Earle B. McLaughlin
{{Short description|U.S. Marshal for Vermont (1921–2003)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Earle B. McLaughlin
|image = Earle B. McLaughlin (U.S. Marshal for Vermont).jpg
|alt = Restored black and white head and shoulders photo of Earle B. McLaughlin, facing front, looking slightly right, circa 1958
|caption = Restored version of photo used in McLaughlin's campaign posters, circa 1958
|office1 = United States Marshal for Vermont
|term_start1 = July 28, 1977
|term_end1 = March 17, 1982
|predecessor1 = Christian Hansen Jr.
|successor1 = Christian Hansen Jr.
|nominator1 = Jimmy Carter
|office2 = Sheriff of Chittenden County, Vermont
|term_start2 = February 1, 1955
|term_end2 = July 31, 1977
|predecessor2 = Charles Barber
|successor2 = Ronald Duell
|birth_date = {{Birth date|1921|03|15}}
|birth_place = Proctor, Vermont, U.S.
|death_date = {{Death date and age|2003|12|02|1921|03|15}}
|death_place = Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
|resting_place = Resurrection Park Cemetery, South Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
|party = Democratic
|spouse = Theresa Marie DesVergnes (m. 1948–2003, his death)
|education = Saint Michael's College (attended)
|profession = Law enforcement officer
|nickname = Buzz{{cite news |date=December 3, 2003 |title=Obituary, Earle B. McLaughlin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115111432/mclaughlin/ |work=The Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, VT |page=4B |via=Newspapers.com}}
|branch = United States Army Air Forces
|branch_label = Service
|unit = 3rd Bomber Group, Fifth Air Force
|battles = World War II
|serviceyears = 1942 –1945
|rank = Sergeant
|mawards = Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal with seven battle stars
Philippine Liberation Medal
Good Conduct Medal
}}
Earle B. McLaughlin (March 15, 1921 – December 2, 2003) was a career law enforcement officer from Vermont. A veteran of World War II, he was most notable for his service as Sheriff of Chittenden County, Vermont, from 1955 to 1977 and United States Marshal for Vermont from 1977 to 1982.
Early life
Earle Bernard "Buzz" McLaughlin was born in Proctor, Vermont, on March 15, 1921, the son of Earle B. McLaughlin (1890–1955) and Julia Isabel (McGarry) McLaughlin (1891–1962). He attended the schools of Proctor and was a 1939 graduate of Proctor High School.{{cite news |date=June 17, 1939 |title=Proctor High Commencement Is Observed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59130626/rutland-daily-herald/ |work=Rutland Herald |location=Rutland, VT |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}} After finishing high school, McLaughlin was employed by the Works Progress Administration as the leader of recreation activities for the WPA program in Winooski.{{cite news |date=April 30, 1941 |title=Winooski: Recreation Leader |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115114890/winooski/ |work=The Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, VT |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}
Military service
In January 1942, McLaughlin volunteered for World War II by enlisting in the United States Army Air Forces.{{cite news |date=January 6, 1942 |title=43 Selectees Given Physical Check-Up Here |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115115177/selectees/ |work=Rutland Herald |location=Rutland, VT |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}} He completed his initial training at Sheppard Field near Wichita Falls, Texas, then served in the South West Pacific theatre.{{cite news |date=August 22, 1944 |title=Photo Caption: Larry Benedict and Earle McLaughlin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115115424/benedict/ |work=Rutland Herald |location=Rutland, VT |page=12 |via=Newspapers.com}} Initially assigned to United States Army Air Forces in Australia, he subsequently served in the 3rd Bomber Group{{cite news |date=August 28, 1945 |title=Leaves for Separation Center |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/12690815/the-burlington-free-press/ |work=The Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, VT |page=11 |via=Newspapers.com}} during the New Guinea campaign and second Philippines campaign.{{cite news |date=May 4, 1945 |title=Former Proctor Man Returns From Overseas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115115671/returns/ |work=Rutland Herald |location=Rutland, VT |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}
In June 1945, he returned to the United States and was assigned to the Army Air Forces Redistribution Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.{{cite news |date=June 5, 1945 |title=Did You Know: Sgt. Earle McLaughlin Jr. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115115972/atlantic/ |work=Burlington Daily News |location=Burlington, VT |page=7B |via=Newspapers.com}} He served briefly at Mitchel Field, New York before transferring to the separation center at Fort Devens Army Air Field, Massachusetts. He was discharged in September 1945 with the rank of sergeant, and his awards included the Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal with seven battle stars, Philippine Liberation Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.{{cite news |date=September 14, 1945 |title=Local Draft Board Sets New Hours |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115116639/draft/ |work=Burlington Daily News |location=Burlington, VT |page=10-B |via=Newspapers.com}}
Career
=Early career=
After his military service, McLaughlin resided in Burlington and attended Saint Michael's College in Colchester.{{cite news |date=February 14, 1948 |title=Miss Des Vergnes, Earle McLaughlin To Be Wed In Fall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115125140/marriage-of-vergnes-mclaughlin/ |work=The Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, VT |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}} He worked as a sales representative for Blodgett Supply Company, a seller of plumbing and heating supplies, and was later employed in the purchasing department of the local General Electric plant.{{cite news |date=August 4, 1954 |title=McLaughlin Candidate for County Sheriff |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115125808/candidate/ |work=Burlington Daily News |location=Burlington, VT |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}
=Chittenden County Sheriff=
McLaughlin became active in politics as a Democrat, and served as treasurer of the Burlington chapter of Young Democrats of Vermont. In August 1954, he announced his candidacy for sheriff of Chittenden County. In November, he won the general election, defeating incumbent Republican Charles Barber.{{cite news |date=November 3, 1954 |title=Burlington Voters Favor Every Democratic Candidate On Ticket |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115126133/democratic/ |work=Burlington Daily News |location=Burlington, VT |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}
After beginning his term in 1955, McLaughlin won reelection in 1956, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1972, and 1974.{{cite news |last=Donoghue |first=Mike |date=June 21, 1977 |title=Names of Gray, Carter Sent Carter for Federal Jobs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115127932/jobs/ |work=The Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, VT |page=1B |via=Newspapers.com}}{{efn|In 1974, terms were changed from two years to four.}} In 1957, he graduated from the FBI National Academy.{{cite news |date=June 11, 1964 |title=McLaughlin Again Running for Sheriff |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115126892/running/ |work=The Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, VT |page=17 |via=Newspapers.com}} While serving as sheriff, McLaughlin was active in the National Parole and Probation Association and served a term as president of the Vermont Sheriffs Association.{{cite news |date=July 21, 1962 |title=McLaughlin Says He'll Seek Fifth Term As Sheriff |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115126654/fifth/ |work=The Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, VT |page=11 |via=Newspapers.com}} In 1976, he was elected president of the New England chapter of FBI National Academy Associates.{{cite news |date=June 25, 1976 |title=Sheriff Named To Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115127706/post/ |work=The Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, VT |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}} His efforts while in office included organizing deputies to patrol the county's rural areas and requiring deputies to wear a standard uniform.
=United States Marshal=
In 1977, McLaughlin was appointed United States Marshal for Vermont, succeeding Christian Hansen Jr. During McLaughlin's term, the marshal's office was expanded due to increased workload, including the addition of more deputies and a court security inspector.{{cite news |date=December 29, 1978 |title=U.S. Marshal's Office Expanded |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115128830/expanded/ |work=The Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, VT |page=5B |via=Newspapers.com}}
In 1979, Vermont's United States District Court was the site of the trial of Kristina Berster, a resident of West Germany who was accused of being a member of the Red Army Faction terrorist group.{{cite news |date=June 19, 1979 |title=U.S. Marshal Wins Award For Berster Trial Security |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11914859/the-burlington-free-press/ |work=The Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, VT |page=5B |via=Newspapers.com}} Berster was convicted of three felonies and two misdemeanors, and McLaughlin received the U.S. Marshal's Service Meritorious Service Award to recognize his efforts to coordinate the extensive physical security operation executed during her four-week trial. McLaughlin served until March 1982, and was succeeded by Hansen.{{cite news |date=March 18, 1982 |title=Rep. Hansen Confirmed As Marshal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115130179/marshal/ |work=The Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, VT |page=9B |via=Newspapers.com}}
Retirement and death
In retirement, McLaughlin resided in Burlington and in Florida. He died in Burlington on December 2, 2003. McLaughlin was buried at Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington.
Family
In 1948, McLaughlin married Theresa Marie DesVergnes (1924–2013).{{cite news |date=October 25, 1948 |title=Burlington Couple Wed At Cathedral |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115111710/mclaughlin/ |work=Burlington Daily News |location=Burlington, VT |page=B-2 |via=Newspapers.com}} They were married until his death and were the parents of 11 children.
McLaughlin's son Kevin spent his career with the Chittenden County Sheriff's Department and served as sheriff from 1987 to 2023.{{cite news |last=Murray |first=Elizabeth |date=July 11, 2022 |title=Chittenden County sheriff to retire after 36 years |url=https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/2022/07/11/chittenden-countys-sheriff-is-retiring-his-hopes-for-his-predecessor/65367598007/ |work=The Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, VT}}{{cite news |last1=Schulman-Hall |first1=Juliet |last2=Robinson |first2=Shaun |date=November 9, 2022 |title=Franklin County sheriff results remain unclear; 2 incumbents ousted in Windsor, Orange counties |url=https://vtdigger.org/2022/11/09/franklin-county-sheriff-results-remain-unclear-2-incumbents-ousted-in-windsor-orange-counties/ |work=VT Digger |location=Montpelier, VT |quote="Dan Gamelin won in Chittenden County..."}}
Notes
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References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Find a Grave|20276265}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McLaughlin, Earle B.}}
Category:Law enforcement officials from Vermont
Category:People from Proctor, Vermont
Category:People from Burlington, Vermont
Category:United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II