GLENDALE — Sonny Marcus worked with Glendale police in the 1960s. He is the only one still living from his roster. He remembers walking into the department offering to volunteer.
"I said I just want to help," said Marcus. "I want to be a patrolman and I said how do I do that? He said well, I could use you."
It was his first time firing a revolver, but Marcus said he proved to the Captain he had skills.
"I shot the thing and I actually hit the target," he said.
The former volunteer officer said he was sworn in on the spot. Marcus spent five years with the department, usually as a patrolman.
"The majority of problems here were speeding and parking," he said. "No violent crimes to speak of, no robberies, nothing of the sorts."
There was an exception though.
"1967 we had riots in Milwaukee," said Marcus.
That stemmed from race and housing discrimination. Many problems the city experienced back then are still affecting the community today.
"It's a tough job today and you have to be aware of every moment and be on guard," said Marcus.
Glendale Police Department doesn't have volunteer positions anymore, but Marcus said if they did he would sign up.
