Charles R. Glidewell

Charles Ray Glidewell, 82, of Greenfield passed away on Thursday, September 6, 2018. He was born on April 29, 1936 in Everett, Washington to Raphael E. Glidewell and Geneva June (Meyers) Eller.  Raised in Imperial Beach, California, returned to Imperial Beach after discharge from the Army in December 1955. He was married on October 29, 1957 to Paulette H.M. Montavy in Ambares, France.

He served in the California National Guard from April 1953 to March 1954 when he was discharged to enlist in the U.S. Army.  He served in the U.S. Army from March 1954 to December 1958 with overseas assignments in Korea and France.  He served as an inactive Army Reserves from December 1958-1962.

After discharge from the Army in December 1958, he was employed by Handy Pantry Markets as a store manager and rotating store employee and San Diego Marine Diesel Construction. He served on the Imperial Beach Police Reserves and worked part-time as a clerk radio dispatcher for the Imperial Beach Police Department. He attended the Chula Vista, California Police Reserve Academy.

Employed by the Greenfield Police Department from February 1961 until retirement in December 1983, he served as Chief of Police on the Greenfield Police Department from August 1970-December 1983, the longest serving Police Chief to date. Accomplishments included the creation of the Police Reserve Unit; initiated with Representative Ray Richardson the first law in Indiana recognizing reserve law enforcement and establishing training, appointment, and allowances. The establishment of a full time Detective Division, construction of a modern police facility, completion of outdoor firing range, development of a physical fitness program and in-service training programs, developed a modern police records system with the first computerized records and information system, and upgraded radio communications. He received numerous local, state, and national awards while employed with the Greenfield Police Department, including the Law and Order Magazine Police Photographers award; American Legion Lewis-Schmidt Award; Optimist International Law Enforcement Award; Reserve Law Officers of America Distinguished Service Award; Police Office of the Year, 40&8 Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of Indiana Award, 40&8 Joseph W. Breen Community Service Award, Defense Investigative Service Commendation Award and numerous performance awards, and others. In retirement, he prepared the book on the history of the Greenfield Police Department and also prepared the book on Memory of Greenfield Police Officer Will Phillips.

He was then employed as a police officer for the Veterans Administration in Seattle, Washington from November 1983 to May 1984, and then employed as a federal investigator for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in the Tri Cities area of the State of Washington on the Hanford side.

In December 1985, he returned to Greenfield where he was employed as an investigator for the Hancock County Prosecutors Office until July 1987. In July 1987, he returned to work for the Federal Government as a senior special agent for the Department of Defense, Defense Investigative Service (late because the Defense Security Service) assigned to the Indianapolis Field Office with duty assignments in Northeast Indiana, retiring from Federal Service in June 2000. While employed with the Defense Investigative Service, he received numerous performance awards and commendations. He also served as a deputy coroner for Hancock County from January 1973 to November 1983 and from December 1985 to July 1987. 

He was married on December 14, 2007 to Alberta Elizabeth Doyle, nee: Upchurch.

He is a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Greenfield. He is a lifetime member and past president and secretary-treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police, Hancock County Lodge #140. He is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Police Officers, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the American Legion Greenfield Post 119 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Greenfield Post #2693, 40&8 Voiture 1415 Greenfield. He has served on the Hancock County Sheriffs Merit Board; the American Red Cross; Salvation Army; past board member of the Greenfield Boy’s Club; the American Legion Post; District and National Law and Order Committees; Greenfield Traffic Safety Committee; and the EMS Commission.

He was a graduate of the Department of Defense Personnel Security Investigation Academy, and attended numerous law enforcement related training schools including training at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy; U.S. Department of Treasury; Department of Defense Counter Intelligence; Department of Defense; Indiana University; Indiana Central University; National Crime Prevention Institute; Winona School of Professional Photography; Bureau of Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

He interests include family activities, genealogy, computers, research local law enforcement historical information, giraffes, and being with his loving wife.

He is survived by his wife of Greenfield; children, Cathy Marie Paule Glidewell-Kynard of Plainfield; Eric Charles (Joy) Glidewell of Berne; Alain David Glidewell of Greenfield; and Nadine Carilain (Amanda Morgan) Glidewell of Jacksonville, Florida; step-daughter, Robbie (Darrel) Massingale of New Palestine; grandchildren, Daniella (Jackie) Brown; Christopher (Ana) Kynard; Brandon Kynard; Justin (Hannah) Glidewell; Kyle Glidewell; Shawna Glidewell; Joshua (Michelle) Glidewell; Nathan Glidewell; and Natalie Glidewell; great-grandchildren, Khristian Kynard; Moriah D. Kynard; Josiah Kynard; Jackie Brown III; Addalyn Mae Glidewell; and Elaina Rose Kynard; sister, Gae (Eller) Coulston, Coronado, California; sisters-in-law, Rachel (Upchurch) Byers of Greenfield; and Donna Glidewell of Victor, Montana.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Bradley Eller; his first wife on December 22, 2003; daughter, Monique J.J. Glidewell; step-son, Roger D. Upchurch; siblings, David (Donna Branson) Glidewell; Marilyn (Mac) McGruther; and Bradley Eller; and brother-in-law, Arthur Byers.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 14 at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 15 at the mortuary. Officiating will be Pastor Tommy Hensley. Burial will be at Park Cemetery in Greenfield.

Military rites will be provided by the Greenfield Veterans Honor Guard.  

Memorials may be made by mail to the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers, 105 Lee Parkway Drive, Suite C, Chattanooga,` TN 37421 or envelopes will be available at the mortuary.  

Arrangements provided by Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield. Online condolences may be made at www.erleweinmortuary.com.