William Kruppenbacher
Police Chief 1940-1947

   The story of William Kruppenbacher is one of stark contrasts. It's the story of hard work, success, and ultimate sadness. William Kruppenbacher was born in Yonkers on January 2, 1884. He received his early education in PS #7 and PS #2, and later graduated from Yonkers H.S. on South Broadway and Nepperhan Avenue. He gained employment with the Otis Elevator Co. as a machinist and was active in the American Federation of Labor. He once contemplated a career as a labor union official but decided to become a policeman instead.

   When "Will" Kruppenbacher, as his close friends called him, made application to the police department he lived at 22 Cliff Street. At that time he listed previous employment as machinist, chauffeur, telephone operator, musician, and bookkeeper. He had no military experience, but in addition to English Kruppenbacher spoke German.

   Upon his appointment to the police department in 1907 he was assigned to the 1st precinct on foot patrol. On October of 1912 plans were approved for the purchase of a new motorized Police Patrol Wagon. It was reported that the purchase of this vehicle would fill a need long believed to be important. Up to that time prisoners, men or women, were conveyed through the streets in an open wagon, exposed to the view of everyone and which generated many complaints. These complaints later resulted in the wagon being covered, but it apparently was still unsatisfactory. A council resolution was passed and a 1912 "PATROL WAGON" was purchased. The manufacturer was a "WHITE". On December 9, 1912 a General Order was issued establishing the new "Automobile Patrol" and naming as drivers of this vehicle to be PO William Kruppenbacher and PO George Monks. This vehicle was stored in the Wells Ave. headquarters building, and in addition to prisoner transports, it was used as an ambulance. When not transporting prisoners or seriously injured persons, it is believed that Kruppenbacher worked inside headquarters assisting the precinct captain or lieutenant with miscellaneous assignments.

   This was, no doubt, a very desirable assignment in which Kruppenbacher was fortunate enough to remain for approximately 14 years.

   Prior to, and up through 1916, the members of the police department felt they had no real unified way in which to voice their grievances against the department or the city. As a result, and after a great deal of planning and organizing, the "Yonkers Police Association" was organized. William Kruppenbacher was one of those who served on the first board of directors. On March 27, 1920 PO Kruppenbacher was tried on departmental charges. Following the trial he was found guilty of violating departmental rules and regulations. and was fined 20 days pay. The following month on April 5, 1920 during a reassignment of several officers, and probably as a result of his conviction on charges the month before, Kruppenbacher was transferred from being the driver of the Patrol Wagon to duty in the Traffic Division directing vehicular traffic.

   In January 1922, and again in 1923, PO Kruppenbacher was elected and served as the president of the Yonkers Police Association. This was the organization he worked so hard, with others, to establish six years earlier. It must have been around this same time that, although assigned to the Traffic Division, he returned to his duty as Patrol Wagon driver.

   According to news reports, Kruppenbacher was said to have topped the civil service promotional list for sergeant and as a result , on May 17, 1926 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was assigned shield # 17. He was then transferred from traffic and patrol wagon driver duties to the 2nd precinct as a patrol sergeant. Although it took him 19 years to achieve his first promotion, his continuing rise through the ranks would be much more rapid. On November 30, 1926 Kruppenbacher was reassigned to the Traffic Division as a sergeant on foot patrol. In 1927 he was moved to the 3rd precinct for a month but was quickly returned to traffic duties.

   Sgt Kruppenbacher continued to display an interest in not only police work, but fraternal activities as well. He was an active member of the Police Glee Club and along with several others he sang at many police social functions to the great enjoyment of the audience.

   In 1928 the Yonkers City Jail construction was completed on Alexander Street, and on October 9, 1928, Sgt Kruppenbacher was assigned to duty at the new jail as Assistant Warden. He worked under the direction of Lt. John Scheibel who was assigned there as the Jail Warden. The sergeant remained at the jail until January 22, 1929 when he was returned to the 1st precinct. In February of 1929 Kruppenbacher continued to exhibit the desire to always be involved in departmental activities by being elected Vice President of the Captains, Lieutenants, and Sergeants Association.

   On September 6, 1930 Sgt Kruppenbacher was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned to desk officer duties at the 2nd precinct. Six years later on January 20, 1936 he was promoted to Captain. His new assignment was to take command of the 4th precinct at 53 Shonnard Place. On his first day of duty at his precinct he was presented with a horseshoe of flowers from the men of the 2nd precinct where he had previously served as a lieutenant for several years. The new captain not only assumed his new responsibilities with enthusiasm, but was immediately named chairman of the committee making plans for the annual Police Association dinner dance.

   Apparently being a very competent administrator, Captain Kruppenbacher was utilized in a variety of assignments. On June 1, 1938 he was moved from the 4th precinct to take command of the 3rd precinct located at 36 Radford Street. Less than a year later on February 15, 1939 he was again reassigned to take command of the 2nd precinct at 441 Central Park Avenue. While assigned to the 2nd precinct and while off duty, the captain was attempting to investigate a possible burglary of a garage at 2 AM. While in the dark work area of the garage the 55 year old captain fell into a repair pit fracturing several ribs and causing internal injuries. He was hospitalized in serious condition but he recovered quickly.

   On October 23, 1940 the totally unexpected occurred. The usually strong and robust Chief of Police Edward J. Quirk suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and was hospitalized in a coma. In order to maintain continuous leadership of the police department, on October 26, 1940 City Manager Raymond Whitney appointed his most senior and capable captain, William Kruppenbacher, to the position of Acting Chief of Police. He was to hold this position until

   Chief Quirk regained his health. Unfortunately that did not happen. Chief Quirk died on October 28, 1940. At that time Acting Chief Kruppenbacher stated, "As Acting Chief, I voice the unanimous sentiments and sorrow of the entire bureau in the loss of their chief, who was loved and respected because of his fairness to everyone. Personally, after many years of close association, I know him so well and intimately that I feel a deep personal loss. It is a sorrowful task that my first official act as the Acting Chief is to arrange departmental honors for him."

   The following month, on November 19, 1940, William A. Kruppenbacher was appointed to the permanent position of Chief of Police. Like most leaders, the new chief was liked by some of his subordinates, and disliked by others. He was, however, respected by all as a man who rose through the ranks and earned his position. According to PO John "Red" O'Hare, the founder and first president of the PAL, if it had not been for the cooperation and encouragement of Chief Kruppenbacher, the PAL may never have been organized. According to O'Hare, Chief Quirk had no interest in a PAL.

   On March 4, 1947 at midnight, Chief Kruppenbacher retired from the department on the advise of his personal physician, citing severe symptoms caused by chronic stress. In the letter to Commissioner O'Hara from the chief's doctor regarding the chief's notice of retirement, it read in part,...."that the state of his health is such as to necessitate that he be relieved of his responsibilities incident to his position as Chief of Police."

   The former chief was a charter member and former president of the Yonkers Police Association, a charter member and former vice president of the Captains, Lieutenants, & Sergeants Association, a charter member and former treasurer of the Police Holy Name Society, member of the N.Y.S. Association of Chiefs of Police, the Honor Legion of the N.Y.P.D., the City Club of Yonkers, the Modern Woodmen of America, Habirshaw Athletic Club, the Yonkers P.A.L., and the First Friday Club. Retired Chief Kruppenbachers wife received an annual police widows pension of $ 600. This was the end of a long and dedicated career in service to the Police Department and the City of Yonkers.