In the year 2022, the Wilmington Police Department is celebrating our 150th anniversary. For a chronological history of the WPD, visit our history page.  Throughout the year we will be sharing stories & photos from our 150 year history. These stories listed below were researched and written by retired Wilmington Police Officer Paul Chalifour.

Check back often for updates as we share these stories from our history!


January 1, 2022 – It’s Our 150th Anniversary!

January 10, 2022 – Calling for Help in the Late 1800’s

January 17, 2022 – The Honor Guard (Part I)

January 24, 2022 – The Honor Guard (Part II)

February 1, 2022 – The Honor Guard (Part III)

February 7, 2022 – Rough on Rats: A Sinister Plot

February 14, 2022 – The WPD Ambulance

February 23, 2022 – The Police Station (Part 1)

March 4, 2022 – The Police Station (Part 2)

March 14, 2022 – The Bagpipers of the WPD

March 25, 2022 – The Police Station (Part 3)

April 4, 2022 – The Tartaglia Gang

April 29, 2022 – The Police Station (Part 4)

June 3, 2022 – The Kelley Hill Murder

June 10, 2022 – Risqué Police Business at Silver Lake

August 8, 2022 – Beach Day & National Night Out

August 16, 2022 – Family Legacies and a Special Oath

September 1, 2022 – The Tavern In The Woods

November 14, 2022 – Policing Wilmington’s Nightlife

November 23 – The Auxiliary Police

November 28 – The Cocoanut Grove Fire

December 31 – Then & Now