Duty Roster, Past and Present

The Rochester Police department has an extensive heritage with a service record dating back to 1878 when the village’s law enforcement officers were formally known as constables. Beginning in 1915 the term marshal was used for law officers, and sometime after 1966, and ever since, the term police officer has been used for those holding this position.

We take the time to identify these individuals who have served and are currently serving as Rochester Officers. The department we have today is directly attributable to those individuals who have helped build it up over the years to where we are today. Those Officers whose names are in bold have over 20 years service with this department. We stand where we are because we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.

A Plaque with the names and dates of service of each of these officers is proudly displayed in the entry way of our department.

A review of the minutes of the Village board meetings and Police Department records revealed the following individuals as having served in the capacity as law enforcement officers with the Village of Rochester.

Constables and Marshals

Constable A.H. Bert May 6, 1878 – 1923

Constable S.W. Hawkins 1895 – 1897

Marshal A.B. Crawford 1915 – 1928

Marshal H.C. Gilbert 1923 -1926

Marshal D.R. Beck 1928 – 1931

Marshal Walter Dickerson 1931 – 1935

Marshal Lyman Campbell unknown

Marshal Dan Dike unknown

Police Officers

Officer Joe Ross unknown

Officer Hank Bregenhorn 1971 – 1975

Officer Tom Bierbaum 1972 – 1974

Officer John Foster 1972 – 1977

Officer Mervin Spurgeon 1972 -1997

Officer Bill Coffee 1973 – 1974

Officer Ron Aten 1974

Officer Sam Gresham 1974 – 1996

Officer Carl Jiannoai Jr 1974 – 1978

Officer Mitchell Murdock 1974 – 1976

Officer Rusty Yeaman Jr 1975 – 1978

Officer John Barbee 1976 – 1977

Officer Jim Cohan 1976

Officer Rick Cox 1976 – 1977

Officer Bob Rentschler 1976 – 1978

Chief of Police Mike Upchurch 1976 – 1987

Officer Ed Cecil 1977

Officer Larry Dobson 1977 – 1982

Officer Dave Miller 1977

Chief of Police Steve Rutledge 1977 – 1997

Officer Wayne Baker 1978 – 1981

Officer Michael Grim 1978 –

Officer Terry Day 1979 – 1996

Chief of Police William Marass 1981 –

Officer Mike Creighton 1983 – 1988

Officer Dennis Leonard 1987 – 1988

Officer Lonnie Stivers 1988 – 1998

Officer Jon Schwartz 1989 -

Officer Rick Beaty 1989 – 2000

Officer Dave Baker 1995 – 2000

Officer John Hayes 1995 – 1998

Officer Kent Bragg 1997 -

Officer Shane Overby 1998 – 1999

Officer Kim Roberson 1998 – 2000

Officer Kevin Gade 1999 – 2004

Officer Tim Day 1999 – 2003

Officer Joe Foster 2000 – 2004

Officer Tim Sweeney 2001 – 2004

Officer Kurt Davis 2001 – 2004

Officer Micah Stoll 2003 -

Brad Tweryon 2004 – 2008

Officer Ryan Winkle 2004 – 2006

Officer Justin Harris 2002 -

Officer Michael Rawlings 2006 -

Officer Mark Cordes 2006 -

Officer Dennis Leonard 2006 -

Officer Tim Sommer 2008 -

Chief of Police

Since the Rochester Police Department became a full time agency, the following individuals have had the privilege to serve in the capacity as chief:

Michael Upchurch 1976 – 1987

Stephen Rutledge 1987 – 1997

William Marass 1997 –

*Bolded Text indicates 20 years or more of service