February 2012 Edi On - Spokane Police Department

INEZ HODGE
RETIRING AFTER NEARLY FIVE DECADES
Inez Hodge joined the Spokane Police Department on July 1, 1963 at the age of 24. She has
served longer in the department than any other person. 2011 marked her 48th year of service.
She began her career as Clerk‐Typist I and has served as the department's stascian since
March 19, 1972 to her rerement date which will be in April 2012. Inez has seen much of the
history of the Spokane Police Department played out before her and she wrote a few notes
from her career at the Spokane Police Department:
“My interview was with Inspector Piper. He sent me down to Records and had Laura Odee
test me on my typing skills, filing cards, etc. She didn’t know what was going on and sent me
back up to Inspector Piper’s office. Chief Payne came in looking for him and I gave him a thumbs
down in the hall. I thought for sure that I lost my opportunity, but I walked out with a job. Later on it was told to me
that the girl I replaced was fired one hour before her probaon was over.
I started working July 1, 1963 as a Clerk Typist I at the Realty Building on Riverside. Rod
Pippinch was our supervisor. Close to Christmas, the three of us girls in Records would
type up a false report and give it to Rod to approve so that the civilians could have four
hours off for Christmas shopping. He usually never read the reports, and we would call
it to his aenon that he gave us permission for me off. He would go up to Inspector
Piper’s office and Piper would tell him that he had to allow it.
Inez, with Chief Stephens, at
her rerement party
There were two mes that I almost le the Police
Department. Someme before going to the Stats office, a
sergeant from one of the main Alaska police departments
tried to convince me to come there and work. The pay
was quite high. Another me, the city hall computer area
wanted me to work there, but I decided to stay here.
I was promoted to Keypunch Operator 11 months later in Stats. I started coding
Persons Arrested for the FBI. This made my probaon last 17 months and Captain
Sherar congratulated me for finally geng off probaon. I was promoted to Keypunch
Operator II later on before moving over the Public Safety Building which occurred in
November of 1970. In March of 1972 I was promoted to Stascian.
I was the first in Records to get a computer, but Gayle Kiser used it more than I did. I wasn’t too interested in geng
a computer.
Chief Hendren gave me permission to get a ride on a police motorcycle. Mel Griffiths met me at the Academy and I
rode in the side car. Mel pped the side car off the pavement halfway and boy did I hold on for dear life.
John Sullivan and Mike Yates promised to move me out to the academy, but it never materialized. I was also
promised red carpet in my room.
I’m so proud and honored to work here so long. Spokane Police is the best in the country! I will miss Spokane Police
as we are like family. It was wonderful to have so many big brothers to look up to. Then the big sisters came.
Be proud, stand tall even when the chips are down, and do the best you can. You all get a pat on the back from me!”
CONGRATULATIONS, INEZ, ON YOUR RETIREMENT, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR MANY
YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE!