Two local historians, Lakeland Community College Police Chief J.T. McBride of Mentor and Dr. Ronald J. Taddeo of Willoughby Hills, have published a new book entitled “History of Law Enforcement, Lake County, Ohio, 1840-2008.” It chronicles the development of local police, courts and the sheriff’s department over the last 170 years.
Early in 2004, both men volunteered to draft a history of the Lake County Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc. Once they the project began, both men became so enthused they decided to expand the project to include all aspects of Lake County law enforcement. Initially they solicited contributions from each of the police agencies in Lake County. Using that initial material, they conducted extensive research to expand the data. Numerous individuals who had personal knowledge of various aspects relating to the subject were interviewed. After the first draft of the original manuscript was completed, both men spent hours verifying and editing the material in order to insure historical relevancy and accuracy. They were assisted in this task by Dr. Robert Vaughn, a retired professor and author from Lakeland Community College.
Taddeo, a well known expert in plastic and reconstructive surgery who retired in 1990, spent a great deal of time collecting historic photographs to supplement the narrative. McBride, who also commands Lakeland’s basic police training academy, reviewed as many local history books as possible to make sure that every possible aspect of the project was addressed in the final document. Taddeo has also been instrumental in the creation of a local police and fire history section at the Lake County Historical Society.
Anyone interested in local history and justice may find this book an excellent read. Published by Crown Custom Publishing Company in Brunswick, Ohio, it can be found in local police supply stores, bookstores and from the publisher. (www.crowncustompublishing.com).
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Two local historians, Lakeland Community College Police Chief J.T. McBride of Mentor and Dr. Ronald J. Taddeo of Willoughby Hills, have published a new book entitled “History of Law Enforcement, Lake County, Ohio, 1840-2008.” It chronicles the development of local police, courts and the sheriff’s department over the last 170 years.
