The retirees continued to meet and moved forward with the plan
envisioned by Lt. Zimmerman. From the onset only about three or
four were getting together, then as time went on more retirees
started to attend. In the later part of 1968 and into 1969
attendance increased with more police and an invitation was
extended to retired firefighters to become members. In December
of 1969, leadership was established. A president and secretary
were elected, and a semi-business-like system was developed.
Lt. Henry F. Grimm Sr. was the first elected President and
Lt. Robert A. Brenner, Secretary.
The organization continued for many years and as the membership
grew, there seemed to be a need for other officers to be added
and to maintain an executive type group for conducting affairs
and assisting in operations of this organization. At this time
members of the Sheriff's Department were also extended an
invitation to join with us upon their retirement.
Since 1968 we have continued to operate as a social/business
type organization. We are guided by a set of by-laws that were
established and became incorporated August 3rd, 1993. We send
out a quarterly newsletter with items of interest from the
group and other items received. We welcome and look forward to
your attendance and participation in our monthly luncheon
meetings.
We feel that in the past few years we have become more
progressive and membership has increased to the present (1998)
level of 224 members. We hope the recent campain for membership
will continue to attract retires to become members.
Taken from PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 30th Anniversary by
Norman E. Grimm, President
On July 1, 1968, Lt. Warren (Buddy) Zimmerman retired from
the Alexandria Police Department and started having lunch
with other retired police officers. For the next two months
"Buddy" and his friends made arrangements to get together.
At this time it was mainly a social gathering, but "Buddy"
had started formulating some plans for the future of this
organization. Due to his untimely death on October 18, 1968,
his plans for the organization were not implemented. Little
did he know how this organization would grow to the magnitude
it now enjoys.
