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Former Atmore Police Chief, Emergency Director Passes Away; Former Pensacola Chief Dies

A former Atmore Police chief and Escambia County (Ala.) Emergency Management director has passed away, and a retired Pensacola Police Chief has also died.

William Edward “Bill” Smith, Escambia, Alabama

William Edward “Bill” Smith, 68, died Sunday at his residence. Smith served as Atmore Police chief for many years in late 1970’s into the 1980’s before becoming Escambia County EMA director.

Funeral services for William Edward “Bill” Smith will be held today at 10 a.m. at the Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with  Bro. Robert Thower officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.

For the complete obituary, click here.

Drexel P. Caldwell, Pensacola

The Pensacola Police Department’s oldest living retired Chief of Police has died.

Drexel P. Caldwell died Monday in Pensacola. He was 96.

“Chief Caldwell was instrumental in transitioning the Pensacola Police Department into the professional organization it is today,” said Chief Chip W. Simmons. “He was a life-long public servant the Pensacola Police Department was honored to have as one of its leaders.”

D.P. Caldwell, as he was known, was hired by the department as a police officer on May 4, 1946. He was promoted to Chief in 1962 and served the community in that capacity until he retired July 12, 1974.

He then served as a narcotics investigator for the State Attorney’s Office from 1976 – 1978. Part of his responsibilities in that job were to command a narcotics task force for the First Judicial Circuit, said his son David Caldwell.

Chief Caldwell was credited with organizing the first local police academy and with giving more attention to safety and crime prevention programs. He also was interested in the department sponsoring Scout troops, the police athletic league and school boy patrol programs.

David Caldwell said his father served in the U.S. Army from 1935 – 1938 and then was a lieutenant/security officer during World War II at the main gate to the Pensacola Naval Air Station. He worked at NAS from 1942 – 1946 when he was hired by the Pensacola Police Department.

Among his survivors are his wife of 72 years, Gladys Caldwell; three sons and one daughter.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday (March 31) at Pensacola Baptist Temple, 5000 Cerny Road, located at the corner of Muldoon and Cerny roads. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church with burial following at Bayview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pensacola Baptist Temple Mission Board.