Lucknow Police Department

[Bill Couldridge]

Lucknow ON is a small town not too far from Kincardine ON. They had a one-man police department ca: late 1960's that wore a half-moon style shoulder flash. The Chief of Police was William "Bill" Ronald Nelson. Nelson was born and raised in Kincardine, and started his police career with the Kincardine Town police in the early 1960's. Nelson left the Kincardine Police department to become the Chief of Lucknow police for only about 2-years in the late 1960's. Nelson quit after a dispute with the Lucknow town council over his wages. Nelson then tried other occupations, including being a local butcher and restaurant manager in Kincardine. He returned to the Kincardine Police department in the mid-1970's finally leaving to work at Bruce Nuclear plant as a security guard ca: 1979. He retired there some years later.  

Nelson was a popular figure in Kincardine, being president of the local Lion's club and very active in the community. He was well known to most citizens. A bear of a man, over 6'6" tall and weighing some 275 lb's with huge hands and great strength who could easily handle himself. A physically intimidating man, with a nice disposition and laid-back demeanour. I was astonished at the size of his hands the first time I met him in the late 1970's. His hands were so big they reminded me of baseball gloves.

Nelson died in Kincardine in September 2015 at the age of 77. A picture of him in his Kincardine uniform is next to his public obituary notice.

As far as I know, Nelson was the one and only Chief of Lucknow police. I don't believe there are any other styles of shoulder flash except the half-moon style. Lucknow is policed by the South Bruce OPP (Kincardine) detachment.

Bill Couldridge-Kincardine Police (ret.) 1977-1987.

 

[bobpyefinch]

[Bill Couldridge]

Bill Nelson was best friends with Kincardine Police department's legendary Chief Bill Sweedland. Nelson served under Chief Sweedland for several years, and after leaving to become part of Bruce Nuclear security ca: 1978, they became even closer. I'm told that Chief Sweedland was very emotional when Bill Nelson died in 2015. During the Celebration of Life service for Bill Nelson, many Kincardine residents attended to pay their respects to a man who was a very popular member of the community. So many residents showed up at Nelson's Celebration of Life memorial that the Legion couldn't hold the crowd and it spilled into the street and parking lot. I was also told that Chief Sweedland, although in his mid-80's at that time, was inconsolable over the loss of his dear friend, and openly wept at the service. A moving testament to what a fine officer and citizen Nelson was, and just how much Chief Sweedland cared for his officers. Two fine police officers who won't be forgotten. Chief Bill Sweedland himself died in March 2018 at the age of 87.

Bill Couldridge-Kincardine PD 1977-1987 (ret.)