Chief John Leahey
Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 November 1902, page 8
NEWPORT
The Board of Police and Fire Commissioners last night in
executive session names John Leahey to succeed D Edwin Smith as Chief of Police,
the appointment to be effective January 1, 1903. The new Chief is well known and
popular. He has been a police officer for about 18 months, having been
appointed Day Lieutenant as soon as Mayor Nelson got control of the Police
Department.
During the time that he has been on the force he has proved himself an efficient officer and has a splendid record. While the meeting was held behind closed doors, it was learned that the vote was unanimous. The Commissioners refused to give any reason for deposing Smith. he has a splendid record as a member of the local department. He was elected to the force under Mayor Brown in 1894, as a patrolman and by hard work and attention to duty raised himself to the position of Chief.
The Commissioners did not make any other changes, leaving the rest until the next regular meeting. It is understood that Frank Beigel, at present a patrolman, will be made Day Lieutenant, succeeding Leahey.