From The Files of The Seminole Producer

Harry Wakefield, 37, a native of Tulsa, was named today as the new Seminole Police Chief and will assume the post March 1. He replaces Kenneth Higdon who resigned the position Tuesday.

Wakefield’s appointment was confirmed by a unanimous vote of the City Council members present at last night’s meeting. Wakefield, who comes to Seminole from Edmond, was selected from a field of 15 applicants for the Chief’s post.

In announcing the appointment of Wakefield, City Manager Gerald Wilkins stated “since we firmly believe that the selection of a Police Chief is of utmost importance to the citizens of this community, the members of the police department, and to Seminole city government, I have spent considerable time and effort in seeking a man who will best serve this community in this important capacity.

“We believe we have found a man who will continue the work of improving the effectiveness of the Seminole Police Department. Harry Wakefield has an excellent background in law enforcement and is dedicated to providing the best police services possible within the funds available.

“We have fine officers in the Seminole Police Department and a good percentage of them have experience and training. It is, however, felt that an experienced law enforcement man from outside the department could best unify the department and direct a law enforcement program in the best interest of the members of the department and the citizens of Seminole.”

Wakefield, a graduate of Tulsa University with a degree in police science, told newsmen this morning “I am acquainted with law officials in this part of the state and I know their capacities. I’ve visited Seminole many times and never have heard a derogatory remark about the city or city government. From what I know about the Seminole Police Department, a man with honest intentions and dedication will be able to fit in well and make great strides with the police department. I feel with the personnel we have, that the department has a lot of potential for the future.

“I believe in equal treatment for all citizens regardless of race, color or creed. A police officer is a public servant and should look at himself as such…he should have a strict code of ethics and above all he is sworn to uphold the law and serve the people with honor.”

Wakefield is a veteran of the armed forces, serving four years with the U.S. Navy where he completed leadership training and worked as a data processing technician. He enrolled at N.E.O. State College and later graduated from the University of Tulsa with a BS degree in police science. He also completed some 600 hours in the Tulsa Police Academy, numerous in-service police schools and is also a qualified polygraph examiner.

Wakefield served with the Tulsa Police Department from 1967-70 as a field supervisor in the patrol division and resigned that post to become chairman of the Police Science Department at Connors State College from 1970-71. He was employed as Chief of Police of Edmond in August 1971 and held that post until March 1972 when he was terminated from the position. He was employed by Smith Protective Services Inc. of Oklahoma city as a polygraph examiner, the position he presently holds.

Wakefield serves on the advisory council of the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training in Oklahoma, is a member of the state Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, Oklahoma Education Association, Oklahoma technical Education Society, and the Fraternal Order of Police. He was selected by the National Police Academy to be listed in Who’s Who in Law Enforcement in 1972.

Wakefield and his wife Betty Sue have two children, Esther Lillian, 9, and Billy Don, 7. -oOo Slants – Paul Rice, Ok City broker whose Dad, John Rice and pioneer relative including the late Jess Maxey, lived out in the Mission Field near Mekusukey, calling The Producer for some information… Recent visitors on a sunny afternoon reporting Sportsman Lake with surprising few visitors…and the Sportsmen’s Club’s new covered pavilion in the old Lions Club area all ready for picnic parties, visitors report… Tony Doudican getting some schooling… Don Raney being lucky enough to have his name appear on a program twice… Seminole’s new police chief, Harry Wakefield, meeting a few of the townsfolks… Roy Brown not being able to get into his car, seems the doors were frozen shut… Ray Davis playing a horn?... Charlsie and Paul Lindley of Tulsa writing friends here from the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas about parking their mini-travel home in a lovely park in the middle of a grove of oranges and grapefruit and of the delicious fresh vegetables available there.