A policeman assigned to duty in patrolling a certain beat or district; also the designation of a grade or rank in the organized police force of large cities, a patrolman being generally a private in the ranks, as distinguished from roundsmen, sergeants, lieutenants, etc. See State v. walhridge, 153 Mo. 194, 54 S. W. 447
Source: Black’s Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)
