From the book, “Pensacola’s Finest in Pictures”
By Mike Simmons
Captain Raymond F. Shuttleworth: R. F. “Happy” Shuttleworth, was one of the best detectives the police department ever had, and he loved it! He had a reputation throughout the city as a kind of super-detective. The local papers regularly ran stories about the cases that he investigated, often making him bigger than life! The nickname “Happy” was given due to Shuttleworth’s wisecracks and repartee.
Born in Pensacola in 1908, just before the opening of the new police headquarters at 407 S. Jefferson Street. Shuttleworth was arrested several times as a young man, once in a house of ill repute. However, once he joined the Pensacola Police Department in 1928, he quickly moved up the promotion ladder, becoming an excellent detective. He and his partner, future police chief Crosby Hall, became so well-known in town that people recognized their presence with a star-like appearance.
A story about Happy goes like this: In the 1940s, the detective team of Crosby Hall and Happy Shuttleworth were scratching their collective heads. Between 300 and 400 burglaries had occurred without a single arrest. As they were called to yet another burglary, they discovered that a bar of peanut candy had been taken.
“I know who it is,” said Happy. He identified him as a local thug. The pair went to the home of the candy-loving suspect and picked him up. He eventually gave a full confession.
Shuttleworth once gave up a Captain’s promotion to remain Chief of Detectives. Shuttleworth, a Pensacola native, joined the force on October 1, 1927. 25 years later, he retired, leaving a legacy of quality police work. Captain Shuttleworth died suddenly in 1958.
Rest in peace, Captain, and thank you for the service you gave over the years.