The roots of the Columbus Police Department can be traced to the late 1800's. Although not an official police officer, City Marshal Pat Hagerty, with the help of George Lewellen, kept an eye on things for merchants and townsfolk.

Around 1895 the city added its first police officers, although they weren't recognized by the City Council at that time.

Eight men made up that department, working four at a time in 12-hour shifts. These men were John Ferguson, Newton Clark, George Smith, Roger Dixon, Ed Garrison, Dad Hoffman, Henry Hoffman and Jim Henry.

There was a problem however. They didn't have a building for their headquarters. Therefore, they used the offices of the local newspaper, which was open all night. They grabbed naps on bundles of newsprint.

When George Caldwell became Mayor, he immediately put up an 8-by-10-foot building east of the Crump Theater between the Donner Jewelry Store and Patterson's Livery Stable. The headquarters even had a phone.

At the turn of the century, Charles Shepard, Curtis Vailes and Ed Christie joined the department. The men patrolled the streets and answered calls. But they retained the services of George Bassett, a long time merchant policeman who rarely took his eye off the downtown.