J. Merritt Wenzel Fund

This fund was established following the death of former Wakefield Police Chief Wenzel. He served on the local police force from 1935 to 1971 with a brief intermission during his Navy service during WWII. During and following his service for Wakefield, Chief Wenzel received much recognition for his outstanding work and for his support of his community and his chosen career. He was 85 years old when he died. In the spring of 1996, a group of Wakefield citizens who knew and admired Chief Wenzel held a breakfast to raise enough money to bring the fund to permanency. It was inspiring to see all the people who attended the breakfast in Chief Wenzel’s honor. In 1967 when TSF was new, Chief Wenzel participated in the Great Cribbage Tournament Fundraiser battling Fire Chief Hurton in Wakefield Center.