History of Black Hawk Police Department

In 1990 citizens of the State of Colorado approved limited stakes gaming, which began October 1, 1991. Jerry Yocom, originally hired as City Marshal in 1991, became Black Hawk’s first official Police Chief when the Black Hawk Board of Alderman officially changed his title from City Marshal to Police Chief. The City of Black Hawk has had five Police Chiefs since 1991; Jerry Yocom, Arthur Hutchison, Stephen Cole, Kenneth Lloyd, and current Police Chief, Michelle Moriarty. The first Black Hawk Police Department offices were originally located in a small house on Cooper Street. They were moved in 1992 to the newly remodeled City Hall offices on Selak Street, which now serves as the City Manager's main office and the City Clerk.  City Administrative offices were originally located upstairs while the police department provided services downstairs.  By the end of 1992, the department had grown to 12 employees and was quickly outgrowing its new offices.  In 1994, the old schoolhouse located on Church Street, originally built in 1870, was renovated to accommodate the Police Department's growth.  The Police Department also added a new 911 Communications Center to handle police, fire, and ambulance calls in Black Hawk.  The Police Department, now consisting of 40 employees, is still located in the historic schoolhouse located at 211 Church Street.

Black Hawk Marshalls

The following list represents the past Marshalls who have served the Black Hawk community.

Robert A. Clark    1864 – 1869
William L. Quaintance   1869 – 1870
Walter B. Jenness   1870 – 1872
T. R. Sanders   1872 – 1875
C. W. Still   1875 – 1875
J. L. Chaplin   1875 – 1876
Dennis O'Brien   1876 – 1876
J. L. Chaplin   1876 – 1882
Christian Petersen   1882 – 1883
A. H. Whitford   1883 – 1884
F. M. Ballard   1884 – 1885
Nate. G. Mitchell   1885 – 1886
M. F. Bebee   1886 – 1887
William R. Backus   1887 – 1906
John Sleep   1906 – 1908
William Mitchell   1908 – 1908
Fred Bauer   1908 – 1913
Jacob Krell   1913 – 1920
Charles B. Klais   1920 – 1938

Arthur J. C. Gray    1938 – 1946
Charles S. Robins    1946 – 1955
Edwin M. Gage    1955 – 1957
Mike McNulty    1957 – 1958
Andy Eccker    1958 – 1958
Walter Lutz    1958 – 1959
Fred Plank    1959 – 1959
Woodrow W. Hinkins    1960 – 1960
Roy Addyman    1960 – 1970
Melvin Blake    1970 – 1973
William Lovingier    1975 – 1978
Steven E. Kaberline    1978 – 1978
George Armbright    1978 – 1978
Michael D. Breeling    1978 – 1978
Eldred Cole    1978 – 1979
Sid Gent    1982 – 1983
Rusty Hardy    1983 – 1984
George Armbright    1985 – 1987
Orrin Knutson    1987 – 1988
Margaret Bralish    1988 – 1989

Robert A. Clark

On May 13, 2009 the name of Robert A. Clark was added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C.  The line-of-duty death of Black Hawk’s first City Marshal was buried in the pages of the local newspaper for almost 140 years before being discovered by a local historian.   Department members eventually gathered enough information to get Marshal Clark’s name added to the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial located in Washington D.C. and later added to the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial in Golden, Colorado.  The Black Hawk Board of Alderman formally recognized its first and only fallen officer on May 13, 2009 the same day Marshal Clark’s name was added to the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in Washington D.C.  During the Council meeting, Mayor David Spellman read the same resolution originally read outload at a special council meeting held on July 12, 1869, a day after City Marshal Clark’s murder.  Mayor Spellman then presented a plaque commemorating the event to Police Chief Stephen Cole and set aside May 13, 2009 and every year after, as Black Hawk Police Recognition Day. Robert A. Clark’s death is reconized as the earliest line-of-duty death for a Colorado law enforcement officer. 

The history of City Marshal Robert Clark’s murder, which occurred on July 10, 1869 was well documented in the local Register Call newspaper.  Two brothers were hauling a load of flour from Valmont, Colorado through the City of Central when their team of horses almost struck a chicken-coop near the Lafayette Restaurant.  A cook at the restaurant complained about their wreckless behavior and was subsequently beaten by the brothers.  An arrest warrant was issued for their arrest and placed in the hands of Central City Constable Peter P. Herbert who sought the assistance of Black Hawk City Marshal Robert A. Clark.  The Black Hawk City Marshal had a reputation of being a fearless and persistent lawman. The two lawmen pursued the brothers until they came upon their wagon and horses near a ranch on Dory Hill Road, a few miles from Black Hawk. The lawmen tried to arrest the brothers in a nearby cabin, whereupon Marshal Clark was shot and killed and Constable Herbert was shot and wounded.  One brother was captured while the other fled on a horse and was never arrested.  Information about the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial can be found by visiting here.

Black Hawk Police Station History

Black Hawk’s oldest school building has been a visible icon representing the city’s historic past for over 140 years. In 1991 the old historic school house became the home of the Black Hawk Police Department after limited gaming was approved by voters.   On March 11, 1864 the City of Black Hawk was incorporated and took over financing of local school operations.  In May 1864 the city’s school committee recommended the establishment of a common school with two 24-week sessions with two weeks of vacation.  On March 10, 1869 the city purchased land next to the Presbyterian Church for a permanent school building and the school house was completed in 1870.  The city continued to grow throughout the 1870’s and 1880’s placing a strain on school facilities. In 1880 the school census listed 464 eligible students and an average attendance of 350 students in a building designed for 200-250. A ‘new’ high school was built in Central City in 1900 leaving the local school to serve as an elementary.  In 1907, the school took over the Presbyterian Church next door and used it as a gymnasium.  By the 1920’s there were just two classrooms in use; the lower floor for the younger grades and the second floor for the four upper grades. The biggest improvement came in the 1950’s when indoor plumbing was added to the school. Students no longer had to use the six-hole outhouse located up the steep staircase at the rear of the school house. Despite this monumental achievement the school was unable to meet modern standards and closed in 1960. 

For 30 years the vacant school slowly deteriorated until limited gaming was introduced in Black Hawk in 1991. The demands on city services grew rapidly and the school house provided needed space and a perfect location for its growing police department. The school house was remodeled in 1994 for $850,000 and now includes a dispatch center, records section, locker rooms, and offices. It still possesses the unique qualities of the old school house, but with modern conveniences.

To read the full article about the historic school house refer to the “Old Black Hawk School Building – Now Modern Police Station” written by Roger Baker published in the November 19th – November 25th, 1997 edition of The Colorado Gambler.