Edinburgh Police Department
The Edinburgh Police Department was established in 1853 when the Town of
Edinburgh was incorporated. Of course, portable radios were unheard of in
those days so when a call was received, the dispatcher activate a light on top of
one of the buildings downtown to alert the officer who would then come to the station
to receive the information. That's a far cry from the equipment officers use today.
During World War II, military police from neighboring Camp Atterbury accompanied
local officers when military personnel were in Edinburgh on overnight passes. This
policy continued into the 1980's and we have always enjoyed a close rapport with
the officers and enlisted men serving at Camp Atterbury.
We are also proud of our Deputy Marshals' Fraternal Association, which was
incorporated in 1979. The Association endeavers to support and encourage the
development both professionally and fraternally of the Deputy Marshals serving
our town. The Association was responsible for establishing a fund to enable our
department to obtain our first K-9 Unit, Brix. These funds were obtained from
private and corporate donations and they continue to help maintain our K-9 program.
Some Of Our Finest
Chief Patrick Pankey heads our Police Department of 8 full time officers and 10
reserve officers. Chief Pankey has been chief for almost 10 years and is a past
District Director of the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police, a retired First
Sgt. with the Indiana National Guard and a Viet Nam veteran. Chief Pankey
is highly thought of by the officers and civilians under his command and has
been responsible for many needed changes in the department. He has recently
obtained new patrol cars, a new radio console and a new computer system for
dispatch. Thanks to Chief Pankey's efforts we look forward to a bright and
successful future for our department !
David Lutz serves as Deputy Chief for Edinburgh Police Department. David brings considerable expertise and energy to his position with the department. He is a former k-9 officer with his partner, Arno, who is a Dutch Malinois imported and trained in Holland to do building searches, tracking, criminal apprehensions, handler protection and detection of illegal drugs. Arno is now retired and living a life of leisure with David and his wife, Shelby.
David was inducted into the American Police Hall of Fame when he and his former
partner, Brix, saved two children who had been taken hostage by their father and
locked in a van which he subsequently set on fire. While Brix kept the father
subdued, Officer Lutz broke the window out of the van and saved the children.
Dedicated officers like this are a proud reminder of the heroism these officers
exemplify every day.
It is with great sadness that I must report that Brix
died on September 22, 1998, after an extensive illness. He
will be sadly missed. Rest well valiant officer and friend.
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In memory of all law enforcement officers who have made the surpreme sacrifice:
The Final Inspection
The policeman stood and faced his God
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
"Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint."
"I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough
and sometimes I've been violent,
beause the streets are awfully tough."
"But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep ....
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep."
"And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear
And sometimes, God, forgive me
I've wept unmannly tears."
"I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
"If you've got a place for me here, Lord
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much
But if you don't .... I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the policeman waited quietly
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman
"You've borne your burdens well
Come walk a beat on Heavan's streets
You've done your time in Hell."
The author of this poem is unknown but I would like to thank Deputy Chief David Lutz for
contributing this. He showed it to me one night while we were both on duty and
said "you might want to add this to your homepage on the internet". And I certainly
did ! Thanks bro ....
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Finally, in honor of all k-9 units around the world, and
to those who have made the supreme sacrifice for their handlers,
I dedicate the following:
The Working Dog
My eyes are your eyes,
To watch and protect you.
My ears are your ears,
To hear and detect evil minds in the dark.
My nose is your nose,
To scent the invader of your domain.
And so you may live,
My life is also yours !
Edinburgh Fire & Rescue Department
The Edinburgh Fire Department was established in 1893 and like all fire
departments has grown significantly over the years. Currently, it boasts 20 members,
2 full time and the remaining volunteer. The department has 5 EMTs and 3 paramedics
and I must say, those guys do a wonderful job. Of course, I'm not the least bit
prejudiced ! But in view of the fact that the department serves an area of approximately
37 square miles which lies in 3 counties and averages 650 ambulance runs a year
and approximately 120 fires ... I think they to a magnificent job.
The department is ably headed by Chief Allen Smith who is a dedicated, hard
working chief who has made many significant changes to the department. I think
everyone agrees that our fire department has a lot to be thankful for in Chief Smith.
He is one of the few people I know who is never too busy to help anyone who needs
it ... he has come out in the middle of the night, to replace fuses in an elderly ladies'
house when she couldn't get her lights on. He has gone out to check someone's
blood pressure and has lost many a nights sleep on the ambulance. He is an
inspiration to all his men and I, for one, am deeply greatful for all the help he has
given me over the years. He is never slow to advise a dispatcher on ways to improve
response times and service. His main goal is to get the help there as fast as is
humanly possible and always serve the town. The word "serve" is not just an
empty shell to Chief Smith .... he lives it, breathes it and probably has it for
breakfast !
For all of you who do not realize what selfless dedication it takes to be a firefighter,
I offer the following .... really makes you think, doesn't it ???
Promises
I promise concern for others and a willingness to help all those in need;
I promise courage -- courage to face and conquer my fears; courage to share and
endure the ordeal of those who need me.
I promise strength -- strength of heart to bear whatever burdens might be placed upon me;
strength of body to deliver to safety all those placed within my care;
I promise wisdom to lead, the compassion to comfort and the love to serve
unselfishly whenever I am called.
I am a firefighter ....... I pledge my all !
Special thanks to Capt. Neal Harmon, another dedicated firefighter in Missouri, for
providing this firefighter's pledge to me!
Email: code18@hotmail.com
