CHIEF ROBERT KENNETH "BOB" WEDDLE

By Al Lebas

Bob Weddle was born in the foothills of his beloved Maryland, and worked along side his grandfather as a village black smith before moving to California as a young adult.

The great depression was on and Bob considered himself extremely fortunate to have found employment with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. In less than three years however, his newfound career was interrupted by the events of December 7, 1941.

Bob Weddle immediately enlisted in the Army, was selected to attend infantry OCS at Fort Benning, Georgia and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant.  He served with General George S. Patton in his march across France, and during the closing months of the war in Europe he was decorated for conspicuous bravery while he and his unit were crossing the Rhine River at the now famous Remagen Bridge.

Infantry Captain Bob Weddle returned to the Sheriff's department in 1946 and resumed his career as a peace officer, assigned to Patrol at Malibu Station.

Several varied assignments, and two promotions later, Bob was selected to serve as the Commander of the Sheriff's training academy, where he served with distinction. While still assigned to the Administrative Division, Bob was credited with being the principal architect of the Department's new "Manual of Policy and Ethics", a document that helped guide the Department through a period of unexcelled growth.

In a "star-studded" career, spanning more than thirty years, Bob Weddle will undoubtedly be best remembered for his long tenure as the Station Commander at Firestone Station, "The Stone'; unquestionably the Departments toughest, most challenging field assignment. His leadership, compassion and great sense of humor endeared him to his "troops". They would have followed him anywhere.

Deservedly, Bob retired as a Chief, overseeing the Corrections Division.