Police Department
The Mount Police Department was established when the Village of Mount Horeb was incorporated in 1899. Records indicate that Fred Kesler was elected the first Village Constable. Constable Kesler was elected on February 21, 1899 in a charter election receiving 77 votes. At that time he became the first law enforcement officer for the Village of Mount Horeb.
In 1912 Steve Murphy became Constable. In 1922 that position was renamed Village Marshall.
In 1922 Marshall Sponem held the job of Village Marshall. He was assigned the duties of street commissioner and superintendent of the water works.
In 1928 Elmer Disrud became the village's Night Watchman assisting Marshall Sponem. In 1940 Oliver Lee was appointed Village Marshall and in 1941 his position became known as Chief of Police. He was authorized a staff consisting of a day Policeman, Night Watchman and Assistant Chief. The village purchased its first squad car in 1947.
In 1961 George Kahl was appointed Chief of Police and was authorized a staff of three Officers. Preceding Chief George Kahl were Chief Ray Williams and Chief Ed Carr.
In 1980, George E. Mayerhofer was appointed as the Chief of Police for the Mount Horeb Police Department. Upon his appointment, his staff consisted of five full-time officers, including himself. The office space allotted for the police department in 1980 was approximately 64 square feet. In 1998 the staff of the police department moved into a new facility with approximately 4,400 square feet. The department's police staff has grown to having 10 full-time officers and 10 part-time officers. Chief Mayerhofer remained the Police Chief until February of 2005, at which time he retired after serving the Village of Mount Horeb for 25 years.
Today, the department is overseen by Chief Scott Sterland who became Chief in January of 2005. The department today consists of 10 full-time officers, including the Chief of Police, 8 part-time officers, one crossing guard, and two administrative assistants.
The information provided here is courtesy of The Mount Area Historical Society and The Village of Mt. Horeb.