His dad was very involved in the Democratic Party leading young Bruce to become a lifelong Democrat supporter.

While attending CSHS, he was on the baseball and football teams 1908-1910. He played center and fullback in football. On the baseball team, he was the catcher and a member of the team when it won the school’s first championship. An appendicitis surgery prevented him playing during the 1911 season. He graduated from Colorado Springs High School in 1912.

The nickname “Dad” came during his high school career, when he began courting a young lady. His team members stuffed his coat pockets with baby clothes. While he was in the young lady’s company, the guys came by and began pulling the clothes from the pockets. After that he was referred to as “father.” Over time it was shortened to “Dad” and that became the name by which he was known throughout the rest of his life.

He began writing sport articles about CSHS sports competitions, for the Colorado Springs Gazette in the spring of 1911. This may have been the motivation for his wanting to go to Colorado College to study journalism. Family finances resulted in his not being able to remain at CC. Feeling lost and not sure what he wanted from life, “Dad” met a family friend, former Police Chief William Reynolds, who encouraged the young man to become a police officer. Meeting with Chief Stanley Bruno, he impressed the man and was hired, though he was only 19 years old. It’s interesting to note, because of his age, he was hired as a temporary and had to be hired and fired every three months. On April 14, 1914, Chief Howard Stark gave him the job of a full-time officer, even though he lacked being 21 by 6 months.

That fall he was sent to learn fingerprinting at the Bureau of Investigation in Leavenworth, Kansas. Upon his return, he set up the fingerprinting office for the CSPD and a short time later did the same thing for the Colorado Territorial Prison. “Dad” Bruce as member “#70” held a lifetime membership in the International Association for Identification, which he joined May 8, 1916.

Hugo Harper, an officer hired the same time as “Dad,” had left to farm for five years only to return and be hired by “Dad,” The two were paired as detective partners, but by 1917, Harper was hired as the new chief and Bruce was very much his own detective. He took a leave of absence to work for the US Government’ Bureau of Investigation (a forerunner of the FBI) in the Denver Office, where he remained until the end of the World War 1.

He was sought by the city, to return after the Friday13,1918, killing of John W. Rowan, Chief of Detectives, but he was under contract to the Federal Government so declined. His job ended when the position was eliminated in 1919, Bruce returned home to the CSPD. On June 23,1920, the City Council passed a resolution raising his salary and promoting him to Captain of Detectives.

Possessing an uncanny memory, “Dad” Bruce once apprehended a criminal a local eating place. As he passed the restaurant on East Pikes Peak, he noticed a man that he’d seen on a wanted poster for stealing a diamond pin from a woman in Denver. He recalled meeting the man five years earlier.

He was also known for his superb ability to obtain confessions. With patience and fortitude he questioned a young G.I. who was suspected of murder. Discovering his troubled background, he took him to eat and ordered two steaks. The young man ate heartily, then told “Dad” to call the DA and he’d confess. “You’ll have to talk to Bruce first,” replied “Dad” who then called the DA and over coffee the case was sealed.

Chief “Dad” Bruce put a small town Police Department on the proverbial map. He was a personal friend of J. Edgar Hoover and that paved the way for many Colorado Springs Officers to attend training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. In 1951, the Gazette Telegraph named him “Man of the Year.” Because of his special talents, his national reputation and his camera- like memory, he was invited to be a special policeman at the inaugurals of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 1963, the US State Department enlisted his help and on November 1^st he was sent to West Berlin for three months to help organize police agencies and give any assistance they required.

The annual International Association of Chief’s of Police( IACP) convention was held in Colorado Springs at the Antlers Hotel in October 1950. Chief “Dad” Bruce persuaded Ford Motor Co. to provide 75 brand new white Fords for the use of the dignitaries. He also prevailed upon his friend, Roy Best, the Warden of the Colorado Territorial prison at Canon City to have the prisoners to make personalized license plates for each one. And through the head of the Colorado State Patrol, Gilbert Carroll, escorts were provided for the dignitaries during their stay here. Alexander Film produced a documentary film on the sightseeing and social events of the area for the conference attendees.

In 1926, while attending IACP”s annual convention in Chicago, he married Irene McCormick, the daughter of a Chicago Police officer. His son I.B. Bruce Jr. was born two years later. A second son, James Bruce was born December 25, 1940.

He was appointed Chief on December 16, 1941 and immediately set up an emergency charity fund. This fund was used to help people in dire circumstances. He was very much a Humanitarian. His door was always open for anyone desiring a visit, or to help someone in need and particularly to help juveniles who had gotten off on the wrong foot. He was never too busy to be available for any public cause. He was a strong supporter of the Boys Club and in 1953 started the Junior Police Club which boasted a membership of over 100 junior high school boys. A local theater was turned over to “Dad” for the club’s Saturday meetings which always began with the singing of “God Bless America” followed by a talk from some well-known personality. Bruce made sure the boys were trained in the use of 22 caliber rifles and pistols. He formed a swim group using the YMCA and helped kids participate in the summer YAL baseball teams. “Dad,” believing that community interest in kids would prevent delinquency, persuaded local businessmen to provide uniforms or anything else they needed for their activities.

His career was exceptional in many ways. He was one of the few men ever to work their entire career without being assigned to a uniform position. He never drove a car, always having a driver during his time in the CSPD. He worked long hours, always going home for dinner, then returning, often working till 10 PM or later EVERY night. “Dad” patrolled his beloved city with skill, friendship and determination. He took it personally when he could not solve the Thanksgiving 1953 murder of Officer Richard Burchfield. He felt it was a real black mark on an otherwise model career.