Chiefs Of The Escalon Police Department
1939 To Present
Douglas Dunford
7-29-02 - Current
Chief Dunford was appointed Chief on July 29, 2002 succeeding Chief Walt Murken who retired. Chief Dunford was a police captain for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe RR prior to his appointment. He started in law enforcement as a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Co. Sheriff's Department in 1978. He was a Turlock police officer from 1989 to 1993, then worked for the railroad security force in San Bernardino and the Modesto area the past 9 years.
Walter P. Murken
1990 - July 2002
Chief Murken joined the department as a reserve officer in 1973 after serving in the Navy during the Vietnam war. He was hired as a full time officer in March of 1974 and was promoted to Sergeant on July 1, 1980. In December 1989 took a position with the San Joaquin County Marshal's office. He returned to EPD in 1990 and was appointed Chief of Police.
Bill Middleton
1988-1990
Chief Middleton served the department from 1988-1990. He moved on to become the Chief of Police in Patterson, CA and from there to the Chief of the Sherwood, Oregon Police Departement where he is today.
Jack B. Storne
July 1980-1988
Chief Storne started as a patrolman in 1974. With previous experience with police departments in Sand Point, ID; Lakewood, CO. and Hayward, CA. He was appointed Chief in July of 1980 when Chief James J. Black retired. He later also held City Manager's job. He held both positions until he stepped down in 1988 to take the Chief of Police position in Gridley, CA. He retired in 2005.
James J. Black
Sept. 1963 - July 1, 1980
Chief Black was a Marine veteran of WW II who came to Escalon PD as a reserve office in 1950. He was hired full time in 1957 and appointed Chief in September of 1963 to replace Cheif Donald Stewart who died in the line of duty that year. Black retired in 1980.
Donald P. Stewart
January 1953- August 24, 1963
Chief Stewart came to the department from the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Dept. He was appointed Chief in 1953 and held the position until his death in the line of duty on August 24, 1963. He is the only officer of the department to be killed in the line of duty
Ben Puckett
1953- 1954
Ben Puckett was appointed as interim Chief in 1953 when Chief Tom Bailey resigned. Puckett later went on to work for the Oakdale Police Dept.
Tom Bailey
1950-1953
Chief Bailey came to the department in 1948 as a patrolman. He was appointed Chief in 1950 after Cheif Joe Korman left the department. Chief Bailey left the department in 1953 to go into business as owner of the Valley Inn on Main St. in Escalon.
Joe Korman
1939 to 1950
Chief Korman began his career in the late 30's as a night watchman patroling the city. When the Police Protective District was formed in 1939 he was appointed the first Chief of the department. He continued as Chief until 1950 when he left to go to work for the Hannan Private Patrol Service. He later worked for the Department of Corrections at Folsom Prison.
1. Douglas Dunford
2. Walter P. Murken
3. Bill Middleton
4. Jack B. Storne
5. James J. Black
6. Donald P.Stewart
7. Ben Puckett
8. Tom Bailey
9. Joe Korman
Escalon, CA Chiefs of Police
