William P. Rutledge

William P. "Silver Bill" Rutledge

In his early career, Rutledge worked as an iron molder and railroad fireman.

Tenure as Commissioner (1926–30)

Rutledge served as Commissioner (head of the entire department) from July 15, 1926 to January 21, 1930.

During his tenure, Detroit became the first police department to use police radio for communication.

Later career and death Rutledge retired from the Detroit Police Department in 1930. After his retirement, he remained a consultant in law enforcement technique and police administration. He also served as chief of the department of Wyandotte, Michigan, a Detroit suburb.

Rutledge died of pneumonia at the age of 80 on March 8, 1955 at Mound Park Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida (which he had been admitted at as a patient the previous evening after suffering a heart attack). He hand his wife had been vacationing for the winter at the Suwanee Hotel in St. Petersburg at the time of his death.