The history of law enforcement in Beaverton: Courage. Compassion. Integrity.

Permanent organized law enforcement wasn’t a priority of early Oregon Country settlers. Taking care of themselves, establishing homes, and proving up land claims came first. Mountain man, farmer and legislator Joseph L. Meek (1810-1875) administered the law as the first federal marshal during the days of the Oregon’s provisional and territorial government.

The first sheriff of Twuality District (renamed Washington County in 1849) was Thomas Smith, who was succeeded by Robert Poe and Westly Mulky. They and their successors enforced laws and locked up offenders in the county jail in Hillsboro before Beaverton had its own legal official.

Beaverton’s 1893 incorporation documents called for an unpaid mayor, treasurer, recorder, marshal, and four councilmen. Among the first marshals or constables (the words were used interchangeably) were Frank Hendricks in 1894, W.F. Desinger in 1905 (or earlier), and C.O. DeBere in 1908. Councilmen awarded Desinger, a carpenter by trade, the contract to build the first city jail and council chambers in 1906, a project he promised to complete within a month.

Duties went beyond catching burglars, averting would-be kidnappings, or escorting hobos out of town. In 1912 M.K. Emmons warned owners of livestock to keep their animals off city streets and in 1913, Constable Fred Pappel published Ordinance 31, ordering all dogs muzzled from July 1 to September 15. The same year he warned citizens to clean up tin cans and rubbish as well as to cut down overhanging branches from streets. If work wasn’t done by property owners, it would be done for them and “costs assessed”. The job was by now paid, and Pappel received $40 a month ($1,345 in 2026.) The Owl newspaper reported Pappel’s arrest of five ruffians for robbing the Oregon Electric Railway depot safe. It’s told he was waiting for a shave in the Beaverton barber shop at the time.

Councilmen appointed Elmer Stipe in 1917 to fill the position of marshal, to be paid $1.50 per arrest. Stipe assured them city coffers would be filled with fees collected from speeders and other “scofflaws”. When a civic ordinance closed all public gatherings and imposed quarantine during the 1918-19 Spanish Flu pandemic, John Kamberger, clerk at Cady & Pegg general merchandise store, was chosen to serve as “special marshal” to enforce that decree.

Henry Mayfield, 1896-1976 (see photo), was Beaverton’s first uniform-wearing Chief of Police, serving from 1947-1951. He began his career as a part-time patrol officer in the early 1940s, also working part-time for Portland General Electric. During World War II the position became full-time, patrolling from 5 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., initially using his own car. He is remembered for providing free transportation after his 2:30 shift ended to servicemen visiting their homes during the war years. His wife Dena said in a 1982 interview with oral historian Shirley Tanzer the $250 a month salary was insufficient to provide for their family, so he started a sand and gravel business in Tigard and a construction company in Beaverton.

Beaverton grew as open fields gave way to residential areas and diversified businesses; improved transportation brought in new people. With these developments came the need for a full-time police force that increased to five officers in the mid-1950s. Today’s multi-divisional, interagency, accredited Beaverton Police Department of 134 sworn officers can trace its heritage to these modest beginnings.

By Ann Koppy, local historian.