Parkersburg Police Department unveils car wrap marking 150th anniversary
Retired Parkersburg Police officer Steve Pierce looks over the cruiser decorated to commemorate the department’s 150th anniversary Tuesday outside the Municipal Building. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Retired Parkersburg Police officer Dana Miller, second from right, takes a picture of the car decorated to commemorate the department’s 150th anniversary Tuesday outside the Municipal Building. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Retired Parkersburg Police officers unwrap the cruiser decorated for the department’s 150th anniversary Tuesday at the Municipal Building. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Parkersburg Police Chief Matthew Board speaks during a ceremony unveiling a wrap for the D.A.R.E. car celebrating the department’s 150th anniversary Tuesday at the Municipal Building. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Retired Parkersburg Police officers unwrap the cruiser decorated for the department’s 150th anniversary Tuesday at the Municipal Building. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
The Parkersburg Police Department unveiled a new wrap for its D.A.R.E. car that celebrates the agency’s 150th anniversary on Tuesday at the Municipal Building. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
The 150th anniversary wrap for the Parkersburg Police Department’s D.A.R.E. car includes the names of everyone who has served as chief. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Retired Parkersburg Police officer Steve Pierce looks over the cruiser decorated to commemorate the department’s 150th anniversary Tuesday outside the Municipal Building. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Retired Parkersburg Police officer Dana Miller, second from right, takes a picture of the car decorated to commemorate the department’s 150th anniversary Tuesday outside the Municipal Building. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Retired Parkersburg Police officers unwrap the cruiser decorated for the department’s 150th anniversary Tuesday at the Municipal Building. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Parkersburg Police Chief Matthew Board speaks during a ceremony unveiling a wrap for the D.A.R.E. car celebrating the department’s 150th anniversary Tuesday at the Municipal Building. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Retired Parkersburg Police officers unwrap the cruiser decorated for the department’s 150th anniversary Tuesday at the Municipal Building. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
The Parkersburg Police Department unveiled a new wrap for its D.A.R.E. car that celebrates the agency’s 150th anniversary on Tuesday at the Municipal Building. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
The 150th anniversary wrap for the Parkersburg Police Department’s D.A.R.E. car includes the names of everyone who has served as chief. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
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PARKERSBURG -- The Parkersburg Police Department's D.A.R.E. car is sporting a new look in recognition of the agency's 150th anniversary.
About a dozen retired officers helped unveil the car's new wrap on Tuesday evening outside the Municipal Building. It features pictures from the department's history and incorporates design elements and insignias from throughout the years.
Parkersburg Police Chief Matthew Board said Lt. W.J. Cox led the way on the design, working with SW Design and Miller Communications.
"I just told her, I want the car designed as a time machine," he said.
Board got his first look at the vehicle as former officers - including his father Gerald Board, who also served as chief - peeled brown paper and tape off of it like an oversized Christmas present.
The hood features a photo of officers leading the Back the Blue parade downtown in 2020. Along the sides are pictures from different eras, along with striping that reflects a design from 1971. The front uses the department's current striping, and the trunk lists the names of every chief from Arthur B. Beckwith in 1885 (there was a town marshal prior to that) to Board, who was appointed last year.
Board thanked the retired officers in attendance for their service and setting a standard of quality for the department.
"This is what I always wanted to be," he said. "My heroes weren't on baseball cards. They walked in these hallways."
Steve Pierce, who served 26 years with the department, said he liked the design.
"It's showing respect for the Police Department," he said. "They need all they can get. They don't get that much."
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.