Crime & Safety

Century-Old Watsonville PD Deaths to be Recognized in Washington, D.C.

Officers John Wesley Alford and John T. Whalen died in the line of duty in 1897 and 1920, respectively.

When Santa Cruz police officers Butch Baker and Elizabeth Butler were tragically killed in late February, Patch reported that they were the first police department (excluding CHP and sheriff's office) line-of-duty deaths in Santa Cruz County history.

However, Watsonville Police Chief Manny Solano notified Patch of two WPD deaths over 100 years ago that have not yet been nationally recognized, hence the omission.

Solano had the department do some digging a few years ago, and they uncovered the following information, which he forwarded to Patch in an email:

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An officer, John Wesley Alford, known as "Watchman" in the late 1800s was said to have worked diligently to keep order in Watsonville. On Feb. 6th 1897, Night Watchman Alford was shot and killed near Ginnochio’s Saloon on S. Main Street during his nighttime patrol. Large rewards were posted for the capture of the murderer but he or she was never identified. Alford was 43 years old and was survived by his wife and eight children.

Twenty-three years later, Watsonville PD would lose another officer in the line of duty. 

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On the night of Oct. 25, 1920 at about 11:40 pm, Officer John T. Whalen was shot to death in a city lot near the Rodriguez Street jail. According to witnesses, Officer Whalen arrested Fred Pena for disturbing the peace in front of 259 Main St. Officer Whalen was last seen escorting Pena to the jail and shortly thereafter, witnesses reported hearing several gunshots. 

Just before midnight, Officer Whalen’s body was located by a Southern Pacific officer who happened to be riding his bicycle in the area. Officer Whalen started his career as a Watsonville police officer in 1907. On Oct. 26, 1920, Fred Pena was arrested for the murder of Officer John Whalen .

This coming May, during National Police Week, Officers Alford and Whalen will be officially added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall, Solano said. The Watsonville Police Department is hoping to send two officers to Washington, D.C. to represent Alford and Whalen at the event.


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