�Things are not always as they appear to be. Keep an open mind, conduct a thorough investigation, and remember that teamwork is essential�.
Vernon Geberth, Practical Homicide Investigation

ANOTHER FRIEND WALKS OFF � LOUDLY

I am at a loss, and the department will sorely miss, as MARK POURIA has performed his last tour of duty for the NYPD. Mark has left us for retirement � albeit a forced one due to a medical condition � but way too soon nonetheless.

I will forever recall the good times and laughter we shared, with Mark working with me in the 77 Squad as my RAM Sergeant, helping me to ease into the role of the squad commander at the same time. While everyone who knows Mark affectionately refers to him with the apropos nickname, LOUD, I refer to him as my �brother� � more than just that of the co-worker, �brother officer� term, but the more heartwarming �brother� so few others share.

Mark most recently has been the mucilage that has helped keep the 75 Squad running smoothly, an asset and an aid to Paddy Johnston now, and Joe Ferrara before him. A true leader in every sense of the word.

Not that Mark didn�t know how to enjoy work.

Working with Mark would always assure you of two things � the work would get done in an extremely competent manner, and you�d have a good time getting there. Can anyone who has worked with Mark deny this?

When Mark learned of a growth on his heart some time ago, and that treatment would involve his use of blood thinners for the rest of his life, he realized that way too soon his NYPD career would come to an end. Too bad; there�s much more positive work coming out of Mark than over half the MOS around. To say that Mark will be missed does not say enough.

I just feel badly for all the people that will be affected by his departure � and his new found freedom of time, for as long as it lasts. Mark will surely become an excellent worker very soon for someone else � he can�t stay �retired� for long � but in the meantime he�s sure to take advantage of this free time.

I suggest Jimmy Leake stock up on food and drink in his bagel store, as Mark will surely become a more frequent visitor to our younger brother at his shop. The bagel staff at the nice little bagel shop next to Suffolk�s 1st Precinct will understand very clearly why Mark is known to most as simply �Loud�.

It was fitting that Mark, who started his career on patrol in the 75 Precinct, to perform his last tour of duty in the 75 Squad.

Missed: every day. Forgotten: never.

Be well and stay safe, my brother, and best wishes in your next career.


INTERESTING WEB SITES

Here�s an interesting site to check out.

http://www.oihweb.com/

This link is applicable for anyone who does online investigative or
Intelligence research.


FROM THE DEATH INVESTIGATORS NOTEBOOK

OVERKILL:

In some attacks, the level of violence is particularly pronounced.

Overkill is often seen with several categories of assailant: intimate relationship to deceased (spouse/significant other), stimulant drug use (cocaine, amphetamine, etc), and
psychological disorder (schizoid).

The concentrated attack to the face may suggest a form of depersonalization and/or a direct attack targeted at this specific individual and may suggest the victim was well known to the assailant.


ANOTHER STICKUP ARTIST TALE

I received this tidbit from a retired MOS who spent time in the 77 Squad as its squad commander, years back, and who is also a friend of Retired Det Captain Frank Bolz, a regular reader and contributor to this site.

Roger Zimmermann notes that he came onto the department in 1955, in the class after Frank Bolz. In addition he retired from the 77th Squad where he was its squad commander, and then ran a training facility attached to a community college where Frank and Harvey Schlossberg presented programs on Hostage Negotiations.

Here�s a little tidbit for another of those �You Can�t Make This Stuff Up� categories.

In the 77th Precinct, several years ago, there was a stickup man by the name of Bobby Jones.

His specialty was robbing gas stations.

He would give the attendant, when there were attendants, a note saying: "this is a hole up. gimme all your money." He would then sign the note, Bobby Jones.

In the detective squad at that time there was a Street Name file � handwritten index card type, way before computers. The gumshoes looked up his name, and sure enough, there he was.

Contacting him with a ruse to come into the squad office, he was asked to come in and when he did, he was asked if he would write a note for them. "Sure," he said, "I ain't got nothin' to hide."

He was asked to write: "this is a hold up, give me all your money." He complied writing "this is a hole up, gimme all your money," and, without being asked, he signed his name.

Tag, Bobby, you're it.


TIP ON REVERSE PHONE NUMBER INQUIRIES

You can conduct a basic reverse telephone number inquiry rather quickly, on your cell phone, through a recent service that Google has added.

Most telephones (other than those provided by the NYPD) can perform �Text Messaging�. This reverse phone search is conducted through a text-messaging message sent to Google at a special location established for this purpose.

Google has established a �short code: to provide this information.

This short-code, the location that you send the message �To�, is: 46645

Type in the �To� section this number: 46645

Then, in the �Message� section type in the phone number, including the area code and dashes, of the number you are seeking the reverse look-up. The phone number should look like this in the �message� section:

212-555-1234

You will receive, in a short time, the results of this reverse phone search. Keep in mind, though, that this search utilizes white pages and yellow page directories, and is NOT a web-based search.

Results may be limited to those phone numbers that are listed, however, it may be helpful to you.


NOTES ON FASHION

I received a nice response from Retired Det. Captain FRANK BOLZ after the last posting of this blog.

Frank commented on the fashionable detective piece, noting that there were definitely some problems with being a "fashionable detective" on the other side of the river, even back in the 60�s.

Brooklyn North gumshoe attire was always a sport jacket and slacks. After ripping the trousers of a good suit, even those with two pair of pants, most detectives retreated to inexpensive slacks, Those inexpensive slacks at that timer might have cost as much as $5.00 a pair! Nothing was sacred, even plaid pants were part of the wardrobe at times, but, he noted, they always wore the fedora.

It was Frank Bolz who noted in the past that when he was getting promoted to Detective he was told to �get a hat� before he went to see the Chief of Detectives. Of course, the �hat� referred to a classic fedora.

It was when Frank moved across the river to that island of Manhattan that he was exposed to they style of the Manhattan Sleuth. He noted that some Manhattan South Detectives even got manicures.

When Frank eventually got to be the 2nd -Second Whip (the one without the money) in the 17th Squad that he saw some pretty nice working conditions, a little different to what he had become used to in the Brooklyn North Detective commands.

After I mentioned referring to myself as an �Old Timer� Frank had to put me in my place, remarking how he must feel, one who was sworn in on December 31, 1954 � effective January 1, 1955, so that no one had to work on New Years Day. Retirement seems to be suiting Frank just well � something we all can look forward to in time.


FOLLOW UP TO THE FINNEGAN & FALLON CASE

A recent posting to this site noted an �In Memoriam� entry on the line of duty deaths of two detectives, on May 18, 1962, Det Luke Fallon & Det John Finnegan, both of the 70 Sqd, who were shot in a robbery.

Frank Bolz commented his recall as being a young Detective in the 81 Sqd, being on vacation, and responding "off duty" with about 90 to 100 other Off-Duty detectives to assist in the case.

Al Seedman, who would later rise to become Chief of Detectives, was the Detective Captain who was pictured in a local paper, after the arrest was made, holding Jerry Rosenberg, the killer, by the hair. Seedman caught hell for that, and was help up being promoted to DI.

There was no overtime pay in those days, though there was always a lot of "over time" on your cases until you made a collar.


MORE OF PHILIP MARLOWE�S GUIDE TO LIFE

Here are some more of the classic gumshoe Philip Marlowe�s insight on life. Marlowe is the quintessential American detective of hard-boiled detective novels, written by Raymond Chandler, and glorified in both writing and on the big screen.

On Women�s Clothing:

�She was wearing a white wool skirt, a burgundy silk blouse and a black velvet over-jacket with short sleeves. Her hair was hot sunset. She wore a golden topaz bracelet and topaz earrings and a topaz dinner ring in the shape of a shield. Her fingernails matched her blouse exactly. She looked as if it would take a couple of weeks to get her dressed.� (The Little Sister)

On Trouble:

�Terry Lennox made me plenty of trouble. But after all, that�s my line of work.� (The Long Goodbye)



TIPS ON RESTORING DRY CIGARS

Detectives have been known to smoke a few cigars in the past, as they have worn a fedora. Some things may change, evolve as it may, but I still know plenty of detectives who smoke cigars. (a lot fewer who still wear a fedora, but more on that later!)

Here�s some advice on restoring dry cigars.

One of the most important steps in restoring dry cigars is patience, and lots of it.

It�s always good to remember that if moisture can escape from a cigar, it can be put back in it. If a cigar is dry it can be revived, but it may be difficult. The most important thing to remember is that this is a slow process, and the cigars need to go through a couple of phases of thawing and/or a slow introduction back to humidity before it can be put into a functioning humidor or exposed to any sort of higher humidity
levels.

Some people store their cigars in the freezer. This is something that many people do but is not advisable as it can easily damage a cigar.

Freezing cigars prevents aging, it will dry them out and the cigars will need to be returned to normal temperature slowly before they can be smoked, (otherwise they could
split or crack).

The cigars should have a solid two to three weeks at the proper temperature in a humidified environment before lighting them up in order to ensure the best possible smoking experience.

Restoring dry cigars can be done, but even with effort, in the end they may not be as good as they could have been if stored properly in a humidified environment from the beginning.

After taking a cigar from the freezer, put it in the refrigerator. This will allow it to thaw
at a slower rate, putting less risk on damaging the cigars.

After the cigars have been in the refrigerator long enough to thaw, take them out and put them in Tupperware or plastic bag and let them come up to room temperature.

After that is achieved, you can add a damp towel or let them rest in a slightly dry
humidor for a few days so the cigars can start to absorb some of the humidity. If using a humidor go back and fill the humidification system only part way, letting the cigars rest for another week before fully charging the humidity regulator. This method ensures a slow absorption of moisture, preventing the cigars from getting too much humidity too soon, which can result in splitting or cracking making the cigars un-smokeable.

If you don�t store your cigars in a freezer and they dried out at room temperature, a great method is to place a box inside a plastic bag. Be sure the bag is not completely closed because some airflow is actually desired.

A dampened sponge with water or 50/50 solution should be placed in the bag.

This process can take several weeks or a month. Rotate the cigars every few
days, bringing the ones on the bottom to the top, etc. If this is done properly
the result is usually successful and pleasurable.

If a cigar box is not available, other containers like Tupperware may be used. Put the dry cigars in the container and seal it for a couple days - this traps any moisture left in the cigars.

On the third day a damp sponge can be added, but don�t over-saturate the sponge so the cigars become moist too quickly. Keep the lid propped open in one corner so air can circulate.

When cigars lose moisture, they also lose much of their bouquet, and which together results in a cigar not tasting as good as one that has been properly humidified.

The most important factor that needs to be reiterated, is this is a slow process. With patience the wait is usually always worth it.


�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL

June 2, 1973 PO Robert Laurenson, 20 Pct, Shot- robbery
June 2, 1989 PO Jeff Herman, 71 Pct, Shot- investigation
June 2, 1853 Det George Trenchard, NYMunicPD, Fire rescue
June 3, 1938 Ptl James Fisher, 73 Pct, Shot- accidental discharge
June 4, 1927 Sgt Benjamin Cantor, DetDiv, Shot- robbery arrest
June 4, 1932 Ptl Thomas Burns, McyUnit, Injured on patrol
June 5, 1973 PO Sid Thompson, TD12, Shot- arrest
June 6, 1939 Ptl Emmitt Cassidy, 120 Pct, Shot- off duty incident
June 8, 1958 Ptl Herman Corn, 52 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
June 9, 1931 Sgt William O�Shaughnessy, 28 Pct, Shot- robbery in progress
June 9, 1939 Ptl Alexander Stult, ESU, Asphyxiated during rescue
June 9, 1969 Sgt Edward Henninger, AIS, LOD Heart Attack
June 11, 1925 Ptl James Cullen, 37 Pct, Motorcycle accident on patrol
June 12, 1991 PO Kenneth Hansen, Harbor, Drowned
June 14, 1960 Ptl William Ramos Jr, 80 Pct, Shot- robbery
June 15, 1944 Ptl Eliote Holmes, 13DetSq, Line of duty injury
June 15, 1967 Ptl Walter Ferguson, DetDiv, LOD heart attack
June 15, 1979 PO Ted Donald, PSA7, Shot- burglary arrest
June 15, 1980 PO John Patwell, 43 Pct, Assaulted
June 15, 1983 PO John Mandia, 25 Pct, Fell under train
June 15, 1984 PO Juan Andino, 40 Pct, Shot- robbery arrest