City of Upland, CA

Our First Chief

From 1902 to 1906, our city (then known as North Ontario) was being watched over by City Marshal Jedd Francis Sawyer. After becoming incorporated, our first police department was formed and Jedd became Upland’s first “Constable” or Police Chief as we know it today and served until 1935. He was said to be a unique man who was admired for his optimism and vitality despite having only one arm. Sawyer’s department office was housed with the City Hall at 122 N. Second Avenue and the jail was attached at 126 N. Second Avenue.

In 1923, the city added three patrolmen bringing our total number up to 4 in the Department. They were happy to have what was considered the first traffic officer in our history, Louis Kronmeyer. He was said to be affectionately known as “Two-Gun Louie” by fellow officers and friends. They strictly enforced the twenty-five miles per hour speed limited within the city.

Saywer and his staff of three officers captured criminals, resolved disputes, enforced the National Prohibition Act, and even chased down youngsters who rode their bicycles along the wooden sidewalks to keep the women safe when they walked. It was a sad day for the people in the Upland District when they lost their first Chief of Police to influenza and bronchitis in August of 1935.