1953 Lane County Sheriff Air Patrol

OREGON VOTER, December 31, 1960
Biographical Sketches of Senators and Representatives,
51st Legislative Assembly, Regular Session, Jan 9, 1961
EDWARD W. ELDER
Representative 1961; 14th District, Lane County.
Republican.  Sheriff, former FBI agent.
193 Rio Glen Drive, Eugene.
   Representative Elder, 39, a promising new member on the Republican side, will not be entirely unknown in the Capitol as he will be remembered as active in 1959 in getting the Huber Law (HB202) authorizing magistrates' discretion (under regulations) in allowing prisoners under six months or less sentences to continue employment to support family and keep them off welfare, pay debts etc.  Bill introduced by Representatives Montgomery R. Shaw and Van Hoomissen Democrats at requests of Sheriffs' association and aided by Elder's work passed House 49 to 4 and Senate without opposition.  Will also be remembered as near candidate for Congress for Porter's seat but withdrew when State Senator Edwin R. Durno entered ( and won).
   Otherwise Rep. Elder's experience is noteworthy.  At 39 he has been resident of Eugene for 33 years.  Born in Montana in 1920 (failed to give us his birthday which all members like to have).  Married, three children, one daughter married.  Graduate Santa Clara High school; also in the Armored forces officers' candidate school and in 1957 was graduated from the FBI National Academy.  In 1939 enlisted as a private in the US Army and was graduated from the OCS at Fort Knox in 1941.  He served in World War II 3rd army, five campaigns abroad, won bronze star, Distinguished Unit badge; and was honorably discharged as First Lieutenant in 1945 and returned to active duty in 1950 for the Korean conflict serving for two years as Plans and Training Officer, Company Commander and Provost Marshal.  Following the Korean service, in 1952 he won the Republican primary for Sheriff in a field of six and was elected and was reelected in 1956 polling about the same number of votes as President Eisenhower indicating he picked up about 8000 Democratic votes.  He is a Deacon in the First Christian Church; Chairman, Health and Safety committee of the Boy Scouts; on the Campaign committee of the United Appeal; vice Chairman, Salvation Army; on the Executive Committees of the Oregon Sheriff's Assn. and Oregon Prison Assn.; active as Mason and in the American Legion, the Cascade Lions Toastmasters, and the Optimists International club.  With all this he is quite a chess player and fisherman.  He takes his politics seriously and supported Vice President Nixon vigorously.  We think you'll know where Ed Elder stands!