An excerpt from the book, “Pensacola’s Finest in Pictures”
By Mike Simmons
Changing of the Chiefs
On December 30, 1994, members of the Pensacola Police Department stood in front of Police Headquarters at 711 N. Hayne Street to witness the end of an era. A ceremony honoring retiring Chief Louis Goss and swearing in the new chief, Norman Chapman, took place. Chief Goss had been with the department for 48 years, 14 years as chief. He said it all started when, after he got out of the Navy following WWII, he answered a help wanted ad for Pensacola Police Officers.
Chief Goss began by walking a beat, and worked his way up from there. Needless to say, by the time he retired, he was a cornerstone at the department. Chief Goss holds the record of being the longest-serving officer in the history of the Pensacola Police Department.
Later in the ceremony, the police headquarters was named in Chief Goss’ honor. Lou Goss died on June 21, 2009.
Thank you, Chief, for your service to our city.