A look back at the good old days when they hired police officers whose mere size and presence inspired respect.

I doubt many young punks disrespected this officer to his face like they do nowadays.

I know nothing about the photographer, John Vachon, but this shot made me take a look at his work here Shorpy, and I'm glad I did. My favorites (like this one) seem to have this something casual or playful about them, while still being formally well-composed.

That would be Officer Nick Nichols, at 11th & O streets, looking west, doing what was known as "O Street time"--standing on Lincoln's main street in the downtown business district, not so much to direct traffic as to portray a visible police presence. Gold's department store on the SW corner to his left is easily identified today, as is City Hall--the former Post Office and Federal courthouse, also extant today, and still under municipal care a block further west on the north side between 10th and 9th. I would peg this photo as about 1942.

[As noted in the caption, the picture was taken in October 1938. Below, more of John Vachon's Lincoln photos, including the officer's other side. - Dave]

His day job.

My son once described the back of my head and neck as "looking like a package of hot dogs". Although this officer's is not quite that extreme, I can now see what he meant.

This cop would never have needed to use a taser, even if he had one.

I wonder if the clicking noise made him turn around.

Remember when cops wore hats? In some cities it was required that they wore their hat when dealing with the public. Nowadays, it's no hat, a buzzcut or a shaved head, and wraparound shades.

But he looks like a lot of present day and women on the street just coming out of McDonald's. You don't see as many people this large prior to about 1950 or 60. That's one large man judging by his head and back! Whoa!

Uncle Fester on patrol.