A Guide to the Roger F. Powell Letter, 1952 #SC 0047

Thomas Balch Library

Thomas Balch Library
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Leesburg, Virginia 20176
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Email: balchlib@leesburgva.gov
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Processed by: Donald Cooper

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection open for research .

Use Restrictions

Physical characteristics and conditions affect use of this material. Photocopying not permitted.

Preferred Citation

Roger F. Powell Letter, 1952 (SC 0047), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA..

Acquisition Information

Unknown

Alternative Form Available

None

Accruals

2009.0140X

Processing Information

Processed by Donald Cooper, 26 August 2009

On 5 July 1948 S. Paul Alexander(1897-1983), sheriff of Loudoun County, Virginia, presented the County Board of Supervisors with an estimate for General Electric radio equipment for both headquarters and squad cars. A 60 watt deluxe unit with additional receiver for tie-in with Arlington County was to be installed into headquarters for $1800. Three squad cars for the department were to be equipped with mobile units at $572 each; the total cost for the entire department would total $3516. However, it was not until 6 March 1950 that the Board of Supervisors approved $1500 for radio equipment for the sheriff's office.

On 1 January 1952 Roger F. Powell (1906-2001) became sheriff of Loudoun County. He had served as deputy sheriff from 1949-1951. On the morning of 4 August 1952 Powell appeared before the Board of Supervisors and presented information on a radio communication system for the sheriff's office. He stated he had $2000 available from private funds to pay for the system. Although not disclosed initially, the funds were provided by Arthur Godfrey (1903-1983). This new communication system would tie all emergency units--sheriff, fire department, rescue squad ambulance and game warden--together. During the afternoon session, the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to allow the sheriff to have a steel radio tower constructed in the jail yard, subject to approval of the town of Leesburg.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of a 2 page carbon copy of a typewritten letter from Sheriff Roger Powell to Irvey Willard Baker (1881-1955), Chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, dated 22 November 1952. In the letter, Powell explains that Arthur Godfrey was the donor of the $2000 to install the county police radio communication system.

Adjunct Descriptive Data

Bibliography

Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Minute Book # 6 02-05-1945 to 02-03-1953, Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.
Roger Powell Collection 1790-1996 (M 037), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.
Roger F. Powell Letter, 1952 (SC 0047), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.
Singer, Arthur J. Arthur Godfrey: The Adventures of an American Broadcaster. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2000.

Other Finding Aid

None

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