August Englund
Englund and Beauty ca. 1916
Born
August O. Englund

November 16, 1868
Sweden
Died2 November 1935(1935-11-02) (aged 66)
San Francisco, California, US
OccupationChief of police
SpouseElla L. Kuhiltz

August "Gus" Englund (November 16, 1868 – November 2, 1935) was an American chief of police of Monterey, California, who served as Carmel-by-the-Sea's first police chief and one-man police department, dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of Carmel for nearly 20 years. Englund's life was marked by a series of adventures and contributions to law enforcement.[1][2]

Early life

Englund was born on November 16, 1868, in Sweden. He began his military journey in the Swedish Army, serving as a sergeant in the esteemed King's Dragoon Regiment. Seeking new opportunities, Englund immigrated to America in 1892. Upon his arrival in the United States, Englund enlisted in the 8th Cavalry Regiment, stationed at Fort Meade (South Dakota) where he stayed from 1892-1895. Later, he transferred to the 4th Cavalry Regiment. Englund's deployment brought him to the Philippines during the Spanish–American War from 1896-1899, where he participated in significant advances against the enemy. His contributions to the war efforts were highly regarded, and he was honorably discharged from military service in 1899.[2][1] He married Ella L. Kuhiltz (1870–1943) on December 11, 1891, in Watsonville, California.[3]

Professional background

"Gus has been the city's first and only police chief; that he has served faithfully for 17 years; that his kindliness and good humor have become a community boast."

— Former Mayor John C. Catlin[4]

After his return to the United States, Englund pursued a series of adventurous paths. He initially joined the police force at Yosemite National Park, where he dedicated himself to maintaining order and ensuring the safety of visitors. In 1900, he served in China as part of the Quartermaster Corps. Continuing his journey, Englund worked alongside the 15th Cavalry Regiment at Sequoia National Park in 1901, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in different environments. Seeking new opportunities, he ventured to Dawson City and St. Michael in Alaska in 1902, where he engaged in the exciting pursuit of gold prospecting. Englund's desire for new challenges brought him back to Monterey in 1903, where he found employment at the Monterey Presidio, driving a four-mule team. He further expanded his law enforcement career by joining the Monterey Police Force from 1905 to 1906, where his dedication and exceptional skills led to his eventual promotion to the position of Chief of Police from 1911 to 1913. Englund temporarily left his role in the police department to join the San Francisco Pinkerton Police Force. Following the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake, he played a role in maintaining law and order, ensuring the safety and security of the affected areas. He did special police duty for the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco from 1913 to 1914.[2][1][5]

Englund as Carmel's police force

The story of Carmel's Police Department began with the incorporation of the village of Carmel in the autumn of 1916. Englund was appointed as the City Marshal and Tax Collector by the Carmel city trustees. To maintain order, the trustees implemented an ordinance to prevent loose livestock from roaming the streets. Englund took on the responsibility of patrolling the streets of Carmel single-handedly, astride his big black horse named "Beauty" (one of his three horses), ensuring that chickens stayed off Ocean Avenue. He also performed duties such as locating missing children and assisting with starting reluctant stoves. Additionally, it was his duty to post official notices around town. Englund became known as "Mr. Fixit," as he took on a multitude of roles. [2][1][6][5]

However, during the Great Depression in 1932, Carmel faced financial challenges and reduced city employee salaries by fifteen percent. Englund, faced with the reality of diminished funds, made the difficult decision to dismount and retire Beauty from active duty. Consequently, Beauty was put out to pasture.[7]

Death

In January 1935, Englund slipped and fell on the rocky shores of Monterey Bay. He was leading the search for the body of Mrs. Eliot Boke Schaffner of Carmel Point, who had drowned at the water's edge at Cooke’s Cove in Carmel Bay. The fall resulted in a severe foot injury, and infection set in a few days later. Englund was admitted to the Veterans Hospital in San Francisco, where the medical team determined that amputation was necessary to combat the spreading infection. Despite this the infection persisted, and on November 2, 1935, Englund passed away at the age of 66 while under the care of the San Francisco Hospital.[2][7][4][5]

Funeral services were held at Paul's Mortuary in Pacific Grove, California. The Reverend Mr. Chinn delivered a prayer and shared the story of Englund's journey. Overseeing the proceedings at the mortuary were members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). In a demonstration of respect, the Carmel business and city offices closed for one hour by order of Mayor James H. Thorburn. In recognition of his service in both the Swedish and American armies, Englund was accorded a military funeral. The Spanish War Veterans conducted the ceremony at the El Carmelo cemetery. Englund's final resting place was a vault built within the Odd Fellows' section of the cemetery.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gus Englund Of Carmel Fame Dies". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. November 5, 1935. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Connie Wright (2014). "August "Gus" Englund: Our First One-Man Police Force". Stories of Old Carmel: A Centennial Tribute From The Carmel Residents Association. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. pp. 28–29. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ↑ "Historical Information for August Englund". FamilySearch. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Gus Just Can't Quit". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. January 30, 1935. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 Hale, Sharron Lee (1980). A Tribute to Yesterday: The History of Carmel, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, Point Lobos, Carmelite Monastery, and Los Burros. Santa Cruz, California: Valley Publishers. pp. 83–84. ISBN 9780913548738. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  6. ↑ Ford, Tirey (1926). Dawn and the Dons; the Romance of Monterey. The Bruce Brouch Press. pp. 211–212. ISBN 9781432516307. OL 11930655M. 1432516302. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  7. 1 2 Doug Schmitz (July 2019). ""A Horse is a Horse, of course, of course..."" (PDF). The Voice of the Carmel Residents Association. p. 3. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
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