The Pensacola Police Historic Society

By Mike Simmons

On April 5, 1909, Oscar Caperton was born in Oklahoma, but grew up in the northeast corner of Arkansas, in a small town known as Grubbs. While in school, he met Cora Lawson, who lived about 12 miles away, in the town of Newport, Arkansas. The two fell in love and, after high school, got married.

During the Great Depression, things got bad in Arkansas – very bad. So, the young Caperton couple decided to move to Florida. They made their new home in Pensacola.

Oscar began working in the lumber industry. But after only two years on the job, he was arrested when he was driving a truck that contained a load of lumber. As he and another car passed each other on Pine Forest Road, the lumber broke loose, came through her car, and struck her in the head.

In 1942, he decided to try his hand at something different. He applied for and was hired as a bus driver with the Pensacola Coach Corporation. Then, on January 23, 1945, while at work on board the Naval Air Station, he was promoted. However, it was too little too late. He had already found his dream job. The week prior, he was hired as a police officer by the Pensacola Police Department.

Both Oscar and his wife settled in well. While Oscar was busily making a career, Cora was busy in Pensacola social circles. She was also busy having children – the couple had nine. Around this time, Oscar also developed the nickname “Smiley,” since he always had a smile on his face, even while making an arrest!

On August 17, 1946, Oscar was promoted from Patrolman to Turnkey (corporal). After only 20 months on the job, that was pretty good! Further, two months later, he was again promoted, this time to Line Corporal, filling the job of Investigator.

The next year, positions for Motorcycle Officers opened, and several officers wanted the popular spot. On February 10, 1947, the four officers vying for the positions were given motorcycle riding tests. Caperton was given the job, which was made public in the Pensacola News Journal on June 14, 1947.

The following year, Oscar’s name appeared in the news 25 times, making him one of the most well-known officers in the department. Then Oscar, who now carried the rank of sergeant, was injured when an automobile struck his foot in a crash that occurred at the corner of “J” and Government Streets.

As Oscar’s career was headed steadily upward, bad news visited the family. Oscar’s brother, U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Herbert Caperton was reported missing in action in Korea in 1950. He was reported dead later that year. According to reports, he died in a Korean War Prison.

From 1958 until 1964, Sgt. Caperton worked in the Detective Division, investigating hundreds of cases and making many arrests. His good work paid off, because on March 10, 1964, he was named acting Captain.

Oscar “Smiley” Caperton retired the next year. He died on June 17, 1970, at the age of 61. But his legacy lived on in his nephew, Marvin Miller, who joined the Pensacola Police Department and retired as a sergeant.