
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 17, 1993                   TAG: 9311170187
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: HAZEL B. GARST                                LENGTH: Short

HAZEL GARST, ROANOKE'S 1ST FEMALE OFFICER, DIES

the first female police officer employed by the city of Roanoke - died Monday at her home in Radford. She was 81.

Garst was hired by the Roanoke Police Department in 1944 and worked as a policewoman for 25 years before accepting a position with the Roanoke County Department of Social Services.

Garst was a social worker in one of the areas she loved most - working with youth.

In a 1969 news article, Garst said her first assignment as a police officer was to "walk the City Market beat and check cheap dance halls."

Garst was skilled in judo, but she never had to use it - or her gun - while on the job.

In the article, Garst said her night assignments didn't influence her to try to change her role as a policewoman.

"I never tried to dress or pretend to be anything else," she said.

Garst was named Cop of the Month in 1950 and Officer of the Month in 1965 by the Fraternal Order of Police Associates.

Funeral services for Garst will be held Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Oakey's Downtown Chapel in Roanoke.

by CNB