The History of the Minneapolis Police Department Motorcycle Unit
Minneapolis Police Department found use of motors in 1909. They were used up to the late 50’s – early 60’s. We had some of the 3 wheeled motors towards the end of that time. They were phased out and we didn’t get motors again until a few years ago.
May 4, 1929
Officer Clayton J. Seawell was driving his motorcycle at the intersections of Seventeenth Avenue and Fifth Street Northeast when he rear ended a vehicle driven by Peter Brinde. Officer Seawell was thrown from the motorcycle hitting his head on the road. He died from a fractured skull shortly after arriving at the hospital. Brinde called police and Officers L.R. Gorske and Martin Q. Lilljord responded. While enroute, they were involved in an accident at University Avenue and East Hennepin. No one was injured, and they continued on to the other crash.
Officer Seawell was 31 years old. He became an officer October 1st, 1923. He was survived by his wife and five children: Dorothy, 9, Bonnie, 8, Betty, 7, Thomas, 3, and Richard, 1. (Thomas later joined the Minneapolis Police Department on January 17th, 1955.) Officer Seawell’s funeral was held at his home at 640 Johnson Street Northeast on Wednesday and his burial was held at St. Anthony Cemetery.
Information and Photos provided by the Minneapolis, MN Police Department.