The County Line
It was encouraging to learn that Noblesville city officials are planning for a new police headquarters on the site of the old Firestone Industrial Products plant. It’s a good decision for two reasons.
The 95-member police department has outgrown its present location at 9th and Maple Avenue, a building it shares with the fire department and the city court. There is no question that the NPD needs more room. Secondly, the choice of the Firestone site is good because it means some use can be made of the large, vacant parcel where Noblesville’s largest industrial complex once stood. The Firestone operation moved out nearly a decade ago.
The new police headquarters covering some 40,000 square feet would likely be built on what has become known locally as The Slab. It was the concrete floor of the main factory covering nearly an acre of ground at 17th and Division streets.
Present owners of the property, Bridgestone-Firestone, must still complete some environmental testing to see that the site is safe. Assuming it is clear of dangerous pollutants, the company will donate the land to the city.
Assuming all goes well and the new headquarters is built, the city should consider naming it for the late Richard (Dick) Russell. Dick was the model police officer during his law enforcement career of nearly 40 years, entirely in Hamilton County. He was Noblesville chief the last 13 of those years.
Widely known and always personable, Dick was an officer on the Cicero and Carmel departments and the county sheriff’s department before being appointed chief at NPD in 1996. A member of the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Academy Board, he also received numerous state and local commendations.
As well as his outstanding police work, he was a popular referee for high school sports and a devoted family man. Unfortunately, Dick died in January at the age of 68 after several years battling complications of diabetes.
It would be entirely appropriate to name the new headquarters for Dick Russell.
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