In the photographs above are two Fargo police officers in the 1890s. Note that neither is armed but both have very fancy night sticks with tassels. I don't know the names of these gentlemen but they both had their picture taken at Essery Photo at the corner of Broadway and First Avenue.

It wasn't all work for the Police, however, as you can see in the invitation to the right to the Fourth Annual Police Ball in 1902. Chief of Police, F.A. Bowers was the host.

The first Police Woman in Fargo was Erma Irwin, hired in 1913. As Fargo enters the 21st century, the city has 104 sworn police officers and supervisors. You can visit the Fargo Police Department web site here.

For more Fargo Police memories, please continue here.