Saturday, September 04, 2004

ROME'S FIRST CITY POLICE DOG

While we are talking about legends, it's difficult not to throw in one or two that are a little off our subject. The first City police dog is just such a legend. As the story goes, back in the 50's when the City of Rome Police Department was in the basement of City Hall around the back, and there were only two police cars on the force, a mutt dog presented himself every evening around 10 p.m. to cover the night shift. He attached himself to one officer in particular, but if that one wasn't on duty, he had another one that he would accompany on his rounds. The officer's named him 'Bruno' and taught him to make the rounds with them on their nightly beat. Every evening he would report for duty at the same time, and the officers would meet him around the back side of City Hall and toot their horn twice signaling him to come to the car. Every morning around 7 a.m. when the shift was over, he would walk off to wherever he lived when he was off duty.

Bruno rode all over Rome and visited local businesses and restaurants with the officers, where he became known and loved all over town. Everyone knew Bruno. He became so beloved that when he died, the officers decided that he needed to be laid to rest at the City Hall that he seemed to love. A section of the concrete stairs leading down the right side of City Hall to the Water Billing office was removed so he could be buried there. The stairs were replaced over him so that Bruno could forever be a part of the City goverment that he had loved.pted as his own.

3 comments:

Wilson said...

Wow. That's a very interesting bit of history.

Anonymous said...

Libbie said...

I remember the grave very well. My Great-Uncle, T. McKinney was the Fire Chief and Esbun McKinney, my grandfather, was a Fire Captain during the 50's and/or the 60's. The Fire Hall was located in the basement of City Hall where HR and the Water Dept. are now. I used to go there to visit them and they showed me the grave. I have asked several people from City Hall over the years about the dog's grave and no one seemed to remember this. I am glad my mysterious memories of this grave have been solved.

Anonymous said...

My dad was a policeman in the 50s, and I remember Bruno.