I called Terry Omman, my historian, and we're going to sit down at his house tomorrow evening. The first organized detective squad didn't come into being until the 1940s or '50s, and he's got what little information there is.
"The department really didn't keep archives," is what he told me, but he's got names and some detailed biographical information, including some of the cases. I'm hopeful.
Speaking of hope, I'm off to watch the rest of the Obama-McCain debate.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Communication breakdown
We had a bit of communication breakdown here. Terry Omman, the historian who's going to be my initial source, called me back two days ago when I wasn't here. My wife took the message but didn't give it to me.
Terry told me he's busy working on a project about the Butterfield Overland Stage for a festival coming up this Saturday. I figured he was too busy working on that to take time for my project and so I was letting him be. Oops. I'll call him later when he's home. Hope he's not offended.
Terry told me he's busy working on a project about the Butterfield Overland Stage for a festival coming up this Saturday. I figured he was too busy working on that to take time for my project and so I was letting him be. Oops. I'll call him later when he's home. Hope he's not offended.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Historian Follow-Up
Oct. 3, 2008
09h50m
I talked to Omman. He's excited about the project. Says he's got exactly what I need for the history. I told him about talking to Bruce McDerrmott, a friend of mine and a former chief of police here in town, about getting background about police work in general.
Omman will call me this afternoon so we can make an appointment for me to visit his private archives.
09h50m
I talked to Omman. He's excited about the project. Says he's got exactly what I need for the history. I told him about talking to Bruce McDerrmott, a friend of mine and a former chief of police here in town, about getting background about police work in general.
Omman will call me this afternoon so we can make an appointment for me to visit his private archives.
Local Historian
Oct. 3, 2008
Terry Omman, local historian
Terry is a former Visalia Police Department officer and an accomplished local historian. I called him this morning -- (559) 732-58XX and (559) 901-32XX* -- but he wasn't home. I left a message on his voicemail.
* The assignment requires contact information, but I'm reluctant to publish it online because of concern for my sources' privacy. Do I send them in privately, Dr. K?
Terry Omman, local historian
Terry is a former Visalia Police Department officer and an accomplished local historian. I called him this morning -- (559) 732-58XX and (559) 901-32XX* -- but he wasn't home. I left a message on his voicemail.
* The assignment requires contact information, but I'm reluctant to publish it online because of concern for my sources' privacy. Do I send them in privately, Dr. K?
First Contact
Oct. 3, 2008
I wish I had started sooner on this, but I'm determined to do a good job. It's a damned good thing I've been doing work like this for 20 years or I'd be in real trouble.
Now that I've dealt with the guilt, here's my intention. I've put together a short list of first contacts. I've also put together an tentative outline to guide my sluthing.
I wish I had started sooner on this, but I'm determined to do a good job. It's a damned good thing I've been doing work like this for 20 years or I'd be in real trouble.
Now that I've dealt with the guilt, here's my intention. I've put together a short list of first contacts. I've also put together an tentative outline to guide my sluthing.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Welcome!
Hello!
My name is Dave Adalian, and I'm taking Mystery Fiction X103.9 from the UC Berkeley Online Extension. The class -- which I am enjoying very much, thank you for asking -- requires a research project in order to pass, and as part of the project the professor asked her students to keep an ongoing investigative journal. With Dr. Koory's permission, this blog will serve as that journal.
(Wondering what it's like to take the class? Read this.)
Posting my work here will also allow anyone who wants to follow along as I research the first detectives in my hometown of Visalia, Calif. I also intend to publish the finished work here, though probably not in the same format as what I will turn in for my grade (though I will let you know how that goes).
What I'm going to do is research the first police detectives to work in Visalia and write about them. When I was going through the list of possible project topics, this one seemed a natural as I know a lot the people and resources I'll need well. Now, however, in the harsh light of day, it occurs to me this might not be as easy as I assumed it would be. I hope not. I don't want this to be too easy. (But, I also don't want to become discouraged.)
Seems promising, yes? I hope so. This isn't the first time Dr. Koory has let a student blog his research, and it seems to have worked out for him. Here's wishing I do as well!
My name is Dave Adalian, and I'm taking Mystery Fiction X103.9 from the UC Berkeley Online Extension. The class -- which I am enjoying very much, thank you for asking -- requires a research project in order to pass, and as part of the project the professor asked her students to keep an ongoing investigative journal. With Dr. Koory's permission, this blog will serve as that journal.
(Wondering what it's like to take the class? Read this.)
Posting my work here will also allow anyone who wants to follow along as I research the first detectives in my hometown of Visalia, Calif. I also intend to publish the finished work here, though probably not in the same format as what I will turn in for my grade (though I will let you know how that goes).
What I'm going to do is research the first police detectives to work in Visalia and write about them. When I was going through the list of possible project topics, this one seemed a natural as I know a lot the people and resources I'll need well. Now, however, in the harsh light of day, it occurs to me this might not be as easy as I assumed it would be. I hope not. I don't want this to be too easy. (But, I also don't want to become discouraged.)
Seems promising, yes? I hope so. This isn't the first time Dr. Koory has let a student blog his research, and it seems to have worked out for him. Here's wishing I do as well!
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