The Pensacola Police Historic Society

Captain Wilde Horse Hunting

On September 3, 1910, an article appeared in the Pensacola News Journal entitled: “CAPTAIN WILDE HORSE HUNTING.” It said that he had lost his police horse several nights ago due to lockjaw, known today as tetanus. Horses are highly susceptible to tetanus according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners[1]. In order to select a…
He was there for a reason

The story of Pensacola Police Officer Anthony Georgio’s heroic actions – this month’s guest speaker! He Was There for A Reason “I suddenly heard the screams, the desperate screams of desperate people. Without saying a word, I handed everything in my hand to my mother, turned and shot off in a dead sprint to the…
A Rough 440 Days at the Pensacola Police Department

By Mike Simmons The nation was in the middle of the largest war the planet has ever seen – World War II. Many Pensacola Police Officers who had been serving their city were drafted and were serving their country. The department had to work short. But they didn’t expect what was to come in the…
Pensaccola’s Tapestry

A tapestry is one or more pictures woven into cloth. In ancient times, tapestries had several purposes, one of which was to tell stories of historical events. Originally, they related historical events to an illiterate community. However, they also offered warmth and feeling, something that mere words couldn’t do. In tapestry weaving, two types of…
The History of Minority Officers at the Pensacola Police Department

By Mike Simmons A police officer in 1882 did not require much education, and the pay was not great. However, the position has always carried with it a certain amount of prestige and authority over others. So, even though the War Between the States was over, many state and local governments were not willing to…
Happy Birthday, Pensacola Police!

By Mike Simmons The Pensacola Police Department turns 204 years old today, as does the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. On July 19, 1821, Andrew Jackson sat in his office at the Government House in Ferdinand Plaza and wrote the commission of James Craig as Alguazil (police officer) of Pensacola, marking the birth of the Pensacola…
A 35-Year-old Pensacola Murder, Finally Solved!

One week away! The horrible murder of an innocent, small-town girl – unsolved for 35 years. But the relentless effort of many hours of investigation by a team of Pensacola Police detectives, and the creative idea of a crime scene supervisor, finally brought justice to Tonya Ethridge McKinley and her family. When Pensacola Police Captain…
Gold Medal of Valor

Officer Bruce Camacho – July 10, 1991 An excerpt from the book, “Some Gave All,” available on Amazon By Mike Simmons “You Shot Me!” When Bruce Camacho joined the Pensacola Police Department in 1986, he went straight to work. Within a couple of years, he was chosen to join the Tactical Unit. Members of the…
16 Days…

Have you heard the story about the horrific murder of Tonya Etheridge McKinley that took place in Pensacola? Well, dozens of Pensacola Police Officers have heard about it, and a lot of retired officers remember when it happened. The case went unsolved for 35 years, and then… Tony Adame, an author and investigative journalist, knows…
The Old Pensacola Police Bell

By Mike Simmons It was mentioned as early as 1824. It was part of the city almost from the start. In 1827, an ordinance was written that only authorized persons could ring it – except in case of a fire. On June 27, 1827, the mayor proclaimed that the city constables would ring the bell…