ABSTRACT: Papers, primarily in scrapbooks, compiled by Irvin B. "Dad" Bruce, Colorado Springs resident and long-time officer, including chief of police, with the Colorado Springs Police Department. Scrapbooks include newspaper clippings, correspondence, memorabilia, photos, and other materials relating to criminal investigations in which Bruce was involved. Also included is information about his business dealings, conferences and conventions, and various congratulatory and/or well-wishes from local and national personages. A photo album contains pictures from the International Chief of Police Convention in Colorado Springs in 1950. 

    Box and Folder List  

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Irvin B. Bruce was born in Missouri in 1893 and moved with his family to Colorado Springs around 1900. He attended Colorado Springs High School and started work on a with the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) in 1913 where he remained, moving his way up the ranks until being promoted to chief of police in 1941. Among his many accomplishments, Bruce established a fingerprint unit at the CSPD, served briefly in the Bureau of Investigations, created the CSPD traffic bureau, organized the Colorado Springs Junior Police Club, was president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and was active in several civic organizations. Bruce met his wife, Irene F. McCormick, in 1922 and they were married in 1926. They had two sons, Irvin B., Jr. and James. Dad Bruce died in Colorado Springs on February 18, 1960. 

ARRANGEMENT: Scrapbooks and loose papers have been arranged chronologically. The scrapbooks had been wet at some time and the pages show some water damage and mildew. Several photographs and clippings have been torn out; some loose photos and articles have been placed in several scrapbooks, not always in proper chronological place. Some of these loose items have been torn or otherwise damaged. 

RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection. 

ACQUISITION: This collection was donated to the Pikes Peak Library District by Irvin B. Bruce's sons, Jim and Irv Bruce, in 1995. 

PROCESSING: This collection was arranged by Nancy Thaler. 

CITATION: Irvin B. "Dad" Bruce Papers, 1919-1960. MSS 0159. Special Collections, Pikes Peak Library District. 

SUBJECT HEADINGS: 
    Colorado Springs Police Department 
    Irvin B. Bruce (1893-1960) 

BOX AND FOLDER LIST:

BOX 1: 
Scrapbook: 1919-1947 (1 letter of reference 1919, several letters and clippings, 1921-25; majority of material 1930-47) 

BOX 2: 
Scrapbook: May 1, 1947-Feb. 23, 1948 

BOX 3: 
Scrapbook: Feb. 23, 1948-June 21, 1949 (Includes memorabilia from visit to NY in 1948 and Truman's inauguration, 1949) 

BOX 4: 
Scrapbook: June 1949-Oct. 1950 

BOX 5: 
Scrapbook: Oct. 1950-Oct. 1951 

BOX 6: 
Scrapbook: Oct. 1951-Apr. 1952 

BOX 7: 
Scrapbook: 1960 (material re death, funeral, sympathy cards/letters, etc.) 
Photo album (Premiere of film "Rocky Mountain" and International Chief of Police Convention) 

BOX 8: 
Files (containing loose papers: clippings, correspondence, official documents, photographs, ephemera, etc.): 
    f.1 1952 
    f.2 1953 
    f.3 1954 - Misc. 
    f.4 1954 - Trip to Germany 
    f.5 1954 - International Chief of Police 
    f.6 1954 - Testimonial Dinner 
    f.7 1955 
    f.8 1956 
    f.9 1957 
    f.10 1958 
    f.11 1959 
    f.12 1959 - Photographs 
    f.13 1960 
    f.14 Correspondence - Personal - J. Edgar Hoover (1952-60) 
    f.15 Misc. 
    f.16 Photographs - n.d.