Lawrence Michael Wetzel

Wetzel, Lawrence Michael
On January 15, 2015, Lawrence Michael Wetzel was called home to our Heavenly Father long before his family was ready for him to depart. He was born on December 19, 1925 in Helmetta, New Jersey to Lawrence and Jenny Marie Wetzel (Witkowski). Born into an era of hardship and unfaltering loyalty to family, Lawrence worked hard at everything he did from childhood on, always wanting to make his family proud of him. Working from the time he was 11 years old as a caddy for a dollar a day and getting up in the pitch-dark, cold of winter to ride his bicycle for a 5:00 am before-school bakery job made him determined to excel at everything in life…all for the betterment of his family. As a straight A student at Jamesburg High he was inducted into the National Honor Society. He moved to Arizona in 1943 with his parents and younger brother and sister. He graduated as valedictorian from Phoenix Union High School and enlisted just prior to graduation in the United States Army Air Force. He served honorably, attaining the rank of Sergeant and trained as a Radio Operator, Mechanic Gunner and B-17 Bomber Crew. These experiences fueled his lifelong love of airplanes, engines and all things mechanical. In 1947 he received his private pilot's license. He returned to civilian life while remaining in the Army Air Force Reserves. During this time he worked at Allison Steel as a Layout Man and Blueprint Reader and as an installer with Western Electric. His real dream was realized when he joined the Phoenix Police Department in July of 1948. His badge was #121. This was a time of immense growth and change in the Valley. His career mirrored this growth as he rose through the ranks even though he was called back to active duty briefly in 1950 when the Korean War broke out. Upon reinstatement to the Department as a Patrolman, he was in the Traffic Division, making Detective in 1955, Sergeant in 1956, first in the Traffic Division and later in the Patrol Division. While in the Patrol Division he was promoted to Lieutenant, spending years as Shift Commander prior to making Captain in 1961. He served as Assistant Police Chief for four years beginning in 1964 and making Chief of Police in 1968. Among notable and historical changes for the Department, as well as for the United States, was the Miranda Decision which was passed in 1966. This Supreme Court Decision dramatically impacted the manner in which arrests and investigations were conducted and Chief Wetzel's leadership was instrumental in adherence and implementation of policy and procedural changes. Chief Wetzel attained many academic and professional certifications, degrees, awards and leadership commendations. He was most proud of having completed the year-long Traffic Police Administration Training Program at Northwestern University Traffic Institute in Evanston, Illinois. He retired from the Phoenix Police Department in 1980 and joined the Arizona Corporation Commission as Director of Interstate Transportation. In 1985 he was appointed Chief of Security for the Arizona Republic. He left a legacy of leadership, loyalty, dedication to public service while always respecting the people he served. He was a man of highest integrity. However his greatest accomplishment in life was his family. If ever there were two hearts beating as one for nearly seven decades, it was with his beautiful, loving and caring wife, Betty Ann (Rice). Together they built another legacy of family always coming first and love being defined as loyalty, sacrifice and commitment. In addition to his wife, he is survived by son, Michael Thomas Wetzel; daughter, Laura Lou Wetzel Bessler. He is predeceased by his younger son, Stephen Lawrence Wetzel. He is "Papa" to 17 amazing grandchildren and 19 beautiful great-grandchildren. He was the heart of our family and we will miss his smile, his great big hugs, his incredibly funny one-liners, his sage advice, his patience, understanding and profound wisdom. He was an amazing man and we are all blessed to have had him for our community leader, husband, father, grandfather and friend. In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to Fallen Police Officers Memorial Fund, 100 Club of Arizona 5033 North 19th Avenue #123, Phoenix, AZ 85015. Family and Friends are invited to attend a Visitation from 6-8pm Sunday, January 25, 2015, with a Rosary at 7pm at Heritage Funeral Chapel, 6830 W Thunderbird Rd, Peoria. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am Monday, January 26, 2015 at St Paul Roman Catholic Church, 330 West Coral Gables Dr, Phoenix. Committal to follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, 23015 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix.