IN MEMORY

This coming week will be the anniversary of three heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice within four years of each other while carrying a badge that was imprinted "New York City Transit Police".





Coincidentally, all three died in plainclothes doing a job we all enjoyed .... there but for the grace of God go any one of us.





So, as the political heckling banters back & forth please take a few moments to remember these brave men & woman, the loved ones they left behind and recall the funerals we attended and why.





God bless them and those they left behind.






P.O. Joseph Hamperian 12/01/80 - 09/22/83



Officer Hamperian was struck and killed by an automobile while he was in plainclothes working a pick-pocket detail at a bus stop in Brooklyn when the incident happened. Officer Hamperian was assigned to the Transit Police Surface Crime Unit (Bus Squad) and was survived by his parents.






P.O. Irma (Fran) Lozada 10/20/81 - 09/21/84



Officer Lozada was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect. She and her partner were in plainclothes patroling the L Line when they witnessed a suspect snatch a piece of jewelry. The officers gave chase but separated while in pursuit. Officer Lozada's body was found three hours later in a vacant lot. She had been shot in the head while attempting to make an arrest. Officer Lozada was the first female officer to be killed in the line of duty in New York City. She was assigned to Transit District 33 and had been with the Transit Police for three years. She was survived by her mother and brother. The murderer is serving a 25 to life sentence.






P.O. Robert Venable 01/06/84 - 09/22/87



Officer Venable was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest. He and two other officers were transporting several prisoners in Brooklyn when they were alerted of a call involving several men with guns. As they entered the building Officer Venable was shot. He succumbed to his injuries three hours later. The suspects were apprehended. Officer Venable had been with the Transit Police for three years and was survived by his 8-year-old daughter and parents. The assailant is serving a 37 years to life sentence.

(I would like to thank Ret Sgt Mike Fanning for his contribution in memorializing these three officers. Thanks again, Mike, for all you continue to do.)

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR JOSEPH HAMPERIAN SCHEDULED



September 22, 2008 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Line of Duty death of JOSEPH HAMPERIAN #4461

In memory of Joey’s passing, a memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 28th, 2008 at 11 AM at:

ARMENIAN CHURCH OF THE HOLY MARTYRS
209-15 Horace Harding Blvd.
Bayside, NY 11364-1721

A fellowship hour will follow the church service. All are invited to attend.



Anyone who would like to make a donation to the Armenian Church in Joey’s honor can mail their check to the above and notate check in Joseph Hamperian’s memory.

For any further information, e-mail Herb Schoen at hrs2640@aol.com

SEPTEMBER 11

2,751 people killed at the World Trade Center on 9-11-01 from the terrorist attack on our country.

23 NYPD Members of the Service killed in service to others.

37 Port Authority Police Dept MOS killed in service to others

343 FDNY members killed in service to others.

Remember them always.

NYPD’S FIRST MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT: CHARLES S. CARRAO

Thanks to Sgt (Ret) Mike Bosak, a true department historian, the following information is provided concerning the department’s first Medal of Honor Recipient.

The department awarded its first Medal of Honor on May 18, 1912.

It was awarded to Acting Detective Sergeant (today’s rank of Detective) CHARLES S. CARRAO of the Italian Squad, for police action performed on the morning of September 15, 1911.

The Italian Squad worked out of Police Headquarters at 240 Centre Street, working primarily on investigations concerning the “Black Hand”, an organized crime entity that preyed mostly on recently arrived Italian immigrants.

Detective Carrao confronted a “Black Hand” extortionist, who had just lit the fuse on an explosive device in the hallway of a tenement house located at 356 East 13th Street.

Carrao then extinguished the fuse, gave chase and exchanged shots with the fleeing culprit before making the arrest.

This same extortionist had just four hours earlier ignited another bomb at 314 East 12th Street that caused extensive damage.

It was noted by Ret. Det1 John Reilly, now deceased, in a book he published concerning awards by the NYPD, that the first NYPD “Medal of Honor” was designed by Tiffany & Co, and was originally referred to as the “Department Medal”. It was in the NYPD General Orders of April 22, 1915, that the name of the medal was changed from the “Department Medal” to the “Departmental Medal of Honor”.


MORE ON DEPARTMENT MEDALS

The first “Medal Day” in New York City was on Saturday, May 26, 1855 in City Hall Park.

It was at this ceremony that the NYC Municipal Police Department awarded seven (7) silver medals.

Chief of Police George Matsell and Mayor Fernando Wood awarded six solid silver medals for heroism and good arrests and one silver medal for “meritorious service”.

The first medal awarded by the NYPD was awarded on August 17, 1871 and was awarded for “meritorious conduct”. It was awarded to Patrolman Bernard Tully of the 19th Precinct (today’s 17th Precinct) for the arrest of a burglar with one shot fired. This was the only medal awarded in 1871.

MULTIPLE AWARDS OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR

Department history reflects only three members who have received multiple awards of the Medal of Honor. Only one of these lived to receive his second medal.

Detective Timothy J. Connell was awarded his first Medal of Honor in 1922, after he was wounded foiling a hold up at a cigar store which resulted in a shoot-out with two armed perpetrators of which he mortally wounded one and the second showed up the next day at a local hospital with a bullet wound. Detective Connell was awarded his second Medal of Honor posthumously in 1926 after he was killed in another shootout with four armed adversaries in 1924.

Detective John Cordes was awarded his first Medal of Honor in 1924 after a shootout in which he was wounded five times, and again in 1928 for another shoot out. He lived to be awarded his second Medal of Honor, and completed his career as a Lieutenant – Commander of Detectives, commanding first the Broadway Squad and then the Riverfront Squad, from where he retired.

Police Officer Robert Bilodeau, Street Crime Unit, was awarded his first Medal of Honor for an incident that took place on April 5, 1979, when while making an arrest during a decoy operation his throat was slashed, an injury that required 63 stitches. His second award was posthumously in 1981 for an incident that took place on February 12, 1980, when Officer Bilodeau chased a gunman into an alleyway. The gunman turned and shot Officer Bilodeau three times, but before he died he was able to wound his assailant.

Note: Both Medals of Honor were awarded to his wife & son at the NYPD's 1981 Medal Day award ceremony.


SOME OTHER MEDAL OF HONOR FACTS

Only Five females have been awarded the NYPD Medal of Honor:

1) P.O. Tanya Braithwaite, 1985

2) P.O. Sharon Fields, 1985

3) Det. Kathleen Burke, 1987

4) P.O. Moira Smith, 2001 (Posthumously)

5) P.O. Judith Hernandez, 2003


SOME DETECTIVE HISTORY: SAFES AND LOFTS, BURGLARIES AND BANKS

I’d like to thank Ret Det. Joe Gannon for his contribution to the following concerning some detective history.

I noted in a prior posting information on the Safe and Loft Squad. Joe Gannon has some more insight of interest.

In 1970, the Safe, Loft and Truck Squad was part of the Burglary Larceny Division. This Division was under the control of the Chief of Detectives, with the Commanding Officer of the Burglary larceny Division reporting directly to the Chief of Detectives.

Some of the other components of the Burglary Larceny Division were such squads as the Pickpocket & Confidence Squad, Property Recovery Squad, Auto Squad, and Forgery Squad. These squads were housed in what was known as the “Headquarters Annex”, at 400 Broome Street.

Prior to the Burglary Larceny Division, these squads fell under the jurisdiction of the Detective Bureau’s Central Office, Bureaus and Squads – known throughout as “COBS”.

It was in the early 1970’s, under Commissioner Patrick Murphy, that these Headquarters Squads were reorganized. Under what became known as the Special Investigations Division, several squads were added – Bank Robbery Squad and the Hotel Squad – under the control of the Chief of Detectives and what was still called, at that time, the Detective Division.

The Special Investigations Division was broken down under 2 Districts – the Fraud and Property Crime Division, and Major Crimes Division. Many of these squads were housed to the Old Slip building, where the Forgery Squad was merged with the Stock and Bond Squad as well. The Bank Squad was absorbed into the Major Case Squad, and eventually the Districts were absorbed into one overall command under Special Investigations Division. The Hotel Squad was one of the last squads to leave the Old Slip building, but it was the Bond and Forgery Squad that were the last department commands to leave the Old Slip Building. (This building has since been renovated, and houses the current Police Museum).

Eventually the Property recovery Squad was merged into the Bond and Forgery Squad, and ultimately by 1980 the Pickpocket Squad disappeared, as did the Forgery Squad followed by Safe & Loft.

The Detective Division had a Central Investigation Bureau, located in a clandestine building at 432 Park Avenue South where the building directory listed it as CIB, Inc.

There were a number of components to the Central Investigation Bureau, including the Organized Crime Wire Unit, a Labor Unit, and the Abortion Squad. It eventually was disbanded and their duties taken over by the Intelligence Division, which was taken out of the control of the Chief of Detectives and established as a separate command structure.

While under the command of the Chief of Detectives, much of the intelligence work came under the command of the Bureau of Special Services and Investigations – known throughout the job as BOSSI.


SOME PRECINCT HISTORY

In addition to hosting the finest memorial site for NYPD Police Officer’s who have given their lives in the performance of their police duties; the web site http://www.nypdangels.com/ also has a very interesting breakdown on NYPD Precinct numbering history.

For example, did you know that the only precinct in New York City that has never changed its designation is the 1st Precinct?

Today’s 17th Precinct has some notable history as well.

The station house we now know as the 17th Precinct has seen the following changes over the years.

On 09/07/1877, the 19th Precinct was established at 163 East 51st Street. Ten years later, on 01/01/1887, the designation changed to the 23rd Precinct. It remained as such for the next 11 years, then on 05/01/1898 it was redesignated the 24th Precinct. Ten years later, on 01/01/1908, it became the 29th Precinct. It remained as such for the next 16 years, then on 07/18/1924 it was again changed, this time to the 10th Precinct. Finally, on 07/03/1929, it was changed to the 17th Precinct, as it has remained since.


“LEST WE FORGET…” THE NYPD MEMORIAL

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

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
September 25, 1895 Ptl John Delehanty, 21 Pct, assaulted
September 25, 1953 Ptl Harry Widder, GCP-Hwy3, Auto accident
September 25, 1971 PO Arthur Pelo, HA-BkSI, Shot-robbery arrest
September 25, 1995 PO David Willis, 10 Pct, Auto accident, radio run
September 26, 1977 PO Vito Chiaramonte, HA-CCU, Shot
September 27, 1849 Ptl Thomas Lynch, NFI
September 27, 1945 Det Frank McGrath, 2 Sqd, Shot-investigation
September 28, 1921 Ptl Joseph Reuschle, 42 Pct, Shot by prisoner
September 28, 1934 Ptl John Fraser, 4 Div, Shot-robbery in progress
September 29, 1854 Ptl James Cahill, 11 Ward, Shot-Burglary **
September 29, 1965 Ptl Donald Rainey, Auto Crime, Shot-Mistaken ID, off duty
September 29, 1983 PO Joseph McCormack, ESU, Shot-barricade situation


Editor’s Note: The listing of MOS who died in the Line of Duty for this posting is quite extensive. I try to be inclusive of my postings, so that as best as possible no one is left off. This period encompasses that of 9/11 – so I wanted to be sure to include them, without leaving off anyone else.
This particular posting includes some that are more meaningful to me than others – Det’s Parker and Rafferty of the 67 Squad, on September 10, 2004. A dear friend, Irma Lozada on September 21, 1984. Joseph Hamperian, September 22, 1983 and then Robert Venable, September 22, 1987. People I’ve known who left way before their time.
I encourage all readers to go to http://www.nypdangels.com/ and look at the very fine memorial site that is set up there – stories on those who have gone before us, often with insights from others who knew them. This is truly one of the finest memorial web sites ever established.