Los Angeles Police Department (1949–1956)
| Gene Roddenberry | |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Police Department | |
| (1921-08-19)August 19, 1921 – October 24, 1991(1991-10-24) (aged 70) | |
| Place of birth | El Paso, Texas |
| Service branch | United States |
| Years of service | 1949–1956 |
| Rank | Sworn in as an Officer – 1949; Police Officer III – 1951; Sergeant I – 1953. |
| Relations | Eileen-Anita Rexroat (wife) |
| Other work | LAPD speechwriter, screenwriter, dramatist, television producer, creator of Star Trek |
Pursuing a career in Hollywood, Roddenberry left Pan Am and moved to Los Angeles. To provide for his family, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department on February 1, 1949. He became a police officer III in 1951 and was made a Sergeant in 1953. Toward the end of his Law enforcement career as a sergeant he became the speech writer for legendary LAPD Chief William H. Parker. He reputedly based his iconic Star Trek character Mr. Spock on Parker for his very rational and low emotional behavior. On June 7, 1956, he resigned from the police force to concentrate on his writing career. In his brief letter of resignation, Roddenberry wrote:
I find myself unable to support my family at present on anticipated police salary levels in a manner we consider necessary. Having spent slightly more than seven years on this job, during all of which fair treatment and enjoyable working conditions were received, this decision is made with considerable and genuine regret.
Read more about this topic: Gene Roddenberry
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