SOME NYPD HISTORY YOU MIGHT LIKE

I am reprinting the following story, which was written by MICHAEL BOSAK, as it provided some very interesting NYPD history to me, and I thought you might enjoy it as well.

Mike Bosak is a Retired NYPD Sergeant, who I have credited many times on this site, as being probably the eminent NYPD historian.

He was instrumental, along with Ret. Det1 John Reilly, for the inclusion on the 1PP wall of honor of those members who had died in the line of duty but had been omitted; many of them requiring a great deal of historical fact checking to show their death was line-of-duty related.

Anyway, the following may be categorized under the heading “Just Who Was The Highest Ranking Nasty Drunk To Get Himself Jammed Up”.

Thanks again, Mike, for all you do.


“The honor of having the reputation of being the department’s highest ranking nasty drunk to get himself jammed up belongs to none other than James Irving, who was the department’s ‘Chief of Detectives’ from Oct. 17, 1870 to Jan. 22, 1875.

Now before we get started on this little narrative, I know that there are many history buffs out there that are saying right now, “But wait a minute. I remember from my days in the academy (or John Jay), that Thomas Byrnes was NYPD’s first ‘Chief of Detectives’ and he was appointed ‘Chief of Detectives’ until March 12, 1880."

Or perhaps you’re not a history buff but read that fact in one of Thomas Reppetto's many books.

He was great for espousing that Thomas Byrnes was NYPD first ‘Chief of Detective’. BTW in Reppetto’s latest tome, NYPD: A City and Its Police he no longer refers to Thomas Byrnes as the department’s first ‘Chief of Detectives’ Wonder why?

Or just maybe, you’ve visited the Chief of Detectives Office up on the 13th Floor, where Thomas Byrnes picture hangs on the wall as the very first of many.

No matter how you came to believe that Thomas Byrnes was NYPD’s first Chief of Detectives, he wasn’t.

Thomas Byrnes was the sixth man to hold the title of ‘Chief of Detectives’ in New York, and he was ‘Chief of Detectives’ from March 12, 1880 to April 12, 1892, when he was promoted to ‘Superintendent of Police’.

By the way, it was an almost given in 19th Century New York that when you became the ‘Chief of Detectives’ you most assuredly would be the next ‘Superintendent of Police’, which today would be the rank of ‘Chief of Department’.

Incidentally, Byrnes does hold the distinction of being NYC longest serving ‘Chief of Detectives’ and by far NYC’s wealthiest cop ever.

As Chief of Detective and later as Superintendent of Police, he adeptly turned NYC into his very own cash cow. When he was forced to retire by the Teddy Roosevelt, Byrnes was obscenely rich even by today’s bloated standards.

First Some Clarification on Just Who is Who in this Sad Saga

Since we’re on this subject, I know some of you want to know just who NYPD’s first Chief of Detectives was.

That honor goes to George Washington Walling, who will play a very prominent role in this tale of drinking and belligerence.

Known to his friends as ‘Wash’ Walling, he was appointed NYC first ‘Chief of Detectives’ and placed in command “…of the entire detective and detailed forces of the department.” by the Metropolitan Board of Police Commissioners on Friday, May 14, 1858.

George ‘Wash’ Walling was a very outstanding cop; an excellent administrator and was well respected by almost all with the notable exception of NYC Mayor Fernando Wood.

Furthermore, he actually had integrity and great strength of character. Everything that Fernando Wood wasn’t.

It has to be noted here that Walling and Wood had a long history of fierce animosity towards each other. And that hated boiled over with a passion that would effect the department and the history of policing for generations to come

By the way, among NYC historians, Fernando Wood had just the opposite reputation of Walling, one of being one of the most corrupt mayors if not the most corrupt mayor that New York City has ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

This hatred between Walling and Wood would lead to George Walling stepping down as Chief of Detectives in 1860, when that Tammany hack and Tweed favorite, took office for the third and last time as the mayor of NYC.

It started when Walling was the captain of the NYC Municipal Police Department’s 18th Ward (today’s 13th Precinct). Walling refused to accept a convicted felon and known robber, who was one of Fernando Wood political hacks for appointment as a patrolmen in his command.

On April 30, 1856, the mayor had ex-councilman Bryan McCahill file trumped-up charges against Walling for, “Neglect of Duty” alleging that Captain Walling’s men failed to stop “bad boys from pegging stones” at a women’s house on East 21st Street.

Walling was found guilty in the trial room on July 11, 1856 and Fernando Wood fired him. Wood later promoted a patrolman from the mayor’s detail to the rank of captain and made that former patrolman the commanding officer of the 18th District.

‘Wash’ Walling loss of his love and livelihood would not last long. In May of 1857 he was re-appointed to the rank of captain on the Metropolitan Police.

Paybacks a Bitch

As fate would have it, George Walling just happened to be the captain that the Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners sent over to City Hall on June 16, 1857 to collar the mayor with a felony arrest warrant for assault.

As you probably know, that little unsuccessful act at the time metamorphosed into a major violent confrontation between a detail of 200 New York City’s ‘Municipals’ allied with Mayor Wood’s personal goon squad - the ‘Pugh Uglies’ against one, five and fifty of the ‘Metropolitans’ that went into City Hall Park in the mistaken belief that Walling was in deep trouble and badly needed help.
The true tale of that battle deserves to be told later at another time. (The research is completed, but has yet to be written.)

One last thing, if you want to see what George Washington Walling actually looked like, his picture is hanging in the Chief of Department Office conference room on the 14th floor of One Police Plaza.

Now getting back to Chief of Detectives James Irving; Irving had somewhat of a reputation as one who has a fondness for fighting, not to mention a love of the drink. In other words he was a nasty drunk. Moreover, Irving wasn’t adverse to making a buck or two on the side.

With that said, let me offer this caveat, it was a different time and a different world back in 1870’s New York. Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall were at the height of their power and the New York City’s government was efficiently designed to extract every last penny from the populous.

James Irving was Tweed’s pick for NYPD’s Chief of Detectives during an era when William Marcy Tweed and Tammany Hall ran the big show.

As a young detective in the Metropolitan PD’s 20th Precinct (today’s Midtown South), an alleged intoxicated Irving crashed a New Year’s Eve Party in Turner Hall on West 35th Street at approximately 3 am on January 1, 1863. When the person who was throwing the catered party objected to Irving presence, Irving promptly gave him the beating of his life and then shot him in the chest.

As a tool of Tammany Hall, Irving beat that and many other charges over his police career. Most of which alleged that Irving was intoxicated during the alleged wrongdoings.

As good as an example of just how corrupt NYC was during this time period, among many too numerous to mention, would be an event that would spell the beginning of the end for the Chief of Detectives career.

On October 20, 1873, NYPD’s Chief Clerk Seth C. Hawley preferred charges against Chief of Detectives James Irving.

Hawley on behalf of the Board of Police Commissioners, alleging that the ‘Chief of Detectives’ took a $6,000 bribe from a gang of forgers, who had just ripped off the Bank of England in an elaborate scheme staged in London in March of 1873 for over a million dollars in U.S. currency. Incidentally, the NYPD ‘Chief of Detectives’ annual salary in 1873 was $2,000 a year.

To make a long story short, London’s Metropolitan Police Chief of Detectives Bailey had telegraphed the NYPD with the particulars of the larceny, and that the forgers were heading to New York on the steamship ‘Thuringia’ with the money.

James Irving, being no slouch, got right on the case and decided to handle it himself. He ordered the 24th Pct. (The steamboat Seneca) to take him and one detective out to meet the Thuringia. Irving and the detective represented themselves as U.S. Marshall without mentioning that they were NYPD, and a deal to cut the forgers loose was consummated.

London’s Metropolitan Police, being no slouches in the crime suppression business, also arraigned to have a detective from Montreal, Canada assigned to meet the steamboat as did the New York Stock Exchange. Note that Canada was still a British Province.

When the Montreal detective and the NY Stock Exchange detectives were refused access to the forgers and the counterfeiters were cut lose, somehow or other these detectives smelled a rat and telegraphed London.

London’s Metropolitan Police and the Bank of England then conducted their own investigation.

When the Deputy U.S Counsel General assigned to London, who just happened to be present on the steamboat and witnessed Irving’s conduct with the forgers, agreed to testify as a prosecution witness for the Bank of England, the die was cast.

Britain’s Ambassador to the United States contacted Board of Police Commissioners with their evidence, who then ordered the NYPD Chief Clerk to prefer against Irving and his detective accomplice.
In the department’s trail room, believe it or not, Irving beat all the charges and squashed any chance of being charged criminally. You’re just not going to believe how all this was done. Incidentally, you could make a movie out of this.

The fix is in

Former longtime N.Y. County District Attorney and Ex- NYC Mayor A. Oakley Hall represented Irving as his defense attorney.

Oakley in a brilliant defense blamed it on a mix-up in communications with London’s Chief of Detectives, Inspector Bailey, and on an attempt by the New York’s Sheriff’s Office to embarrass the NYPD.

Then Mathew T. Brennan, a former detective and captain of the old 6th Precinct that covered the ‘Five Points’, and who also just happened to be a former NYPD Police Commissioner and the current Sheriff of New York County, took the stand and testified in the defense of Irving. He claimed that it was two of his deputy sheriffs that had extorted the bribe from the forgers.
Brennan even had two of his hacks to act as ‘straw men’ ready to take the fall for Irving and his accomplice, Det. Philip Farley if things went wrong.

In a nutshell, on November 10, 1873, Oakley on a technicality had the evidence against Irving and Farley thrown out. The Bank of England then chose to withdraw their complaint.

This didn’t sit well with Walling as we shall soon see in January of 1875.

Incidentally as a side note, less than 3 months later, Brennan would be indicted for and occupy the very same Ludlow Street jail that he was accused of helping Boss Tweed escape from.

On July 23, 1874 the Board of Police Commissioners promoted Walling to the position of ‘Superintendent of Police’ and James Irving’s fortune was about to take a turn for the worst.

As Chief of Detectives, Irving had the reputation of being an abusive drunk, but one that was hung like a bull moose with Tammany Hall; something that didn’t sit well with Walling and most of the other ranking brass.

So when Tammany Hall’s abuses came to light and its powers began to wane, the opportunity to do Irving finally presented itself.

A New York Sun Police Reporter Does Chief of Detectives In

In January of 1875 ‘The Shack,’ where most of the city’s newspapers police reporters hung around waiting for a crime story, was located at 301 Mulberry Street, just across the street from the ‘Central Office of Police’

On a side note the ‘Shack’ was originally located in the basement of the ‘Central Office of Police’ 300 Mulberry Street. But when Superintendent of Police John Kennedy found one the reporters snooping around his office shortly after the Civil War Draft Riots, Kennedy had all the reporters ejected from the building. The ‘Shack’ is now located on the 2nd floor of 1 PP next to the office of the Deputy Commish for Community Affairs.

So when the Sun ran an article that James Irving didn't quite appreciate, Irving went across the street to express his displeasure. William Corkran, a police reporter for the New York Sun was confronted by an intoxicated and belligerent Irving in his office at 301 Mulberry Street and got the blunt of Irving fury. According to Corkran, Irving accused Corkran of being a thief and “otherwise abused him” without any cause or provocation.

On January 11, 1874, the Chief of Detectives was arraigned before the Board of Police Commissioner on a charge of “Improper Conduct” for his confrontation with Corkran.

In the trial room, Irving denied the allegations and alleged that Corkran attempted to eavesdrop on him. It was alleged that the Chief of Detectives said to Corkran, “You are a scoundrel. You are a liar. You don’t tell the truth. You are more dangerous than a thief, for you can watch a thief, but not a liar.” Irving said that he was prompted to use such language to Corkran on account of false reports that had been published in the Sun.

On January 22, 1875, President of the Board of Police Commissions George Matsell submitted a resolution to the Board of Police Commissioners to removed Captain James Irving as ‘Chief of Detectives’ and the board votes unanimously to do so.

NYPD Travel Therapy – 1875 Style

Walling then transferred the disgraced former Chief of Detectives to the 24 Precinct, better known as the steamboat Seneca - the very tool Irving had successfully used to extort the bribe money from the Bank of England swindlers. Anybody think that there was a little message attached to this transfer?

No replacement for the ‘Chief of Detectives’ was named and the detective force was placed under the direct command of the ‘Superintendent of Police’ George Walling. (Remember George Walling was the first ‘Chief of Detectives’)
The Board of Police Commissioners then orders that the outer door to the ‘Chief of Detectives Officer from the main hallway of 300 Mulberry Street (Central Office of Police) be “closed up, and no person will be allowed to pass in or out of the Detective Office, except through the Superintendent’s or Inspectors’ Offices.”

Note: The office of Chief of Detective would remain vacant and under the direct command of the ‘Superintendent of Police’ until September 13, 1878, when Capt. James Kealy was promoted to Chief of Detectives.

1875 Police Administration Lesson of the Day – Never Let the Department Drunk Drive the Department’s One and Only Steamboat.

The Seneca wasn’t exactly a tiny little thing like one of today’s police launches. It was a wood hulled side-wheeler, 105 feet long, 33 feet wide with a draft of 12 feet that belched big clouds of black smoke wherever it went. Not exactly easy to hide.

James Irving promptly turned the Seneca into his very own party boat and managed to smash it into a rock that badly crush the steamboat’s starboard’s paddle box, almost destroying the boat according to the N.Y. Times. This brought Irving once again to the department’s attention.

“Irregularities having been suspected in his management in his new position, a watch was kept upon him.”

Once again the Board of Police Commissioners brought charges against Irving for “Improper Conduct and violations of the rules of the department.” The Seneca and Irving having been shadowed 24 x 7 for almost two weeks, Irving was observed personally entering liquor stores in full uniform and stocking the boat with booze. He even steamed out to Long Beach to party.

Irving was charged with ten (10) specifications; specifically that he took the steamboat on “pleasure excursions”.

Irving in a desperate attempt to beat the charges even brought in the notorious Captain Alexander ‘Clubber’ Williams as a defense witness to testify for him. All to no avail.

The Saga's Sad Ending

On October 23, 1875 the Board of Police Commissioners found the former Chief of Detectives guilty on all charges and Irving was “dismissed from the force” In addition, all the sergeants, roundsmen and patrolmen assigned to the Seneca were transferred to other commands throughout the city.


INTERESTING WEB SITES: MEDIA ISSUES IN THE NEWS

Here’s an interesting story about some tactics that have come under question, used by the San Francisco PD, to spy on reporters in an effort to find out who was leaking information to the press.

http://www.sfweekly.com/Issues/2006-09-27/news/feature.html

(You may have to “cut and paste” the site; I don’t think it will link to it directly by clicking on it – but you probably already know that!).


In case you aren’t aware of it, the corporate world has been turning upside down recently over reports that the Board of Directors of giant Hewlett-Packard Corporation had been under secret investigation into information that was being leaked to the press.

What information? Well, apparently corporate strategy, discussed at Board meetings, was showing up on news sites, jeopardizing the effectiveness of the strategy as it was being revealed to its rivals.

What H-P did was hire some private investigative firm, after referral from their corporate Global Security people, to do some investigating.

What they did, though, has resulted in massive disruption of the company, congressional hearings, and firings of top executives.

The procedure used by the investigators consisted of obtaining Board Members telephone records, seeking to find out who had contact with media people.

This wasn’t so bad – but the fact that they did so by obtaining the records through PRETEXTING – which basically means they pretended to be the phone subscriber when they requested the records from the phone companies.

That’s not “proper” – and borders on being illegal.

There is a statute in California that prohibits “pretexting” – and Congress is sure to be considering enacting a similar federal law.

The H-P investigators did not have the ability to subpoena phone records on their own, and had not been able to mask the investigation under a criminal statute in order to obtain them without the subscriber’s cooperation. While the leaking of corporate information was a very real threat to the company, and its profits & losses –which impacts on stockholders – they apparently did not want to bring in federal authorities who may have been able to find some obscure, vague SEC statute to hold against the parties. However, knowing the speed at which the federal authorities operate, I’m sure H-P wanted answers much sooner than the next millennium. Besides, there really is no criminal statute for leaking corporate information to the press, although there probably is some civil matter associated with it.

You can read some of what has been going on at this site:

http://news.com.com/2100-1014_3-6115509.html

and surely, if you Google “HP LEAK”, you’ll have more than enough reading to take you through the week.

THE LARRY EGGERS REALITY TOUR

A recent posting on this site discussed department “Legends”. Wherever you work, you have your own source of “legendary status”.

As I’ve said, some are legends for the work they performed.

Others are legendary characters.

Anyone who knows him will surely agree, Larry Eggers certainly fits into category 2.

Let me start by saying that Larry Eggers has a heart of gold – I truly love Larry, and I have never heard an ill word spoken of him. He is truly a legendary character.

What do I mean?

Larry retired from this department several months back, having reached the deserving rank of Detective Second Grade. He spent most of his time in the 83 Squad, with the past few years winding out his career in Brooklyn North Homicide. Truly a hard worker, persistent in his endeavors, relentless in his search.

What about his legendary characteristics?

Starting at his origin in the 83 Squad, Larry took off without missing a beat.

If you know Tony Viggiani, you know there are probably no two different people. Tony, himself a legend (as a Detective), and Larry are probably best compared to the Odd Couple, Felix Unger (Tony) and Oscar Madison (Larry).

Tony, an exceptional detective, is very neat and organized. Larry looks like a train wreck. Tony’s desk looks like it could be in a magazine – everything in order, drawers neatly arranged – you get the picture. Larry’s always looked like someone had rearranged the office and left all the debris on his desk – along with a twelve inch stack of catalogs for everything imaginable.

When Larry got assigned to the 83 Squad many years ago he came into the office looking for a place to sit. Detectives being the comics they are saw a good opportunity – Tony Viggiani was on vacation that week – and they told Larry he could “take that desk over there (Tony’s), that detective retired. You could put all his stuff in a box”. Which Larry promptly did!

You can imagine Tony’s ire upon his return, finding his once-neat desk now inhabited by Larry, and all his own items piled in a box. According to Tony, when he opened the drawers, all he found were piles of papers – and some half-opened Twinkies wrappers, with the half eaten Twinkies to go along with them!

So what about this “Reality Tour”?

Since he retired it seems that Larry has gotten involved in conducting tours. Tours, you say? Yes, tours.

He’s stopped in to the office a few times, and tried explaining these “Reality Tours”.

Imagine a van full of tourists; they get the Real-Life New York City tour experience, from a retired homicide detective. He takes them into Brooklyn; drives them around Bushwick, pointing out locations of notoriety – “That’s where I caught a double homicide; that’s where 2 people were shot; that’s where Carmine Galante, a noted Mafioso, was gunned down when there used to be a pizza parlor there”. Things to that affect. “Here’s a real New York City Police Precinct”, those are real NYC Detectives.

I am sure that the tour MUST include some food stops – there truly is no person who knows more about places to eat than Larry Eggers. Larry is like a walking MapQuest of restaurants – give him a location, he’ll give you a restaurant.

“Here’s a Brooklyn Chinese restaurant where real detectives eat at”, or perhaps “this pizza parlor serves great Sicilian slices”. I wonder if it includes the little touches that only Larry could provide.

“This is the shirt I was wearing when I ate there last week; you can tell by the sauce on my sleeves”, and “those are my 3 cars that don’t work anymore, but I leave parked at the precinct because one day I’m going to have them repaired”.

The tour could not end without a “Reptile Safari”. Larry was great with animals – snakes, alligators, lizards, spiders – you name it, Larry probably had it in a tank – or at least in his pocket – at one time or another.

Remember the time Larry brought crickets in to the Homicide Office to feed the spiders he had in a tank – and took them out of his jacket pocket one at a time from the – apparently broken – envelope he was carrying them in? Or the time he reached into – the same jacket pocket – to remove a new lizard to add to the lizard tank?

And what about the infamous snake of the 83 Precinct?

Some years back a resident of Bushwick found a snake in his yard, and didn’t know what to do with it. So he brought it to the 83 Precinct, of course. What would a Desk Officer do with a snake that someone brought into the precinct? Call Larry Eggers, of course.

Larry took custody of the snake, promising to take good care of it. “Leave it in the bag”, he said. “I’ll put it in my locker, and take it home after work”. Famous last words.

You could imagine what he found when he went to his locker at the end of tour – an empty bag!

That snake was observed all around the precinct and its grounds for several years after – sightings in the parking lot, in the bathrooms, you name it. It never was found again, although on a good note, the mice and rat problem ceased for some time as well.

Yes, truly a legendary character, missed every day.

We miss you, Larry. Stop in when you’re in the area – drop by with your “Reality Tour”, and we’ll do the best to entertain.


CRIME LIBRARY

The long-awaited Black Dahlia movie will debut in the U.S. Sept 15. Hollywood's The Black Dahlia movie is loosely based on the 1947 murder of Elizabeth "Beth" Short. Directed by Brian De Palma, the movie stars Scarlett Johansson, Josh Hartnett, Hilary Swank, Mia Kirshner, and Aaron Eckhart.

Find out more about this at:
http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/famous/dahlia_movie/1_index.htmlYou

Be aware that the movie is a fictional account of the Black Dahlia murder case.

For the real story and a profile of the type of person who killed her, please go to The Crime Library’s full coverage page where you will find a detailed feature story and the profile by former FBI profiler, Gregg McCrary.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/famous/dahlia/dahlia_jump_page.htmlA

Another recent feature story at The Crime Library is about a serial killer that you may not have heard about: Patrick Kearney.

When his lover, David Hill, became angry and left for a few days, Kearney, a California aircraft engineer with a good position, would boil over with rage and go cruising for someone to take out his frustrations on. Over a period of time, he killed at least 21 men, mutilated and dismembered them, and finally disposed of them in trash bags.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/patrick_kearney/1_index.html

Editors Note: The links noted above probably will NOT work by just clicking on them. You'll have to "Copy" & "Paste" the addresses in to go to those sites; I apologize for not getting this properly "linked", but, hey - what do you want from me! I'm just getting the hang of photos on the blog!


GUMSHOE

We now use the word gumshoe to informally describe a person who works as a private investigator or detective but the original gumshoe was quite literally something people would wear on their feet.

Gumshoes in the late 1800s were shoes or boots made of gum rubber.

Precursors to contemporary sneakers, these shoes were soft-soled and quieter than other shoes available at the time.

At the start of the 1900s, "to gumshoe" meant to sneak around quietly. Later the word referred to either thieves or the police who caught the crooks. By 1908 the word almost exclusively described the good guys, the people who investigated the crimes by acting stealthily or surreptitiously.The term has also been described a Private Eye who "sticks like gum" to someone as in a surveillance on foot.

It’s probably also what you’ll find in one of Larry Eggers’ pockets.

IRMA "FRAN" LOZADA
SEPTEMBER 21, 1984

A life cut too short.

We miss you, Fran, and remember you in our prayers.

THE 1855 NEW YORK MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT

In 1855, policing New York City was the responsibility of the Municipal Police Department.

There were 1165 sworn ‘members of the force,’ all male, at that time.

The rank structure, though very similar, had a few differences worth noting.

What today would be called a precinct, in 1855 was called a ‘Police District’. Each district had the same geographical boundaries as the ward it took its number from. The alderman from that ward recommended to the mayor who should be appointed to that ward’s corps. Patrolmen from that police district or ward were required to be residents of that ward and were appointed for a term of good behavior. Consequently that ward’s corps resembled the ethnic makeup of that ward. Even though they worked out of a certain ‘Police District’ they would say they were assigned to that (the number) ‘Corps’ rather than say they worked out of a certain precinct. There were twenty two wards in the city, each had its own ‘police districts’ or ‘corps’.

The Reserve Corps: Chief Matsell established the “Reserve Corps” in 1853 as an elite unit of approximately 100 of the best and most competent patrolmen and sergeants. By 1855 it numbered approximately 150 men. They were assigned to the chief’s office and other high profile assignments such as detective duty, the courts and various other details, etc. On occasion, the reserve corps would fly to various areas of the city and were used for duties similar to those performed by today’s Borough Task Forces.

‘Doorman’ – There was one to each corps. He took care of the cells and other various chores around the station house. Annual salary - $550.

Patrolman (1011): He was either a “Star” (Uniformed) or “Shadow” (Detective). Both received the same salary. However, by law the uniformed ‘Star’ was required to live in the ward he worked in. Salary was $700 annually, except for those assigned to a detail (Reserve Corps). They were all paid by law $100 less annually. In other words, if you were on patrol, you got paid a 17% premium for being on the street and going around the clock. There was no pension or insurance system to provide for a patrolman’s family, should he be killed or disabled in the line of duty.

‘Sergeants’ – None were assigned to patrol commands (police district). All sergeants were assigned to one of the reserve corps’ 21 squads. They were paid exactly the same as a patrolman - $700 annually.

Lieutenant (44) – There were two assigned to each patrol district. – One 1st lieutenant and one 2nd lieutenant - forty-four lieutenants for the whole department. Annual salary - $800.

Captain (22). One assigned to each ‘police district’ as its commanding officer. Annual salary – $900.


Uniform: Gray trousers with 1” black strip down each leg, dark blue jacket made of light material with 9 brass buttons, belt, blue cap and black shoes.

Batons: The everyday work baton for both bosses and patrolmen was 22” long and 1¾” thick, made out of rosewood. It has to be noted here that the city watch used locust wood or whale bone prior to the Municipal Police Department’s use of rosewood. The Metropolitan Police brought locust wood back into vogue after the rosewood batons frequently splintered during the July 1863 Civil War Draft Riots.

Firearms: None of the uniformed members of the force were armed with pistols or revolvers. All police officers were only authorized to carry batons.

The Department Motto: “Fiat justitia ruat coelum. Partum est Merito.” –was the motto of the 1845 – 1857 NYC Municipal Police Department.
English translation: “Let justice be done, regardless of the consequences. The duty in itself is the reward.”

When the New York City Municipal Police Department was legislated out of existence and the state controlled Metropolitan Police began to police the city in June of 1857, the old motto went the way of the department and became lost to history.

On June 13, 1873, legislation changed the name of the new ‘New York Municipal Police’ (Established April 5, 1870) to the ‘New York Police Department’, and the motto was codified as, “Fedelis ad Mortem”, English translation: "Faithful unto Death"


DETECTIVE DIVISION AND COBS

The 1964 Detective worked in what was known as the Detective Division. “

The detective of today is a far cry from the roundsmen, known as “shadows”, of 1836 or the twenty policemen detailed as detectives by the Board of Police back in 1857.”

The 1964 Detective Division was comprised of 3,400 men and women, selected for their special skills and trained for long arduous hours in improving their talents and developing other detective faculties.

There were three major commands in the Detective Division at that time.

The Detective Borough Commands comprised the precinct detective squads and the specialty, borough based Homicide Squads, Burglary Squads, and the DA Office Squads.

The Narcotics Bureau was under the command of the Detective Division.

The third component was the Central Office Bureaus and Squads – known as COBS.

COBS consisted of the specialized headquarters commands such as the Auto Squad, Forgery Squad, Pickpocket & Confidence Squad, Missing Persons, the Police Lab, Ballistics Squad and the Bomb Squad. Generally the “letter” squads of today.

The Safe, Loft and Truck Squad was one of the components of COBS that came under the “Special Frauds Bureau”.

Safe, Loft and Truck was known for their vigilance of long hours of surveillance spent in shadowing known criminals casing well-stocked lofts, laden trucks and posh hotels. The detectives in this elite command were chosen for their ability to act the part of nondescript bystanders, and were well trained in the techniques of safe-crackers and hijackers. The fur and garment districts, jewelry exchange, and upper-class hotels and apartment houses were under their watchful eye, particularly during the night hours. During the day their tail work highlights spotting thefts of packages from parked trucks and loading platforms.


KEEPING UP WITH THE CORPORATE WORLD

Think only gumshoes use jargon in their everyday speak? Think again.

The corporate world is rife with buzzwords-of-the-moment. MBA candidates spend months just familiarizing themselves with these key-phrases. Next time you find yourself at a corporate-type function, perhaps at a cocktail hour with your less-then-best-brother in law? – here’s a few new buzzwords to throw around.

Limited downside: This can certainly work its way into our world. Basically, this means that “things can’t get much worse.” I’ve had my share of “limited downside” weeks, haven’t you?

Delayering: When a CEO talks about “delayering”, what he is saying are that managers are going to get fired.

Knowledge acquisition: Getting the right people, with the right knowledge, to work for you. We recently engaged in some knowledge acquisition when we moved some anti-crime cops upstairs to the squad.

Skills development: Teaching the current staff new skills instead of hiring new people. We have been engaged in conducting skills development with the new computerized DD5 system, teaching detectives to return to the squad and teach other detectives how to use the new system.

Unsiloing: Getting people to work together across departments. If you’ve spent more than ten minutes in the department then you know how difficult this could become. Maybe we need to perform some knowledge acquisition tasks so that we can begin unsiloing the levels in the agency?

A common corporate buzzword today refers to the 2002 corporate governance reform act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, commonly referred to simply as “SOX”.

In corporate America, if someone wants to stop something from going forward in a company, all they have to do is ask, “Will this pass SOX rules?” That’s sure to stop CEO’s in their tracks. We simply say, “We don’t do it that way”, or “We’ve never done it any other way”.


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.

There are different methods to restoring dry cigars. 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.

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.

Personally, I’ve always found the Tupperware container to be the best; it actually makes one of the best humidors as well!

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 that this is a
slow process.

With patience the wait is usually always worth it.


INTERESTING WEB SITES

Double-Blind Lineup Procedures:

http://www.mass.gov/cpcs/links/index.htm#lightening1

The Eyewitness Identification Research Laboratory, at the University of Texas, produced a 2006 study, in conjunction with various Illinois law enforcement agencies, Report to the Legislature of the State Of Illinois: The Illinois Pilot Program On Seqential Double-Blind Identification Procedures.

http://eyewitness.utep.edu/Documents/IllinoisPilotStudyOnEyewitnessID.pdf


Investigators Guide To Sources Of Information
http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/soi.htm




“LEST WE FORGET…” THE NYPD MEMORIAL

September 12, 1968 Ptl John Madden, 104 Pct, LOD Heart attack
September 12, 1991 PO Hector Fontanez, 47 Pct, Shot during investigation
September 13, 1928 Ptl Jeremiah Brosnan, 24 Pct, Shot by perp
September 14, 1931 Sgt Timothy Murphy, 8 Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
September 14, 1974 PO Bruce Anderson, 32 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
September 15, 1931 Ptl William Eberhardt, 15 Pct, auto accident on patrol
September 15, 1979 PO Melvin Hopkins, 77 Pct, Shot, robbery, off duty
September 16, 1927 Ptl Henry E.A. Meyer, 54 Pct, shot-robbery arrest
September 16, 1975 PO Andrew Glover, 9 Pct, shot-assasination
September 16, 1975 Sgt Frederick Reddy, 9 Pct, shot-assasination
September 16, 1977 PO Daniel Nowomlynski, 23 Pct, shot-off duty
September 18, 1927 Ptl Jerome DeLorenzo, 4 Pct, Shot-accidental discharge
September 19, 1943 Sgt Mathew McCormick, 120 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
September 21, 1952 Det Philip Lamonica, 42 Sq, Shot during arrest
September 21, 1984 PO Irma Lozada, TPD D-33, Shot-robbery arrest (RIP, Fran!)
September 22, 1946 Ptl William Brophy, 109 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
September 22, 1983 PO Joseph Hamperian, TPD-SCU, Struck by auto
September 22, 1987 PO Robert Venable, TPD-D33, Shot during arrest
September 23, 1896 Ptl Thomas McIntyre, MTD, Horse accident
September 23, 1937 Det John Wilson, 1 Pct, Shot-robbery
September 23, 1941 Ptl James Schowers, 28 Pct, LOD heart attack
September 23, 1970 Ptl Michael Paolilo, IdentUnit, Stabbed-off duty investigation

MORE ON JOHNNY CORDES: A LEGEND IN HIS OWN TIME

We all know people who consider themselves a legend in their own mind – but JOHNNY CORDES is truly a LEGEND IN HIS OWN TIME.

As mentioned in a prior posting to this site, JOHN CORDES is one of only 3 members of this department who have ever received two Medals’ of Honor – and he is the only live recipient of the second award.

The following story was written by Retired Det1 John T.M. Reilly – a true department historian who never ceases to amaze me with the knowledge he possesses. I thank John once again publicly for all he has done, and continues to do, in the name of keeping the New York City Police Department and its members in such high esteem.

The exploits of a member of this department such as JOHN H.F. CORDES should be known by all who carry the shield of the NYPD – and should be taught to those who enter this profession, in the Police Academy, the way the US Marine Corps teaches its newest grunts during Basic Training.

Thanks again, John Reilly, for the following.


A LEGEND IN HIS OWN TIME

John H.F. Cordes joined the New York City Police Department on August 24, 1915.

While still in the Police Academy he was picked, because he did not look like a cop, to work on vice and gambling enforcement. After less that three years in plainclothes arresting gamblers he was made a detective on February 11, 1918. The rest of his
thirty-four year career was spent in the Detective Division, during which he was twice awarded Department Medal of Honor.

At about 9pm on March 29, 1923, while off-duty Cordes became suspicious of two men who had entered a United Cigar Store at 954 Lexington Avenue between Sixty-ninth and Seventieth Streets.

Waiting a few minutes he followed them into the store and found them in the process of robbing the store.

After entering the store one man, Patrick Ahearn, had stayed in front of the counter, while the other, John Whitton alias John Insford - an escaped convict from East View
Penitentiary in Westchester County - walked behind the counter, drew a .45 caliber pistol from his coat pocket, then ordered the clerk, William Horn, to open the safe. The safe was opened by Horn and the robber pocketed $80 taken from the safe.

As Cordes and his brother walked into the store, one of the robbers ordered Horn to "Wait on them." Sizing up the situation Cordes drew his pistol; as he did so
another man entered the store. This man was also a policeman, off-duty Sergeant McDade, who seeing Cordes covering the two men behind the counter, opened fire on Cordes believing him to be a robber.

McDade fired four shots at Cordes hitting him three times.

Cordes fired at Ahearn in front of the counter; he dropped to the floor wounded.

Whitton, also behind the counter, fired at McDade; as he did so Cordes cried out
"I'm a police officer." Then both Cordes and McDade fired at Whitton behind the counter. Whitton continued to fire at the officers, hitting Cordes twice. Hit in his right hand and arm Cordes had to fire with his left hand. With his revolver empty McDade backed up to the door, opening it he then blew his whistle for assistance. Blocking the door he prevented the wounded Ahearn and Whitton from leaving the store until other police officers, alerted by his whistle calls, arrived and took the two robbers into custody.

Cordes was rushed to Presbyterian Hospital where it was found that he had been shot five times, twice by the robber and three times by the police sergeant. Bullets had struck his right shoulder, his right arm twice, his jaw, and another had passed through his right
hand.

At first little hope was given that Cordes would recover from his wounds; the intern who first examined him told reporters that it was just a matter of hours before he died.

But he did recover, and when Mayor James Walker visited him in the hospital and offered to retire him on a full pension, he refused the offer, saying that his only fun in life was putting hoods in jail.

He returned to duty and at the 1924 medal ceremonies received the Department Medal of Honor.

The Official Police Department Citation for The Medal Of Honor reads as follows:

Acting Detective Sergeant John H.F. Cordes, Shield No. 472, Detective Division, at about 7.50 p.m., March 29, 1923, while riding south on Lexington Avenue in an automobile, observed two men enter the United Cigar Store at 954 Lexington Avenue. Being suspicious, Detective Cordes entered the store under the pretense of purchasing cigars. Two men were behind the counter, and as the detective asked to be waited on, one of the men ordered the other to wait on the detective. From their actions Detective Cordes concluded that they were impostors, and made known his identity. One of the men drew a revolver and fired, the bullet hitting Detective Cordes' right thumb. As one of the men came from behind the counter Detective Cordes fired, though injured, the bullet entering the criminal's abdomen. The man who previously fired at the detective fired three more shots, and one of the bullets lodged in Detective Cordes' shoulder. Despite his injuries the detective covered his men and summoned assistance. He was in the hospital and on sick leave for six months.

Police Department regulations required that all police officers carry their firearms at all times, even if off duty. It is noted that following the United Cigar Store shoot-out Cordes constantly violated the rules by not carrying his weapon.

When asked why he did not carry his revolver he would reply that he was still afraid that he might get confused in times of stress and shoot a fellow officer as he was shot.

Because of this answer his superiors overlooked his violation of the department rule. In 1927 because he had left his gun back in his locker it almost cost him his life.

On April 28, 1927, kidnappers abducted wealthy real estate operator Abraham Scharlin and demanded at first a $500,000 ransom which was later reduced to $200,000.

A team of six detectives from the Main Office Squad which included Cordes and his partner Detective Frank Walsh was given the case.

Acting on a "stool pigeons" tip that a criminal known as Jack Thompson, alias Joe Marcus, was part of the gang, Cordes and Walsh, who both knew him, placed him under surveillance.

On May 6th Marcus was seen to meet with another man later identified as David Berman, known as "Dave the Jew", at Broadway and Sixty-third Street. As they walked in the direction of Central Park, Cordes saw Berman shift a pistol from his hip pocket to the front of his belt.

While the two criminals were watching some boys playing ball in the park, Detective Walsh went to find a telephone to call Headquarters. Cordes remained in the park keeping the pair under observation. Right after Walsh left to make the phone call, Marcus and Berman started to leave the park.

Cordes, fearing that they would separate and he would lose them, hurried out to the street.

With Walsh nowhere in sight, he motioned to Motorcycle Patrolman Richard O'Connor and told him to cover him. Marcus and Berman came out of the park at Sixty-second Street, walked up Central Park West and turned into Sixty-sixth Street. Cordes had followed them, while O'Connor had dismounted from his motorcycle and stayed further back.

Berman stopped in front of 6 West Sixty-sixth Street, and Cordes decided to make his move.

As he closed in on them, Berman suddenly made a move to draw the pistol from his belt.

Cordes jumped at him, grabbed his wrist, gave it a quick turn away from the gun, then grabbed it himself striking Berman over the eye and knocking him down to the pavement.

While Cordes was subduing Berman, Marcus backed away a few feet, drew a pistol and aimed at Cordes.

Patrolman O'Connor, who was rushing up to assist Cordes, saw the gun aimed at the detective and fired one shot that struck Marcus in the stomach, dropping him to the sidewalk.

Marcus was removed to Roosevelt Hospital where he died shortly after.

Berman who had received a two-inch gash over his eye was taken to the West Sixty-eight Street Station House.

When questioned he refused to say anything other than "I can't tell you anything, do you think that I want to get in any deeper than I am." A search of Mascus' clothes disclosed an Elk membership card belonging to Scharlin and a number of checks belonging to a James Taylor, another kidnapping victim. The next day the gang released both Scharlin and Taylor and made their get-away.

For his part in the arrests of Berman and Marcus, Cordes received his second award of the Department Medal of Honor.

Patrolman O'Connor was offered promotion to Detective, but declined it saying that he preferred to remain on motorcycle duty. At the 1928 medal day ceremonies he received the Charles H. Sabin medal.

The Official Police Department Citation for his Second Medal Of Honor reads as follows:

Detective John H.F. Cordes, Shield No. 472, 17th Division. At about 4. p.m., May 5, 1927, had two notorious criminals from Chicago under surveillance and intercepted them on 66th Street near Central Park West, Manhattan. Previously he had directed a patrolman on motorcycle duty to be on the alert for emergency assistance. As one of the men was about to shoot Detective Cordes, the patrolman shot and killed the thug. The other was disarmed of a loaded revolver and arrested.

Cordes was promoted to Sergeant on February 15, 1928 and on March 2, 1934, to Acting Lieutenant. In 1938 he was given command of the Manhattan Riverfront Squad. He retired from the department on January 1, 1950. He died at the Hollywood Memorial Hospital, Florida, April 19, 1966, at age 76 years.

Special Note: During the modern era of NYPD awards from 1912 to date only three members of the department have been awarded the NYPD Medal of Honor twice. John Cordes was the only live recipient of two awards.


WHAT ABOUT LEGENDS?

Who qualifies as a “legend”?

Certainly John Cordes does. I’d have to add Frank Malerba in the same category.

Who is Frank Malerba? He’s another detective legend, written about previously on this site. More on Malerba at a subsequent posting. (Too much for one sitting!)

Is John Medina, retired from the 83 Squad a legend? If you lived in Bushwick in the 1980’s – or worked in the 83 – you’d probably think so. Charlie Wells is certainly another legend. Recently retired Inspector from DBB, he made his mark early in the Bomb Squad, dismantling bombs when it was done in a suit and tie – before all the protective equipment. You could have sat there for hours upon hours being regaled with stories involving Charlie Wells – a true legend in his own time. How about Vinny Carrera of Transit Major Case fame? Legend status, perhaps? Or John Clinton from Transit’s Robbery Squad (the original one); not to forget Tommy McGurl – the very best at getting a statement “in the box” from a perp. Legends, for sure.

Wherever you work you surely have a few who have reached legendary status. Eddie Zigo, Sonny Grosso, Tommy McKenna, Jerry Giorgio, Jerry McQueen … Hopefully, as you’ve encountered these legends in person, you’ve been able to take something away that makes you a better detective – education never ends.


INTERESTING WEB SITES

High Tech Crime Investigation Association
http://www.htcia.org/

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
http://www.fincen.gov/.

IACP Law Enforcement Info Management
http://www.iacptechnology.org/

United Nations Crime and Justice Info Network
http://www.uncjin.org/

FRANK MALERBA AND MADIGAN

When Frank Malerba passed away on December 23, 2001, the NY Daily News mentioned in his obituary how this long-retired police detective had captured a robber and, in an ensuing struggle, shot the man in the leg.

A week later, the late Mike McAlary wrote a piece that went on to chronicle the police exploits of Det1 Frank Malerba during the 1950's, highlighted by an infamous shoot-out in East Harlem with a hit-man named August Robles.

It was noted that this true Detective "legend" FRANK MALERBA had, in 1955, shot a barricaded murder suspect named August Robles and inspired the movie "Madigan", starring Richard Widmark. The suspect, Robles, had committed a murder in Brooklyn, and had fled to a relative’s apartment in the 23 Precinct in Manhattan. A snitch for the 23 Squad gave up the perp, and the events that transpired were used as the basis for the very good, hit movie “Madigan”.

On Friday, February 18, 1955 Robles had fled after committing his Brooklyn murder and was held up in his nieces apartment on West 129 Street. After working on leads that they had developed, four detectives from the 23 Squad, including Frank Malerba, went to the apartment seeking to apprehend Robles. As they stood outside the door, Robles appeared, gun in hand from another doorway down the hall, and immediately opened fire on the sleuths and in the exchange of shots, escaped.

An extensive search of the neighborhood began, and on Sunday morning February 20, a vital lead was developed from a prisoner debriefing (Remember: Follow Up On The Details!).

The subsequent capture was not without drama. The Squad Commander, Lt. Charles Dauner, had a lot of assistance in formulating the tactical plan – the Chief Of Detectives, a Deputy Chief and a DI were all involved in the planning.

Robles answered the knock on the door with the words: “I’m alone, but if you want me, come and get me – but I’ll take plenty of you with me”.

Breaking through the heavily padlocked door, the detectives went in firing as Robles fired at them. Det. Hefferen was hit twice, and a third slug ripped through his coat lapel and a fourth lodged harmlessly in the groin area of his bullet proof vest. As he fell he knocked Detective Rogan down, and Rogan dragged him out of the line of fire.

Detective Malerba continued pumping shots into the room, as Robles continued his assault of gunfire towards the doorway. Lt. Dauner was struck three times at this point, and was dragged to safety by another Detective. Exchanges of gunfire between the detectives and Robles were interrupted sporadically by snatches of conversation, attempting to talk Robles out, while he continued to state he had nothing to lose, he wanted a priest, and he wanted to write a letter, but refused to surrender. The gun battle brought scores of uniformed officers to the scene, deployed outside evacuating neighboring residents, as Emergency Service officers took up positions. ESU deployed tear gas canisters into the apartment, along with rifle and machine gun fire. When MOS were finally able to gain entry further into the apartment, they spotted Robles lying on the floor of the bedroom. Not sure if he was dead, Malerba and another ESU patrolman fired at him. He was dead. Robles had been hit four times; he also had a fifth wound, suffered during his first exchange of shots with detectives on the previous Friday.

At the time of the incident, the department noted that “this incident was the most concentrated engagement in recent years between police and criminal; it is to the credit of the Department that out of thousands who witnessed the battle and the hundreds that were evacuated from adjoining houses, no one was injured.”

Malerba retired in 1963.

Some additional comments on Frank Malerba and the 23 Squad in general, are worth mentioning.

The 23 Detective Squad always had a reputation of being a tough squad, long before Malerba.

When Ret Det1 John Reilly first met Malerba in 1961, Reilly was a white-shield investigator in the Manhattan North Youth Squad. Some of the investigators from the Youth Squad were sent to the 23rd Squad to help them conduct a canvass of one block following a homicide. During the canvass a civilian told him that he had been assaulted and then pointed out the perps. Placing the two perps under arrest, a bit of a fight erupted in which one of the two punched Reilly in the shoulder.

At the 23 Squad Malerba told him that one of the Squad would have to take the collar, as they were only white shield’s.

Reilly had 6 years on the job, and was not about to let another detective steal an arrest from him. He talked to the squad commander and he agreed that it was Reilly’s collar. In the Youth Squad they were always hot for collars, as the only way to get to a Detective Squad was to have high activity.

The next time he saw Malerba was at a training class, when Malerba took exception to something the instructor said and then responded with a comment, "You're not doing your job if you have not been sued for a million dollars a few times."


PCCIU

The 1964 “Self Portrait” issue of Spring 3100 outlines the various bureaus and units of the department at that time. The Police Commissioner’s Confidential Investigating Unit is one of those units that has gone by the wayside.

The description of this unit notes that “since time immemorial the major props of the underworld have been gambling and vice. There is perhaps no more important police function than the one dealing effectively with violations of law in these areas.”

Interesting to note the importance on gambling and vice crimes.

It goes on to state that “assigned to this vital job is the Gambling Enforcement Squad of the Police Commissioner’s Confidential Investigating Unit.

This staff-level unit, under the supervision of the Supervising Assistant Chief Inspector, reports directly to the Police Commissioner and conducts gambling and vice investigations throughout the city as assigned by him.

Other subdivisions of the PCCIU are the Personnel Standards Squads, and the Syndicated Vice and Gambling Squad.”

The Personnel Standards Squads, of which there were three, promptly and completely investigated complaints of police misconduct and check police work and conditions throughout the city to insure proper performance of duty.

There was also a Police Commissioners Inspection Squad which conducted the surveys of department precincts and offices, as what is now performed by the Quality Assurance Division.

The Syndicated Vice and Gambling Squad conducted intensive long range investigations and developed intelligence relative to gambling combines.


THE LINEUP

Still a regular practice in 1964, The Lineup was a major occurrence for the detective.

The Lineup referred to is not the one conducted in the squad office and viewed by a complainant, with one suspect and five fillers, which we know today.

The Lineup then referred to the parade of prisoners held four mornings a week at Police Headquarters.

Viewed by detectives, this lineup of recently arrested felons provided the sleuths with an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the characteristics and appearance of arrested criminals, and frequently provided a lead toward identifying a felon wanted for another crime other than that for which he was arrested.


INTERESTING WEB SITES

Secret News Media Site: High Profile Cases:

Here's an interesting web address you might want to check out.

Los Angeles is certainly the home of many high-profile, notorious trials. To keep apace of media demand for court documents on these cases, the Superior Court has a little publicized back door at its website where court documents related to these cases can be viewed in PDF format. This keeps the hordes of new folk out of the faces of the court clerks. Here's that address:

https://www.lasuperiorcourt.org/courtnews/highProfile/hpCaselist.aspx


New York City Police History:

To read all about the establishment of American law enforcement in New York City during the American Revolution and the part that George Washington had to play in it, go to:
http://www.cire.com/nypd/george.htm


“LEST WE FORGET…” THE NYPD MEMORIAL
September 1, 1891, Ptl John Sherman, 26 Pct, Stabbed during arrest
September 1, 1923 Ptl John Egan, 51 Pct, Shot by perp
September 1, 1954 Ptl Anthony Balga, PBBklyn, Auto accident on patrol
September 2, 1953 Sgt Saul Starett, 50 Pct, Electrocution
September 2, 1956 Ptl William Long, 103 Pct, Shot-arrest
September 2, 1982 PO Robert Seton-Harris, 122 Pct, Heart attack LOD
September 3, 1932 Ptl Peter DeCarlo, 32 Pct, Shot-Robbery in progress
September 3, 1967 Ptl John Darcy, 28 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
September 4, 1961 Ptl Francis Walsh, 32 Pct, Shot-robbery
September 4, 1962 Ptl Robert Byrnes, 94 Pct, Shot by EDP
September 7, 1970 Ptl Patrick Canavan, PA, Stabbed, off-duty incident
September 9, 1979 PO Edwin Fogel, Hwy1, Shot-car stop
September 10, 1951 Det James Daggett, Safe,Loft&Truck Sqd, Explosion
September 10, 1964 Ptl Anthony Esposito, 66 Pct, LOD Hear attack
September 10, 2004 Det Robert Parker & Det Patrick Rafferty, 67 Sqd, DV Arrest
September 11, 1976 PO Brian Murray, Bomb Sq, Explosion investigation

WTC Victims of Attack:
Sgt John Coughlin #3751, ESS4
Sgt Michael Curtin #3256, Ess2
Sgt Rodney Gillis, #1889, ESS8
Sgt Timothy Roy #2926, STED
Det Claude Richards #244, Bomb Squad
Det Joseph Vigiano #4511, ESS3
PO John Dallara #4011, ESS2
PO Vincent Danz #2166, ESS3
PO Jerome Dominguez #10003, ESS3
PO Stephen Driscoll #17482, ESS4
PO Mark Ellis #11441, TD4
PO Robert Fazio #6667, 13 Pct
PO Ronald Kloepfer #22403, ESS7
PO Thomas Langone #14356, ESS10
PO james Leahy #8943, 6 Pct
PO Brian McDonnell #6889, ESS1
PO John Perry #3266, 40 Pct
PO Glen Pettit #3815, PA
PO Moira Smith #10467, 13 Pct
PO Ramon Suarez #12671, TD4
PO Paul Talty #28907, ESS10
PO Santos Valentin #21630, ESS7
PO Walter Weaver #2784, ESS3


Holiday Note to all readers:

It's hard to believe, but the end of the summer is upon us! As we prepare for the holiday weekend, most are readying themselves for traditional Labor Day BBQ's and stuff. Others, as we know, are preparing for the very busy weekend in Brooklyn North and South that is West Indian Parade Day, Monday, and the weekend Jouvee Festivities. To all celebrating Labor Day as a holiday, I wish you the very best in weather and good times. For those of us who will be working the West Indian Day details, I share in the wishes for a very rainy day Monday.

Let's make the best of whatever we have!

Remember, also - To Contact The Minister of Investigation, perhaps with a contribution for this site, you may do so at:

Ltjac77@yahoo.com

Be safe!