Vernon L. Bisterfeldt , September 15, 2010, August 31, 2011, and September 9, 2011

September 15, 2010 Interview
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction
00:21 Vern Bisterfeldt discussed coming home from Germany after the war and meeting his wife. He talked about their wedding and the birth of their first son in 1957. Bisterfeldt described receiving leave from the military to come home and move with his wife and new son from New York to Boise, Idaho.
05:50 Bisterfeldt explained how he could not find work when he first moved to Boise. He decided to reenlist in the army to stay with his unit and keep his rank. He ended up not going back into the military, however, as he found work in Boise with the police department.
07:22 Bisterfeldt described finding out that his whole platoon had been killed and explained how he felt about knowing that he could have been with them. This cemented his decision to stay in Boise.
07:50 Bisterfeldt discussed how he enjoyed living in Boise. He talked about couching various sports teams. He described growing his family in Boise by adopting children. He mentioned his grandchildren. He explained a superstition in his family that his first son might die.
09:53 Bisterfeldt talked about an occasion when several of his checks were stolen from a hotel room and his fellow police officers thought that he had been passing stolen checks. He described this as only a small disruption in an otherwise long and rewarding law enforcement career.
10:44 Bisterfeldt discussed how he transitioned from police officer to County Commissioner.
11:05 Bisterfeldt described his time working as a patrol officer while also having a second part-time job to help support his family.
11:44 He explained how he became interested in detective work and was eventually promoted to sergeant. He mentioned winning the Peace Officer of the Year award as well as the Medal of Honor. He talked his experiences as a police officer, including the five shoot outs he had been in.
12:30 Bisterfeldt talked about forming the City County Vice and Intelligence group to make fighting crime collectively throughout southern Idaho easier.
13:11 Bisterfeldt explained about the death of his police captain and how he was promoted to Captain.
13:40 Bisterfeldt explained how his friend Mike Johnson encouraged him to run for County Commissioner. He described the election as a close race and mentioned his own assumption that he would not win.
14:03 Bisterfeldt explained that the incumbent running for City Commissioner dropped out of the race to support him. He mentioned his own naivety when it came to politics. He talked about winning the election and being re-elected four more times.
15:10 Bisterfeldt discussed how he had to undergo a six bypass surgery on his heart. He described wondering how much longer he would last as City Commissioner. As his wife’s urging he retired, only to run for another position and to serve for an additional three terms.
16:00 Bisterfeldt described how much he enjoyed working the community in Boise. He mentioned all of the children he had couched and the connections he had made through his civil service.
16:54 Bisterfeldt talked about his first impressions of the City Council. He described disagreeing with many of his fellow council members. He described his disheartening at seeing how much corruption was taking place within the City Council.
18:27 Bisterfeldt talked about the present City Council as being one of the most efficient and honest that he had ever worked with. He talked about running against MaryAnn Jordan and his admiration for her. He described the current City Council as being considerate and intelligent. He talked about his memories of current Council members.
21:58 Bisterfeldt discussed growing up in Portland. He talked about his grandparents and their immigration from Russia. He described when his house burned down as a child. He talked about his father leaving their family and marrying someone else and his feelings about this.
26:55 Bisterfeldt explained how in 1968 a group of people escaped from a penitentiary near Walla Walla and he worked with the task force to find them. While there, he unexpectedly ran into a cousin of his whom he did not know existed.
27:50 Bisterfeldt explained how he was invited to a wedding by a Ray Bisterfeldt and how it was there that he met his father’s side of the family. He described a family reunion which took place in Colorado.
29:13 Bisterfeldt described getting a letter from the crowned prince of Holland. He was invited to the World’s Fair but was unable to attend.
29:50 Bisterfeldt talked about checking phone books in various towns looking for any other Bisterfeldts that he might be related to. He met his half brother this way.
31:11 Bisterfeldt discussed meeting another half brother who was also a police officer.
33:12 Bisterfeldt talked about how hard his mother and grandmother worked to provide a good life for him. He described his family as migrant farm workers. He talked more further what he learned about his extended family.
34: 33 Bisterfeldt described running away from home at the age of twelve and ending up in Kenewick, Washington.
35:30 Bisterfeldt talked about never meeting his father. However, he described himself as having a “good time” constantly running into relatives.
36: 35 Bisterfeldt talked about writing to the Oregonian Newspaper and asking for donations to help with two orphanages. He described himself as being overwhelmed with the positive response and amount of donations he received.
38:20 Bisterfeldt talked about why he first enlisted in the army. His mother and stepfather would have violent physical fights with each other before his mother became a born again Christian. He had his mother lie and say that he was seventeen instead of fifteen to allow him to enlist in the air force. He transferred to the army paratroopers afterwards.
40:22 Bisterfeldt spoke about getting sent over seas with the army. He was in Germany for three years before coming back to the United States and marrying his wife. (Bisterfeldt brings out pictures of his wife and family)
43:18 Bisterfeldt described the closeness of his family. He spoke about the help he had received from his family over the years. He talked about his parents in law and their religious practices.
45:12 Bisterfeldt talked about being raised in the north east section of Portland.
46: 22 Bisterfeldt described himself as a “noncombatant veteran”. He talked about the military script he received instead of actual money. He spoke about all of the running he had to do while he was a paratrooper. He described the humidity and difficult conditions of living in Munich.
48:567 Bisterfeldt talked about being able to take his wife all over Europe while he was in the military.
49:38 Bisterfeldt explained that he spent fifteen days of every other month guarding the “Iron Curtain”. He described what it was like to be a paratrooper at such a young age.
52: 20 He described how the Danish people seemed to hate the Germy people. He explained that the Germans mistreated the Danish people, along with Polish and Jewish people, during World War Two. He expanded on the atrocities of World War Two and how much he learned about it while in Europe.
53:53 Bisterfeldt talked about how his family were German Russians. He explains how Stalin had all of the German Russians killed during the war.
END RECORDING

August 31, 2011 Interview
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction
01:18 Vern Bisterfeldt discussed Captain of Police, Gus Giritski. Talks about how Gus was a great man.
04:15 Bisterfeldt explained first days on the job. Liked the night shift. Asked too many questions and get in trouble – but soon everyone was asking him questions because he stopped all the bad guys and got to know them, their cars and made the “puke list” – contained all the names of bad guys in town.
05:48 Bisterfeldt described how Ralph “Briar” Young made him a good police officer. Says he was street savvy. Caught safe robbers in a store one night. One burglar was at safe while one was sweeping the floor but Sergeant Young knew it was a burglary because he knew when the janitors worked and that night they were not supposed to be working. Describes how Young was always teaching him throughout his career.
10:45 Bisterfeldt discusses how Boise City Police have grown. In his day, there were 6 cars and now there are multiple. Describes how the city limits and population have changed.
11:13 Bisterfeldt explains how Boise was a “chartered city” that they did not want to grow because they didn’t want “brown baggers” which were people who worked in plants. Mayors and city council at that time wanted a more white collar city.
12:16 Bisterfeldt discussed how after the charter was lifted around 1963 it was a growing time for the city. The police force grew with the city.
12:48 Bisterfeldt described what he did while on patrol. On night shift, chase window peekers, answer calls, patrol warehouse areas, catch burglars and prowlers. Also had to patrol kids and knew all the places they went and had keggers.
15:35 He explains when drugs became part of the scene in Boise in early mid 1970s. Talks about “Colored Town” where bootlegging, gambling and prostitution occurred near 13th and River Street. Bisterfeldt would go down and talk with them and they called him the “Mayor.”
17:25 Bisterfeldt tells story of homicide in progress when the Borah High School newspaper president was riding with him. Man was killed because he was trying to take a man’s welfare check. Girl from high school said that she rode with Bisterfeldt to try to find something the police did wrong to write in the paper – didn’t realize what they did was real so they got a nice write-up in the school newspaper.
18:20 Bisterfeldt talked about the danger and fights. Describes how gangs would come in and fight and kept the police busy.
19:30 Bisterfeldt explained how policemen would find the most uncommon allies under stressful times. Said when he was bouncing down at Murray’s if anybody messed with him the kids would give them hell because he always made sure they got home safely and nobody messed with “their” cop.
20:16 Bisterfeldt tells story of driving downtown and a kid spit on him. Made him really mad. In that time, he said if they didn’t have a crew cut, they were a draft dodger to him. Reminds him of car club he started at Boise High School for “little scum bags” – the kids who caused problems. The one who ended up being the first President of the club was reluctant to join. 4 of the students ended up being police officers.
21:58 Bisterfeldt talks about coaching little league football for Boise Police Association. Pitched for Boise Police Softball team. Discusses softball games – how it was burglars vs. cops and how it was more tackle softball than anything else. Ended because people were promoted or shifted detail.
23:05 Bisterfeldt described taking over City-County Vice and Intelligence section. Talks about how they went everywhere. Worked 7PM to 3AM. Worked lots of burglary and prostitution.
24:27 Bisterfeldt discusses how Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City and Boise was the circuit for a lot of pimps and their women. Pimp from Las Vegas brought lady named “Peaches” up and while she was picking up a man, they gave the go-ahead for officers to sprinkle powdered tear gas into the vents of the car so when the heat was turned on the tear gas came out.
27:15 Bisterfeldt talks about how they never did anything to hurt anyone. Only knew one man who would have potentially caused harm to rapists or people who hurt children (would not state name). Praises the man as an excellent policeman and discusses his death.
28:52 Bisterfeldt discussed how police tried to be good citizens. Never knew of any officer who did anything illegal. Story of policeman who figured out that keying the microphone on his radio caused the garage door of an old lady to shut. She went out to get her newspaper and it would shut on her. Started caring her garage door opener out to get the paper in the morning. Had to find ways to stay awake.
31:00 Bisterfeldt explained how his pay went from $384 a month in the army down to $294. Had to bounce at strip clubs, construction, worked school dances, and drove a school bus to make up the difference. Said sometimes when there was a high level divorce, women would hire them to watch their house.
33:07 Bisterfeldt discusses how he worked everything except working with juveniles. Did not like working with them because he knew most of them because he had picked a lot of them up. Liked getting crooks more.
33:26 Bisterfeldt described watching police movies. Made laugh because they weren’t realistic. Describes how they didn’t get in big fights but they were allowed to defend themselves. Said they learned to stay away from domestic disputes because the women were mean since they were made at their husbands.
34:31 Bisterfeldt returns to talk about City-County Vice and Intelligence Team. Started because there was the regular detective team and the juvenile detective team but they were shorthanded and needed someone to get into prostitution, drugs, gambling and organized crime. Was a team comprised of a few officers from each county because they all had the same related issues. Allowed them to not worry about jurisdictions.
36:17 Bisterfeldt discusses further the City-County Vice and Intelligence Team. Says it worked well, put in 40 hour weeks, had to use own cars because there was no money to buy special cars but the city paid for gas. Talks about 1959 flash flood from foothills which caused police cars to slow down because of the mud.
38:00 Bisterfeldt talked about how attorney general’s office started plain clothes unit. Didn’t want anything to do with this unit. Sheriff’s department worked mostly organized crime, narcotics, prostitution and gambling. Tells story of Wells Department Store burglary when someone stole 40 to 50 rifles and buried them in box by Blackfoot and his unit had to dig them up.
39:07 Bisterfeldt explained that building good snitches was the way they solved a lot of their crimes. Never used their name, took care of them and paid them a little bit and they worked well for you.
40:19 Bisterfeldt talked about the drug scene beginning in 1970. Once in a while he would make a marijuana, cocaine or morphine bust but after 1970 is when more drugs came in because Boise was in the middle of Salt Lake, Las Vegas, Canada, Portland and Seattle. Says that the drugs followed the prostitution ring. Forced the departments in the police force to grow.
36: 35 Bisterfeldt talked about writing to the Oregonian Newspaper and asking for donations to help with two orphanages. He described himself as being overwhelmed with the positive response and amount of donations he received.
41:14 Bisterfeldt explains how he became chief. Went from Sergeant from Captain – skipped Lieutenant. Made some people mad but the promotion surprised him. Wasn’t sure if he was ready and had to work hard to be a good captain.
43:06 Bisterfeldt spoke about discovering a different side to police work. One of his friends gave him an envelope which he couldn’t open for two years. Friend died in car accident. Letter made Bisterfeldt cry. (chokes up in interview talking about it).
44:37 Bisterfeldt described the work of a police captain.
48:12 Bisterfeldt talked about escort services on motorcycles and ambulances services that police did as part time work. Bisterfeldt owned escort service but had to sell it because it made his wife nervous with him driving all the time.
49:03 Bisterfeldt decided one day to be a politician and his wife, Shirley, encouraged him because she wanted him out of the police business.
49:30 Bisterfeldt talked about keeping a police scanner in his home. Tells story of hearing police on radio saying that someone was coming to kill him and he had to evacuate his family from the home.
51:22 Bisterfeldt talks about how fun it was to be a cop in Boise.
52:20 Bisterfeldt describes Boise Junior College and how it disliked veterans and police officers. Tells story of how an English professor threatened to give the police officers F’s even if they deserved A’s. He explains that during this time, many people blamed veterans and police officers for the war.
54:15 Bisterfeldt talks about the dance halls around Boise. Said they almost knew every kid in town by name because they would patrol the dances and all the drive thru’s.
56:45 Bisterfeldt tells story of misunderstanding of man with butcher knife on his front porch.
END OF TAPE ONE
00:00 Introduction to Tape Two
00:07 Vern Bisterfeldt discussed what he did as a detective.
04:12 Bisterfeldt discusses how he was “lucky” with stuff. Always was writing down license plates and checking on them, etc.
05:03 Bisterfeldt described what he did as Sergeant.
08:15 Bisterfeldt tells story of chasing an ambulance to get a “dying declaration” and didn’t have lights on so another police car chases him to pull him over for speeding.
08:49 Bisterfeldt explains SWAT team. Says in mid 1960s, Boise began to grow and a SWAT team was needed.
12:07 Bisterfeldt discusses relationship Boise Police had with Bronco Motors. Donated multiple vehicles and let them borrow vehicles when they needed them.
13:50 Bisterfeldt mentions “Mother’s Day Massacre” and how they had to dive into the New York Canal and retrieve their bodies.
14:55 Bisterfeldt tells story of chasing man who was using a baby as a hostage.
20:38 Bisterfeldt begins stories of gun fights. First story about car chase that ends up with shooting. Estimates date to be October 30, 1960 or 1961.
25:00 Bisterfeldt continues with gun fight stories: Second story about chasing safe robbers (recent escapees from Montana State Prison) down Grove St. with a shotgun. Estimates date to be October 1962.
32:02 Bisterfeldt continues gun fight stories: Third story Bisterfeldt was washing cars for a part time job and saw a high speed chase occurring and joined in.
35:06 Bisterfeldt talks about types of cars and motorcycles he drove while on the Police Force.
37:05 Bisterfeldt talks about National Guard from Nevada and Montana coming up.
38:45 Bisterfeldt described Cecil Wright and a gentleman who walked into the police department and committed suicide.
39:34 Bisterfeldt discusses hating the morning shift. Tells story of pranks with hand grenades.
40:17 Bisterfeldt describes house fire of an older couple’s home. Bisterfeldt and partner went in and stove blew up.
41:41 Bisterfeldt discusses unknown problem calls and how they are scary calls because he got some information but not all. Gives example stories of these types of calls – some sad and some he describes as “classically funny.”
44:51 Bisterfeldt explains the diving team and his feelings of being a police officer.
47:56 Bisterfeldt explains what he did in situations where he could not use force.
50:23 Bisterfeldt described his winning of the Peace Officer of the Year Award and what it means.
52:45 Bisterfeldt explains the Police Medal of Honor and his reaction to receiving this.
54:14 Bisterfeldt recalls the typical hang out spots of Boise teenagers during his time as a police officer.
57:35 Bisterfeldt explains the “skidrow” of Boise. Recites stories from this area.
END OF TAPE TWO
00:00 Introduction to Tape Three
00:09 Vern Bisterfeldt discusses military jails and stockades and how he never experienced them.
01:35 Bisterfeldt explains his role as the interpreter for security police in the army overseas. Dealt with the Civilian Control Office.
01:50 Bisterfeldt described the jail in Boise when he first started on the police force.
03:28 Bisterfeldt discusses his nicknames on the police force by fellow officers and teenagers around the city.
04:12 Bisterfeldt explains his reasoning for keeping an extra gun on him.
05:16 Bisterfeldt discusses what occurred in the larger community of Boise in the 1960s. Talks about Borah High School and Boise State University’s football programs.
08:25 Bisterfeldt mentions the prostitution and drug scene that came into Boise and changed the town.
10:27 Bisterfeldt explains how Boise was a clean and wholesome place and a good place to raise children. Discusses activities to do around Boise.
12:18 Bisterfeldt tells story of neighbor stealing checks from his checkbook and forging his checks.
13:25 Bisterfeldt discusses aspects of Boise he does not like: some legislatures baffle him, laws in regards to texting and driving and cruelty to animals.
14:40 Bisterfeldt talks about building baseball and soccer fields by Columbia Village subdivision.
15:38 Bisterfeldt gives an overview of the people of Boise.
16:29 Bisterfeldt described annexation in Boise.
18:59 Bisterfeldt explains what else occurred in Boise in the 1970s besides drugs. Mentions T.V. shows, the decline of Borah High School’s football program, annexation and growth.
22:35 Bisterfeldt praises how no cops were arrested for any felonies.
END OF TAPE THREE
00:00 Introduction to Tape Four
00:01 Vern Bisterfeldt tells story of his recent run-in with some ladies who remembered what they used to serve him for lunch at Murray’s Café.
01:43 Bisterfeldt tells story of Tim Woodward, writer for Idaho Statesman, who he saw sneaking through a window. Thought it was a burglar. Praises Woodward for being a good kid.
02:25 Bisterfeldt described attorney in town (couldn’t remember name) who he knew as a kid. Reminisces of what he was like as a teenager.
03:33 Bisterfeldt recites names of unsolved murders.
END OF RECORDING

September 9, 2011 Interview
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction
01:10 Vern Bisterfeldt discussed running for the first time for county commissioner and his feelings on the first day of his job.
03:59 Bisterfeldt explains issues he dealt with during his first term as county commissioner.
07:40 Bisterfeldt described relationship between county and fairgrounds: 4H, FFA, Racetrack. Little League Baseball, etc.
09:05 Bisterfeldt discussed his role in helping to get Hawks stadium built.
10:08 Bisterfeldt talked about Twenty Mile South Farm which belongs to the city.
11:45 Bisterfeldt discussed the development of the Greenbelt by Barber Park.
13:25 Bisterfeldt describes growth of county and its relation to annexation. Many that left as kids moved back to Boise with families of their own. Struggled as a commissioner the first term because of the issue of growth and his inexperience. Estimates dates to be 1987 – 1996.

16:51 He mentions tensions between city commission and the Mayor. 17:23 Bisterfeldt explains short retirement (1999 to 2002) and why he decided to run for city council. Discusses relationship between Ada County and Boise.

21:02 Bisterfeldt explains his goals and ambitions he had going into the City Council. Compliments council members on their intelligence. 25:45 Bisterfeldt speaks to the working environment of the City Council when he first began. Discusses his philosophy of honesty and taking responsibility for your own actions.

29:15 Bisterfeldt explains his relationship with different Council members. 32:32 Bisterfeldt discussed transition of Boise’s Mayors and the change in city morale: Brent Cole to Caroline Payne to Mayor Beter.

35:26 Bisterfeldt returns to his discussion on relationship with Council members and how he didn’t feel as informed as he should be on the council. 36:50 Bisterfeldt talked about city policy change after the Cole Incident.

39:09 Bisterfeldt talked about the growth occurring in Boise during his time on City Council. Change in annexation procedures – annex bare ground instead of places already developed. 41:22 Bisterfeldt discussed his support of Foothills Serial Levy while on Council. Talks about importance of preserving the Foothills.

45:25 Bisterfeldt and Interviewer discuss Memorandum of Understanding in April 1999. 48:56 Bisterfeldt describes his view on the legacy left by the Boise Foothills Levy.

52:10 Bisterfeldt mentions community issues that arose during his time on the City Council: Clean up of Boise River, making alcohol illegal on the Boise River, Smoking in bars, issue between city of Boise and ACHD on authorizations on where to build and ordinances in conflict with City, 10 Commandments in Julia Davis Park, local option taxing, etc.
END TAPE ONE
00:00 Bisterfeldt continues discussion on Boise’s community issues.
04:52 Bisterfeldt describes his defining moments as a City Council member: Hawks Stadium, relationship of City Council members, creating baseball fields, etc.
13:04 Bisterfeldt mentions defining moments for the city of Boise: parks, Hawks Stadium, City Hall, Public Safety Building, etc.
14:07 Bisterfeldt explains how Public Safety Building came to be named after him.
18:15 Bisterfeldt praises Boise for the support the community has given his family. Discussion says how he always listens to people with problems and always returns phone calls.
23:00 Bisterfeldt discusses public hearings.
END OF RECORDING

Germany; New York; Boise; Boise Police Department; Ada County; Peace Officer of the Year Award; Medal of Honor; Mike Johnson; corruption; Portland; Russia; Family; Ray Bisterfeldt; Kenewick, Washington; Oregonian Newspaper; Munich; Iron Curtain.