Comments on: Remembering Patrolman Emil Speth

By: Alice

Alice — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 19:05:46 +0000

Hello,
Interesting. Mary Ann.
My mother Carmen Speth Gil is doing very well (86) Alameda Ca.
Her father, my grandfather Emil Speth died peacefully after the war in our house #11 Gibraltar Road.
Mary Jane is my first cousin.

By: MaryAnn

MaryAnn — Sat, 19 May 2012 19:22:13 +0000

for Maryjane who left a message on 4 May 2011. Is Auntie Miling Carmen Speth? My 87-year-old mother just mentioned her tonight in an email about being a class mate of hers in the Philippines + believes that Carmen’s father was killed by the Japanese at the end of WW2. Is that not what happened? It’s has bothered Mommy all these years…

By: Matt Ketelaar

Matt Ketelaar — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 20:40:11 +0000

Emil Speth was my great-grandfather. His daughter Vera was my grandmother. She married Aloysius Ketelaar, and they had six kids of their own. My dad was their fourth, Robert. He practiced medicine in Davenport for 32 years. I grew up in the area and have been in medicine for 23 years, and I reside in Davenport.

By: Alex Ford

Alex Ford — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:51:45 +0000

It is great to see friends and relatives remember this Peace Officer who gave his life in the line of duty. It is also interesting to see the connection with Major Speth of Baguio along with family members who keep the legacy of both men alive.

By: Eric M

Eric M — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:54:01 +0000

He is my great-great-great uncle.

By: Maryjane

Maryjane — Wed, 04 May 2011 16:50:17 +0000

Alex,
Thank you for responding and leaving a note for me. I am very close to Uncle Tommy and Auntie Miling (Carmen) here in the Bay Area. I hope you can email me and maybe we can get connected somehow. I have many experiences of my father’s time through my Aunt & Uncle which I am passing on to my children. And yes my grandfather loved Baguio and it loved him back. Hope to hear from you.

By: Alex Fangonil

Alex Fangonil — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 23:57:30 +0000

Hi Maryjane Speth Simmons,

Emil Speth was the vice-mayor of Baguio City, Philippines with Mayor Halsema in the 1920′s and he died at the conclusion of WW2. He was honored as “Builders of Baguio” in 2009 Centennial. His son,Tommy in SF, Calif. is my classsmate in high school. Lots of information available in print and oral traditions in Baguio whom locals remember him well and in high regards.

By: Amy D.

Amy D. — Tue, 11 May 2010 18:02:38 +0000

As we understand, the Memorial Service for Fallen Officers will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at the Davenport Police Station.

The Davenport Library at Main Street (a few blocks away) opens at 12:00 p.m. that day. Please feel free to visit Special Collections in the basement to view the Emil Speth biography donated by a family member or view our other resources (newspapers on microfilm, police call books, etc.). Our staff would be delighted to offer any assistance possible.

By: Margie Speth Hansen

Margie Speth Hansen — Mon, 03 May 2010 00:18:11 +0000

Emil is my great uncle. He is much honored here in Davenport. I know of one grandchild still here in Davenport. On May 13, 2010 our family will attend a ceremony with the Davenport Police Dept to honor all fallen officers. I feel honored he was a part of our family. I remember my father talking of Emil and taught of respect for all those who put their lives on the line to make us safe.

By: Amy D.

Amy D. — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:32:24 +0000

Thank you for the comment, Shelly. They do now have memorials to Emil Speth and the three other fallen Davenport police officers up in the main lobby of the new police department. How sad for your father and your family. Hopefully your father was able to remember happy times with his uncle. Mr. Speth and the other officers are not forgotten.