William A. Hammel

LAPD Chief of Police, LA County Sheriff

William A. Hamm

Police career
Country	United States
Department	Los Angeles Police Department
Rank	Chief of Police - 1909

William "Billy" A. Hammel was chief of police of the Los Angeles Police Department for one year, six months, and 26 days in 1904–1905.^[1] He was a retired Sheriff of Los Angeles County when he was hired to replace Charles Elton.^[2] Under Hammel, the LAPD used police automobiles for the first time.^[2] He also added a third local police station, following up Boyle Heights and Lincoln Heights divisions with a new building on Jefferson Blvd.^[2]

Hammel was the son of a physician who came to San Francisco in 1849 for the California gold rush.^[3] After a career as a grocery man, W. A. Hammel was first elected sheriff in 1898 and then again in 1906.^[3] He was reportedly given "considerable credit" for arresting the brothers behind the 1910 Los Angeles Times bombing.^[3] He retired from law enforcement for good in 1913.^[4] The Times still thought highly of him some 20 years later: "Mr. Hammel took a leading part In the fight against lawlessness and crime, and to his straight hitting and Incorruptible honor the county of Los Angeles owes an eternal debt of gratitude."^[4]

References

^ "Los Angeles Chiefs of Police - Names - Time Served". The Los Angeles Times. 1931-08-09. p. 126. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
^ ^a ^b ^c Capt. Arthur Sjoquist (1984). History of the LAPD. p. 49.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Los Angeles Ex-Sheriff Answers Reaper's Call". The Los Angeles Times. 1932-01-02. p. 15. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
^ ^a ^b "William A. Hammel". The Los Angeles Times. 1932-01-04. p. 20. Retrieved 2024-05-27.