Max "Buck" Bergfeld City Marshal 1925 - 1972

Max "Buck" Bergfeld was City Marshal of the City of Seguin from 1925 to 1972.

Leroy Schneider Chief of Police 38 Years Retired January 31, 1993

Leroy Schneider became the first Chief of Police for the City of Seguin Police Department
in November 1971 and served in this position until his retirement in 1993.

Gary Hopper Chief of Police 10 Years Retired May 31, 2003

Gary Hopper took over as Chief of Police of the Seguin Police Department in 1993
and served in this position until his retirement in 2003.

Law Enforcement has been in existance in Seguin since 1925, with the elected office of the City Marshal. Max "Buck" Bergfeld served as City Marshall from 1925 until his death in 1972.

In 1948, a Traffic Division was formed. The Traffic Division was separate from the City Marshal's Office. W.C. Hoffman (a former Department of Publice Safety Trooper), was named the Supervising Officer. At that time, the force consisted of Hoffman, with 1 full time officer and a part time officer. The Traffic Division worked 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, out of a small office at City Hall. All the calls came through the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office.

In 1949, Leroy Schneider joined the Traffic Division. In 1950, the Traffic Division moved to a small office at Central Fire Station, 110 East Elm. In the 1950's, the Traffic Division remained small, with 4 officers. Leroy Schneider left for military service, and Charles Ehrhard joined the department. During this time, Walter Lampmann joined the department. Leroy Schneider returned to the Traffic Division several years later.

In 1960, the Traffic Division moved to a building at the fairgrounds that had been used in World War II to house cavalry horses, then it became a tamale factory. The Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum is presently located at this site.

In November 1971, a Charter revision approved by the voters, created the Department of Police. The Seguin Police Department was officially formalized. At that time, Leroy Schneider became the first Chief of Police. During the time period of November 1971 to August 1972, the City of Seguin had both a Police Department and a City Marshal. The City Marsal's Office was eliminated after the death of Max "Buck" Bergfeld in 1972.

In June 1972, the Seguin Police Department moved to it's new headquarters at 410 N. Camp St. This building, the former Nauman Supermarket, had been purchased by the City and remodeled to be used as the Police Headquarters.

During the 1970's, the Department continued to grow with additional officers in the Patrol Division and Criminal Investigation Division, also creating a SWAT team and the FTO Program was developed.

By the 1980's, the Department had outgrown the existing space at 410 N. Camp St., so in 1986, the City purchased the old Donegan Building at 424 N. Camp St. This building was remodeled and in 1987, Police Central Records, Municipal Court and Police Administration were moved into this building. In 2005, Municipal Court moved to their present location at 660 HWY 46 South.

Remodeling was started in 1987 at the existing Police Headquarters at 410 N. Camp St., being completed in 1988, which added offices for the Criminal Investigation Division, enlarged the Communications office and added offices for Patrol supervisors. Heading the Police Department was Chief Leroy Schneider, Assistant Chief of Administration, Walter Lampmann and Assistant Chief of Operations, Robert Zoboroski.

During the 1980's, the Department added a Canine unit that was trained for narcotics search and apprehension.

The Seguin Police Department continually strives to increase the quality of service it provides the citizens of Seguin. The implementation of 9-1-1 emergency dispatching in 1991 has enabled citizens to receive immediate response to emergency situations. The Communications Personnel take calls for police and fire in the city and handle all requests for medical assistance for all of Guadalupe County. All communications personnel are trained in police and fire dispatching as well as being certified emergency medical dispatchers, qualified to administer pre-arrival instructions until EMS arrives.

The Seguin Police Department has been fortunate in that nine of its officers have attended the National FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. since 1973. The advanced management training these officers have received has benefited the Department, as well as the citizens of Seguin.

National FBI Academy Graduates

Robert L. Zoboroski	99th Session	1974
Miguel E. Rosas	108th Session	1977
Mark A. Zoboroski	114th Session	1978
James E. DeLaGarza	117th Session	1979
Reno W. Reiley	120th Session	1980
Harold D. Burns Jr.	136th Session	1984
James K. Boeck	138th Session	1984
George Alex Jr.	163rd Session	1990
Juan G. Garcia	168th Session	1992

Chief of Police Leroy Schneider retired from the Seguin Police Department on January 31, 1993, after serving 38 years with the City of Seguin.

In May 1993, Gary Hopper (former Assistant Chief of the Live Oak Police Department) was named as Chief of Police of the Seguin Police Department.

During the 1990's, the Department added 2 D.A.R.E. Officers, created an Honor Guard and inceased the Canine units. Also, during this time, the Department started the Halloween Safe House, the Blue Santa Program and the South Texas Youth Ambassador's Rally. The first Citizen's Police Academy was held in 1995 and the first graduates formed the Citizens Police Academy Alumni.

The Department also purchased 2 Kawasaki motorcycles that were used by Motorcycle Traffic Officers.

Chief of Police Gary Hopper retired from the Seguin Police Department on May 31, 2003, after serving 10 years with the City of Seguin.

In June 2003, Luis Collazo (former Chief of Giddings Police Department) was named as Chief of Police of the Seguin Police Department.

The Department continued to sponsor the Halloween Safe House every year as the Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum on October 31st. During the Christmas Season, the Department, along with the Lions Club, sponsors the Blue Santa Program. Toward the end of the school year, the Police Department D.A.R.E. hosts the South Texas Youth Ambassador's Rally. A new program started by the Department is the Cops and Kids Picnic which is held at Starcke Park in May of each year.

The Citizen's Police Academy Alumni was reorganized and several additional Academys were sponsored. The CPAA works with the Department at the Halloween Safe House, Blue Santa Program, Cops and Kids Picnic, South Texas Youth Ambassadors Rally, and July 4th Parade. They also assist the Department in other functions.

The Seguin Police Department has been fortunate to have an officer attend the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville. The advanced management training this officer received will benefit the Department, as well as the citizens of Seguin.

Southern Police Institute Graduate

The Department replaced the 2002 Kawasaki motorcycles with 2007 Harley Davidson Police Motorcycles and in 2008 added a third Harley Davidson Police Motorcycle.

The Department has increased the Canine units, that are trained in apprehension, as well as narcotics and bomb search. Additionally, the Department D.A.R.E. Program serves and Seguin I.S.D. and the St. James Catholic School.

In September-December 2006, the Seguin Police Department moved to it's new Headquarters at 350 N. Guadalupe St. The construction of the the new Leroy Schneider Police Station was started in August 2005.

In November 2006, the City of Seguin began implmenting the new radio communications system. The communication system implemented narrow band frequencies to comply with FCC mandates. The Police Department implemented a digital communication system for their primary channel. The new communications systems allows all City Departments to communicate with each other.

Chief of Police Luis Collazo retired from the Seguin Police Department on March 31, 2008, after serving over 4 years with the City of Seguin.

In August 2008, Kevin Kelso (former Captain of Operation of Victoria Police Department) was named as Chief of Police of the Seguin Police Department.

In 2008, the Department has 49 sworn officers, with 36 officers assigned to the Patrol Division, 6 officers assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, 2 officers assigned to D.A.R.E. and 5 in Administration. The Department also has 1 part time officer assigned as a Motorcycle Traffic Officer. There are 11 civilian personnel assigned to the Telecommunications Division and 4 support personnel.

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