News: Abbotsford – New Police Chief (1974)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Nelson, Gosse, Brodhagen, Maluge, Werner, Reese, Bunkelman

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 17 Jan 1974

John J. Nelson was appointed Chief of Police for the Abbotsford-Colby communities by the area police omission at a meeting held at the Colby City Hall January 9, 1974. The commission also appointed Ronald Gosse full-time policeman for the area, and Frank Brodhagen Jr. will continue as part-time policeman.

Nelson started his career in police work as an MP, serving a hitch in the Army from October 1943 to January, 1946. After his discharge he served as patrolman with the Marshfield police department, served as a detective on the force, and was made a lieutenant of the force in 1954. During this time he was sent to the FBI National Academy for police training.

He resigned as captain of the Marshfield Police Department in 1963 to start his own business, Texaco Oil Company, which he operated in Abbotsford for eight years, also serving the Abbotsford area as municipal justice, resigning that position January 15.

Nelson , 53, was born at Wautoma, moving to Marshfield at the age of two, and has been an Abbotsford area resident since 1963.

He is married to the former Grace Maluge of Marshfield. The couple has six children, Mrs. Ray Werner (Karleen), Marshfield, twins, Mrs. Alvin Reese (Phillis), Sheboygan Falls, and Phillip, Abbotsford, Mrs. Roger Bunkelman (Darla), Route 1, Abbotsford, JC, Sheboygan, Chloe, at home.

He assumed official duty as area Chief of Police on Wednesday, January 16, 1974).