The History of the San Antonio Police Department Motorcycle Unit
1915
Officer Dickman with Art B. Hickox (Racing Driver) 1920’s
1920’s
1929
Eddie Campa 1930’s
While engaged in the research to establish the approximate date of Sergeant Christoph’s photograph, the city ordnance (1 June 1935) was located providing the authority to disregard the lowest bidder and purchase 10 Harley-Davidson 74 inch police motorcycles and 10 sidecars for a total of $4,954.20. This was due to Harley-Davidson’s superior equipment. It would appear that these are the motorcycles in photographs through the later 1930s and therefore Sergeant Christoph’s photograph must be 1935 or older. However, the true find was an advertising photograph from the Harley-Davidson archive showing a 1934 Servi-car. The officer driving is Agnal A. “Bill” Edwards and the officer sitting behind is Otto “Pete” Hillock. The picture was taken in 1934. Both will give their lives in service to the city.
1930 Sgt, William “Billy” Christoph
1933 Jon A Shannon showing tacks he picked up off the road
“Picture of John A. Shannon with his motorcycle, and in his San Antonio Police Uniform. Believe this was taken at their house on Virginia Blvd in San Antonio”
Here is a line of the 1935 Harley-Davidson VL’s. (listed as VLP in the city purchasing ordnance). The photograph was taken at 107 S. Pecos, during labor problems in 1937. Notice that the “Diamond” insignia from the fuel tank is replicated on the right side of the side-car along with the Department number.
1949 Lt. Strum and Officer Arthur Perez
Officer Jack Flesher 1957
Officer Vick Abate with James Arness (Matt Dillion)
1950’s Officer Jack Flesher
1960 Sgt. Tom Farley, John Wayne and Officer Sidney Billings
President John F. Kennedy visits San Antonio
Officer Robert Anderson July 2, 1970
Officer Robert Anderson July 1971 with his 1968 Harley-Davidson FL Hand Shift
Ron Ulevig
Gregory Knaus
James Johnson
2004 Sgt. Rick Gonzalez and His Team
2010 Officer Vinny Sanchez and Richard Long
2010 Fiesta Officer Steven McGowan and Jason Aicher
2010 Retired Albert Gomez and Detective O’Connor
2010 Retired Sgt. Rick Gonzalez and Rachelle Littlefield
2010 Officer Mike Moore
Mike Quinonez, Dwayne Harlan and Art DeHoyos 2010
2010 Mike Quiononez, Rechelle Littlefield, and Oscar O’Connor
2016
Motor Officers that participated in the first ever SAPD No-Shave November December 2016. Left to right Henry Uriegas, Tony Garcia, Steve Vaquera, Justin Dietrich, and Jimmy Owen
San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 88th Annual Gala February 4th 2017. Erik Estrada, aka Ponch; from the TV show “CHiP’s”, was the Master of Ceremonies. Officers Steve Vaquera (left) and Tony Garcia (right).
San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 88th Annual Gala February 4th 2017. Erik Estrada, aka Ponch; from the TV show “CHiP’s”, was the Master of Ceremonies.
Information and Photos provided by the San Antonio, TX Police Department.
