Cornelis Cardinaal

After graduating as Bachelor of Law, Cornelis established himself as solicitor in Almelo. On 10/2-1846 he was pronounced police commissioner for Groningen. He reorganised the police force, a reorganisation which, after the riots that occurred in this town whereby some 20 people were killed, proved to be justified.

On 17/9-1853 he was promoted to police commisioner for Rotterdam. During the fire in museum Boymans he saved countless treasures, and was severely injured by falling timber. In 1866 he reorganised the Rotterdam police force, and at the samt time abolished the nightwatch and replaced it with a permanent police force. 12/6-1876 he was presented with the Prussian crown order by the king of Prussia, and on 12/7-1876 with the State Order 3.degree by the russian Czar. He has also recieved following orders: Knight of the Lion of Netherlands, Legion of FRance, Order of the Crown, Red Eagle of Prussia, the Order of St. Stanislaus from Russia, and the Lion and the Sun of Persia.

Hij was eerst hoofdcommissaris van politie in Groningen. Volgens een bericht in de Groningse Volksalmanak (1976-1977 p.79) was hij betrokken bij de "Brood Oproer" op 28-6-1847 in Groningen op de Grotemarkt. Vergeefs hebben eerst de militaire commandant, later de loco burgemeester Offerhaus en de 2e commissaris van politie, Cardinaal, meermaals getracht de menigte te bewegen heen te gaan. Commissaris Cardinaal werd zelfs bij een poging het volk te kalmeren en uiteen te doen gaan, door verschillende personen beet gegrepen, doch hij wist zich los te rukken. De burgemeester was J.Rodenhuis en de 1e commissaris J.G. Holsheimer.