The Zillah Police Department was originally created at the time of the town’s incorporation in 1911. Over the last 88 years, we have grown and advanced to keep pace with the growth of the town and technology. During the first 70 years, the Department was officially a Marshal’s Office with a Town Marshal at the chief law enforcement officer. During that time 12 different men served in the position of Town Marshal, including one that was killed in 1923.
First 70 Years – Town Marshals|
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1911 - Marshal’s Office created
January 1911 – James G. Frakes was appointed as the first Town Marshal. He also served in the capacity of Water and Sewer Superintendent and Cemetery Sexton. At that time he was provided with a salary of $20.00 per month.
January 1917 - William J. Hillyer was appointed to replace Frakes as the Town Marshal. Hillyer is the only law enforcement officer from the city that has ever been killed in the line of duty.
1923 – E.G. Bradley was appointed Town Marshal.
May 1930 – Oscar Arnquist was appointed Town Marshal to replace Bradley. During the time that Arnquist served as the Marshal, Zillah built it’s first real jail at the rear of City Hall. In 1935, Arnquist arrested Frank Hawk for making liquor. Hawk pleaded guilty and paid the bond of $1000.00. During the arrest, a 150-gallon still was taken and a 100 gallons of mash was seized. The mash included green apples, potato peelings, apricots and corncobs.
September 1936 – Tom J. Parrish was appointed to replace Arnquist. This was Parrish’s first appointment. He is the only person to ever serve as the Marshal on two different occasions.
February 1940 – O.E. Hill was appointed Marshal. In 1941, the population of the town was 802.
April 1944 – Tom J. Parrish was re-appointed to replace Hill as the Marshal. During his second appointment, Zillah witnessed the appointment of its first full time Deputy Marshal in February of 1947.
April 1947 – Matt Rowland was appointed to replace Parrish. Rowland retired from the position after 23 years of service. Rowland had several Deputy Marshal’s during his tenure, including; Bill Erwin Sr., George Waymire and Mike Frazier, who was appointed to replace him upon his retirement. In 1969, the town had 1170 people living in it and the Marshal’s Office had one full time and one part time Deputy Marshal to assist Rowland. The Marshal’s Office had only one police vehicle.
April 1970 – Mike Frazier was appointed to replace Rowland. Frazier left Zillah in 1973 to work for several cities and eventually became the Chief of Police for Long Beach, Washington.
June 1973 – Kenneth Krebbs was appointed as Marshal. He left after 15 months to
become an officer for the City of Toppenish. Krebbs is currently serving as the Chief of Police for the City of Republic, Washington.September 1974 – Ron Roberts was appointed to the Marshal’s position. During the time he served as the Marshal, he began the Reserve Police Program.
January 1976 – Curtis Walker was appointed to the
position. Walker served as Marshal for two years.January 1978 – Bill Erwin Jr. was appointed. Erwin’s father, Bill Sr., served as a Deputy Marshal under Matt Rowland.
October 1981 – George V. Bazin was appointed as the first Chief of Police. During Chief’s Bazin’s service, he organized the Police Cadet Program and oversaw the creation of the first Sergeant’s position, filled by James G. Gorrebeeck. Chief Bazin was a member of the Washington State Patrol before coming to Zillah. He left Zillah to become the Chief of Police for Benton City, Washington.
September 1984 – James G. Gorrebeeck was appointed to replace Bazin. At the time of his appointment, the Zillah Police Department had two full time officers, including the Chief and eight part-time
reserve officers. The Department utilized two patrol vehicles and did not have full time police coverage.Since Chief Gorrebeeck’s appointment, the department has grown to eight full time police officers and one reserve officer. The agency now includes The Chief, a Sergeant, an investigator, a full time School Resource Officer, four patrol officers and two full-time clerks. Until late in 1998, the agency had two Sergeants. Sgt. Gary Jensen retired from service after 13 years with the department. The agency now requires a full time Court Administrator and weekly court sessions.
