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Peterson, William A.

Colonel William A. Peterson of the American Legion Post 41 served for a few weeks as the temporary police chief of La Grange. 

The need for a temporary police chief was the result of a dispute between La Grange Police Chief L. G. Mathews and the Village Board.  In December of 1925 Mathews was dismissed over questions of financial irregularities and frequent absences.  In support of their chief the entire police force resigned.  Colonel Walter Curtis (commander of American Legion Post 41) offered his legionnaires as a temporary police force.  The Village accepted his offer and appointed Colonel Curtis, as the temporary police chief.  After a few weeks Colonel William Peterson, a man with military police experience, was assigned as temporary chief.

Numerous sources were used in the compilation of these entries including but not limited to:

• Images of America -- La Grange and La Grange Park, Illinois by RoseAnna and Robert Mueller, Arcadia Publishing
• La Grange Centennial History 1879-1979, William J Cromie, Editor, La Grange Area Historical Society, 1979

 

Last Modified:  04/22/2003