Families of policemen and policewomen -- like families of firefighters -- recognize that look you always see on the faces in photographs of cops. It's a proud look but one that is almost defiant, showing the kind of spirit and attitude that keeps one going to work every day to face the constant threat of danger.

That look is on the face of 19th century Milwaukee Patrolman William Leuenberg on page 29 of Maralyn A. Wellauer-Lenius' book, "Images of America: Milwaukee Police Department," published in paperback by Arcadia Publishing. It's also on the face of Andrew Anewenter, the longest-serving cop in the city on page 125.

Wellauer-Lenius, a Milwaukee native, knows that look well. Her dad was a policeman and, she says, the idea for the book came from him, as well as from the scarcity of information and photographs about the history of the department he served.

"The idea was 'hatched' many years ago when I was still in school at UWM. All my life I had listened to stories told by my father, a retired MPD patrolman, and his friends. One day I asked him where I could find a history of the department so I could learn more. He asked around but couldn't find anything. I couldn't even find information on all of the former chiefs, so I resolved to someday write an article about the department myself. I actively collected material for this purpose since the mid-1970s. Admittedly, it was not much, since not much was available.

"When I visited city bookstores, I noticed that Arcadia Press had published several titles of local interest. I wondered if they had done a book on the Milwaukee Police Department. I called the regional editor who replied that they had not. He inquired about my interest in the subject and I told him I was a cop's daughter. Without hesitation, he asked me if I would like to write one. I saw this as an opportunity to make an old dream come true and at the same time make a serious contribution to Milwaukee's history."

The book, part of Arcadia's ongoing series of local history works, is heavily illustrated, but don't let the many photos fool you. Wellauer-Lenius' book is packed with interesting stories about the department, the city and the men and women that have patrolled it streets and protected its citizens.

The oldest photos in the book show early department chiefs like William Beck -- who served three terms beginning in 1855 -- Walter Sheldon Johnson (1861-'62) and Herman L. Page (1862-'63). The most recent is a shot of recent chief Nan Hegerty.

In between are 150 years of officers, station houses, police vehicles, academies and more. One photo pictures the front page of a daily newspaper the day after a bomb killed nine policemen and a civilian woman in November 1917.

Wellauer-Lenius -- who has also written books on genealogy -- says that finding photos initially seemed difficult, but continued searching proved fruitful.

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Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by hjuech on April 13, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (report)

I cannot wait to get this book. Not only did I know the Author's father, he was a friend of my future father-in-law, also a Milwaukee Police Officer. Today I live 300 feet from the house that the authors dad built back in the early 50's. As I recall a Patrolman back then had to purchase his own 38 Smith and Wesson, and earned about $6000.00 per years. Both the author's father and my father-in-law were excellent hotarculurists.

Posted by GlamGirl on March 25, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (report)

My dad was a bike cop in Milwaukee from the mid-50s to the 80s, then retired and came back as a civilian in the 90s. He passed away in 1998. He would have LOVED this book! I too heard lots of stories as I grew up, and I've always been proud of my dad's chosen profession. To this day, the sound of a Harley reminds me of his return home every evening! I really appreciate the author taking the time to compile this book and can't wait to run out and find my copy!!! Thanks!!!