Earle B. McLaughlin

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.

Earle B. McLaughlin
Restored black and white head and shoulders photo of Earle B. McLaughlin, facing front, looking slightly right, circa 1958
Restored version of photo used in McLaughlin's campaign posters, circa 1958
United States Marshal for Vermont
In office
July 28, 1977 – March 17, 1982
Nominated byJimmy Carter
Preceded byChristian Hansen Jr.
Succeeded byChristian Hansen Jr.
Sheriff of Chittenden County, Vermont
In office
February 1, 1955 – July 31, 1977
Preceded byCharles Barber
Succeeded byRonald Duell
Personal details
Born(1921-03-15)March 15, 1921
Proctor, Vermont, U.S.
DiedDecember 2, 2003(2003-12-02) (aged 82)
Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
Resting placeResurrection Park Cemetery, South Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseTheresa Marie DesVergnes (m. 1948–2003, his death)
EducationSaint Michael's College (attended)
ProfessionLaw enforcement officer
NicknameBuzz[1]
Military service
ServiceUnited States Army Air Forces
Years of service1942 –1945
RankSergeant
Unit3rd Bomber Group, Fifth Air Force
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsAsiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal with seven battle stars
Philippine Liberation Medal
Good Conduct Medal

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).[1] He attended the schools of Proctor and was a 1939 graduate of Proctor High School.[2] After finishing high school, McLaughlin was employed by the Works Progress Administration as the leader of recreation activities for the WPA program in Winooski.[3]

Military service

In January 1942, McLaughlin volunteered for World War II by enlisting in the United States Army Air Forces.[4] He completed his initial training at Sheppard Field near Wichita Falls, Texas,[4] then served in the South West Pacific theatre.[5] Initially assigned to United States Army Air Forces in Australia, he subsequently served in the 3rd Bomber Group[6] during the New Guinea campaign[5] and second Philippines campaign.[7]

In June 1945, he returned to the United States and was assigned to the Army Air Forces Redistribution Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.[8] He served briefly at Mitchel Field, New York before transferring to the separation center at Fort Devens Army Air Field, Massachusetts.[6] 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.[6][9]

Career

Early career

After his military service, McLaughlin resided in Burlington and attended Saint Michael's College in Colchester.[10] He worked as a sales representative for Blodgett Supply Company, a seller of plumbing and heating supplies,[10] and was later employed in the purchasing department of the local General Electric plant.[11]

Chittenden County Sheriff

McLaughlin became active in politics as a Democrat, and served as treasurer of the Burlington chapter of Young Democrats of Vermont.[11] In August 1954, he announced his candidacy for sheriff of Chittenden County.[11] In November, he won the general election, defeating incumbent Republican Charles Barber.[12]

After beginning his term in 1955, McLaughlin won reelection in 1956, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1972, and 1974.[13][lower-alpha 1] In 1957, he graduated from the FBI National Academy.[14] 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.[15] In 1976, he was elected president of the New England chapter of FBI National Academy Associates.[16] His efforts while in office included organizing deputies to patrol the county's rural areas and requiring deputies to wear a standard uniform.[15]

United States Marshal

In 1977, McLaughlin was appointed United States Marshal for Vermont, succeeding Christian Hansen Jr.[13] 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.[17]

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.[18] 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.[18] McLaughlin served until March 1982, and was succeeded by Hansen.[19]

Retirement and death

In retirement, McLaughlin resided in Burlington and in Florida.[1] He died in Burlington on December 2, 2003.[1] McLaughlin was buried at Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington.[1]

Family

In 1948, McLaughlin married Theresa Marie DesVergnes (1924–2013).[20] They were married until his death and were the parents of 11 children.[1]

McLaughlin's son Kevin spent his career with the Chittenden County Sheriff's Department and served as sheriff from 1987 to 2023.[21][22]

Notes
  1. In 1974, terms were changed from two years to four.

References
  1. "Obituary, Earle B. McLaughlin". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. December 3, 2003. p. 4B – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Proctor High Commencement Is Observed". Rutland Herald. Rutland, VT. June 17, 1939. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Winooski: Recreation Leader". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. April 30, 1941. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "43 Selectees Given Physical Check-Up Here". Rutland Herald. Rutland, VT. January 6, 1942. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Photo Caption: Larry Benedict and Earle McLaughlin". Rutland Herald. Rutland, VT. August 22, 1944. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Leaves for Separation Center". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. August 28, 1945. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Former Proctor Man Returns From Overseas". Rutland Herald. Rutland, VT. May 4, 1945. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Did You Know: Sgt. Earle McLaughlin Jr". Burlington Daily News. Burlington, VT. June 5, 1945. p. 7B – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Local Draft Board Sets New Hours". Burlington Daily News. Burlington, VT. September 14, 1945. p. 10-B – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Miss Des Vergnes, Earle McLaughlin To Be Wed In Fall". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. February 14, 1948. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "McLaughlin Candidate for County Sheriff". Burlington Daily News. Burlington, VT. August 4, 1954. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Burlington Voters Favor Every Democratic Candidate On Ticket". Burlington Daily News. Burlington, VT. November 3, 1954. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. Donoghue, Mike (June 21, 1977). "Names of Gray, Carter Sent Carter for Federal Jobs". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "McLaughlin Again Running for Sheriff". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. June 11, 1964. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "McLaughlin Says He'll Seek Fifth Term As Sheriff". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. July 21, 1962. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Sheriff Named To Post". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. June 25, 1976. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "U.S. Marshal's Office Expanded". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. December 29, 1978. p. 5B – via Newspapers.com.
  18. "U.S. Marshal Wins Award For Berster Trial Security". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. June 19, 1979. p. 5B – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "Rep. Hansen Confirmed As Marshal". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. March 18, 1982. p. 9B – via Newspapers.com.
  20. "Burlington Couple Wed At Cathedral". Burlington Daily News. Burlington, VT. October 25, 1948. p. B-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. Murray, Elizabeth (July 11, 2022). "Chittenden County sheriff to retire after 36 years". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT.
  22. Schulman-Hall, Juliet; Robinson, Shaun (November 9, 2022). "Franklin County sheriff results remain unclear; 2 incumbents ousted in Windsor, Orange counties". VT Digger. Montpelier, VT. Dan Gamelin won in Chittenden County...
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