Biography

Chief Matthews was born on his father’s farm in the immediate vicinity of Santa Rosa. He is one of five children who were born to early pioneer settlers of this area. Reared and educated in local schools, he learned the family trade of black-smithing and worked for several years at that trade until he entered the Police Department as a patrolman in May 1909.

Career

Chief Mattews was a person prone to effectiveness and attention to duty. He was appointed as Chief of Police in December 1918, and had an efficient six-man department. His sudden death, while in office, was deeply felt by the community and fellow members of the department. He was active in fraternal orders.