James Velsir
[2] Velsir was arrested by two policemen after a struggle in front of a city fire station on August 23, 1889, on a charge of assault in an attempt to murder his ex-wife after he attacked her in her home at 422 Buena Vista Street (today's North Broadway) and beat her severely.1 "for conduct unbecoming a fireman," and the members of that company submitted a petition to the Common Council requesting his dismissal.He was fined $50 by the Board of Police Commissioners, and that he was not dismissed from the department was only because his inattention to duty did not result in any serious loss of property at a fire.[11] Velsir was a member of the Los Angeles Common Council, the legislative branch of city government, from the 1st Ward in 1884–85.[12] As a member of the Common Council], in 1885 Velsir was active in a successful campaign to dismiss Police Chief Edward McCarthy.