring that applicants for deputy sheriff have some college credits. He instituted 24-hour patrol coverage in the unincorporated areas. In 1959, he formed the Sheriff's Underwater Rescue Unit. In 1968-69 the modern Sheriff's Administration Building was built on the north side of the Courthouse Park, facing Fresno Street. In 1972, the countywide constable system was abandoned, and 30 constables and deputy constables were consolidated into the sheriff's department.
   
   Willmirth had extensive experience in detentions before becoming sheriff, and he oversaw many changes at the department in the correctional field. As superintendent of the Coalinga road camp, Willmirth worked directly under the Board of Supervisors. Upon his election as sheriff, the Coalinga camp and a similar facility at Kearney Park were placed under the authority of the sheriff's department.

2. 2. www.fresnosheriff.org

   www.fresnosheriff.org/history/ - [Cached]

   Published on: 3/12/2007   Last Visited: 3/12/2007

   Melvin Arthur Willmirth Appointed: 1955-1975
   
   Mel Willmirth was born in Coalinga on June 3, 1914, the son of an oil fields mechanic. He was raised there and educated locally. He left high school before graduation to work in the oil fields. In the late 1930's he was hired as a police officer by the City of Coalinga. In 1942, he was appointed Superintendent of the Fresno County Industrial Road Camp, located in the Coalinga area. Granted a leave of absence by the county, he served three years in the U.S. Navy during WWII, returning to the superintendent's job after his discharge. In 1954, he was elected Fresno County Sheriff, defeating the tainted incumbent, Joseph Tracy. Willmirth easily retained his position in the next four elections. He was unseated in the contentious 1974 election by Guy Langley. He died in Fresno on December 6, 1979, survived by his wife, Pauline, a son and daughter.
   
   During Sheriff Willmirth's watch the sheriff's department moved into the era of modern policing. Under his leadership the sheriff's department became one of the first in the state requiring that applicants for deputy sheriff have some college credits. He instituted 24-hour patrol coverage in the unincorporated areas. In 1959, he formed the Sheriff's Underwater Rescue Unit. In 1968-69 the modern Sheriff's Administration Building was built on the north side of the Courthouse Park, facing Fresno Street. In 1972, the countywide constable system was abandoned, and 30 constables and deputy constables were consolidated into the sheriff's department.
   
   Willmirth had extensive experience in detentions before becoming sheriff, and he oversaw many changes at the department in the correctional field. As superintendent of the Coalinga road camp, Willmirth worked directly under the Board of Supervisors. Upon his election as sheriff, the Coalinga camp and a similar facility at Kearney Park were placed under the authority of the sheriff's department.