Monthly Newsletter— May 2012 Edition - Spokane Police Department

Spokane Law Enforcement Museum
April 24–28, 2012 was the 2nd Anniversary of the opening of
the museum. Volunteers worked to keep it open all week for
visitors.
We are back to being open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. and group tours may be made at other times if volunteers
are available.
Mother Mary Seymour
One of the serendipities of the work of the SPLEM
Historical office is meeting with family members who are looking
into geneology or information on family members who were members
of the department.
We played host to the great-great niece Jennifer Ish, and great niece
Jeanne Matlack of Mary Seymour. The Historical Monuments
Committee will be dedicating a monument to her on May 10th.
Mary was one of the first matrons for the department. She is shown
in the center of the picture of the 1912 department that hangs in the
Hallways of History across from the Chief’s Auxiliary Conference
Room.
Before contact with our committee, Jennifer had never seen a picture
of Mary. The committee was able to supply the family with
Jennifer Ish, Jeanne Matlack and
SPLEM Historical Office Volunteer
Diane Erickson in front of the 1912 picture
of the department. Picture of Mary
Seymour is in the oval inset.
several photos. Jeanne, whose husband was a Spokane Valley fireman for 37 years, remembers as a young
girl of four or five, when Mary would bring inmates home and teach them how to clean house. She fondly
remembers her Great Aunt Mary buying her a doll and eating dinner at her home on West 2nd. She also remembers
hearing about Mary bringing home one particular inmate to work around the home. It was observed
that Mary was very good at keeping a watchful eye on the inmate and really cared about those she
worked for. The family was very close and full of compassion. Her daughter, Bonnie
Martin, founded the Spokane’s homeless mission that later became the Union Gospel Mission.
Mary was known to many in the department as Mother Mary. She began working for the department when
she was 55 years old in 1910, and stayed until the age of 77 in 1932. Mary died a year after leaving the department.
Her funeral was the first where a motorcycle escort was used from downtown to the Greenwood Memorial
Terrace Cemetery. All the pallbearers were police detectives. As a sign of respect for her service, the department
allowed a badge to be inlaid on her gravemarker. It was paid for by fellow employees.
Photo Chronicles
We are still working on gathering all the family ties and military history. For those of you looking for a
unique gift, a Heritage Tile can be purchased that will be on display wall at the museum. Your affiliation, or
you family members affiliation will be forever remembered. Interested in purchasing a tile just contact one
of our vounteers at the museum or contact the SPLEM Historial Office.
We would also like to see more pictures and stories on the sports programs and competitions as well as
fundraisers that the officers have been involved with over the years, as that is the next section that we will
be working on. Be sure to drop these by the historical office or email the scans and stories.
Thank you to those of you who have given us information on your military service and family ties. It isn’t
too late, please get the pictures and information to us as soon as possible. Contact the SPLEM Historical Office
at 477-6449 or email sswalker@spokanepolice.org