| William A. Hamm | |
| Department: | Los Angeles Police Department |
| Service: | United States |
| Rank: | Chief of Police - 1909 |
William "Billy" A. Hammel was chief of police of the Los Angeles Police Department for one year, six months, and 26 days in 1904–1905.[1] He was a retired Sheriff of Los Angeles County when he was hired to replace Charles Elton.[2] Under Hammel, the LAPD used police automobiles for the first time. He also added a third local police station, following up Boyle Heights and Lincoln Heights divisions with a new building on Jefferson Blvd.
Hammel was the son of a physician who came to San Francisco in 1849 for the California gold rush.[3] After a career as a grocery man, W. A. Hammel was first elected sheriff in 1898 and then again in 1906. He was reportedly given "considerable credit" for arresting the brothers behind the 1910 Los Angeles Times bombing. He retired from law enforcement for good in 1913.[4] The Times still thought highly of him some 20 years later: "Mr. Hammel took a leading part In the fight against lawlessness and crime, and to his straight hitting and Incorruptible honor the county of Los Angeles owes an eternal debt of gratitude."