Adam Apfel
A member of Rochester's Finest who fought city hall - and won
My
grandfather Adam Apfel was born in Rochester September 5 1855, one of the many first
American-born children of immigrants who settled in Western New York in the
middle 1800's. After working in the family nursery he worked for the
New York Central like his brothers John and George. In 1895 he was appointed
Park Patrolman for the city of Rochester which he held until 1900 when the
position was eliminated. The city merged the Park Police with the
regular force, and all park patrolmen were guaranteed appointment provided
they pass the department physical.
Adam passed the physical without a problem--he performed as well as if not better than some of the younger members of the force. This was 1900 and at 46 Adam was considered almost elderly. But Adam was refused an appointment and was without a job--only one month after the birth of their third child, my father Walter. The reason was with his height of just over 5 foot 6 Adam didn't fulfill the minimum height requirement of the Rochester P.D.
Adam sued the Police Commissioner and the city of
Rochester, arguing that the law combining
the Park with regular police
guaranteed his appointment to the regular force provided he passed the
physical. The city countered saying he did not pass due to his height.
Yet medical experts testified to the contrary. He won the first
round, the city appealed, he won again and they appealed again. Over
the course of the next two years the two would wage their battle in the
courts. The city tried to wear him down but he wouldn't give in.
Finally both sides agreed to a settlement, Adam received his appointment on
March 17, 1903. In return he would not receive any back pay for the
period he was unemployed.
Adam faced a good deal of opposition because of his age--many felt he wanted to be on the force just to get a pension. As it turned out, he spent 15 more years as a member of Rochester's finest until he died in November 24, 1918. During that time the local newspapers carried many stories about Adam's successful execution of his duties as a policeman--from subduing violent criminals to his quick action reporting a fire in the Old Washington Rink which saved lives and property.
George Thomas Apfel
September 21, 2008