At the time of Roseburg's incorporation in 1872, the city council, then known as the Board of Trustees, established the position of City Marshall, which was salaried at $75 per month. The Marshall could also receive compensation for various other tasks as required, in order to supplement the monthly stipend. Interestingly the salary level persisted until the 1930s when it was increased. In 1886 the Trustees provided a badge at the cost of ten dollars and the Marshall was to be "... held good for it" should it be lost.

The City Marshall was an elected official until 1902 when the city's charter was changed to make it an appointive position. On several occasions the minutes of the Board of Trustees referred to the position as "Chief of Police" or as the city "Policeman". Eventually the name became common and the Roseburg Police Department was created.

In 1878, a second officer was added to patrol the streets during the nighttime hours to provide security, maintain order, and report unusual occurrences. This individual was known as the "night watchman" and that moniker remained for many decades. On the occasion of special events such as the 4th of July celebrations or at times when the circus was in town, three or four special police officers would be added to the force on a temporary basis to deal with unruly behavior. In 1927, a third officer was added and by 1947 the police department consisted of a chief, sergeant, three traffic officers and four patrolmen. Also in 1947 the city charter was again modified, creating the office of City Manager, who was appointed by the city council. The manager was given the authority to appoint all city department heads including the Police Chief.

The position of City Marshall was an important one in early Roseburg history. A citizen wrote the following characterization of Lee Rodenberger, the first Roseburg City Marshall.

"When speaking or writing of the City of Roseburg at the time of it's incorporation, one name invariably comes to the front, that of the Marshall. Lee Rodenberger was a strong, fearless man in the discharge of his duties. Many a lawbreaker met grief and chagrin, and furnished amusement for the by-standers when Lee Rodenberger sallied forth for arrest."

The duties of the early officers, up until about 1920, were related to the main concerns of the times. In addition to enforcing state laws and city ordinances, they also took care of the following tasks:

• Keeping cows and dogs from running loose in town.
• Making repairs to the jail.
• Getting meals to prisoners.
• Collecting city license fees and delinquent taxes (he kept 3% as a fee).
• Lighting kerosene lamps on posts at intersections downtown.
• Checking flues of businesses and homes as a form of fire protection.
• Locking up city ladders.
• Making street repairs as necessary.
• Making the "calaboose" strong and secure so as to forestall escapes.
• Install lamp posts as needed.
• Buying and storing kerosene for lamps.
• Repairing kerosene lamps.
• Checking complaints of offensive manure piles.
• Flushing sewers when needed.
• Flushing the dirt and gravel streets, making sure the ditches carry the water to the river.
• Killing and burying stray dogs ($2 fee for doing this).
• Burying dead cats (50-cent fee).
• Supervising prisoners assigned to work on city streets.
• Checking complaints of offensive privies.
• Making sure "not to permit children on the streets in company of each other".
• Removing a tumbled down Chinese Laundry.
• Examine and repair wooden crosswalks as necessary.
• Put in two culverts at the Odd Fellows Cemetery.
• Putting gravel under the hitching post at the Courthouse.
• Securing a pound for stray cattle.
• Preventing gambling by circus laborers.
• Buying rope for the fire bell.
• Notifying all physicians that in the city, they must not ride any faster than 6 miles per hour, violators were to be arrested.
• Attending to janitor work at City Hall.

While it is quite obvious that the professional standards and responsibilities of law enforcement officers in Roseburg have changed in the ensuing 132 years, there remains a common thread ... service to the public. Our first police officer, Lee Rodenberger, apparently impressed the citizens he served and protected in 1872 and thereby established the foundation for those that provide that service today.