GOOD DETECTIVES PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS
Not the uniformed ones, but the little details of an investigation that can mean the difference by failure and success.
When asked to check on parking tickets issued in an area, or 250�s issued, the good detective takes the effort required to get the full and accurate facts.
During the Son of Sam investigation, detective�s received information from a woman that a car was issued a parking ticket around the time of one of the shootings. A check of the precinct�s records proved no such summons could be found. Yet, based on the woman�s statement, the detectives believed there was such summons � it just hadn�t been turned in on time.
After numerous (emphasis stressed!) attempts to track down such a parking ticket the detectives found one, which turned out to lead them to an address in Yonkers � and the apprehension of David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam.
Pay attention to details. Follow up with diligence; get the accurate facts and report your findings promptly, correctly, and to the proper people.
Pay Attention To Details.
YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY
You take for granted sometimes the things you learn. Just when did you learn this and that? You just did.
I�m not sure when, but I learned that when it rains the Belt Parkway sucks. So does the Interboro (Jackie Robinson). And no matter how many years some people have been coming to work along the same route (Kevin Smith), some people will still be late because it�s raining, or the Sanitation truck was blocking the street, or for some other reason.
I learned that no matter how much you try, getting detectives to sign out and into the movement log is a day to day battle. As a detective I worked with a partner who flat out refused to sign out and in; he figured if you never did, they couldn�t hold it against you. I also learned that logic is not always reasonable.
I�ve learned that no matter where you are, if you have a coffee club in the squad there will be someone who refuses to participate who will then be caught drinking the coffee. It�s just going to be, accept it.
I�ve learned, but still can�t understand, that someone will always take the last copy of an overtime slip or some other necessary form without making any copies. And forget about drawing lines in a log; you have to practically order somebody to do that.
I�ve learned that you don�t want to have a Legal Aid attorney as a robbery complainant. Not a good chance for an ID here. You can imagine the internal conflicts going on with your complainant while you�re trying to solve the case. I learned that one first hand.
I learned that a complainant who, after having a gun stuck in their face and robbed of their money, can then tell you that it �wasn�t a bad robbery, I mean at least no one got hurt�, is also not going to make a very complainant for you.
Along the way I�ve learned that no matter where the squad, you can go to the bank with the fact that the detectives who complain the most and give everyone the hardest time about everything are probably those that do the least, and those that spend all their energy telling everyone how good they are probably aren�t. Look close for the quiet and steady ones.
I learned many years ago that you cannot get a pork chop anywhere else like the one you get at Two Tom�s on Third Avenue in Brooklyn. You can�t beat the meal there anywhere. A true cop�s joint � lot�s of food at a good price.
I learned long ago, probably as a youngster from my father, that if it�s for free a cop will be there. Whether you could use it or not.
As a rookie cop I worked with a seasoned vet who went into a popular bodega once a day for a free pack of cigarettes, even though he didn�t smoke. He was probably selling them at half-price to some relative.
I learned a long time ago that the most important tool a detective has is his mouth � the ability to talk to people, and to get people to talk to them, is the true secret of being a detective. The value that some detective�s have �in the room� getting the perp to talk is irreplaceable.
And I�ve learned that no matter what he wears, Larry Eggers will look like Larry Eggers, and that if there�s any food missing from the fridge that Greg Millwater will get blamed, and that I lived long enough to see even Tony Viggiani come in late for work. Alright, I may never see Tony do that again, but everything else is sure to be.
FORENSIC NEWS UPDATE:
DNA NEWS: GRANT AIMS AT DNA ID-ING OF HUMAN REMAINS
The United States Justice Department announced the funding of 5 grants totaling more than $1.9 million to the DNA Identity Laboratory at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.
The largest grant, for $750,000, will be used for an 18-month project that will focus on the DNA testing of unidentified remains and the family reference samples needed to identify them. UNTHSC personnel will work with medical examiners, coroners' offices, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Center for Missing Adults, and law enforcement agencies throughout the United States to identify and collect unidentified human remains samples and family reference samples.
Details at:
http://go.reachmail.net/rmgo.asp?tid=103772&eid=19268&sb_id=58164,58164
INTERESTING WEB SITES
Resources: Business Directories
AT&T 800att.net/dir800/AT&T 800
DIRECTORY - Provides a directory of businesses that have an 1-800 number.
Big Yellow Pagess12.bigyellow.com/
BIG YELLOW PAGES - On-line search database of yellow page listings.
World Yellow Pages: www.worldyellowpages.com
WORLD YELLOW PAGES - On-line yellow page listings.
Yellow Pages: www.yellow.com/
YELLOW PAGES - Searchable yellow page listings.
Yellow Pages Online: www.ypo.com/
YELLOW PAGES ONLINE - allows you to search yellow page listings.
Zip2 Door-to-Door: www.zip2.com
ZIP2 DOOR-TO-DOOR - Search the yellow pages. Offers a unique service whereby you may search for businesses of a particular type and it will provide you with a listing of the ones that are close to your home.
ON A HISTORICAL NOTE: POLICE OFFICERS PAY
What was the pay of a policeofficer in the 1870s & 1880s?
First, The job of a cop was considered to be a very good one as their salary was about twice the wage of the average worker.
A cop started at a salary of $800 or $900 per year, each year the salary was increased until after 5 years a patrolman made $1,200 per year.
Secondly, a patrolman was able to retire on half pay after 25 years, at a time when very few other workers had pensions.
They did work a lot of hours, about 80 or more per week. Beside walking their beat a cop had to spend time in the station house on reserve duty. He was lucky if he received one day off a month.
By the 1930s the pay of a patrolman after 5 years was $3,000 per year. In 1955, the starting pay was $3,900 per year.
Also, back in those days and up until the late 1950's, pay day was on the 1st and 15th day of the month, so that meant that there were times that a police officer had to stretch his money out over three weekends before the next check.
For many years Detective 3rd Grade did not have any increase in pay over Patrolman.
They received the same pay as a Patrolman up into the late 1950s, and then when they did receive an increase it was only $276.00 per year.
They did it for the dedication they had to the work!
ANOTHER DECEMBER
To the generation of cops who joined The Department in the Fifties, a remembrance of a tumultuous time began on December 2nd 1956 at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater when a bomb exploded and injured six people.
But, for the Bomb Squad it had started in November 1940 when the "Mad Bomber" placed his first bomb at a Con Edison facility. Then another was found.
But, this spree was short lived as the Mad Bomber- "FP" as he signed his letters (for "Fair Play"), wrote to the newspapers and NYPD to say he was suspending his bombings until the war was over because "of my patriotic feelings."
True to his word no bombs appeared over the next 9 years. In 1950 he resumed his activities and the bombs started appearing all over the place. Fortunately, many were unexploded devices.
The NYPD investigation was headed up by Insp. HOWARD FINNEY.
The investigators decided to give "psychiatric profiling" a try and turned to Dr. JAMES BRUSSEL, an Assistant Commissioner with the NY State Dept. of Mental Hygiene. What came out of this "profiling" was astounding!
Dr. Brussel reasoned that the Mad Bomber was a male, probably a former employee of Con Edison, middle aged, probably a Slav, Catholic, lived in Connecticut, was likely unmarried and living with a female relative who was not his Mother, very neat, and the most astounding revelation of all from Dr. Brussel- "and when you catch him he'll be wearing a double-breasted suit- buttoned"!
The case ended in January 1957 with the arrest of GEORGE METESKY (54) at his home in Connecticut, where he lived with his two unmarried sisters. When he got dressed to be taken back to New York City, he donned his double-breasted suit- buttoned!
Metesky was found to be insane and committed to the Matteawan Asylum For The Criminally Insane. He was released in 1973, returned to Connecticut and died in 1994 at the age of 90, with very few noting his passing.
(Thanks to Louie Hollander, publisher of the �Biehler Grams� for this contribution.)
IN MEMORIAM: P.O. CARLOS KING, TRANSIT PATROLMAN
On December 20, 1976, PO Carlos King of the New York City Transit Police Department was killed in the line of duty, as he worked off duty driving a taxi cab.
The 36 year old patrolman was working as a medallion cab driver while on vacation, and was found on a quiet Queens Village street of one-family homes, the apparent victim of a robbery.
King�s shield was out indicating he had attempted to take police action. The murderer was later arrested.
The off-duty transit patrolman, Carlos King of South Floral Park, L.I., was described as an excellent officer and hardworking family man. His wife, Evangeline, and two sons, aged 15 and 11, survive.
According to Lieut. Thomas Ahearn of the 16th Homicide Zone, the Squad Commander at the time, King had been driving cabs off duty for 10 years and was found slumped behind the wheel by a neighborhood resident in front 107-17 Monterey Street. He had been shot twice, once in the neck and once in the face.
His revolver was still in its holster.
Police officers summoned to the scene shortly after 5 A.M. found his revolver still in its holster and his shield and identification card laying next him. His empty wallet had been dropped on the floor between his feet, but 22 single dollar bills remained in his shirt pocket.
Lieutenant Ahearn also said at the time that the street where the crime was committed ended in a schoolyard about half a block away and that it was not uncommon for would be robbers to lure cab drivers to dead-end streets in areas unknown to them. He said that while the neighborhood was generally quiet, it had been troubled by "a couple of bad youth gangs" for some time.
PO King had been assigned to plainclothes duty with a Queens based Transit Police command. He had earned six commendations during his 12 years on the force, including one distinguished-duty medal for disarming a knife-wielding man on a subway train.
�LEST WE FORGET�� NYPD Memorial
�It is not how they died that makes them a hero, but how they lived their lives�.
December 27, 1944 Det Anthony McGinley, 5 DetDist, Shot-Domestic dispute
December 28, 1929 Ptl Joseph Jockel, McyDist, Shot-arrest
December 28, 1974 PO Kenneth Mahon, 41 Pct, Shot-robbery
December 28, 1978 PO David Guttenberg, 68 Pct, Shot-robbery
December 28, 1991 Sgt Keith Levine, CommDiv, Shot-robbery, off duty
December 29, 1878 Ptl Asa Furness, 10 Pct, Shot by EDP
January 2, 1932 Ptl John Kranz, Det Sqd, Shot
January 3, 1975 PO Michael McConnon, 13 Pct, Shot-robbery
Wishing all a joyous, happy and healthy New Year!
Monday, December 27, 2004
Monday, December 20, 2004
IN MEMORIAM
I recently received this e-mail. If you can read this through its entirety without a tear in your eyes, it�s probably time for you to retire, because you�ve lost your heart and soul.
I am printing it here in memory of those who are not here to read it themselves.
Her hair was up in a pony tail,her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,and she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her,that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,if she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid;she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmatesof why he wasn't there today.
But still her mother worried,for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to schooleager to tell them all.
About a dad she never seesa dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in back,for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,anxious in their seats.
One by one the teacher calleda student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name,every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,for a man who wasn't there.
"Where's her daddy at?"she heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back,she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,too busy to waste his day.
"The words did not offend her,as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back,slowly she began to speak.And out from the mouth of a child,came words incredibly unique.
"My Daddy couldn't be here,because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him,I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,and how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me storieshe taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,and taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes,and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.I'm not standing here alone.
"Cause my daddy's always with me,even though we are apart
I know because he told me,he'll forever be in my heart"
With that, her little hand reached up,and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the loveof a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,doing what was right.
And when she dropped her hand back down,staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,but its message clear and loud.
"I love my daddy very much,he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,but heaven's just too far
You see he was a policemanand died just this past year
When airplanes hit the towersand taught Americans to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,it's like he never went away.
"And then she closed her eyes,and she saw him there that day.
And to her mothers amazement,she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them,who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy,"to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it,for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,that heaven is never too far.
They say it takes a minute to find a specialperson, an hour to appreciate them,a day to love them, but then an entirelife to forget them.
In this holiday season of happiness and cheer, please take a moment to remember our brothers and sisters who have gone before us. In some way, however small, reach out and remember.
THE 16TH PRECINCT
As it was mentioned in the last posting, here is some information on the 16th Precinct, forwarded by Retired Det1 John Reilly.
The 16th Det. Sqd to which Ptl.(Det) Turner was assigned to was located at 345 West 47th Street, Manhattan.
This was an old station house opened in 1862 as the 22nd Pct. In 1929 it became the 18th Pct., until 1940 when the 18th Pct. moved to a new station house at 306 West 54th St. This 18th precinct is today�s Midtown North Precinct.
After the 18th Pct. moved out Traffic "D" took over the Station House, until Feb. 6, 1947, when the 16th Pct. was then activated at the old 47th Street Station House.
The 16th Pct. covered from 42nd St. to 52nd Street, from 5th Ave. to the Hudson River.
In 1968, the 16th Pct. was abolished and Safety Unit "B" occupied the building until 1969, then moved to 138 West 30th St. (old 14th Pct.)
Shortly after the building was demolished. Today there is a park and playground where the old station house stood.
THE GOOD AND THE BAD
The good news is that New York City is the safest large city in America, and the world!
The good news is that crime is at its lowest in New York City in decades.
The good news is that the city has an excess of billions of dollars in its budget.
The good news is that businesses in the city are thriving, due in large part to the first two items above.
The good news is that tourism in the city is once again bringing big bucks into the city.
The bad news is, we�ll never see a decent pay raise that bring us up to the levels of our close neighbors in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Jersey City, Newark, Port Authority, �
WHO COULD THIS POSSIBLY BE?
Set the scenario.
Health Services calls the command to direct a detective to Lefrak for Random Drug Testing. Happens everyday of the week throughout the city.
Command gets the call, and seeing that the detective is due in that afternoon for a 4x1 tour, they call him at home to let him know. Perhaps he�d like to go direct to Lefrak on his way in? Certainly a reasonable assumption.
Getting the detective on the phone the command advises him of the order. �Just want to let you know you have to report to Lefrak for Random Drug Testing�.
The detective asks: �What day is the random testing for?�
This from a seasoned detective. (Ensign Pulver).
INTERESTING WEB SITE
The Department of Transportation (DOT) offers this Web site for consumers. It
provides detailed safety information about passenger vehicles, including crash test
data and rollover ratings, links to information on defects and recalls, and answers
to frequently asked questions.
http://safercar.gov
2004 CIA FACTBOOK: is now available and can be downloaded online.This site also has some nice sites/links available on
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
KOJAK RETURNS?
It was recently reported on the AP wires that Ving Rhames signed with USA Network to do a nine-episode weekly series playing the detective commander Kojak, which is scheduled to debut in March.
This could prove to be very interesting, indeed.
FROM THE FILE OF �EVERYDAY YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW�
Today I learned that Target Stores has this year forbidden the Salvation Army from setting up a Santa Claus with the traditional Christmastime kettle for donations in front of any of their stores.
Seems they don�t want to appear to have any affiliation with any specific charitable and/or denominational organization.
Talk about playing the politically correct game to the max! In a scene straight out of the �Miracle of 34th Street� movie, Wal-Mart Stores has agreed to match any donations the Salvation Army collects from shoppers at their stores.
Whatever happened to �good cheer and fortune to all�?
Some things you learn you have to question what value they actually serve.
I recently learned, from a detective MOS of some rank, that an office desk has the life expectancy of fifteen to twenty years.
Just exactly how did this person find out this information? How does this help me catch bad guys? Do I really need to know this? Those were some of the questions that went through my mind at the time.
I guess that just goes to underscore why some people are here �in the game� and others are here serving some other purpose. Or something like that. Not the kind of investigative information that�s going to help you out much, just something to walk away shaking your head about.
Someone once said to me �that�s why we carry handcuffs and they wear pocket protectors�.
Everyday you learn something new.
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
December 11, 1922 Ptl. Francis Mace, 73 Pct, Line of duty injury
December 12, 1966 Ptl Raul Yglesias, PA, Shot � off duty incident
December 13, 1932 Ptl Louis Wiendieck, Traffic B, Pursuit-injured LOD
December 14, 1932 Ptl George Gerhard, 20 Pct, Shot-robbery pursuit
December 14, 1961 Ptl Hugh Willoughby, 26 Pct, Shot- robbery, off duty
December 16, 1920 Lt Floyd Horton, 40 Pct, Shot- GLA arrest
December 16, 1981 PO Anthony Abruzzo Jr, 109 Pct, Shot- off duty robbery
December 20, 1925 Ptl Stephen McPhillips, 23 Pct, Electrocuted
December 20, 1936 Ptl James Smith, Traffic C, Auto accident on patrol
December 20, 1967 Ptl Robert Harris, HAPD, Shot- gun arrest
December 20, 1971 Ptl Carson Terry, HAPD-SI, Shot- off duty arrest
December 20, 1976 PO Carlos King, TPD-2, Shot- off duty robbery
I recently received this e-mail. If you can read this through its entirety without a tear in your eyes, it�s probably time for you to retire, because you�ve lost your heart and soul.
I am printing it here in memory of those who are not here to read it themselves.
Her hair was up in a pony tail,her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,and she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her,that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,if she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid;she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmatesof why he wasn't there today.
But still her mother worried,for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to schooleager to tell them all.
About a dad she never seesa dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in back,for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,anxious in their seats.
One by one the teacher calleda student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name,every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,for a man who wasn't there.
"Where's her daddy at?"she heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back,she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,too busy to waste his day.
"The words did not offend her,as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back,slowly she began to speak.And out from the mouth of a child,came words incredibly unique.
"My Daddy couldn't be here,because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him,I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,and how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me storieshe taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,and taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes,and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.I'm not standing here alone.
"Cause my daddy's always with me,even though we are apart
I know because he told me,he'll forever be in my heart"
With that, her little hand reached up,and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the loveof a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,doing what was right.
And when she dropped her hand back down,staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,but its message clear and loud.
"I love my daddy very much,he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,but heaven's just too far
You see he was a policemanand died just this past year
When airplanes hit the towersand taught Americans to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,it's like he never went away.
"And then she closed her eyes,and she saw him there that day.
And to her mothers amazement,she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them,who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy,"to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it,for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,that heaven is never too far.
They say it takes a minute to find a specialperson, an hour to appreciate them,a day to love them, but then an entirelife to forget them.
In this holiday season of happiness and cheer, please take a moment to remember our brothers and sisters who have gone before us. In some way, however small, reach out and remember.
THE 16TH PRECINCT
As it was mentioned in the last posting, here is some information on the 16th Precinct, forwarded by Retired Det1 John Reilly.
The 16th Det. Sqd to which Ptl.(Det) Turner was assigned to was located at 345 West 47th Street, Manhattan.
This was an old station house opened in 1862 as the 22nd Pct. In 1929 it became the 18th Pct., until 1940 when the 18th Pct. moved to a new station house at 306 West 54th St. This 18th precinct is today�s Midtown North Precinct.
After the 18th Pct. moved out Traffic "D" took over the Station House, until Feb. 6, 1947, when the 16th Pct. was then activated at the old 47th Street Station House.
The 16th Pct. covered from 42nd St. to 52nd Street, from 5th Ave. to the Hudson River.
In 1968, the 16th Pct. was abolished and Safety Unit "B" occupied the building until 1969, then moved to 138 West 30th St. (old 14th Pct.)
Shortly after the building was demolished. Today there is a park and playground where the old station house stood.
THE GOOD AND THE BAD
The good news is that New York City is the safest large city in America, and the world!
The good news is that crime is at its lowest in New York City in decades.
The good news is that the city has an excess of billions of dollars in its budget.
The good news is that businesses in the city are thriving, due in large part to the first two items above.
The good news is that tourism in the city is once again bringing big bucks into the city.
The bad news is, we�ll never see a decent pay raise that bring us up to the levels of our close neighbors in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Jersey City, Newark, Port Authority, �
WHO COULD THIS POSSIBLY BE?
Set the scenario.
Health Services calls the command to direct a detective to Lefrak for Random Drug Testing. Happens everyday of the week throughout the city.
Command gets the call, and seeing that the detective is due in that afternoon for a 4x1 tour, they call him at home to let him know. Perhaps he�d like to go direct to Lefrak on his way in? Certainly a reasonable assumption.
Getting the detective on the phone the command advises him of the order. �Just want to let you know you have to report to Lefrak for Random Drug Testing�.
The detective asks: �What day is the random testing for?�
This from a seasoned detective. (Ensign Pulver).
INTERESTING WEB SITE
The Department of Transportation (DOT) offers this Web site for consumers. It
provides detailed safety information about passenger vehicles, including crash test
data and rollover ratings, links to information on defects and recalls, and answers
to frequently asked questions.
http://safercar.gov
2004 CIA FACTBOOK: is now available and can be downloaded online.This site also has some nice sites/links available on
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
KOJAK RETURNS?
It was recently reported on the AP wires that Ving Rhames signed with USA Network to do a nine-episode weekly series playing the detective commander Kojak, which is scheduled to debut in March.
This could prove to be very interesting, indeed.
FROM THE FILE OF �EVERYDAY YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW�
Today I learned that Target Stores has this year forbidden the Salvation Army from setting up a Santa Claus with the traditional Christmastime kettle for donations in front of any of their stores.
Seems they don�t want to appear to have any affiliation with any specific charitable and/or denominational organization.
Talk about playing the politically correct game to the max! In a scene straight out of the �Miracle of 34th Street� movie, Wal-Mart Stores has agreed to match any donations the Salvation Army collects from shoppers at their stores.
Whatever happened to �good cheer and fortune to all�?
Some things you learn you have to question what value they actually serve.
I recently learned, from a detective MOS of some rank, that an office desk has the life expectancy of fifteen to twenty years.
Just exactly how did this person find out this information? How does this help me catch bad guys? Do I really need to know this? Those were some of the questions that went through my mind at the time.
I guess that just goes to underscore why some people are here �in the game� and others are here serving some other purpose. Or something like that. Not the kind of investigative information that�s going to help you out much, just something to walk away shaking your head about.
Someone once said to me �that�s why we carry handcuffs and they wear pocket protectors�.
Everyday you learn something new.
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
December 11, 1922 Ptl. Francis Mace, 73 Pct, Line of duty injury
December 12, 1966 Ptl Raul Yglesias, PA, Shot � off duty incident
December 13, 1932 Ptl Louis Wiendieck, Traffic B, Pursuit-injured LOD
December 14, 1932 Ptl George Gerhard, 20 Pct, Shot-robbery pursuit
December 14, 1961 Ptl Hugh Willoughby, 26 Pct, Shot- robbery, off duty
December 16, 1920 Lt Floyd Horton, 40 Pct, Shot- GLA arrest
December 16, 1981 PO Anthony Abruzzo Jr, 109 Pct, Shot- off duty robbery
December 20, 1925 Ptl Stephen McPhillips, 23 Pct, Electrocuted
December 20, 1936 Ptl James Smith, Traffic C, Auto accident on patrol
December 20, 1967 Ptl Robert Harris, HAPD, Shot- gun arrest
December 20, 1971 Ptl Carson Terry, HAPD-SI, Shot- off duty arrest
December 20, 1976 PO Carlos King, TPD-2, Shot- off duty robbery
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
BRIDGE PRECINCTS
On May 24, 1883, the first bridge crossing the East River was opened. At first it was known as the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, later just as the Brooklyn Bridge.
When the Brooklyn Bridge was opened it had its own police force, 25 men under the command of a Captain. The policemen wore no uniform, they patrolled in civilian clothes with their shields pined on their breast.
One week after the Brooklyn Bridge was opened was Decoration Day (Memorial Day) May 31, 1883. On this holiday thousands of Brooklynites and Manhattanites were enjoying a stroll on the pedestrian walkway of the bridge. Suddenly a woman fell after she had lost her footing while descending a stairway. A bridge policeman in civilian clothes helped the woman and half-carried her to one side and down the rest of the stairway. Another woman who though that the woman was being molested screamed, someone else in the throng called out that the bridge was falling, the strollers now became a panic stricken mob fighting to get off the bridge. Before order was restored 12 people including a little boy were trampled to death, scores of other strollers were injured.
The next day, June 1, 1883, The New York Times was very critical of the Bridge Police Force and quoted the Commission of the City of Brooklyn Police as saying that the Bridge Police should come under the control of the regular police. On July 9, 1883, at a meeting of the Trustees of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, counsel advised the board it only held the authority to appoint bridge policemen. So for the next fifteen years the Brooklyn Bridge police force was separate from both the Brooklyn and New York City police department.
The Brooklyn Bridge Police Force was increased in number to about 100 men, became uniformed and well trained. This all ended on Jan. 1, 1898, when Greater New York was formed and all the police forces in the city were brought into the New York City Police Department.
At first the Brooklyn Bridge was known as the 4th Precinct, later as other bridges were constructed over the East River, various other designations were used until 1929 when all the East Rive bridges became Traffic Precinct L. The bridge police were part of the Traffic Division and had responsibility for the control of traffic on the bridges and the approaches to the bridges.
(Thanks to Ret. Det1 John Reilly for this departmental historical info.)
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING: JUNE 1956
What was going on around the department in June 1956?
A review of the department�s journal, SPRING 3100, is always a good way to take a look back and see �what was going on�.
Stephen P. Kennedy was the Police Commissioner, and James R. Kennedy was the First Deputy Commissoner. The Chief of Department was still known as the Chief Inspector (it was Thomas Nielson � not another Kennedy!).
The Journal-American Award was bestowed on a �Hero Detective�, Robert F. Turner of the 16th Squad. (Just where was the 16th Squad located, John Reilly?)
At the time a patrolman, Turner was assigned to the 30 Precinct when he spotted a man breaking into a parked auto. Attempting to stop him, the thief took off, with Turner in foot pursuit, when the thief turned on him with a gun. Aiming at the officer, the gun misfired, and the pursuit continued. Turner commandeered a passing car (sounds like he would have made a good Transit cop) and caught up to the fleeing felon; again turning on the officer and taking aim for a third time, but this time before he could pull the trigger the officer fired his own weapon killing the bandit. As a result of the episode, Turner was assigned to the Detective Division.
All in the Days Work entries include several other noted actions by gumshoes. Four teenagers in a stolen car were caught by Detectives Findlay and Augello of the 94 Squad after a bullet-punctuated chase through Greenpoint� Sgt Vincent Chisari, then of the 60 Pct, on his way to play golf decided to drive by the shop where his father worked because on the past six Friday�s workers had been held up for their paychecks. On this, the seventh Friday, his hunch proved correct; he spotted three men waiting in a nearby car, investigated, found all three to be armed and made the arrests. They were also in a stolen car. Sgt. Chisari was transferred to the Detective Division for his good actions� Two young bandits stuck up a hosiery shop, and Detective�s John Mullins and Joseph Begley of the Manhattan West Burglary Sqd grabbed them after a short pursuit� Fourteen detectives from Borough HQ Bronx sprung a trap for a quartet of kidnappers-robbers and grabbed them in the act as they tried to make off with a payroll and the bookkeeper�
Some Brooklyn East Detective Commander�s saw some action one Sunday morning. �Returning from early Mass, and passing a cabaret, Deputy Chief Inspector William Kimmins of Bklyn East Detectives, Lt. William Palmer of the 79 Squad and Acting Lt. Thomas McGuire of the 87 Squad became aware of a balky man being ejected from a cabaret�. They went to assist, identifying themselves, and the man left only to return with a paper bag �threatening to shoot the cabaret proprietor�. DCI Kimmins grappled with the perp, the man drew a meat cleaver and slashed him over the eye. Act. Lt. McGuire hit the man with his revolver and Lt. Palmer disarmed and subdued him. The Deputy Chief suffered ten stitches from his wounds. Another quiet Sunday morning in Brooklyn� While Brooklyn East sleuths were grappling with a cabaret smasher, over on the East Side of Manhattan Detective�s from Safe, Loft and Truck Squad followed and captured a man affectionately known as �Moishe Pickles� for a lower east side murder.
What I found very interesting was a small blurb that was included under a photo in a corner of the line organizations page. It was noted here that Governor Harriman had just signed a 40-hour work week bill, after the PBA�s long campaign for a 40-hour 5-day week. PBA President John Carton was pictured with the Governor. You would have thought this was entitled to a much larger mention than that.
In the Study Hall section, for MOS (actually, at that time they were referred to as MOF for Member of the Force, before it became politically incorrect to use the term Force as in Police Force) the derivation of the �124 Room� can be discovered. It is noted that the Rules & regulations number 124 states that �the Precinct Commander may assign a Patrolman to assist the desk officer if conditions require it�. That was the origin of the term �124 man� who worked out of the clerical office, which was known as the �124 Room�.
Remember, Everyday you Learn Something New!
INTERESTING WEB SITE: FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS
Thanks to Ret. Det Al Meller who wants to pass along this information on forensic investigations.
The January 2005 issue of Forensic Science Communications has been posted onthe FBI web site. Forensic Science Communications is a quarterly journalpublished by FBI Laboratory personnel. To link to the current issue, please click on:
www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/current/index.htm
YOUR ASSISTANCE IS REQUESTED: 10-13
We are asking for help to keep another cop killer in jail.
The family of PO Bobby Sorrentino, who was killed in the line of duty in 1980, is seeking help to ensure that one of his killers does not get out on parole.
PO Sorrentino was murdered in 1980. Of the four men sentenced for killing him, three have since died in prison, but the fourth, Russell Carrol, is having his parole hearing in February 2005, after serving the minimum part of his sentence.
There is an online petition readers can sign to help keep this cop killer in jail:
http://www.gopetition.com/online/5454.html.
You can also go to the NYPDangels website and get sample letters and addresses to send through conventional mail.
www.NYPDAngels.com
Please take a moment and help out!
BROOKLYN�S NOTORIOUS: THE LEAKING ALIBI
The alibi has always been essential to mob life. The day after Al Capen�es men pulled off the St. Valentine�s Day massacre, the bloodiest hit in mob history, Capone was quoted as saying �What do I know? I was in Florida�.
One favorite alibi was delivered by gangster Lucky Luciano, after the police asked him if he had anything to do with the slaying of Joe �The Boss� Masseria. It was a reasonable question since Luciano was dining with Joe when he was blown away.
Well, not exactly, claimed Lucky. �I was in the can taking a leak�, he told cops. �I always take a long leak�.
Luciano and Joe the Boss had been eating with Masseria at Nuova Villa Tammaro, at 2715 West 15 Street in Coney Island. At the time Masseria was the biggest mobster in the city, a bootlegger who drove a steel-plated bulletproof limo.
Joe needed all the protection he could get. In 1922, a gunman chased Joe into a flower shop at 82 Second Avenue and fired three shots, each one missing Joe as he tiptoed through the tulips. He emerged from the shooting with two holes in his straw hat (of course he was wearing a hat!) and a reputation for dodging bullets.
Luciano was not happy being Joe�s assistant, especially since he considered Masseria to be an idiot. He didn�t think it was right for Italian mobsters to mix with Jews or to bribe politicians, acts he considered to be �sleeping with the enemy�.
Luciano invited Joe for lunch at Nuova Villa Tammaro on April 15, 1931. The men ordered the rub-out special � fish and pasta � and drank Chianti. They played cards after the meal, while the restaurant�s owner decided it was time to take a walk.
This should be a tell-tale sign. If you�re ever in an Italian restaurant when the owner and staff suddenly seem to disappear, it�s probably not a good thing!
At 3:30 pm, Lucky said he had to go to the bathroom. In the next instant four gunman armed with machine guns appeared � Joe Adonis, Vito Genovese, Albert Anastasia, and Bugsy Siegel. They began firing at Joe�s back. Joe the Boss was left, according to a local newspaper, �with five bullets in his back and an ace of diamonds in his hand�.
All this while Luciano was taking a long leak.
Nuova Villa Tammaro is no longer a restaurant, but the original exterior has been preserved on the modern-day factory that now occupies the site.
THE POLICE CAMP
I have mentioned previously on this site about the Police Recreation Centre, commonly known as the Police Camp, that this department operated upstate in Tannersville, NY for its members.
Providing a very reasonably priced vacation in the mountains, it was filled with department members � and their family � comprising all ranks. If you grew up in the 60�s or early 70�s, and you came from an NYPD family, you probably spent at least one week there. Others of us regularly spent a week � or two � each summer.
You�d meet people you hadn�t seen for a year, spend a week in the country, and probably not see them again for another year. But it filled many people with extremely fond memories. For example, I recall meeting Frank Bolz (noted contributor to this site, and one of the founders of the Hostage Negotiation Team) when I was a very young tyke and he was a Sergeant in the 79 Precinct � and the Steuben president. I recall spending a week covering every piece of space we could find with a Steuben sticker or stamp!
I am in the process of writing some more on the Police Camp, and am seeking contributions from any readers of this site who can pass on their memories.
I will never forget the feeling of turning into the road that led to the hotel, off the country road, and seeing the large statue that graced the entrance � the very same statue of the policeman holding a flag with his arm around the young boy that is now at the entrance to 1PP. I will never listen to the song �Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer�� without thinking about the Police Camp � it seems it was always playing on the hotel�s loudspeaker, and was an indication that summer was here, you were at the Police Camp. I was too young to understand, but learned later on, why people around always seemed to chuckle or guffaw when an announcement would come over the loudspeaker asking �Sidney Cooper, please come to the lobby for a phone call.� Johnny K and Timmy Duffy would have had a ball here!
REMEMBER� TO CONTACT THE MINISTER OF INVESTIGATION
You can send me an e-mail at:
Ltjac77@yahoo.com
YET ANOTHER DETECTIVE TIP�
Don�t Ever Assume.
Just because the person you are looking for is Jamaican, and you hear he is out of the country, don�t assume he went to Jamaica. He may like the beaches of Puerto Rico better (yes, people consider Puerto Rico �out of the country�). And when they say he went �upstate�, try to get a better idea of what that means. Upstate to some may mean Maine.
On May 24, 1883, the first bridge crossing the East River was opened. At first it was known as the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, later just as the Brooklyn Bridge.
When the Brooklyn Bridge was opened it had its own police force, 25 men under the command of a Captain. The policemen wore no uniform, they patrolled in civilian clothes with their shields pined on their breast.
One week after the Brooklyn Bridge was opened was Decoration Day (Memorial Day) May 31, 1883. On this holiday thousands of Brooklynites and Manhattanites were enjoying a stroll on the pedestrian walkway of the bridge. Suddenly a woman fell after she had lost her footing while descending a stairway. A bridge policeman in civilian clothes helped the woman and half-carried her to one side and down the rest of the stairway. Another woman who though that the woman was being molested screamed, someone else in the throng called out that the bridge was falling, the strollers now became a panic stricken mob fighting to get off the bridge. Before order was restored 12 people including a little boy were trampled to death, scores of other strollers were injured.
The next day, June 1, 1883, The New York Times was very critical of the Bridge Police Force and quoted the Commission of the City of Brooklyn Police as saying that the Bridge Police should come under the control of the regular police. On July 9, 1883, at a meeting of the Trustees of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, counsel advised the board it only held the authority to appoint bridge policemen. So for the next fifteen years the Brooklyn Bridge police force was separate from both the Brooklyn and New York City police department.
The Brooklyn Bridge Police Force was increased in number to about 100 men, became uniformed and well trained. This all ended on Jan. 1, 1898, when Greater New York was formed and all the police forces in the city were brought into the New York City Police Department.
At first the Brooklyn Bridge was known as the 4th Precinct, later as other bridges were constructed over the East River, various other designations were used until 1929 when all the East Rive bridges became Traffic Precinct L. The bridge police were part of the Traffic Division and had responsibility for the control of traffic on the bridges and the approaches to the bridges.
(Thanks to Ret. Det1 John Reilly for this departmental historical info.)
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING: JUNE 1956
What was going on around the department in June 1956?
A review of the department�s journal, SPRING 3100, is always a good way to take a look back and see �what was going on�.
Stephen P. Kennedy was the Police Commissioner, and James R. Kennedy was the First Deputy Commissoner. The Chief of Department was still known as the Chief Inspector (it was Thomas Nielson � not another Kennedy!).
The Journal-American Award was bestowed on a �Hero Detective�, Robert F. Turner of the 16th Squad. (Just where was the 16th Squad located, John Reilly?)
At the time a patrolman, Turner was assigned to the 30 Precinct when he spotted a man breaking into a parked auto. Attempting to stop him, the thief took off, with Turner in foot pursuit, when the thief turned on him with a gun. Aiming at the officer, the gun misfired, and the pursuit continued. Turner commandeered a passing car (sounds like he would have made a good Transit cop) and caught up to the fleeing felon; again turning on the officer and taking aim for a third time, but this time before he could pull the trigger the officer fired his own weapon killing the bandit. As a result of the episode, Turner was assigned to the Detective Division.
All in the Days Work entries include several other noted actions by gumshoes. Four teenagers in a stolen car were caught by Detectives Findlay and Augello of the 94 Squad after a bullet-punctuated chase through Greenpoint� Sgt Vincent Chisari, then of the 60 Pct, on his way to play golf decided to drive by the shop where his father worked because on the past six Friday�s workers had been held up for their paychecks. On this, the seventh Friday, his hunch proved correct; he spotted three men waiting in a nearby car, investigated, found all three to be armed and made the arrests. They were also in a stolen car. Sgt. Chisari was transferred to the Detective Division for his good actions� Two young bandits stuck up a hosiery shop, and Detective�s John Mullins and Joseph Begley of the Manhattan West Burglary Sqd grabbed them after a short pursuit� Fourteen detectives from Borough HQ Bronx sprung a trap for a quartet of kidnappers-robbers and grabbed them in the act as they tried to make off with a payroll and the bookkeeper�
Some Brooklyn East Detective Commander�s saw some action one Sunday morning. �Returning from early Mass, and passing a cabaret, Deputy Chief Inspector William Kimmins of Bklyn East Detectives, Lt. William Palmer of the 79 Squad and Acting Lt. Thomas McGuire of the 87 Squad became aware of a balky man being ejected from a cabaret�. They went to assist, identifying themselves, and the man left only to return with a paper bag �threatening to shoot the cabaret proprietor�. DCI Kimmins grappled with the perp, the man drew a meat cleaver and slashed him over the eye. Act. Lt. McGuire hit the man with his revolver and Lt. Palmer disarmed and subdued him. The Deputy Chief suffered ten stitches from his wounds. Another quiet Sunday morning in Brooklyn� While Brooklyn East sleuths were grappling with a cabaret smasher, over on the East Side of Manhattan Detective�s from Safe, Loft and Truck Squad followed and captured a man affectionately known as �Moishe Pickles� for a lower east side murder.
What I found very interesting was a small blurb that was included under a photo in a corner of the line organizations page. It was noted here that Governor Harriman had just signed a 40-hour work week bill, after the PBA�s long campaign for a 40-hour 5-day week. PBA President John Carton was pictured with the Governor. You would have thought this was entitled to a much larger mention than that.
In the Study Hall section, for MOS (actually, at that time they were referred to as MOF for Member of the Force, before it became politically incorrect to use the term Force as in Police Force) the derivation of the �124 Room� can be discovered. It is noted that the Rules & regulations number 124 states that �the Precinct Commander may assign a Patrolman to assist the desk officer if conditions require it�. That was the origin of the term �124 man� who worked out of the clerical office, which was known as the �124 Room�.
Remember, Everyday you Learn Something New!
INTERESTING WEB SITE: FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS
Thanks to Ret. Det Al Meller who wants to pass along this information on forensic investigations.
The January 2005 issue of Forensic Science Communications has been posted onthe FBI web site. Forensic Science Communications is a quarterly journalpublished by FBI Laboratory personnel. To link to the current issue, please click on:
www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/current/index.htm
YOUR ASSISTANCE IS REQUESTED: 10-13
We are asking for help to keep another cop killer in jail.
The family of PO Bobby Sorrentino, who was killed in the line of duty in 1980, is seeking help to ensure that one of his killers does not get out on parole.
PO Sorrentino was murdered in 1980. Of the four men sentenced for killing him, three have since died in prison, but the fourth, Russell Carrol, is having his parole hearing in February 2005, after serving the minimum part of his sentence.
There is an online petition readers can sign to help keep this cop killer in jail:
http://www.gopetition.com/online/5454.html.
You can also go to the NYPDangels website and get sample letters and addresses to send through conventional mail.
www.NYPDAngels.com
Please take a moment and help out!
BROOKLYN�S NOTORIOUS: THE LEAKING ALIBI
The alibi has always been essential to mob life. The day after Al Capen�es men pulled off the St. Valentine�s Day massacre, the bloodiest hit in mob history, Capone was quoted as saying �What do I know? I was in Florida�.
One favorite alibi was delivered by gangster Lucky Luciano, after the police asked him if he had anything to do with the slaying of Joe �The Boss� Masseria. It was a reasonable question since Luciano was dining with Joe when he was blown away.
Well, not exactly, claimed Lucky. �I was in the can taking a leak�, he told cops. �I always take a long leak�.
Luciano and Joe the Boss had been eating with Masseria at Nuova Villa Tammaro, at 2715 West 15 Street in Coney Island. At the time Masseria was the biggest mobster in the city, a bootlegger who drove a steel-plated bulletproof limo.
Joe needed all the protection he could get. In 1922, a gunman chased Joe into a flower shop at 82 Second Avenue and fired three shots, each one missing Joe as he tiptoed through the tulips. He emerged from the shooting with two holes in his straw hat (of course he was wearing a hat!) and a reputation for dodging bullets.
Luciano was not happy being Joe�s assistant, especially since he considered Masseria to be an idiot. He didn�t think it was right for Italian mobsters to mix with Jews or to bribe politicians, acts he considered to be �sleeping with the enemy�.
Luciano invited Joe for lunch at Nuova Villa Tammaro on April 15, 1931. The men ordered the rub-out special � fish and pasta � and drank Chianti. They played cards after the meal, while the restaurant�s owner decided it was time to take a walk.
This should be a tell-tale sign. If you�re ever in an Italian restaurant when the owner and staff suddenly seem to disappear, it�s probably not a good thing!
At 3:30 pm, Lucky said he had to go to the bathroom. In the next instant four gunman armed with machine guns appeared � Joe Adonis, Vito Genovese, Albert Anastasia, and Bugsy Siegel. They began firing at Joe�s back. Joe the Boss was left, according to a local newspaper, �with five bullets in his back and an ace of diamonds in his hand�.
All this while Luciano was taking a long leak.
Nuova Villa Tammaro is no longer a restaurant, but the original exterior has been preserved on the modern-day factory that now occupies the site.
THE POLICE CAMP
I have mentioned previously on this site about the Police Recreation Centre, commonly known as the Police Camp, that this department operated upstate in Tannersville, NY for its members.
Providing a very reasonably priced vacation in the mountains, it was filled with department members � and their family � comprising all ranks. If you grew up in the 60�s or early 70�s, and you came from an NYPD family, you probably spent at least one week there. Others of us regularly spent a week � or two � each summer.
You�d meet people you hadn�t seen for a year, spend a week in the country, and probably not see them again for another year. But it filled many people with extremely fond memories. For example, I recall meeting Frank Bolz (noted contributor to this site, and one of the founders of the Hostage Negotiation Team) when I was a very young tyke and he was a Sergeant in the 79 Precinct � and the Steuben president. I recall spending a week covering every piece of space we could find with a Steuben sticker or stamp!
I am in the process of writing some more on the Police Camp, and am seeking contributions from any readers of this site who can pass on their memories.
I will never forget the feeling of turning into the road that led to the hotel, off the country road, and seeing the large statue that graced the entrance � the very same statue of the policeman holding a flag with his arm around the young boy that is now at the entrance to 1PP. I will never listen to the song �Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer�� without thinking about the Police Camp � it seems it was always playing on the hotel�s loudspeaker, and was an indication that summer was here, you were at the Police Camp. I was too young to understand, but learned later on, why people around always seemed to chuckle or guffaw when an announcement would come over the loudspeaker asking �Sidney Cooper, please come to the lobby for a phone call.� Johnny K and Timmy Duffy would have had a ball here!
REMEMBER� TO CONTACT THE MINISTER OF INVESTIGATION
You can send me an e-mail at:
Ltjac77@yahoo.com
YET ANOTHER DETECTIVE TIP�
Don�t Ever Assume.
Just because the person you are looking for is Jamaican, and you hear he is out of the country, don�t assume he went to Jamaica. He may like the beaches of Puerto Rico better (yes, people consider Puerto Rico �out of the country�). And when they say he went �upstate�, try to get a better idea of what that means. Upstate to some may mean Maine.
Monday, December 06, 2004
EVERYDAY YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW
These were the words that were spoken by a well-respected Sergeant I worked for in the Transit Robbery Squad. Freddie Crockett used to speak these words several times a week, maybe even once a day. �Everyday you learn something new�.
The first time I heard him say it, it must have been one day in 1988, and perhaps that was my learning lesson of the day. I�ve found myself thinking about these words lately. What do you really learn new everyday?
I recall the day I learned that a sleeping prisoner is most likely a guilty prisoner. Early on in my career this had been brought to my attention. You make a collar, put the prisoner in the cell, and leave him alone for a while. The sleep of the guilty, while not something you bring into court, is probably as useful as a polygraph. What innocent person would fall asleep on a cell bench? One day, reading a NY TIMES story on a Brooklyn South Homicide team, I actually found out that there was a scientific basis for this. The release of certain enzymes in the body of a person who has been hiding, or fleeing, and now can take a �relaxed� state, will cause the person to fall asleep. The sleep of the guilty is actually based on a true biological event. You learn something new everyday.
As a young detective I learned that you can�t underestimate the criminal mind. I recall conducting a lineup for an armed robbery with a perp that was incarcerated at Rikers, and was released on a Take-Out order for the lineup. Working out of the Robbery Squad at Gold Street, we went around the corner to the projects looking for �fillers�. At that time we in Transit Robbery were paying $10 a filler while the other PD detectives were paying $5, so our unmarked van was a calling card for lineup fillers. At the completion of the lineup one of the fillers asked if he could give the subject of the lineup a pack of cigarettes before his return to Rikers. Why not? The fillers were paid, and left out of the building, when Tommy McGurl, one of the best detectives I�ve ever worked with, heard about the cigarette request. Taking the pack from my hand, before giving it over to the perp, he opened it up, removed the cellophane, and found a razor blade secreted inside. We made a mad dash for the street, grabbed the unmarked van, and found the fillers walking back to the projects. �How about another lineup� brought them all running for the van and an expected additional $10 payment. �Only one of you this time�, as we grabbed the offending contraband promoter. One ID in a robbery lineup; one pickup arrest for Promoting Prison Contraband. Everyday you learn something new.
Freddie Crockett was a true gentleman, and an Irishman through and through. He was the bandmaster for the Transit Pipes and Drums, and for some internal squabble made it clear that it was the Transit Police Pipes and Drums and NOT the Emerald Society�s. Anyway, Freddie put his heart and soul into this band, making practice plans, scheduling engagements, and working to recruit new members. He played second-whip in the Robbery Squad, to Tommy Burke who had commanded the squad himself for some time. Freddie and Tommy had been detectives together, but it was Tommy�s squad. Which was just fine for Freddie; he had the band to run. I never met anyone who knew more people than Freddie. He was on a first name basis with Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, and countless number of politicians. In a quiet way he got things done. One day I learned that he didn�t always work behind the scenes.
Freddie earned a lot of points as a cop in many peoples minds one night, out on a stakeout on Fulton Street in the 75. Subway token booths along the �J� line had been the target of a pattern of armed robberies one summer. I had just returned from a weeks vacation when I learned that a stakeout of booths along Fulton Street on the elevated J line had been started. Uniformed Pos were strategically fixed, leaving 3 booths visibly uncovered, but staked out by a team of two detectives in the station and two backups in a car in the street below. I drew the Cleveland Street station with my partner Jerry Lyons; Sergeant Freddie Crockett and Detective Glenn Davidson were our backups in the street. My first night back from vacation, they had been conducting these stakeouts for six days straight already without any nibbles. Sure enough, right at the witching hour, our booth was getting robbed. Gun in the window, door opened, money taken, and a peck on the cheek of the female clerk by the gun toting thief before fleeing the station. Jerry and I exited, confronted the perps on the street stairs, and shots were fired. One of the perps dropped there, the second continued running. Many more shots rung out on the street. It was Freddie and Glenn, coming to our aid. Freddie �let a couple of rounds go�; turns out he emptied his revolver coming to the aid of �his boys�. �I had to watch out for my boys� is what I believe he said. An excellent interview by Tommy McGurl, a perp found at Jamaica Hospital (the kissing thief) and two more collars from the scene, and the pattern thiefs went away for a few years. Freddie Crockett earned his stripes that night. He wasn�t all pipe band and banter, Freddie was a cop�s cop. You learn something new everyday.
After the merger of Transit with NYPD Freddie moved to a Brooklyn South squad as first the second-whip, later commanding the 62 Squad, and eventually finishing his career in the Intelligence Division with the Gang Squad. He�s happily retired, spending his time with this family. He travels, to Ireland of course, and continues active involvement with the FOP�s Pipe and Drum band.
I love Freddie Crockett. He�s absolutely right; You learn something new everyday. Sometimes it�s something big, sometimes something trivial. But learn all the same.
INTERESTING WEB SITE: NYPD EMERALDS
Take a moment and check out the completely re-done NYPD Emerald�s web site.
The web master, Tom Sullivan, is a former Emerald Society Board Officer and a Retired Sergeant from ESS6, who has put together an excellent site for �everything emerald�. Loaded with photos and stories about the Society. Check it out!
www.nypdemeralds.com
MORE ON THE NINTH
It�s been brought to my attention that you can't mention the 9th pct or the 9th squad without mentioning "Cal's", the bar just to the west of the building.
This is one of the few bars that required that you step down 5 steps to get to the front door. A great Detective once said that you should only drink in bars that had to throw you up the stairs when they threw you out. That way it would hurt less, I guess.
INTERESTING WEB SITE
Police Badge Network � Collection of police memorabilia.
http://www.badgesource.com/pbn/bunko.htm
THE REAL MEANING OF INTELLIGENCE
Nothing takes the place of a detective�s memory when it comes to a source for �Intelligence�.
No database can perform the task. No specialized unit performs the task. The memory of a detective, who passes it on, is irreplaceable.
Think about it. How many times has a case taken a turn based on an inquiry from a detective who read an article in a newspaper? Or who heard about an incident from an adjoining command?
I can remember taking a phone call from a retired detective who saw a sketch in a newspaper that reminded him of a perp from a similar incident he arrested several years earlier. Accurate memory! It resulted in an arrest!
I guess the lesson to learn here is twofold. One, if you happen to get a �hunch� or think something upon hearing of an incident, DON�T assume it�s already being looked at. Make a phone call, and pass it on.
And, more importantly, if you happen to take that phone call, DON�T treat the caller as if he/she is some kind of �crackpot old retired dude with nothing better to do�. Chances are it�s better than any intelligence you�ve gotten from the so-called intelligence gathering people!
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
December 2, 1873 Ptl Edward Burns, 8Pct, Arrest � assaulted
December 2, 1994 PO Raymond Cannon Jr, 69 Pct, Shot-robbery
December 3, 1922 Ptl John Kennedy, 123 Pct, LOD injury
December 3, 1934 Ptl John Monahan, 14Div, Shot-arrest
December 3, 1954 Ptl Joseph Norden, 105 Pct, Shot by EDP
December 3, 1973 PO Vincent Connolly, Bomb Sq, Auto accident
December 4, 1923 Ptl Alfred Van Clieff, 63 Pct, Motorcycle accident
December 5, 1876 Ptl Patrick McKeon, BklynCentOffice Dets, Fire Rescue
December 6, 1903 Ptl Frank Redican, 1 Pct, Fire Rescue
December 6, 1941 Ptl Thomas Casey, 17 Pct, Shot-robbery pursuit
December 7, 1937 Ptl Edward Lynch, 20 Pct, Shot-burglary in progress
December 7, 1971 Det Harold Marshall, HAPD-Bklyn, Shot-off duty arrest
December 8, 1924 Ptl Joseph Pelosi, 60 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
December 8, 1932 Ptl Michael Moroso, 23 Pct, Shot by sniper
December 8, 1942 Det Joseph Miccio, 78 Sq, Shot-investigation
December 8, 1946 Ptl Edward McAuliff, 18 Sqd, LOD injury
December 9, 1932 Ptl John Grattan, McyUnit, motorcycle accident
December 10, 1929 Ptl Philip Morrissey, 85 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
These were the words that were spoken by a well-respected Sergeant I worked for in the Transit Robbery Squad. Freddie Crockett used to speak these words several times a week, maybe even once a day. �Everyday you learn something new�.
The first time I heard him say it, it must have been one day in 1988, and perhaps that was my learning lesson of the day. I�ve found myself thinking about these words lately. What do you really learn new everyday?
I recall the day I learned that a sleeping prisoner is most likely a guilty prisoner. Early on in my career this had been brought to my attention. You make a collar, put the prisoner in the cell, and leave him alone for a while. The sleep of the guilty, while not something you bring into court, is probably as useful as a polygraph. What innocent person would fall asleep on a cell bench? One day, reading a NY TIMES story on a Brooklyn South Homicide team, I actually found out that there was a scientific basis for this. The release of certain enzymes in the body of a person who has been hiding, or fleeing, and now can take a �relaxed� state, will cause the person to fall asleep. The sleep of the guilty is actually based on a true biological event. You learn something new everyday.
As a young detective I learned that you can�t underestimate the criminal mind. I recall conducting a lineup for an armed robbery with a perp that was incarcerated at Rikers, and was released on a Take-Out order for the lineup. Working out of the Robbery Squad at Gold Street, we went around the corner to the projects looking for �fillers�. At that time we in Transit Robbery were paying $10 a filler while the other PD detectives were paying $5, so our unmarked van was a calling card for lineup fillers. At the completion of the lineup one of the fillers asked if he could give the subject of the lineup a pack of cigarettes before his return to Rikers. Why not? The fillers were paid, and left out of the building, when Tommy McGurl, one of the best detectives I�ve ever worked with, heard about the cigarette request. Taking the pack from my hand, before giving it over to the perp, he opened it up, removed the cellophane, and found a razor blade secreted inside. We made a mad dash for the street, grabbed the unmarked van, and found the fillers walking back to the projects. �How about another lineup� brought them all running for the van and an expected additional $10 payment. �Only one of you this time�, as we grabbed the offending contraband promoter. One ID in a robbery lineup; one pickup arrest for Promoting Prison Contraband. Everyday you learn something new.
Freddie Crockett was a true gentleman, and an Irishman through and through. He was the bandmaster for the Transit Pipes and Drums, and for some internal squabble made it clear that it was the Transit Police Pipes and Drums and NOT the Emerald Society�s. Anyway, Freddie put his heart and soul into this band, making practice plans, scheduling engagements, and working to recruit new members. He played second-whip in the Robbery Squad, to Tommy Burke who had commanded the squad himself for some time. Freddie and Tommy had been detectives together, but it was Tommy�s squad. Which was just fine for Freddie; he had the band to run. I never met anyone who knew more people than Freddie. He was on a first name basis with Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, and countless number of politicians. In a quiet way he got things done. One day I learned that he didn�t always work behind the scenes.
Freddie earned a lot of points as a cop in many peoples minds one night, out on a stakeout on Fulton Street in the 75. Subway token booths along the �J� line had been the target of a pattern of armed robberies one summer. I had just returned from a weeks vacation when I learned that a stakeout of booths along Fulton Street on the elevated J line had been started. Uniformed Pos were strategically fixed, leaving 3 booths visibly uncovered, but staked out by a team of two detectives in the station and two backups in a car in the street below. I drew the Cleveland Street station with my partner Jerry Lyons; Sergeant Freddie Crockett and Detective Glenn Davidson were our backups in the street. My first night back from vacation, they had been conducting these stakeouts for six days straight already without any nibbles. Sure enough, right at the witching hour, our booth was getting robbed. Gun in the window, door opened, money taken, and a peck on the cheek of the female clerk by the gun toting thief before fleeing the station. Jerry and I exited, confronted the perps on the street stairs, and shots were fired. One of the perps dropped there, the second continued running. Many more shots rung out on the street. It was Freddie and Glenn, coming to our aid. Freddie �let a couple of rounds go�; turns out he emptied his revolver coming to the aid of �his boys�. �I had to watch out for my boys� is what I believe he said. An excellent interview by Tommy McGurl, a perp found at Jamaica Hospital (the kissing thief) and two more collars from the scene, and the pattern thiefs went away for a few years. Freddie Crockett earned his stripes that night. He wasn�t all pipe band and banter, Freddie was a cop�s cop. You learn something new everyday.
After the merger of Transit with NYPD Freddie moved to a Brooklyn South squad as first the second-whip, later commanding the 62 Squad, and eventually finishing his career in the Intelligence Division with the Gang Squad. He�s happily retired, spending his time with this family. He travels, to Ireland of course, and continues active involvement with the FOP�s Pipe and Drum band.
I love Freddie Crockett. He�s absolutely right; You learn something new everyday. Sometimes it�s something big, sometimes something trivial. But learn all the same.
INTERESTING WEB SITE: NYPD EMERALDS
Take a moment and check out the completely re-done NYPD Emerald�s web site.
The web master, Tom Sullivan, is a former Emerald Society Board Officer and a Retired Sergeant from ESS6, who has put together an excellent site for �everything emerald�. Loaded with photos and stories about the Society. Check it out!
www.nypdemeralds.com
MORE ON THE NINTH
It�s been brought to my attention that you can't mention the 9th pct or the 9th squad without mentioning "Cal's", the bar just to the west of the building.
This is one of the few bars that required that you step down 5 steps to get to the front door. A great Detective once said that you should only drink in bars that had to throw you up the stairs when they threw you out. That way it would hurt less, I guess.
INTERESTING WEB SITE
Police Badge Network � Collection of police memorabilia.
http://www.badgesource.com/pbn/bunko.htm
THE REAL MEANING OF INTELLIGENCE
Nothing takes the place of a detective�s memory when it comes to a source for �Intelligence�.
No database can perform the task. No specialized unit performs the task. The memory of a detective, who passes it on, is irreplaceable.
Think about it. How many times has a case taken a turn based on an inquiry from a detective who read an article in a newspaper? Or who heard about an incident from an adjoining command?
I can remember taking a phone call from a retired detective who saw a sketch in a newspaper that reminded him of a perp from a similar incident he arrested several years earlier. Accurate memory! It resulted in an arrest!
I guess the lesson to learn here is twofold. One, if you happen to get a �hunch� or think something upon hearing of an incident, DON�T assume it�s already being looked at. Make a phone call, and pass it on.
And, more importantly, if you happen to take that phone call, DON�T treat the caller as if he/she is some kind of �crackpot old retired dude with nothing better to do�. Chances are it�s better than any intelligence you�ve gotten from the so-called intelligence gathering people!
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
December 2, 1873 Ptl Edward Burns, 8Pct, Arrest � assaulted
December 2, 1994 PO Raymond Cannon Jr, 69 Pct, Shot-robbery
December 3, 1922 Ptl John Kennedy, 123 Pct, LOD injury
December 3, 1934 Ptl John Monahan, 14Div, Shot-arrest
December 3, 1954 Ptl Joseph Norden, 105 Pct, Shot by EDP
December 3, 1973 PO Vincent Connolly, Bomb Sq, Auto accident
December 4, 1923 Ptl Alfred Van Clieff, 63 Pct, Motorcycle accident
December 5, 1876 Ptl Patrick McKeon, BklynCentOffice Dets, Fire Rescue
December 6, 1903 Ptl Frank Redican, 1 Pct, Fire Rescue
December 6, 1941 Ptl Thomas Casey, 17 Pct, Shot-robbery pursuit
December 7, 1937 Ptl Edward Lynch, 20 Pct, Shot-burglary in progress
December 7, 1971 Det Harold Marshall, HAPD-Bklyn, Shot-off duty arrest
December 8, 1924 Ptl Joseph Pelosi, 60 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
December 8, 1932 Ptl Michael Moroso, 23 Pct, Shot by sniper
December 8, 1942 Det Joseph Miccio, 78 Sq, Shot-investigation
December 8, 1946 Ptl Edward McAuliff, 18 Sqd, LOD injury
December 9, 1932 Ptl John Grattan, McyUnit, motorcycle accident
December 10, 1929 Ptl Philip Morrissey, 85 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
