“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.”

–Sir Winston Churchill


BROADENING YOUR HORIZONS: YOU’RE A PROFESSIONAL

I have always found that, no matter where you travel or venture to, cops are cops.

Especially true with Detectives – whether they be investigating shootings in the Big Apple, Chicago, LA, or in Palermo Italy, two detectives get together for a chat and will inevitably find more in common than disparate.

One of the principles I preach when instructing at the Criminal Investigation Course is that, as investigators, we should be professionals. Professionals maintain their knowledge of their profession by partaking in continued education, by reading and networking with others that can help them to broaden their knowledge of investigations and investigative tactics and procedures.

All too often detectives act as if they performed inside of a bubble (not quite like “bubble-boy”, but you get what I mean).

What can the detective from Chicago teach you about investigations? Certainly a detective from Manchester England, or Dublin Ireland, can have nothing of value to teach you? That kind of thinking is not helpful, and can be very harmful.

Keeping up to date with the latest practices and issues on forensic procedures, particularly DNA related, is extremely valuable to every investigator, regardless of their geographic area of employment.

Share ideas, network, and keep an open mind.

I often read news articles concerning crime issues from around the world. The geography changes, but the frustrations of the investigator, the skills and the tactics of the working sleuth, can be duplicated across the globe.

The only frustration I sometimes encounter is discovering a new tactic, procedure or whatever that may be applicable locally, and getting someone of power and/or authority to listen. “To think outside the box” always sounds great when you’re the owner of the box, but never very popular when you work in the bureaucracy around the box owner.

Why live in a bubble, when there is so much more?




With those thoughts in mind, I am presenting some out-of-the ordinary items on this posting.

Investigations from around the globe, and a look at the application of investigations in a corporate environment – items to educate, and broaden the investigators knowledge.

There is no such thing as too much education.

Professional knowledge for the professional investigator.


USA HAS BASEBALL – EUROPE HAS F1 CAR RACING

We have been surrounded with news items concerning steroids in baseball, from the print media to television and radio broadcasts.

Professional sports are a hot item, and always make for good media exposure.

Why would the US Congress get involved in conducting hearings on the use of steroids in baseball? It certainly couldn’t be a political issue, right?

Well, in the light of broad-based information, I’d like to share an ongoing tale of fraud and deception presently underway in Europe, involving the Formula 1 (F1) Racing teams of Great Britain and Italy.

It appears that the British racin g team, McLarens, had obtained paperwork from the Italian team, Ferrari, that has become a large scale corporate espionage investigation.

It was released on February 29, in Bologna Italy that statements and information gathered by Italian investigators during an unannounced swoop on McLaren's headquarters in Britain and the homes of its top executives have been turned over to magistrates preparing an industrial espionage case against the British Formula 1 team.

McLaren has already been condemned by the international racing federation- FIA - for the illegal possession of technical data belonging to Ferrari.

The British team was fined 50 million pounds and stripped of all its points in the 2007 championship, which it was leading. The British team now faces criminal charges in Modena, the city which has jurisdiction over Ferrari's home town Maranello.

Working with British police, Italian investigators on Wednesday gathered information and documents at McLaren's headquarters in Surrey and from the private homes and offices of team boss Ron Dennis and executives Martin Whitmarsh, Jonathan Neale, Rob Taylor and Paddy Lowe.

Although McLaren has admitted having the technical data for Ferrari's 2007 race car, it has always denied using the data for its own benefit.

However, Modena magistrates said on Thursday that they had ample evidence which ''clearly showed the responsibility of top company management and technical staff'' not only in regard to obtaining the Ferrari data but also using the information for its own car and in deciding race strategy.

The material gathered Wednesday by Italian investigators, working with British police, mostly involved computer data and email records.

A statement from McLaren said that the police and investigators had been satisfied with the team's cooperation.

The information about the 2007 Ferrari was allegedly obtained by McLaren's chief designer who obtained it from Ferrari's former chief engineer.

McLaren is said to have received a 780-page dossier of Ferrari secrets from the Ferrari technician at the start of the 2007 Grand Prix season.Ferrari have taken legal action in Britain against McLaren’s engineer, and in Italy against the former Ferrari engineer.

SWEETHEARTING

I was reading an article on fraud deterrence in the private sector, and came upon the term “sweethearting”.

I had never heard the term used before, and wasn’t sure exactly what it meant – could it have something to do with “Leap Day” or “Sadie Hawkins”? An affair of the heart – but how does it apply to corporate fraud?

Sweethearting is the term that reflects a practice by employees that results in large dollar losses to retailers at all level.

Here’s a good example.

People come into the store and buy an item at a certain price, but the cashier rings up a different product at a much lower price.

They call that sweethearting in the trade, and that costs revenue.

The granting of special favors or privileges, especially to friends or family; in retail, the giving of unauthorized discounts or the abetting of shoplifting or other theft; the giving of a sweetheart deal.

The cashier may fail to charge the customer for some items, or may only ring up one item of a multiple purchase (a can of Coke rather than a six pack, for instance)

In shops with no bar code scanning, the cashier may ring an item up with a lower price, or ring it up as a cheaper item.

The cashier may apply discounts where they are not justified.

Like all forms of fraud involving collusion, sweethearting is difficult to deter by means of administrative controls.

You should know that many large retailers use closed-circuit cameras to both detect sweethearting and intimidate employees out of doing it.

I go back 30 years to my time as a McDonalds store manager, and realize that I fired a worker for sweethearting, before I even knew the term applied. Giving her boyfriend 3 hamburgers, a bag of fries and a soda, and charging him for only 1 hamburger – that sweethearting, sweetie-pie!

CHANGING POWER IN ITALIAN ORGANIZED CRIME

It was reported in Italian news media recently that there appears to be a shift in power as it relates to organized crime in that country.

We lump all organized crime groups under the simple heading of The Mafia. In fact, in Italy, one of the major investigative arms of the National police (Polizia di Stato) is the Anti-Mafia Investigative Division.

Organized crime – the Mafia – is actually composed of several distinct organizations- Cosa Nostra, in Sicily; ‘Ndraghetta in Calabria; and the Camorra in Naples.

Long known as the most powerful of organized crime groups, the Cosa Nostra, which is Sicilian based, appears to be losing ground to the Calabria based “Ndrangheta.

The 'Ndrangheta's power has been rising for decades and it is now considered more of a threat than Sicily's Cosa Nostra, with huge drugs revenue and a greater resistance to penetration by informants.

In November 2005 it signaled its new-found strength by murdering a prominent local politician.

In a 2006 report from Italy's national Anti-Mafia group, DIA, the 'Ndrangheta was described as more ruthless than Sicily's Cosa Nostra or the Neapolitan Camorra.

It dominates drug trafficking in Europe, especially the cocaine market, and has an estimated annual turnover of almost 36 billion euros (nearly $50 billion).

Recent arrests come in the wake of a series of police success against Cosa Nostra in Sicily and the Neapolitan mafia, or Camorra.

''After the capture of the big bosses in Sicily and Naples, now the strongholds of organized crime in Calabria are being dismantled too,'' Amato said.

He praised the collaboration between German and Italian police which had made the arrests possible.

WHAT THE HECK IS A WICKLANDER QUALIFICATION?

Ever speak to someone in the corporate setting and have them ask you if you are “Wicklander certified”?

What the heck does that mean?

Checking out the web site of Wicklander – Zulawski and Associates will tell you exactly who these people are.

Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates, Inc. claims that they continue to be recognized as the premier consulting and training company on interview and interrogation techniques.

Ever hear of John E. Reid Associates, or the Reid Technique for Interviewing? Apparently Wicklander and Reid have teamed up on much of this training.

They state that they are dedicated to assisting public and private sector professionals to improve their ability to obtain the truth through legally acceptable techniques. To this end, WZ continues research to provide the highest quality training, products and professional services to an ever-increasing number of organizations throughout the world.

http://www.w-z.com/




INTERESTING WEB SITES

Investigative Links:

Heres an interesting site that I have passed on before, but certainly worth doing so once again. Certainly worth a look-see.

Black Book Online has completed a transformation and testing of its new design. It is now the single largest FREE database of public record searches available on the Internet!

If you haven't visited in a while, visit it again soon at

http://www.BlackBookOnline.info

10-13 Association:

The 10-13 Association has a great web site you should check out also.

They also are providing a listing to help you find old friends or stay in touch with people you’ve worked with in the past. By clicking onto the below site you will be brought to the list of those who have registered.

If you would like to register yourself, it takes a little searching to figure out how to do so – but I’ve done it for you! (You’re welcome!)

Go to the home page, and click on the Guestbook link. You will be brought to the sign in guest book; register a new email address, fill out the boxes, and you’ll be added.

Take a look!

http://www.ny10-13amer.org/viewlist.htm


Flags:

Charlie from Florida, a law enforcement officer who has his roots in New York, has passed on the following link of interest.

This site will bring you to the flags of NYC, as well as the NYPD flag, and provide a little history of them all.

http://www.crwflags.com/FOTW/flags/us-nycp.html

Once there, the history of the nypd flag and nyc flag(s) are there. On the "clickable map" you get all the info about the flag including a history of each borough.

Charlie has been in touch with me in the past, and is a regular reader, and sometime contributor, to this site. I recently had the pleasure of meeting him in person, when he attended the Homicide Course this past January. Thanks for everything!!




PAY PHONES: DISAPPEARING FAST

Remember driving around looking for a pay phone so you could answer the “beep” you just received from home or work?

How about just having a beeper – no readout – and trying to figure out who was beeping you by elimination phone calls?

Well it should be no surprise to many people that pay phones are falling away real fast.

AT&T has announced its getting out of the business altogether.

It has announced a fire-sale on its last 65,000 pay phones, hoping to not be the last man on a sinking ship. When the liquidation is completed, the telecom giant won't own a single coin-operated phone. The pool of payphones nationwide has shrunk from 2.6 million to one million over the past decade, according to the Associated Press.

“LEST WE FORGET…” THE NYPD MEMORIAL

March 1, 1945 PO Albert Black, Traffic F, Fire rescue
March 1, 1970 PO Joseph Mariconda, Aviation and
PO Patrick Harrington, Aviation
Helicopter Accident
March 2, 1924 PO Thomas Gaffney, 26 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
March 3, 1989 PO Robert Machate, BSTF, Shot-car stop
March 4, 1927 PO Henry Farrell, 3A Pct, Fire rescue
March 5, 1973 PO Irving Wright, 20 Pct, Shot-arrest
March 5, 1975 PO Robert Rogerson, Div.Licenses, Auto accident
March 9, 1948 PO Julius Mirell, 34 Pct, Shot-burglary
March 9, 1974 PO Timothy Hurley, 103 Pct, Shot-robbery
March 10, 1917 Ptl Deforest Fredenburg & Ptl John Lober, No information available
March 10, 1994 PO Sean McDonald, 44 Pct, Shot-Robbery
March 10, 2003 Det Rodney Andrews, OCCB Firearms, Shot-UC gun buy
March 10, 2003 Det James Nemorin, OCCB-Firearms, Shot-UC gun buy
March 11, 1930 Ptl Joseph Scott, 32 Pct, auto accident on patrol
March 11, 1947 Ptl Winthrop Paris, 30 Pct, Shot-Investigation, off duty
March 11, 1959 Ptl Robert Forrest, 24 Pct, Off duty LOD heart attack
March 11, 1987 Det Louis Miller, FTU10, Shot-Burglary in progress
March 12, 1909 Lt Joseph Petrosino, Det Div; Shot – Investigation in Italy
March 12, 1931 Ptl James Flanagan, 25 Pct, Shot- off duty investigation
March 14, 1872 Det Phillip Lambreck, 19 Pct, Assaulted
March 14, 1967 Det John Pollins, Narc, Arrest- narcotics buy/bust
March 14, 1996 PO Kevin Gillespie, SCU, Shot – investigation

MAFIA ROUNDUP- ACROSS THE GLOBE

Recent news items in New York City highlighted the round up of New York Mafia gangsters, and was described as the fall of the “last of the Gambino’s” in the New York Daily News.

It turns out that this roundup was part of an international effort, between New York and Italian authorities, dismantling much of the organized crime factions operating between the two countries.

You may have seen news items on the New York arrests. The following details more fully the international aspect of this organized crime effort.

Thursday February 7 was the day these efforts took place.

At least 80 people all together were arrested during this major crackdown on the Mafia carried out by Italian and American law enforcement agencies.

Code-named 'Old Bridge', the operation focused on revived relations between organized crime families in the United States and Sicily.

About 60 of the arrests were carried out by the FBI in the US and regards members of the New York-based Gambino family, including its reputed rising star Francesco (Frank) Cali', also known as 'Frankie Boy'.

'Old Bridge' is the lastest in a series of anti-Mafia offensives which began in 2005 and in 2006 allowed for the arrest of Cosa Nostra superboss Bernardo Provenzano, after over 40 years on the run, and last November of his heir in Palermo, Salvatore Lo Piccolo.

''Today's operation is the natural development of the investigations carried out by police in Palermo in recent years and which resulted in the arrests of Provenzano and Lo Piccolo,'' Italy's chief anti-Mafia prosecutor Pietro Grasso said.

''The evidence gathered in these investigations has shed light on the growing importance of renewed relations between Cosa Nostra families in Sicily and America, especially the Gambino family in New York,'' he added. Lo Piccolo had been instrumental in re-establishing ties with those Cosa Nostra families which were forced to flee Sicily in the early 1980s after they lost a bloody gang war for control of Cosa Nostra to the Corleone clan headed by Salvatore (Toto') Riina and Provenzano.Provenzano took over as the boss of bosses after Riina was arrested in 1993 and in recent years gave his blessing to re-pacification with those families which had fled Sicily.

Among these was the Inzerillo family which in the US allied itself with the powerful Gambino family.

Thanks to Provenzano, several members of the Inzerillo family returned to Sicily and were allowed back into the business, also because the original Corleone clan had been depleted by arrests and defections.
The business primarily involved drug trafficking and money laundering, which the American 'cousins' carried out through the Gambino-Inzerillo family's various legal activities including construction and food imports. Cali', who is married to a member of the Inzerillo family, is believed to have been responsible for relations with the families in Sicily and laundering their drug money in the US.

The FBI's investigation led to the discovery of a number of front companies operated under Cali's supervision including a law firm in Brooklyn which handled financial transactions as well as real estate investments for the family.




INTERESTING WEB SITE

http://www.telequery.net/

Here’s a commercial database for telephone listings, including a reverse directory, that costs nothing to start – is a “pay-as-you-go” site that could prove valuable and helpful.

You can start up with a trial program to test it out and see how you like it.

It promises to be “the most powerful, flexible, accurate, and easy-to-use name, address, and telephone number information search tool in the world.”

They provide you with real-time access to the Telephone Company's most current US and Canadian customer name, address, and telephone number databases.

Although we have the Real Time Crime Center for telephone inquiries. You may find this to be of use in your investigations.



SPOOFCARD

SpoofCard offers the ability to change what someone sees on their caller ID display when they receive a phone call.

Simply dial the toll free number and then your PIN. You’ll then be prompted to enter the destination number followed by the phone number to appear on caller ID.

SpoofCard is legal in the US and throughout the world. You have the ability to change your voice to a Male or Female, as well.

If you do choose to change your voice, the person whom you call will hear your transformed voice in real-time. It also offers the option to record your conversation, which can later be retrieved by logging-in to the control panel or calling a toll-free access number from any phone.

There is no extra charge for these features, and are included in the purchase.

Check out their web site for more details, including pricing info, at:

http://bb.spoofcard.com

You can also call 800-964-8450.

Certainly sounds pretty interesting, and investigators I know who are using it find it to be all it promises to be.



COPY MACHINES WITH INVESTIGATIVE VALUE

Did you know that many of the higher priced copiers contain a hard drive that saves copies of documents that are scanned or printed?

In fact, many copiers are integrated with your computers and can be used as fax machines.

This is something to think about when conducting an investigation, and you are retrieving the computer for forensic examination. You may want to have a look at the copy machine that is attached to it as well!

On a personal level, before you discard a copier from home, you may want to make sure you’re not discarding personal information others may be able to access.


IN MEMORIAM: P.O. SERAPHIN CALABRESE: 2/24/1980

Winter, 1980. A b.s. fare beat stop in the subway.

The newspapers in New York City carried the story of Transit Police Officer Seraphin “Sam” Calabrese, of District 1, who was killed in the line of duty that winter day.

Shot with his own gun, the story unfolded as follows.

“A transit police officer was shot and killed with his own gun last night in a struggle with a man who attempted to jump a turnstile in the Columbus Circle subway station on Manhattan's West Side, the Transit Authority reported. A suspect was seized outside the station.

At least four witnesses, including a token booth clerk, said the assailant had wrested the officer's service revolver away from him and emptied it in a barrage of gunfire that struck the officer in the head and back and reverberated through the sprawling station at
59th Street and Eighth Avenue at 9:50 P.M.”

“As the victim slumped to the concrete floor of the white-tiled underground concourse, the assailant fled to the street. Less than a block away, on 57th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, a pursuing transit police officer spotted and seized a suspect who was
said to be carrying the fatally wounded officer's gun and nightstick.

The fatally wounded officer, Seraphin Calabrese, 34 years old, was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:05 P.M.”

Witnesses told the police that the shooting occurred near a token booth on the underground concourse at 58th Street and Eighth Avenue, near the south end of the station, describing further that the assailant had entered the concourse at the northeast corner of 58th Street and Eighth Avenue and "was trying to sneak in" through the turnstiles. "The officer warned him to leave, then, the officer chased him a few times, a scuffle ensued and he managed to wrest the gun from the officer."

Witnesses said the assailant also took the officer's nightstick.

Transit Police Department Chief James Meehan said the assailant had fired all six shots from the officer's .38-calibre service revolver.

This was before the time when bullet proof vests were standard-issue for police officers, and it was noted that Officer Calabrese was not wearing a bullet-proof vest. The fatally wounded officer fell about 20 feet from the token booth, where a clerk who saw the shooting called for assistance.

The assailant, still carrying the officer's gun and nightstick, fled to the street, as an alarm went out over police radios.

Transit Police Officer Earl Sharpe was on the scene within moments, got a quick description from witnesses, ran out, commandeered a taxicab on Eighth Avenue and spotted the subject carrying the nightstick and gun and apprehended him without a struggle on 57th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues.


“LEST WE FORGET…” THE NYPD MEMORIAL

February 19, 1931 Det Christopher Scheuing, 13Sq, Shot-burglary in progress
February 19, 1968 Ptl Anthony Graffia, 106 Pct, Shot-robbery
February 19, 1971 PO Horace Lord, MN PEP Sqd, Shot-arrest investigation
February 20, 1921 Ptl George Smith, 96 Pct, LOD Accident
February 20, 1971 Det Erle Thompson, 114 Pct, Shot-off duty domestic dispute
February 21, 1917 Ptl Ralph Boyland, NFI
February 21, 1920 Ptl Henry Immen, 53 Pct, Shot-burglary in progress
February 21, 1982 PO George Werdann, 47 Pct, Robbery, off duty
February 22, 1925 Ptl Maurice Harlow, 13 Pct, Shot by prisoner
February 23, 1930 Ptl Joseph Keenan, PA, Shot-accidental discharge
February 24, 1930 Ptl George Coughlin, Mcy Dist, Auto accident on patrol
February 24, 1968 Ptl John Augulis, 83 Pct, LOD heart attack
February 24, 1980 PO Seraphin Calabrese, TPD-1, Shot-arrest
February 25, 1938 Ptl Henry Masterdon, 11 Pct, Injured on patrol
February 26, 1988 PO Edward Byrne, 103 Pct, Shot-assassination guarding witness
February 27, 1909 Ptl Thomas Smith, NFI
February 27, 1925 Ptl Harold Ormsby, NFI
February 28, 1928 Ptl John Hubbard, Traffic A, Auto accident on patrol
February 28, 1952 Sgt Paul Brooks, GCP Pct, Motorcycle accident
February 28, 1970 Ptl Michael Melchionna, TPD1, Shot-investigation
February 29, 1980 Ptl Irving Smith, TPD-PA, Shot-off duty robbery

Like most readers on this site, I look over the names of those who gave their lives in the line of duty, with some recognition along the way.

I joined the Transit Police Department in 1981, coming on during the time when subway crime was reaching its peak, grafitti covered train cars had become a staple of New York City, and attacks on Police Officers had continued on a rise as the start of the crack epidemic was taking root.

Sammy Calabrese and Irving Smith were still fresh in the Transit Police Academy Instructors' minds, many of whom had worked with either or both of them at some point.

Michael Melchionna, who was killed in 1970, had a brother, Henry ("Hank") on the job who taught most of us recruits - myself included - how to shoot a gun at the Firearms range in the basement of 300 Gold Street.

The Transit Police Columbia Association had an Annual Medal of Valor that was presented for a heroic act in the line of duty that was named in memory of Michael Melchionna. I was to be awarded this in 1982.

Who can forget the horror of PO Eddie Byrne being gunned down in 1988 as he sat in a radio car guarding a witness' home.

Remember them always, say a prayer for those they left behind. True heroes, one and all.

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 used to describe a Private Eye who "sticks like gum" to someone as in a surveillance on foot.


LOOK FOR THE OBVIOUS

Recently, a corporate investigations firm was hired to review and audit payments made during renovations at a construction site.

Reviewing the amount of money paid for work on the buildings water tank, the auditors began the process of going over the itemized bill.

Work performed to drain, clean, and repair, then paint and refill the tank were closely reviewed.

Some of the items the team wanted to examine, as good investigators conducting a forensic audit, included comparison for the amount paid for the work involved relative to similar work by other firms. Was their substandard paint applied? Was the tank painted before repairs were made? Was the tank even painted at all?

While others began the tedious accounting task of auditing the billing procedures, one of the more experienced, “street-detectives”, went out and performed the obvious: was there even a water tank on the roof of the building?

You guessed it – the firm was being billed for work on a water tank that didn’t even exist!


MITIGATION INVESTIGATION?

Most of us are familiar with the legal investigator hired by an attorney in preparation of defending a criminal client.

Reviewing statements made by witnesses, visiting the crime scene, seeking additional witnesses are all tasks that could be expected to be undertaken.

Have you ever heard of the mitigation investigation?

In preparation of the sentencing stage, attorneys will conduct a “mitigation investigation”, seeking to provide information on a defendant’s background in the hope of presenting to a jury, or sentencing judge, factors that may help lessen the sentence.

The mitigation investigation doesn’t seek to explore the elements of the crime itself, in a defense stage, but examines the aspects of the client’s life that led up to the crime.

In capital offense crimes, mitigation is intended to make a judge – or jury – less likely to sentence the person to death. The mitigation investigation is a required aspect of all capital offense cases, and is mandated by the US Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has ordered, in its 2003 decision Wiggins v. Smith, that attorneys must present mitigation evidence, should they be aware of it, which may compel a jury to return a sentence different than that of the death penalty.

While most investigators are working on determining innocence or guilt, and preparing a proper case for trial, you should know that there are others out there who will finding factors, such as past abuse, rape, homelessness, diminished mental abilities, which will lessen the sentence for the crime committed.

“I did it, but I can’t help myself for doing it?”


THE OUTCRY WITNESS

The person who heard the first version of events from the complainant – victim is known as the “outcry witness”.

Sometimes the version of events given to the “outcry witness” are different than what is reported on police reports.

That’s why it’s important to find out who accompanied a victim to the hospital, or who shows up there? Who are the complainants friends? Did the complainant/victim make any phone calls right after the incident?

You may want to ask your victim “Who did you talk to about this?” If you don’t, the defense attorney may do so – when your victim is on the witness stand!


INTERESTING WEB SITE

If you use a computer, you surely use Google to conduct searches.

There are ways to search sites, links, dateranges, etc. which may increase the effectiveness of your search.

A quick “cheat sheet” provided at Google can be found at:

www.google.com/help/cheatsheet.html

Check it out, it could be quite helpful.


“WHAT NUMBER IS THIS?”

If you need to know what number you are calling from, whether it be a land phone or a cell phone, you can try the following.

Dial: 800-444-4444

You will hear an MCI recorded message giving you the phone number you are calling from.

It doesn’t work on VOIP or internet phones, though.

PASSING THE TORCH

I would like to mention the recent retirements of some very fine detectives.

This past month, First Grade Detective ROBERT RIVERA and FIRST GRADE DETECTIVE PATRICIA TUFO retired from the department.

Both these detectives have the distinction of serving in their Precinct Detective Squad with exemplary accomplishments.

Bobby Rivera defined the 77 Detective Squad. OPne of the finest detectives this department has known, he possessed a dogged perseverance and determination that proved him well throughout his tenure. I had the pleasure of serving with Bobby when I commanded the 77 Squad, and saw first hand his value as an investigator. His accomplishments, while too many to name, will long be remembered, and his loss to the squad, and this department, will not be easily replaced.


So, too, Patty Tufo stood as the factotum of the 81 Squad. An unwielding force striving for success, Patty leaves a void in Brooklyn North. A true gumshoe, sleuth, detective! If Patty had the case, you could be sure that no stone would go unturned, no lead would be left aside, every case received her utmost care and skills as an investigator.

Detective First Grade - they personified the title!

I wish them both all the best in their future successes, as whatever they eventually turn to can certainly reach no other level but success.

We also saw the retirment this month of Lieutenant DAVID STEIN, Squad Commander of the 77 Squad, who received an accidental medical retirement, leaving the department shy another exemplary detective commander. Dave is planning a spring wedding, and will certainly be very busy in the coming months. You leave us too soon, and we wish you all the best for the future.

Retirements are a fact of life - yet you never take for granted, and can never forget, the work they have contributed in the past.

Friends one and all, I reach out for Brooklyn North Detectives, and the Detective Bureau as a whole, and say "Thanks for everything, and Best Wishes for the future!"



“LEST WE FORGET…” THE NYPD MEMORIAL

February 1, 1935 Sgt George Nadler, ESU, Explosion-investigation
February 2, 1975 PO Frank Bugdin, Midtown North, Shot-investigation
February 4, 1933 Sgt Eugene Monahan, 34 Pct, Shot: Robbery pursuit
February 6, 1864 Ptl John Hoffman, 25 Pct – Accident, runaway horse
February 6, 1864 Ptl Austin Easterbrook, NFI
February 6, 1914 Ptl Edward Murtha, 147 Pct, Shot-Robbery investigation
February 6, 1944 Ptl Eugene Mahoney, 5 Det Sq, Auto accident on patrol
February 9, 1963 Det Richard Arundell, DetDiv, LOD Heart attack
February 10, 1926 Ptl Frank White, 35 Pct, Shot-Burglary in progress
February 11, 1966 Ptl Stanley Butch, Harbor, Fell from boat
February 11, 1982 PO James Carragher, PSA1, Shot: Off duty robbery
February 12, 1930 Ptl George Miller, 22 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
February 12, 1936 Ptl James Young, Mounted, Shot-robbery
February 12, 1940 Ptl John Holt, 28 Pct, Off-duty burglary
February 12, 1980 PO Robert Bilodeau, SCU, Shot-investigation
February 13, 1918 Ptl Samuel Rosenfeld, 102 Pct, Shot-Robbery in progress
February 14, 1921 Ptl John Sheridan, 70 Pct, Line of duty incident
February 14, 1925 Det Chester Hagan, DetDiv, Shot-investigation
February 14, 1963 Ptl Vincent Zichetella, 14 Pct, Shot-robbery
February 14, 1984 PO Thomas Ruotolo, 41 Pct, Shot-Robbery
February 14, 1999 PO Matthew Dziergowski, 123 Pct, Auto accident
February 15, 1917 Ptl Samuel Cunningham, 42 Pct, Shot-GLA Arrest
February 15, 1932 Ptl James Goodwin, 34 Pct, Shot-off duty robbery
February 15, 1971 Det Joseph Piciano, 41 Sq, Shot by prisoner
February 16, 1918 Det John Quinn, DetDiv, Physical assault during arrest
February 16, 1923 Det John Donohue, DetDiv, Shot by EDP
February 16, 1923 Ptl Joseph Reilly, 21 Pct, Shot by perp
February 16, 1941 Ptl Leon Fox, 60 Pct, Shot-Robbery in progress
February 17, 1921 Det Joseph Bridgetts, DetDiv, Shot-GLA Arrest
February 17, 1996 PO Charles Oddo, Hwy2, Struck by auto


I encourage you to visit, and bookmark, the site:

http://www.nypdangels.com/

for an excellent memorial tribute to our brothers and sisters who have fallen in the line of duty.