A piece of Wessington Springs history rolls home

Restored police cruiser rekindles memories of Chief Larry 'Hawkeye' Wenzel

John McWilliams, right, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Jason Wenzel of Wessington Springs stand beside the fully restored 1985 Plymouth Gran Fury that once served as the Springs Police Department patrol car driven by Jason's father, longtime Police Chief Larry 'Hawkeye' Wenzel. McWilliams brought the cruiser to the Leap to Lane Car Show, where it sparked memories and stories from residents. (KRISTI HINE / TRUE DAKOTAN)
John McWilliams, right, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Jason Wenzel of Wessington Springs stand beside the fully restored 1985 Plymouth Gran Fury that once served as the Springs Police Department patrol car driven by Jason's father, longtime Police Chief Larry 'Hawkeye' Wenzel. McWilliams brought the cruiser to the Leap to Lane Car Show, where it sparked memories and stories from residents. (KRISTI HINE / TRUE DAKOTAN)

At first glance, it looked like another restored classic at the Leap to Lane Car Show.

Then people started recognizing it.

'Is that really the car?' For many who wandered through the show, the 1985 Plymouth Gran Fury wasn't just another vintage automobile. It was the patrol car driven for years by longtime Wessington Springs Police Chief Larry 'Hawkeye' Wenzel — a familiar sight on Main Street and t…

 

Subscribe to the online newsletter:

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp