Seaford names James E. “Jim” Bowden Jr. the police department’s first official historian

The Seaford City Council unanimously approved the appointment of James E. “Jim” Bowden Jr. as the Seaford Police Department’s first official historian during its July 22 meeting.

Police Chief Marshall Crafts introduced Bowden and recommended the appointment, saying Bowden had provided the department with historical research and artifacts, including a compiled list of former police chiefs. “Jim has helped us tremendously to start building our history,” Crafts said.

Bowden accepted the recognition and recounted that his grandfather, George Washington Bowden, appeared before the Seaford council in 1935 and later served 18 years as chief of police. “Ninety years later his grandson is here, representing the historical fact that I can honor him and the other officers of the police department,” Bowden said.

Mayor Matt McCoy read a proclamation recognizing Bowden’s “exceptional dedication to preserving and celebrating the rich history of our agency and community,” and congratulated him as the department’s first official historian. Council moved and seconded the appointment and approved it by voice vote.

Chief Crafts outlined Bowden’s background: decades in emergency communications, leadership roles with local historical organizations and ongoing volunteer work preserving gravesites and departmental memorials. Bowden also moderates a local history Facebook page that he described as a hub for community storytelling. The council later announced plans to name a city day honoring the Bowden family this fall.

Less critical details: council members and citizens thanked Bowden for his work and noted his collection of photographs and clippings; Bowden said he stores historical material on a three‑terabyte drive and curates discoveries for public sharing.