Pensacola Police Department’s First Lady Cop

By Mike Simmons

“When they are prepared to hire women I want to have the education to make me available,” Jeri Schadee, October 3, 1971

She wasn’t the first. That distinction belongs to Lola Baldwin, who, in 1908, became the first sworn female police officer in the United States when she was hired by the City of Portland, Oregon.

In 1971, Jeri was a records clerk at the Pensacola Police Department. When she first began the job, she found herself wondering what it would be like to be an officer. At first, she considered the job of a matron, which is a female correctional officer. Aggie Rigby had held that position since the death of her husband, Constable Clint Rigby, who died in the line of duty in 1955.

Slowly, she began to imagine herself as a police officer. When the job opening was announced in 1973, she applied. She knew it was a long shot, but she applied anyway. Two other ladies applied also.

To say she knew the journey would be uphill is an understatement. To say she knew how hard it would be is also an understatement. She soon found out when the policemen she worked with were pretty much 100% against her, or any female, becoming a police officer. It wasn’t attitude, mind you, that was how they felt. They thought a woman couldn’t handle it – especially the physical part. Let’s face it, women are not physically as strong as men. And…in the 1970s, police work involved more physical battles and fewer mental battles than today.

The day finally arrived. On January 7, 1974, Alfred “Skip” Bollens, Gary Stewart, and Jeri Schadee were called into the office of Pensacola Chief of Police Drexel Caldwell. They raised their right hands and took the oath of office, making Jeri Schadee the first female police officer in the history of the Pensacola Police Department.

The uphill battle, though, had only begun. From ignoring her, to making inappropriate comments, the other officers shunned Jeri. But they didn’t realize what she was made of. As it turned out, the pretty young lady was as tough as they come.

Immediately, though, Jeri proved her worth, especially in two distinct situations. First, she used her ladylike approach to speak to men, who dropped their guard and talked to them. When she talked to female victims, she got more information out of them than men did. Secondly, the Vice unit put her out as a prostitute. She made lots of arrests…LOTS.

Jeri went on to have a successful career. Meanwhile, she blazed a trail for other female officers to follow. On November 28, 1999, Officers Tonya Humphries and James Hendry save the lives of an elderly couple from a burning house. They were awarded the department’s highest honor – The Medal of Valor. One officer, Kristen Brown, promoted several times, attaining the rank of captain. The Pensacola Police Department has come a long way.

Today, many Pensacola Police Officers are females. They have proven to be a vital part of the department, thanks to Jeri Schadee.