Ray Wemple

Rotterdam - Retired Schenectady Police Sergeant Ray Wemple passed away on Monday, April 5, 2021 with his family at his side. He is survived by his wife, Diane M. and his three sons, Donald R. (Lucy), Raymond Scott (Ashley) and Matthew C. (Jaime). He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, Donald N. Wemple (Sharon), Karen Wemple Forshaw (Richard), Marcia Bell and their children. His mother, Lillian M. and father, Harry J. Wemple passed away many years ago and sister Dorothy M., and brothers Harry G., Donald N. and Kenneth S. Wemple have also passed. Ray served with the 47th Infantry Div. Signal Company Minn. National Guard) during the Korean War and was a pole lineman, Field Swbd Opr., and on a field Radio Relay Team. He also served 4 years with the 27th Infantry Div. Signal Company (NY Army NG) in charge of the T&T Section with the rank of Sgt. First Class.
Ray joined the Schenectady Police Department in 1955 and ended a 34-year career retiring in 1989. He served as a uniformed patrol officer walking foot posts and ringing call boxes as portable radios did not come to SPD until 1974. He served as the department officer in charge of Accident Investigation, Radar and V&TL enforcement, and was the Communications and Training Officer for several years. In 1969 he was asked to teach at the newly opened Schenectady County Community College and taught the "Introduction to Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Corse". He also served two tours on the Vice Squad and did technical surveillances. Later in his career, he served for 8 yearsas the Sgt. in charge of the Police Community Center on Hamilton Hill and supervised both civilian and police patrols in that area. He started the Schenectady Neighborhood Watch Program for the department, and arranged for the installation of a separate radio system for that group to use on patrols. He also made crime prevention presentations for many organizations. He ended his career as the SPD Communications Officer.
Concurrently, he served the Chiefs of Police and Sheriff as their Law Enf. Mobile Radio District Coordinator, serving up to the time of his death. He was an advocate of the development of a 700 or 800 MHz trunked radio system while serving in that capacity. He managed the installation of a new radio system which replaced one that was 34 years old.
In 1990, he was asked to take the position of E-9-1-1- Director for the county. He worked several years developing a MSAG (Master Street Address Guide) and a method to number streets and also change post office box numbers to real street numbers so first responders could find the location quickly. He also served as Asst. Dir. of the Schenectady PD Law Enforcement Explorer Post. Young men and women had the opportunity to be oriented about police work and understand how police officers are trained. They made several bus trips to NYPD and Washington, DC with the group.
During his career he was asked to serve on the P.B.A. Board starting as a trustee. He was Vice President, then became President during the original PBA contract negotiations utilizing the newly passed Taylor Law. While doing so, he was assisted by several hard working and dedicated fellow officers on the board, plus officers from the Schenectady Fire Dept. Assoc. Together they obtained what he called their "Magna Carta" from then City Mgr. John Scott and the Common Council. The contract has stood the test of time.
Ray and Diane were also instrumental in forming the first Ice Hockey Team at the Mohonasen School District in addition with the Schalmont District. There was no ice rink available in the immediate area at the time, so ice time had to be purchased at "The Knick" and all the various rinks around the area. Practice times ranged from 5:30 AM to 10 PM with travel required. He was President of that group for 2 years. He also served 9 years as Vice President of the Schenectady Youth Hockey Association and helped fight a losing battle with the City of Schenectady when they terminated the use of the ice at "Center City" in lieu of soccer. Again, Ray and colleagues were instrumental in the County of Schenectady constructing a new ice hockey facility on Tower Rd. which became the "Home Ice" for SYHA. During that time period, he was successful in obtaining funding from the state to develop a "Diversity In Hockey Program" with the very able assistance of Mrs. Debbie Donovan, and the PAL President, Ptl. Kevin Green. This program provided inner city kids who never skated to learn how to skate and play ice hockey. Participants had to maintain at least a "C" average in school and were provided mentors to call for help with homework or other matters. The rule was enforced and all of the kids did well. Many off-duty Schenectady Police Officers came every week to assist with this program as well as SYHA kids.
Ray also served with the Fire District #3 (Carman Fire Dept.) and taught the 9-hour Fire/Police Course for several VF Depts. in the county. He also served as a Fire Commissioner with the district.
After retiring, Ray became a Civil War buff and member of the Capital District Civil War Round Table. His primary interest was communications and signaling methods used in that period for both the Union and CSA Armies. He researched and presented on the founder of the Union Army Signal Corps, Major General A.J. Myer, a doctor and native New Yorker. He also researched and presented on Thaddeus S.C. Lowe and the use of balloons during the CW.
Ray was an Amateur Radio Service operator with F.C.C, Call Sign KA2DVM. He enjoyed working stations throughout Europe and South America in CW (Morse Code) and was able to work a station in Queensland, Australia one time with a modest wire antenna. He and Tim Long, W2UI, set up and operated the Ground Communications for two Air Shows at the county airport on 2 mtrs and commercial UHF band. He was a member of the Schenectady Amateur Radio Assoc, and served as President. He received the "Broughton Award" from the club in 1993. He was also the chair of the Public Service Committee.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated Monday, April 12, 2021 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 810 Union Street, Schenectady. Calling hours will be Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Gleason Funeral Home. Burial will be in Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Schenectady PBA, P.O. Box 460, Schenectady, NY 12301.