Earl Hazen Burdine, 84, a member of Montgomery County's original six-man police force who served 25 years before retiring as an inspector in 1947, died of a heart ailment June 21st in his home in Takoma Park.
"The original force, consisting of five privates and a chief, went on duty July 4, 1922. Before that time, law enforcement was under the supervision of a county sheriff.
In an interview with The Post in 1981, Mr. Burdine, one of the original privates, said that when the six men reported for duty they were issued a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a .38 Smith & Wesson handgun, a blackjack, a "law book," and a uniform that "looked like a Mexican general"
Mr. Burdine was born in Washington and reared in Takoma Park. In addition to patrolling Montgomery County, he ranged farther afield with the U.S. Army. He took part in the Mexican border campaign and served with the Army in France during World War I. He also served in the D.C. National Guard until retiring in 1919.
Mr. Burdine rose in rank through the years, becoming a sergeant in 1925, a lieutenant in 1941, a captain in 1943, and an inspector in July 1946. He retired a year later, and was the last of the original six to serve on active duty with the force.
Reported by Historic Congressional Cemetery Archivist.
"The original force, consisting of five privates and a chief, went on duty July 4, 1922. Before that time, law enforcement was under the supervision of a county sheriff.
In an interview with The Post in 1981, Mr. Burdine, one of the original privates, said that when the six men reported for duty they were issued a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a .38 Smith & Wesson handgun, a blackjack, a "law book," and a uniform that "looked like a Mexican general"
Mr. Burdine was born in Washington and reared in Takoma Park. In addition to patrolling Montgomery County, he ranged farther afield with the U.S. Army. He took part in the Mexican border campaign and served with the Army in France during World War I. He also served in the D.C. National Guard until retiring in 1919.
Mr. Burdine rose in rank through the years, becoming a sergeant in 1925, a lieutenant in 1941, a captain in 1943, and an inspector in July 1946. He retired a year later, and was the last of the original six to serve on active duty with the force.
Reported by Historic Congressional Cemetery Archivist.
Earl Hazen Burdine, 84, a member of Montgomery County's original six-man police force who served 25 years before retiring as an inspector in 1947, died of a heart ailment June 21st in his home in Takoma Park.
"The original force, consisting of five privates and a chief, went on duty July 4, 1922. Before that time, law enforcement was under the supervision of a county sheriff.
In an interview with The Post in 1981, Mr. Burdine, one of the original privates, said that when the six men reported for duty they were issued a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a .38 Smith & Wesson handgun, a blackjack, a "law book," and a uniform that "looked like a Mexican general"
Mr. Burdine was born in Washington and reared in Takoma Park. In addition to patrolling Montgomery County, he ranged farther afield with the U.S. Army. He took part in the Mexican border campaign and served with the Army in France during World War I. He also served in the D.C. National Guard until retiring in 1919.
Mr. Burdine rose in rank through the years, becoming a sergeant in 1925, a lieutenant in 1941, a captain in 1943, and an inspector in July 1946. He retired a year later, and was the last of the original six to serve on active duty with the force.
Reported by Historic Congressional Cemetery Archivist.
"The original force, consisting of five privates and a chief, went on duty July 4, 1922. Before that time, law enforcement was under the supervision of a county sheriff.
In an interview with The Post in 1981, Mr. Burdine, one of the original privates, said that when the six men reported for duty they were issued a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a .38 Smith & Wesson handgun, a blackjack, a "law book," and a uniform that "looked like a Mexican general"
Mr. Burdine was born in Washington and reared in Takoma Park. In addition to patrolling Montgomery County, he ranged farther afield with the U.S. Army. He took part in the Mexican border campaign and served with the Army in France during World War I. He also served in the D.C. National Guard until retiring in 1919.
Mr. Burdine rose in rank through the years, becoming a sergeant in 1925, a lieutenant in 1941, a captain in 1943, and an inspector in July 1946. He retired a year later, and was the last of the original six to serve on active duty with the force.
Reported by Historic Congressional Cemetery Archivist.
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