Material Type

Photograph

Date Range

[196-]

Description Level

Item

Physical Description

Black and white photograph

Physical Condition

Excellent

History Biographical

Ralph Daniel Michelson was born on 7 October 1922 in Stirling, Alberta, and raised there. His parents were Rasmus Daniel (Dan) Michelson and Lulu Pearl Michelson [nee Barton], who married in 1922 and built a home in the northwest corner of Stirling. Mr. Michelson was one of six children, and his brothers and sisters included Glen Barton, Marvin Dwaine, Marie (Mrs. George Price), Arlene (Mrs. Clifford Firth), and Bruce Andreas. The family lived on the shores of Lake Stirling, which on 21 June 1997 was officially renamed Michelson’s Marsh to honour the family’s commitment to wildlife conservation. The children all received their early education in Stirling. Mr. Michelson joined the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War 2. He also married Lorna Selman during the war. The couple had five children: Gary, Diane, Kathleen, Marilyn and Shauna. Lorna Michelson died on 4 September 1997 and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge. In 1948 Ralph Michelson joined the Lethbridge City Police Force. He began his career as a constable walking the five established beats, including one in the river valley. During his career, Mr. Michelson attended the Canadian Police College (1957), the Montana Law Enforcement Academy at the University of Montana in Bozeman (1965), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy course (1969). United States President Richard M. Nixon personally presented Mr. Michelson his graduation certificate at a ceremony held for the graduating class in the White House. Ralph Michelson steadily rose through the ranks of the Lethbridge City Police Force, first as Detective and then Superintendent. In 1971 he succeeded James H. Carpenter as Chief Constable. Chief Michelson served until 1984, when he retired. Chief Michelson was a member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, and a director of that organization. In 1983 he was awarded the Exemplary Service Medal, the highest decoration for a serving police officer in Canada. Outside policing, Ralph Michelson was a member of the Lethbridge Fish and Game Association, Ducks Unlimited, the Royal Canadian Legion and the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Association. Ralph Michelson died in Lethbridge on 7 August 2006, age 83. He is buried in Mountain View Cemetery with his wife Lorna.

Scope and Content

Ralph D. Michelson of the Lethbridge City Police Force.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20091049539

Collection

Archive

Less detail