By Mike Simmons
The end of World War II brought a feeling of elation to the entire nation, and Pensacola was no different. In addition to celebrating, the economy was booming. In Pensacola, the shortage of police officers could finally come to an end. So, many new faces in uniform suddenly appeared on the city’s streets. As the story goes, the hiring of Officer Sal Ferraro on June 3, 1946, caused quite a stir at the police station. As Officer Ferraro was assigned to walk a beat on South Palafox Street, many citizens—especially females – took notice. Unknown to him, the switchboard at police headquarters lit up. Swooning women wanted to know who the handsome new police officer was! After Sal left the police department, he became employed with the public works department at Pensacola NAS, from which he retired. Over the years, Sal raised his family of eleven children on Old Barrancas Avenue, near the Bayou Chico drawbridge. He passed away on November 8, 2007.
Awwww……my daddy. He was such a handsome & good hearted man. He loved his time with the Pensacola Police Department. Thank you Michael Simmons for your remembrance of my wonderful father.