Our History

The City of Jefferson has come from an obscure settlement to a city of prime importance, and large interests. It is connected by rail with all the important points and contains a population who have, by their industry, enterprise, and frugality, become the possessors of wealth and factors of influence throughout the State of Wisconsin.

We are proud to have had multiple Jefferson Chiefs of Police serve as Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association Presidents. 

Chief Charles Johnson - 1982
Chief Kenneth Pileggi - 2020

Town Of Jefferson

The records of the Town of Jefferson, previous to April 5, 1843, are missing. There has been doubt expressed as to whether any existed prior to that date. Records reveal that in 1843, James C Frost was constable and in 1844, George Crist, Josiah Drew, and Gay Hayden were constables.

From the records accessible, it appears that a town meeting was convened on April 5, 1845, at which presided a moderator and a clerk, and the election of officers was held with Abram Vanderpool and George Crist being elected as constables, along with Harvey Sanborn, Abram P Birdsay, and Chas. Hoyt. Officers were elected at subsequent meetings held annually until 1857 with the following elected as constables:


1846 – Chas Hoyt, Gay Hayden, and H D Phelps

1847 – Othello s Brandon, Nathanial Crosby, and Harman V Hellen

1848 – Othello s Brandon, Solon Brown, and Ralph P Harrington

1849 – Zebulon Whipple, Moses Phillips, and Peter Oelberg

1850 – Othello S Brandon, Franklin J Roberts, and John Anthony

1851 – John Anthony and Chas Frissell

1852 – E G Darling, Jesse Hubell, and W W Seeley

1853 – Jesse Hubell, John Anthony, and Eber Stone

1854 – S A Brown and A G Locke

1855 – John Brown, A G Howes, Eber Stone, and F F W Meyer

1856 – J Bell, John Young, and Conrad Heger

1857 – Ira W Bird, Isaac Savage, and George Hebard (George Hebard was elected to fill a vacancy.)

Jefferson Chief Of Police

1900

CHIEF FRANK RUIDL

1901 - 1909

CHIEF ANDRES (O.V.A) BULLWINKEL

1910 - 1919

CHIEF JIM FLYNN

1919 - 1935

CHIEF EDWARD BIENFANG

1935 - 1947

CHIEF CHARLES MARKGRAFF

1947-1951

CHIEF CARROLL BEECHER

1951-1969

CHIEF HERBERT WEST

1969-1985

CHIEF CHARLES JOHNSON

Wisconsin Chiefs of Police President – 1982

1985-2000

CHIEF MICHAEL BESEL
 

2000 - 2005

CHIEF MICHAEL STEINHORST

2005-2015

CHIEF GARY BLEECKER
 

2015 - 2022

 
CHIEF KENNETH PILEGGI

Wisconsin Chiefs of Police President – 2020
Discrimination Notice: The City of Jefferson does not discriminate on the basis of race, 
color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities.
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