Grave of Chief William H Parker LAPD- San Fernando, CA - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

It may have been coincidence that the Department’s most distinguished Chief took office during the City’s centennial in 1950. William H. Parker was destined to remain Chief until his death 16 years later, longer than anyone before or since. His leadership, integrity, and zeal brought him international renown. He streamlined the entire Department, rigidly enforced Civil Service procedures, insisted that the public be kept informed of Department activities, demanded discipline, eliminated wasteful spending, and pioneered narcotics and civil rights enforcement. Congress and governments throughout the world sought his expertise, and his honors were legion. For many, he remains the prototype of the ideal Chief.

On the night of July 16, 1966, after receiving yet another commendation, Chief Parker was stricken with a fatal heart attack. Shortly thereafter, the Department’s administrative headquarters on North Los Angeles Street was officially named Parker Center.

To quote from one of his biographers, "Parker’s death ended an era – possibly the most productive and renowned in the history of American municipal law enforcement. He left a tradition and an example; a tradition to be maintained by all future Los Angeles police officers and an example for all police agencies to follow. His legacy provides hope that honest, professional law enforcement is not just a dream but an attainable goal." Deputy Chief Thad F. Brown assumed interim command of the Department following Parker’s death, serving until Thomas Reddin was appointed Chief in 1967. Another Deputy Chief, Roger E. Murdock, took office after Reddin’s retirement, pending the promotion of Chief Edward M. Davis.

LINK: http://www.lapdonline.org/history_of_the_lapd/content_basic_view/1110

Description: William H. Parker (June 21, 1905 – July 16, 1966) was a police chief of the Los Angeles City Police Department. He served 15 years as an LAPD officer before taking a leave to fight in World War II. He received a Purple Heart after being wounded during the Normandy invasion. As soon as he returned home he was re-assigned to basic patrol status with the LAPD. He was the longest reigning police chief and served on the force 39 years (starting on August 8, 1927). Parker was born in South Dakota. He became police chief on August 9, 1950 and is credited with transforming the LAPD into a world renowned law enforcement agency. Parker was a member of the police department during its last era as an old ward peacekeeping oriented force. The department that he took over in 1950 was notoriously corrupt. His experience in that atmosphere, with its heavy involvement by partisan groups in the police department and comingling of political circles with vice and corruption on the streets led him to conclude a different organized police force was necessary to keep the peace. Date of birth: 06/21/1905 Date of death: 07/16/1966 Area of notoriety: Law Enforcement Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link] Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Not listed

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Date Logged Log   01/11/2010 calgriz visited it