MAX F. SCHMITTBERGER, CHIEF INSPECTOR
Thanks to Sgt. Mike Fanning for his contribution on this department legend, Max F. Schmittberger, who served as the Chief Inspector of the department from 1909 to 1917, with 43 years of service before he died. He died in 1917 after contracting pneumonia, and was 67 years old at the time.
He was best known as the principle survivor of the Lexlow Commission�s fight against Tammany Hall to end graft in the city, conducted in the late 1890�s.
Max F. Schmittberger was born in Germany, and came to the United States when he was 4 years old He was educated in the public schools, and after trying his hand at two or three employments he joined the Police Department on January 28, 1874. He rose through the ranks and became a Roundsman (current Sergeant�s rank) on April 12, 1880; the Sergeant in 1883, Captain in 1890, and was made an Inspector by Commissioner Green in 1903.
During his Forty-three years connection with the New York Police, Schmittberger retained his quiet demeanor and dislike of publicity, which were the characteristics he portrayed as a Patrolman, walking the streets of New York. When he turned State's evidence during the Lexlow Investigations in 1894 he neither saved himself nor others in his testimony before the committee. In the Report of the Lexlow Committee, Captain Schmittberger, as he was then, tells of collecting from $180 to $300 a month from his Wardmen, as head of the Steamboat Squad, and in other places in the report there are confessions of the graft collected by him in the days before the Lexlow Committee started it's investigations. He was called a "squealer" by members of the police force for his evidence and incurred enmity of Tammany Hall for giving away the secrets of the graft collecting that had been going on in the City for years with out interruption.
Schmittberger excelled in handling large crowds and commanding large bodies of men. He was also known to be a very strict supervisor. One of his favorite stunts was to visit the stations quietly when the Patrolmen were going out on duty to see if they saluted the officers at the desk, and also to note whether he returned it in the proper manner. If they were slack in their methods, Schmittberger would say, "come back here men and salute the desk Now then Officer," and the ceremony would be preformed in a smart military fashion to his satisfaction.
HERALDRY
In the Sept. 10, 2004 posting of The Squad Room an answer was given to a previously asked question about The New York City Seal. The question had asked if anyone knew the names of the Dutch Boy and the Indian. The answer given was The Dutch Boy was Dexter and the Indian Sinister.
As pointed out by John Reilly, this may not be correct as the terms Dexter and Sinister are used in Heraldry to describe the left and right of a Coat of Arms. Also the seal does not show a Dutch Boy but rather an English sailor.
As an aside have you ever looked at a tie that has regimental stripes on it?
If the tie was made in England, the stripes will go from the left side to the right side. But, if the tie was made in the USA the stripes will run from the right side to the left side. In heraldry there is a term the Bar Sinister or the Baton Sinister, this is a bar that runs across the shield of the coat of arms from right to left and denotes that the person bearing the coat of arms was of illegitimate birth. So also the stripes on an American made tie show that they are illegitimate.
SOME INTERESTING INVESTIGATIVE TIPS
Area Code Decoder
This web site can be used to decode a telephone number. By indicating the full telephone number in the search box it will tell you not only the city and state for that number, but the phone company that handles that number. A handy reference for supplemental phone subpoenas, etc.
www.areadecoder.com
TiVo Alibi?
Checking out an alibi with a suspect who says he was home watching TiVo or ReplayTV?
Can these records, if subpoenaed from TiVo, provide the necessary information to verify this alibi? The answer is �No�.
That information, though, will be stored in the suspects home digital box. The info can be obtained from the home TiVo box directly. Of course, appropriate search warrants (similar to those required to obtain info from a home computer) would need to be obtained from the DAs Office.
FOLLOW UP STORY
Ret. Det Al Meller commented on the recent posting that noted Donald Shea�s exploits at capturing the bank robber, Willie Sutton.
He would like to note that the promotion of Donald Shea at that time was directly to Detective First Grade. It may be that either the then mayor or P.C. didn�t know that detective grades went from 3rd to 1st and not 1st to 3rd grade.
By the way, as has been noted here previously, Detective First Grade was the only Detective title that was written into the City Charter; I�m sure that Ret Det1 John Reilly could provide some interesting background to that!
SOME TIPS ON REPORT WRITING
No matter how you slice it, a major part of the detective�s duties involves writing reports. �If it�s not on a DD5 it didn�t happen� is a phrase we have all heard, and uttered, over and over again.
According to the text �Professional�s Guide to Investigative Report Writing�, some basic tips can be followed.
Remember, strong reports �are like athletes: trim, lean, and moving swiftly to the finish line�.
Padding reports with repetitive wording serves little value. Report the facts, trim the fat.
Will your report tell a story to someone who was not there (i.e. the Jury)? That�s the purpose of the report, isn�t it?
When referencing the investigator (writer of the report) some like to use indirect terms, such as �this writer� or �this investigator�, as they feel it implies greater neutrality, or just plain sounds better. But isn�t this awkward phrasing best eliminated by simply using the term �I� or �we�?
IN SEARCH OF A PIE
John Cantwell relates his search for a good slice of pizza was met with some obstacles recently.
Hoping to take his crew to DiFara�s Pizza, touted here as the best pizza in the city, he was met with some logistical issues. Encountering a line almost 5 deep at the counter, he was faced with the prospect of waiting an hour for a pie, and decided on a change of venue.
They found themselves at the second best pizza spot in Brooklyn, right under the Brooklyn Bridge � Grimaldi�s Pizza. Formerly known as Patsy�s, the pizza here is magnificent, and you�re sure to find a line down the street on a Friday afternoon � but the wait will be worth it.
WHO�S A LEATHERNECK?
I recently came across an item in a local paper about a book that an LIU history professor has put together, identifying some famous Marine�s.
For example, did you know that actress Bea Arthur, Lee Marvin, Gene Hackman, Harvey Keitel, Don Adams, Brian Keith and Robert Wagner all served in the Marine Corps? So did Don Imus, Bill Gallo of the Daily News, Montel Williams and Dan Rather. The singing duo the Everly Brothers are former leathernecks, as is Bob Murphy of NY Mets fame.
The books author, Dennis Carpenter, is the son of an NYPD officer. He has put this book together, with stories on these servicemen and women, and donates half his profits to the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to children of Marines killed while on duty.
The book, �Anyone Here a Marine�, can be ordered from the web site:
www.brightlightspublications.com
or by calling (516) 466-4940.
By the way, Bea Arthur, of TV�s Maude and Golden Girls, served in the Marine Reserve during WWII as a recruiter.
Let�s not forget that PC Raymond Kelly is a Marine, as are our own Chief Joe Cunneen and the 79 Squad Commander Cliff Marshall. Semper Fi!
OFFICER MEMORIAL�S: PO HAMPERIAN AND PO VENABLE
Police Officer Joseph Hamperian, of the New York City Transit Police Department, died on September 22, 1983 from injuries sustained in a September 21, 1983 line of duty accident.
Officer Hamperian was struck and killed by an automobile. 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 Surface Crimes Unit and was survived by his parents.
Police Officer Robert Venable, of the New York City Transit Police Department, was killed in the line of duty on September 22, 1987. Officer Venable was 35 years old at the time.
Officer Venable was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest. He and two other officers were transporting several prisoners in the 75 Precinct area of Brooklyn when they were alerted of a call involving several men with guns. As they approached the scene Officer Venable was shot. He succumbed to his injuries three hours later. The suspects were apprehended. Officer Venable had been with the department for three years and was survived by his 8-year-old daughter and parents.
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
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, 1945 Det Frank McGrath, 2 Sqd, Shot-investigation
September 27, 1992 PO William Gunn, 67 PDU, 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
** This is the earliest recorded Line of Duty death by an NYPD MOS.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Monday, September 20, 2004
A TRIBUTE TO TWO FINE DETECTIVES
The author of this eulogy is unknown, but the message says it all.
It was a sad week, for sure, burying two fine detectives from the 67 Squad, Patrick Rafferty and Robert Parker. Please take a moment to say a prayer for their families.
Two Fine Detectives
I just want to take a couple of minutes to talk about two of my friends/colleagues who were killed in the line of duty yesterday. They responded to arrest a perpetrator of a domestic crime. This perpetrator should have been arrested, taken in, and let out the next day--just like all of the other times he has been arrested. Instead he decided that on this day he wasn't going to go. They caught him in the car he stole from his own mother, and he refused to be arrested. He struggled with the two detectives. Somehow and somewhere during this struggle this perpetrator got hold of one of their guns, and shot them both. In a blink of an eye a bullshit arrest turned into a deadly event.
First I want to say that please do not second guess their tactics--these were two of the most professional law enforcement personnel around, and they had been through everything. Their deaths were the result of a chaotic mix of the most unfortunate circumstances that played out in an unrealistic deadly fashion--where everything that could possibly go wrong, did. Their grasp of police know-how could run circles around most other Detectives, much less anyone else without their years of experience.
Next I want to say something about them so that you know and understand what we have all lost. Detective Pat Rafferty took a lot of kidding because he resembled comedian Jim Carrey, but things like that didn't bother him. He himself was a funny guy, armed with sharp wit, and an understated sense of humor. He played softball with the 67 softball team, and I don't remember him ever in a bad mood for any length of time at all. He was the epitome of the kind of Detective you needed in a Squad like the 67--someone who would work hard when the hard work needed to be done, and someone who could take time to joke around or shoot the breeze in between the shootings, stabbings, homicides, and other major cases that were inherent duties that came with the territory when you are a Detective in the 67 Squad.
Detective Second Grade Bobby Parker was one of the coolest Detectives in the City of New York. He was a muscular, three-hundred plus pounds man of grace and sophistication. He could lift a car over his head, but moved like a dancer, and spoke like a professional orator. He had a deep, Barry White-like voice, and would occasionally show it off with spontaneous singing. He was a consummate gentlemen, and always dressed immaculately. Bobby was the personification of the strong, street-wise, yet elegant, proficient, and knowledgeable--Detective. If James Bond was a NYPD Brooklyn Detective, he would be Bobby Parker.
The thing is this: people like Pat and Bobby are the soul of the 67 Squad, the Detective Bureau, the NY PD, and the City of New York. They loved their work, and took pride in their work. They never needed anyone that the work they did was important, because they knew it already. People like this set and keep the standard so that others can fall in line, and the younger guys and girls have something to look up to. Pat and Bobby didn't look at other people or places in the NY PD with envy, or worry about perks that others might have. And I can say that goes broadly for the whole 67 Squad. Sure like everywhere else, they all poke fun at each other, gripe about obvious inconsistencies, chew the fat about whatever is new--but the standard of the Squad is to do all of the necessary work when it needs to be done, no matter how much of it there is to do, and to get the job done right under any circumstance. You talk about Bobby Parker and Pat Rafferty, and that is exactly what you had.
If you have any career goals in your life at all, some of them should probably be to work someplace where you can be proud of the kind of work you do, even if no one ever told you so. You know deep down inside of yourself that the work you do makes a difference--in your own life, and the lives of others. You want to enjoy coming to work. You'd want somewhat to be like Detectives Bobby Parker and Pat Rafferty--two men that did just this.
To the credit of their colleagues, a ton of others, armed with the same work ethic--if not all of their credentials and nuances--did step up to the plate to catch the perpetrator that committed this heinous act, and are putting together a case against him now as I write this. But nothing will ever change the fact the the horrible has already happened.
Two great guys have been removed from our sides--we all took a big loss on this one.
INTERESTING INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS
Electronic Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for First Responders
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/187736.htm
MEMORIAL SERVICE PLANNED FOR PO IRMA LOZADA
September 21, 2004 will mark the 20th anniversary of the death of P.O. Irma Fran Lozada. Fran, of the NYC Transit Police Department, was assigned to District 33, working at that time in the anti-crime unit. Fran is the first female police officer to be killed in the line of duty in this city.
To commemorate this day, a floral wreath will be placed, and a short prayer will be said, at the plaque honoring PO Lozada inside District 33 at 3pm.
ALL WHO ARE ABLE TO ATTEND ARE INVITED.
In addition, I will also place, at the plaque, any e-mail messages which anyone would like to send. You can e-mail me at:
Ltjac77@yahoo.com
Let us never forget those who have gone before us. This time of the year has, in the passed three years, taken on new significance. Cherish those you love, remember those who have passed.
THE GUNMEN SQUAD
During 1929, there were 21 heavy armored motorcycles with bulletproof windshields. Fifteen had sidecars of which six were kept for the disposal of the "Gunmen's Squad."
According to the NYPD's annual report of 1929, the "Gunmen's Squad" was composed of a number of men from each borough for the purpose of driving loafers, criminals, gangsters and disorderly characters from the streets, speakeasies, pool parlors and dance halls.
It was reported that they kept 198 known gangsters on the run and "axed "every illegal "still" they found.
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
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
The author of this eulogy is unknown, but the message says it all.
It was a sad week, for sure, burying two fine detectives from the 67 Squad, Patrick Rafferty and Robert Parker. Please take a moment to say a prayer for their families.
Two Fine Detectives
I just want to take a couple of minutes to talk about two of my friends/colleagues who were killed in the line of duty yesterday. They responded to arrest a perpetrator of a domestic crime. This perpetrator should have been arrested, taken in, and let out the next day--just like all of the other times he has been arrested. Instead he decided that on this day he wasn't going to go. They caught him in the car he stole from his own mother, and he refused to be arrested. He struggled with the two detectives. Somehow and somewhere during this struggle this perpetrator got hold of one of their guns, and shot them both. In a blink of an eye a bullshit arrest turned into a deadly event.
First I want to say that please do not second guess their tactics--these were two of the most professional law enforcement personnel around, and they had been through everything. Their deaths were the result of a chaotic mix of the most unfortunate circumstances that played out in an unrealistic deadly fashion--where everything that could possibly go wrong, did. Their grasp of police know-how could run circles around most other Detectives, much less anyone else without their years of experience.
Next I want to say something about them so that you know and understand what we have all lost. Detective Pat Rafferty took a lot of kidding because he resembled comedian Jim Carrey, but things like that didn't bother him. He himself was a funny guy, armed with sharp wit, and an understated sense of humor. He played softball with the 67 softball team, and I don't remember him ever in a bad mood for any length of time at all. He was the epitome of the kind of Detective you needed in a Squad like the 67--someone who would work hard when the hard work needed to be done, and someone who could take time to joke around or shoot the breeze in between the shootings, stabbings, homicides, and other major cases that were inherent duties that came with the territory when you are a Detective in the 67 Squad.
Detective Second Grade Bobby Parker was one of the coolest Detectives in the City of New York. He was a muscular, three-hundred plus pounds man of grace and sophistication. He could lift a car over his head, but moved like a dancer, and spoke like a professional orator. He had a deep, Barry White-like voice, and would occasionally show it off with spontaneous singing. He was a consummate gentlemen, and always dressed immaculately. Bobby was the personification of the strong, street-wise, yet elegant, proficient, and knowledgeable--Detective. If James Bond was a NYPD Brooklyn Detective, he would be Bobby Parker.
The thing is this: people like Pat and Bobby are the soul of the 67 Squad, the Detective Bureau, the NY PD, and the City of New York. They loved their work, and took pride in their work. They never needed anyone that the work they did was important, because they knew it already. People like this set and keep the standard so that others can fall in line, and the younger guys and girls have something to look up to. Pat and Bobby didn't look at other people or places in the NY PD with envy, or worry about perks that others might have. And I can say that goes broadly for the whole 67 Squad. Sure like everywhere else, they all poke fun at each other, gripe about obvious inconsistencies, chew the fat about whatever is new--but the standard of the Squad is to do all of the necessary work when it needs to be done, no matter how much of it there is to do, and to get the job done right under any circumstance. You talk about Bobby Parker and Pat Rafferty, and that is exactly what you had.
If you have any career goals in your life at all, some of them should probably be to work someplace where you can be proud of the kind of work you do, even if no one ever told you so. You know deep down inside of yourself that the work you do makes a difference--in your own life, and the lives of others. You want to enjoy coming to work. You'd want somewhat to be like Detectives Bobby Parker and Pat Rafferty--two men that did just this.
To the credit of their colleagues, a ton of others, armed with the same work ethic--if not all of their credentials and nuances--did step up to the plate to catch the perpetrator that committed this heinous act, and are putting together a case against him now as I write this. But nothing will ever change the fact the the horrible has already happened.
Two great guys have been removed from our sides--we all took a big loss on this one.
INTERESTING INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS
Electronic Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for First Responders
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/187736.htm
MEMORIAL SERVICE PLANNED FOR PO IRMA LOZADA
September 21, 2004 will mark the 20th anniversary of the death of P.O. Irma Fran Lozada. Fran, of the NYC Transit Police Department, was assigned to District 33, working at that time in the anti-crime unit. Fran is the first female police officer to be killed in the line of duty in this city.
To commemorate this day, a floral wreath will be placed, and a short prayer will be said, at the plaque honoring PO Lozada inside District 33 at 3pm.
ALL WHO ARE ABLE TO ATTEND ARE INVITED.
In addition, I will also place, at the plaque, any e-mail messages which anyone would like to send. You can e-mail me at:
Ltjac77@yahoo.com
Let us never forget those who have gone before us. This time of the year has, in the passed three years, taken on new significance. Cherish those you love, remember those who have passed.
THE GUNMEN SQUAD
During 1929, there were 21 heavy armored motorcycles with bulletproof windshields. Fifteen had sidecars of which six were kept for the disposal of the "Gunmen's Squad."
According to the NYPD's annual report of 1929, the "Gunmen's Squad" was composed of a number of men from each borough for the purpose of driving loafers, criminals, gangsters and disorderly characters from the streets, speakeasies, pool parlors and dance halls.
It was reported that they kept 198 known gangsters on the run and "axed "every illegal "still" they found.
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
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
Monday, September 13, 2004
WE MOURN THE LOSS OF OUR BROTHERS
We share in the loss of two of our brothers from the 67 Detective Squad who were shot and killed in the line of duty on Friday, September 10, 2004.
Please take a moment and say a prayer for the familes of:
DETECTIVE ROBERT PARKER, 67 Squad and
DETECTIVE PATRICK RAFFERTY, 67 Squad
May they rest in peace, and may comfort be found by their families.
We share in the loss of two of our brothers from the 67 Detective Squad who were shot and killed in the line of duty on Friday, September 10, 2004.
Please take a moment and say a prayer for the familes of:
DETECTIVE ROBERT PARKER, 67 Squad and
DETECTIVE PATRICK RAFFERTY, 67 Squad
May they rest in peace, and may comfort be found by their families.
Friday, September 10, 2004
WILLIE SUTTON AND THE ARNOLD SCHUSTER MURDER
Thanks to Mike Fanning, he found an interesting newspaper article from August 22, 1953, concerning the bank robber Willie Sutton and the murder of Arnold Schuster.
It was reported in the newspaper article that "Acting on a tip, detectives attached to the Brooklyn Homicide Squad and transit patrolmen searched an IND subway train yesterday morning for John Mazziotta, a key figure in the slaying of Arnold Schuster seventeen months ago. Mr. Schuster was responsible for the arrest of William Sutton, the bank thief."
The Willie Sutton story is one of the greatest crime tales in NYC lore. Sutton, wanted on a bank robbery, was hunted down by a sharp detective named Frank Phillips in 1930. In the book "NYPD: A City and Its Police" Sutton was described as "A small, frail looking man with high cheekbones,�
Sutton grew up on the Brooklyn waterfront. When he was just twenty years old, one of his neighborhood gang buddies was murdered, and stool pigeons named Willie as the killer. Sutton went into hiding, and it took the cops two years to find him. When they did, according to his account, they gave him a bad beating, though he was acquitted on the murder charge. Forever after, Willie eschewed violence and was polite with the cops.
Questioned by Phillips after being busted for a bank job in 1930, Sutton recalled his boyhood jaunts in Prospect Park and grew dewy-eyed when he spoke of the flowers and shrubs of the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and his early dream of becoming a gardener. Phillips eventually brought up a jewelry store job on Fulton Street. 'Look Frankie,' said Sutton, 'I never went for penny-ante jobs. I read about that stickup, and I remember thinking what jerks the men who pulled it.' Phillips thanked Sutton for what he took to be a truthful answer, since the police already had three suspects. 'So long, Frank, I'll be seeing you again,' Sutton said at the end of their talk. 'I doubt it, Bill.' Phillips replied. Sutton was sent to Sing Sing with a thirty-year sentence for the bank job."
But Sutton escaped 2 years later, and shortly robbed the Corn Exchange Bank at 110 St and Broadway, among others. He was caught again with several machine guns and a lot of the loot from the robberies. He was subsequently incarcerated again, but managed to escape once more in 1947, remaining at-large until 1952.
That is when a 22 year old clothing salesman, Arnold Schuster, recognized Sutton and dimed him out to two local patrolmen in a nearby radio car. Two weeks after attempting to claim the $200,000 reward, Schuster was assassinated in Brooklyn. Sutton had nothing to do with it... it turned out that Mafia crime lord, Albert Anastasia had ordered the hit because "I can't stand squealers!"
POST SCRIPT ON THE WILLIE SUTTON COLLAR
By the way, one of the patrolman in the radio car who made the pinch after Schuster notified them was Donald Shea, who, along with his radio car partner, was made a Detective for this pinch.
Donald Shea went on to an illustrious career as a gumshoe, first in the 73 Squad, and later in Major Case � as part of the Bank Robbery Task Force. Retiring as a First Grade Detective, he was recognized at his retirement after some 30 years of service as never having taken a sick day!
Donald Shea is truly one of the finest gentlemen I have ever met, a real class act.
UNIFORM ALLOWANCE
Did you know that there was no uniform allowance until 1954, with the first payment of $125.00 being made in Sept. 1954. By the way, Firemen only got an allowance of $100.00. (Al Meller will surely be happy to hear that!)
THE NEW YORK CITY SEAL
An earlier posting asked the question if anyone knew the names of the Dutch Boy and the Indican depicted on the Seal of the City of New York.
None other than Ret. Det Al Meller posed the question, as he � undoubtedly � knew the answer, and wondered if anyone else knew. Well, Al, Anthony Castiglia of NY HIDTA also knew the answer!
The Dutch Boy is named Dexter and the Indian is Sinister. Possibly, either by irony, superstition, etc., Sinister is to the left of the seal � and it is noted that sinister in Latin means left. Maybe it was something of the times.
Al Meller would like to add that on the lighter side the question is also a good bar bet. Just wondering which bars Al�s been frequenting with the likes of this trivia making a hit!
SERIAL KILLER INFORMATION
The Crime Library has just published a fascinating article by Pat Brown, criminal profiler and star of the television series "I, Detective.", concerning serial killers.
She explodes 10 common myths about serial killers, using as examples well-known cases and cases that will be new to you.
Well worth checking out. I�ll bet Joe Herbert already has this bookmarked!
http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/profiling/s_k_myths/index.html
NYPD COLLECTORS
A new yahoo group has been started by Sgt. Mike Fanning that will be of interest to anyone who either collects police memorabilia, or has an interest in police history.
The group, NYPD Collectors Corner, can be accessed through the yahoo groups at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYPDCollectorsCorner/
Mike has done a real good job with this site, and adds that he has been receiving some help from the noted NYPD historian, Ret Det1 John Reilly. With such a winning combination you know it has to be a hit!
FROM THE WEST COAST
Detective duties, no matter where they may be performed, can usually find many similarities.
In Los Angeles, the Police Protective League (their PBA) recently made a public appeal to Chief Bratton to help reduce the paperwork.
The overload of paperwork, and duplicated duties, are what hinders the investigation process � not the work hours, the claimed.Their concern was that detectives at the Los Angeles Police Department spend a great deal of time behind an office desk, rather than on the streets.�A lot has changed since Sgt. Joe Friday served as a detective for the LAPD on �Dragnet.� Los Angeles has grown to a city of more than three million people, gang violence has intensified and new variables, such as an increased interest in terrorist activities, have come into play � yet our department has remained frightfully behind the times. In the nearly 30 years since Joe Friday began solving crimes, the LAPD has only marginally grown � both in size and in modernization. We only have about 9,000 officers patrolling our streets, and roughly 1,500 detectives are available to investigate all of the crimes reported to the LAPD every day and night.�It goes without saying that our detectives work hard and do what they can with the restraints placed on them. They are overloaded with paperwork to the point that it stalls their investigative work, and their schedules must oftentimes mirror other branches of city and county government with whom they work. However, in light of this, we have detectives working both day and night � not the 9 to 5 shift that has been characterized � to keep the residents of our city safe and catch the criminals who inflict harm upon them.�With a very thin blue line, the LAPD is often faced with the daunting task of doing more with less. We urge the Department to examine the state of technology within the LAPD and efficiencies that will free up detectives to spend more time in the field. �We respectfully request that Chief Bratton and his command staff examine a variety of reform options to free the detectives from their burden of unending paperwork and provide them with the support and resources they need to accomplish their jobs. The answer is not to remove these duties to patrol officers, but rather to pinpoint areas in the investigation process that can be streamlined and updated to fit the needs of a police department and city functioning in the 21st century.�The LAPPL is deeply concerned about rising crime and overall public safety issues in Los Angeles, and we are determined that LA residents, LAPD management, the Police Commission and the City Council will work together so that the necessary changes and improvements can be made urgently and effectively.�
I wonder if the LAPD detective�s still type case reports on typewriters, on carbon paper copied multiple-page reports?
By the way, I found it interesting that 42% of all homicides in Los Angeles County are gang related. That seems like a pretty large number.
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
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
NYPD ANGELS
For an excellent web site that pays tribute to our fallen brothers and sisters, check out:
www.nypdangels.com
This is a site that I have mentioned before that is well worth visiting. It�s put together by the wife of a (Retired) NYPD MOS, and is one of the finest of its kind.
Thanks to Mike Fanning, he found an interesting newspaper article from August 22, 1953, concerning the bank robber Willie Sutton and the murder of Arnold Schuster.
It was reported in the newspaper article that "Acting on a tip, detectives attached to the Brooklyn Homicide Squad and transit patrolmen searched an IND subway train yesterday morning for John Mazziotta, a key figure in the slaying of Arnold Schuster seventeen months ago. Mr. Schuster was responsible for the arrest of William Sutton, the bank thief."
The Willie Sutton story is one of the greatest crime tales in NYC lore. Sutton, wanted on a bank robbery, was hunted down by a sharp detective named Frank Phillips in 1930. In the book "NYPD: A City and Its Police" Sutton was described as "A small, frail looking man with high cheekbones,�
Sutton grew up on the Brooklyn waterfront. When he was just twenty years old, one of his neighborhood gang buddies was murdered, and stool pigeons named Willie as the killer. Sutton went into hiding, and it took the cops two years to find him. When they did, according to his account, they gave him a bad beating, though he was acquitted on the murder charge. Forever after, Willie eschewed violence and was polite with the cops.
Questioned by Phillips after being busted for a bank job in 1930, Sutton recalled his boyhood jaunts in Prospect Park and grew dewy-eyed when he spoke of the flowers and shrubs of the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and his early dream of becoming a gardener. Phillips eventually brought up a jewelry store job on Fulton Street. 'Look Frankie,' said Sutton, 'I never went for penny-ante jobs. I read about that stickup, and I remember thinking what jerks the men who pulled it.' Phillips thanked Sutton for what he took to be a truthful answer, since the police already had three suspects. 'So long, Frank, I'll be seeing you again,' Sutton said at the end of their talk. 'I doubt it, Bill.' Phillips replied. Sutton was sent to Sing Sing with a thirty-year sentence for the bank job."
But Sutton escaped 2 years later, and shortly robbed the Corn Exchange Bank at 110 St and Broadway, among others. He was caught again with several machine guns and a lot of the loot from the robberies. He was subsequently incarcerated again, but managed to escape once more in 1947, remaining at-large until 1952.
That is when a 22 year old clothing salesman, Arnold Schuster, recognized Sutton and dimed him out to two local patrolmen in a nearby radio car. Two weeks after attempting to claim the $200,000 reward, Schuster was assassinated in Brooklyn. Sutton had nothing to do with it... it turned out that Mafia crime lord, Albert Anastasia had ordered the hit because "I can't stand squealers!"
POST SCRIPT ON THE WILLIE SUTTON COLLAR
By the way, one of the patrolman in the radio car who made the pinch after Schuster notified them was Donald Shea, who, along with his radio car partner, was made a Detective for this pinch.
Donald Shea went on to an illustrious career as a gumshoe, first in the 73 Squad, and later in Major Case � as part of the Bank Robbery Task Force. Retiring as a First Grade Detective, he was recognized at his retirement after some 30 years of service as never having taken a sick day!
Donald Shea is truly one of the finest gentlemen I have ever met, a real class act.
UNIFORM ALLOWANCE
Did you know that there was no uniform allowance until 1954, with the first payment of $125.00 being made in Sept. 1954. By the way, Firemen only got an allowance of $100.00. (Al Meller will surely be happy to hear that!)
THE NEW YORK CITY SEAL
An earlier posting asked the question if anyone knew the names of the Dutch Boy and the Indican depicted on the Seal of the City of New York.
None other than Ret. Det Al Meller posed the question, as he � undoubtedly � knew the answer, and wondered if anyone else knew. Well, Al, Anthony Castiglia of NY HIDTA also knew the answer!
The Dutch Boy is named Dexter and the Indian is Sinister. Possibly, either by irony, superstition, etc., Sinister is to the left of the seal � and it is noted that sinister in Latin means left. Maybe it was something of the times.
Al Meller would like to add that on the lighter side the question is also a good bar bet. Just wondering which bars Al�s been frequenting with the likes of this trivia making a hit!
SERIAL KILLER INFORMATION
The Crime Library has just published a fascinating article by Pat Brown, criminal profiler and star of the television series "I, Detective.", concerning serial killers.
She explodes 10 common myths about serial killers, using as examples well-known cases and cases that will be new to you.
Well worth checking out. I�ll bet Joe Herbert already has this bookmarked!
http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/profiling/s_k_myths/index.html
NYPD COLLECTORS
A new yahoo group has been started by Sgt. Mike Fanning that will be of interest to anyone who either collects police memorabilia, or has an interest in police history.
The group, NYPD Collectors Corner, can be accessed through the yahoo groups at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYPDCollectorsCorner/
Mike has done a real good job with this site, and adds that he has been receiving some help from the noted NYPD historian, Ret Det1 John Reilly. With such a winning combination you know it has to be a hit!
FROM THE WEST COAST
Detective duties, no matter where they may be performed, can usually find many similarities.
In Los Angeles, the Police Protective League (their PBA) recently made a public appeal to Chief Bratton to help reduce the paperwork.
The overload of paperwork, and duplicated duties, are what hinders the investigation process � not the work hours, the claimed.Their concern was that detectives at the Los Angeles Police Department spend a great deal of time behind an office desk, rather than on the streets.�A lot has changed since Sgt. Joe Friday served as a detective for the LAPD on �Dragnet.� Los Angeles has grown to a city of more than three million people, gang violence has intensified and new variables, such as an increased interest in terrorist activities, have come into play � yet our department has remained frightfully behind the times. In the nearly 30 years since Joe Friday began solving crimes, the LAPD has only marginally grown � both in size and in modernization. We only have about 9,000 officers patrolling our streets, and roughly 1,500 detectives are available to investigate all of the crimes reported to the LAPD every day and night.�It goes without saying that our detectives work hard and do what they can with the restraints placed on them. They are overloaded with paperwork to the point that it stalls their investigative work, and their schedules must oftentimes mirror other branches of city and county government with whom they work. However, in light of this, we have detectives working both day and night � not the 9 to 5 shift that has been characterized � to keep the residents of our city safe and catch the criminals who inflict harm upon them.�With a very thin blue line, the LAPD is often faced with the daunting task of doing more with less. We urge the Department to examine the state of technology within the LAPD and efficiencies that will free up detectives to spend more time in the field. �We respectfully request that Chief Bratton and his command staff examine a variety of reform options to free the detectives from their burden of unending paperwork and provide them with the support and resources they need to accomplish their jobs. The answer is not to remove these duties to patrol officers, but rather to pinpoint areas in the investigation process that can be streamlined and updated to fit the needs of a police department and city functioning in the 21st century.�The LAPPL is deeply concerned about rising crime and overall public safety issues in Los Angeles, and we are determined that LA residents, LAPD management, the Police Commission and the City Council will work together so that the necessary changes and improvements can be made urgently and effectively.�
I wonder if the LAPD detective�s still type case reports on typewriters, on carbon paper copied multiple-page reports?
By the way, I found it interesting that 42% of all homicides in Los Angeles County are gang related. That seems like a pretty large number.
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
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
NYPD ANGELS
For an excellent web site that pays tribute to our fallen brothers and sisters, check out:
www.nypdangels.com
This is a site that I have mentioned before that is well worth visiting. It�s put together by the wife of a (Retired) NYPD MOS, and is one of the finest of its kind.
Friday, September 03, 2004
TRANSIT LIEUTENANTS: 1952
The New York Times noted on May 1, 1952 that 7 Sergeants of the New York City Transit Police were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant by the Board of Transportation. Previously, captains and lieutenants assigned to the transit lines had been lent by the New York City Police Department.
These were the first such promotions to a rank above Sergeant of the police officers (patrolman at the time) who were part of the transit police, governed at the time by the Board of Transportation. This Board preceded the NYC Transit Authority.
These 7 sergeants were chosen for promotion on the basis of their marks in the first such civil service competitive examination for that title, and would receive $5,400 annually as lieutenants.
One such promotee was Robert H. Rapp, who would later rise to become Chief of the Transit Police � before coming under fire as such for questionable crime statistic reporting.
WHEN WERE THE "TRANSIT" AND "HOUSING" POLICE DEPARTMENTS CREATED?
The N.Y.C. Housing Authority was created in 1934. At that time, the Housing Authority hired security guards to patrol the developments. These guards were later specially trained and became the first officers when the Housing Authority Police was officially created in 1952.
In 1936, Mayor LaGuardia created the post of "Special Patrolman" on the subway system. The Transit Authority Police Department was officially created in 1953. As noted above, they were governed at the time by the Board of Transportation.
Both the Transit and Housing Police Departments were subsequently merged with the N.Y.P.D. in 1995, and are now known as the Transit Division and Housing Bureau.
CHIEF GEORGE MATSELL, FIRST CHIEF OF POLICE
In July 1845 George Matsell was appointed the first Chief of Police for the New York Metropolitan Police.
He was noted for a text he wrote along with Justice Taylor, the "Rules and Regulations for Day and Night Police of the City of New York with Instructions as to the Legal Powers and Duties of Policemen."
This original book was issued in 1846. The appearance of some words appear strange to today�s readers since the language use and spelling have changed somewhat during the past 150 years. For example, the symbol "&c." appears, which was the representation for "et cetera".This was the first �rule book' used by the New York City Police Department. It shows the beginning step in the development of Police Training and Administration as it developed during the last one and a half centuries.
�All members of the department shall devote their whole time and attention to the business of the department, and not follow any other calling; and although certain hours are allotted to each man's duty, on ordinary occasions, yet all the members mustbe prepared to act at a moment's notice whenever the public service may require their attendance. Punctual attendance shall be required of every officer and patrol man connected with the department, on all occasions; sickness and disability only shall be anexcuse for absence from duty�.
ABOUT THOSE HATS
Ret Det1 John Reilly writes that by the time he came into the Bureau in the late 1960�s very few squad men were wearing fedora�s. By that time fedora hats had gone out of style.
Mike Fanning, doing some investigative searching on his own, has found that the hat store, Moe Penn Hatter�s, is still located at 395 Grand Street - New York, NY.
While many got their gold shield that time through exceptional police work and immediate assignment to a squad, others had to wait sometimes three or more years in other assignments. Narcotics assignment, while part of the Bureau, did not automatically mean a gold shield. Others have noted waiting several years, catching cases like everyone else in a precinct squad, before being designated �detective� and receiving the coveted gold shield.
FOR THE CULINARY DETECTIVE
Mike Fanning would like to correct a entry on my last posting, when I inco9rrectly noted DiRoberti�s on 1st Avenue as having good pizza.
DiRoberti�s is an excellent pastry and coffee shop � but they do NOT serve pizza.
I almost sent the Cantwell family on a dinner excursion for no reason! Sorry about that.
It is noted, by several good sources, that DiRoberti�s is an excellent stop for pastry, espresso, and some creamalotta. If you�ve never had creamalotta, you don�t know what you�re missing (and you probably never worked in Brooklyn South!). Check it out!
INTERESTING WEB SITES
Lots of phone books.http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci525742,00.html
Computer Crime Research CenterLots of links, info, & more.http://www.crime-research.org/eng/
Business People Search engineResearch various records including phone directories and death certificates.http://networking5.eliyon.com/PeopleFinder/
Investigative Resources, lots of them.
http://www.usatrace.com/secretsite2.html
World Telephone DirectoriesThis site has been posted before but, it has a new URL.
http://www.infobel.com/teldir/default.asp
LINE OF DUTY CORRECTION: PTL. ANTHONY BALGA
In the latest posting of the NYPD Memorial list I incorrectly listed Ptl. Anthony Balga�s line of duty death.
Ptl. Balga was killed in an on duty auto accident on December 6, 1956. The date I listed, September 1, 1954, is the date of his appointment.
SEAL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
On the seal of the City of New York are a Dutch Boy and an Indian. Does anyone know what their names are? Yes they really do have names. If you think you know, send me an e-mail. Ret.Det Al Meller certainly knows; he�ll share his answer with me for the next posting.
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
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
REMEMBER� To Contact the Minister of Investigation:
Send me an e-mail at: Ltjac77@yahoo.com
The New York Times noted on May 1, 1952 that 7 Sergeants of the New York City Transit Police were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant by the Board of Transportation. Previously, captains and lieutenants assigned to the transit lines had been lent by the New York City Police Department.
These were the first such promotions to a rank above Sergeant of the police officers (patrolman at the time) who were part of the transit police, governed at the time by the Board of Transportation. This Board preceded the NYC Transit Authority.
These 7 sergeants were chosen for promotion on the basis of their marks in the first such civil service competitive examination for that title, and would receive $5,400 annually as lieutenants.
One such promotee was Robert H. Rapp, who would later rise to become Chief of the Transit Police � before coming under fire as such for questionable crime statistic reporting.
WHEN WERE THE "TRANSIT" AND "HOUSING" POLICE DEPARTMENTS CREATED?
The N.Y.C. Housing Authority was created in 1934. At that time, the Housing Authority hired security guards to patrol the developments. These guards were later specially trained and became the first officers when the Housing Authority Police was officially created in 1952.
In 1936, Mayor LaGuardia created the post of "Special Patrolman" on the subway system. The Transit Authority Police Department was officially created in 1953. As noted above, they were governed at the time by the Board of Transportation.
Both the Transit and Housing Police Departments were subsequently merged with the N.Y.P.D. in 1995, and are now known as the Transit Division and Housing Bureau.
CHIEF GEORGE MATSELL, FIRST CHIEF OF POLICE
In July 1845 George Matsell was appointed the first Chief of Police for the New York Metropolitan Police.
He was noted for a text he wrote along with Justice Taylor, the "Rules and Regulations for Day and Night Police of the City of New York with Instructions as to the Legal Powers and Duties of Policemen."
This original book was issued in 1846. The appearance of some words appear strange to today�s readers since the language use and spelling have changed somewhat during the past 150 years. For example, the symbol "&c." appears, which was the representation for "et cetera".This was the first �rule book' used by the New York City Police Department. It shows the beginning step in the development of Police Training and Administration as it developed during the last one and a half centuries.
�All members of the department shall devote their whole time and attention to the business of the department, and not follow any other calling; and although certain hours are allotted to each man's duty, on ordinary occasions, yet all the members mustbe prepared to act at a moment's notice whenever the public service may require their attendance. Punctual attendance shall be required of every officer and patrol man connected with the department, on all occasions; sickness and disability only shall be anexcuse for absence from duty�.
ABOUT THOSE HATS
Ret Det1 John Reilly writes that by the time he came into the Bureau in the late 1960�s very few squad men were wearing fedora�s. By that time fedora hats had gone out of style.
Mike Fanning, doing some investigative searching on his own, has found that the hat store, Moe Penn Hatter�s, is still located at 395 Grand Street - New York, NY.
While many got their gold shield that time through exceptional police work and immediate assignment to a squad, others had to wait sometimes three or more years in other assignments. Narcotics assignment, while part of the Bureau, did not automatically mean a gold shield. Others have noted waiting several years, catching cases like everyone else in a precinct squad, before being designated �detective� and receiving the coveted gold shield.
FOR THE CULINARY DETECTIVE
Mike Fanning would like to correct a entry on my last posting, when I inco9rrectly noted DiRoberti�s on 1st Avenue as having good pizza.
DiRoberti�s is an excellent pastry and coffee shop � but they do NOT serve pizza.
I almost sent the Cantwell family on a dinner excursion for no reason! Sorry about that.
It is noted, by several good sources, that DiRoberti�s is an excellent stop for pastry, espresso, and some creamalotta. If you�ve never had creamalotta, you don�t know what you�re missing (and you probably never worked in Brooklyn South!). Check it out!
INTERESTING WEB SITES
Lots of phone books.http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci525742,00.html
Computer Crime Research CenterLots of links, info, & more.http://www.crime-research.org/eng/
Business People Search engineResearch various records including phone directories and death certificates.http://networking5.eliyon.com/PeopleFinder/
Investigative Resources, lots of them.
http://www.usatrace.com/secretsite2.html
World Telephone DirectoriesThis site has been posted before but, it has a new URL.
http://www.infobel.com/teldir/default.asp
LINE OF DUTY CORRECTION: PTL. ANTHONY BALGA
In the latest posting of the NYPD Memorial list I incorrectly listed Ptl. Anthony Balga�s line of duty death.
Ptl. Balga was killed in an on duty auto accident on December 6, 1956. The date I listed, September 1, 1954, is the date of his appointment.
SEAL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
On the seal of the City of New York are a Dutch Boy and an Indian. Does anyone know what their names are? Yes they really do have names. If you think you know, send me an e-mail. Ret.Det Al Meller certainly knows; he�ll share his answer with me for the next posting.
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
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
REMEMBER� To Contact the Minister of Investigation:
Send me an e-mail at: Ltjac77@yahoo.com
Friday, August 27, 2004
BLACK BOX CRASH DATA RETRIEVAL
Unknown to mostly of the general public, Crash Data black boxes, commonly called Event Data Recorders or EDRs are in almost all commercial trucks and most new cars these days. With in the next couple of years, they will be in all vehicles.
Within the next few years, it will become a MUST for all investigators who conduct accident and personal injury investigations to know how to obtain the crash data from black boxes that will be in almost every vehicle.
These black boxes, much like the black boxes we hear about in airline accidents, record data pertaining to speed, brake timing, seat belt usage and other data during a vehicle crash. Although this vital evidence will not take the place of an accident investigation in and of itself, it is becoming a vital part of the data the investigator collects to reconstruct the accident. Those investigators armed with the knowledge and know-how on how to do this will be the only investigators who will be able to successfully conduct these types of investigations. It's becoming a vitally important area of conducting personal injury and accident investigations now and this 20 minute digital video gives you a heads-up on this
To find out more about these automobile �black boxes�, check out the site:
http://www.pimall.com/nais/crashdataseminar.html
WHO LUV�S YA, BABY?
Being the buff that I am, I couldn�t pass up the purchase of a pair of cufflinks that have the photo of Kojak on them. With a lollipop in his mouth and a fedora on his head; how could I pass it up?
Showing them off to a twenty-something relative, though, I was a little dismayed to be asked �And who is that?� When I replied, �Kojak�, I then saw a blank stare followed by the question �And I�m supposed to know who that is�? Oh, the aging process!
For those that don�t know, or need a little reminder, I give you the following.
Beginning life as an award winning 1973 TV movie �The Marcus-Nelson Murders�, which was based on the true life Wylie-Hoffert case, and played with charismatic charm by long established movie actor Telly Savalas as the New York cop with a penchant for sucking lollipops, the series went for a graphic 'street level' realism which turned it into an instant top-ten hit in it's first season.
Lt. Kojak was a tough cop with a smart mouth and wits even sharper than his top flight dress sense. Support came from George Savalas (brother of Telly), as Detective Stavros, Dan Frazer as Inspector Frank McNeil, and a small team of hitherto unknown actors who were destined to become, for a while, instantly recognizable household names.
The series was a global hit, playing very popularly around the world and especially so in Japan! Even after it's five year run it was brought back in a succession of TV movies, the last being made in 1989. By this time Theo Kojak had been promoted to the rank of Inspector.
In 1993 Savalas sued the makers of Kojak, Universal TV, for $6 million, claiming 25 per cent of the programs profits. He died a year later.
The series elevated Savalas to the status of superstar and unlikely sex-symbol. In 1975 at the height of his popularity he even topped the popular music charts with a cheesy version of David Gates� song "If".
Kojak reclaimed the city of New York's dubious crown as 'Crime Capital of the World', from a decades long stint on the sun-drenched street's of Southern California (Dragnet, Adam 12, Streets of SF). The television viewing world loved Savalas for it. New Yorker's loved him even more.
In true New York squad commander fashion, Kojak was often heard from his office barking out orders to his men, usually preceded by calling on �Crocker!!� or �Saperstein!!�, which no doubt had them running in to see what �the boss� needed. �Crocker!!! Get me the rap sheet right away�. �Sure, boss�.
By the way, you can still catch episodes of Kojak on The Hallmark channel on most Sunday afternoons. A suitable way to pass the time after watching the Jets!
INDEX OF WATCH MOVEMENTS?
As noted previously on this site, two of the old DD forms were related to Watches, the DD11 Index of Watch Movements and DD12 Index of Watch Cases. What surprised me upon learning more, though, was that this related to actual timepieces.
It seems that years ago stealing a watch was very significant. Before Timex, or Swatch, watches were a very valuable item and not commonly owned. A watch was given to a worker after 50 years of service, and most watches were passed down through generations. Like the Rolex of today, Whitnauer and Longines kept records. Watch repair people actually put their specific mark or initials on the works or on the inside of the case or both when they worked on a watch. This was a valuable source of intelligence.
The DD 11, Index of Watch Movements: The movement of a pocket watch was the guts of it, all the parts that you could see running when you opened up the back.
The DD12 Index of Watch Cases: The watch case was the front and back part of a watch into which the movement was placed. The front of the watch case had a glass through which you could read the dial and hands to tell the time. The back of the case could be opened so the movement could be adjusted if the watch was running fast or slow.
The reason that there were two indexes was because the movement may have been made by one watch company and the case by another company. Both companies would use different serial numbers on the part of the watch they made.
For example, Ret. Det1 John Reilly notes that he has his father's pocket watch made in the 1930s. The movement was made by the Waltham Watch Co., and has a number which is different from the case, which was made by the Supreme Watch Case Co. What has to be remembered is that the movement of a watch could be removed from its case and placed into a different case.
The DD 11 & DD 12 were just many of the files that the Detective Squad Were required to keep.
There was also the DD 6 Dealer's and Pawnbroker Watch card, the DD 7 Property Other than Watches & Jewelry. I think the idea was that if someone reported that their watch had been stolen or lost then a card was made out and keep in the file. Next, any time a suspect was taken to the Squad any watch he was carrying was checked against the DD 11 & 12 indexes. Both were needed as a stolen movement was often taken out of the original case and put into a case that was not hot.
WE have to remember that things were a lot different in the days before computers. It is noted also by John Reilly that in the 1908 Rules & Regulation itStates that when articles of any description which should go to the Property Clerk come into the possession of any Patrolman, the latter will furnish to his Commanding Officer, in the case of watches, name and number of case and works will be given. If this type information had been given in a Missing Person report, then a Detective conducting an investigation of an unidentified DOA could check the DD 11 & 12 to identify the body.
I�d like to thank both Ret Det1 John Reilly and Ret Det. Capt Frank Bolz for their input on this item.
ABOUT THOSE HATS
Frank Bolz adds that the official "uniform" of the Detective was, without a doubt, The Fedora.
He notes that Stetson and Howard�s sold hats but the epitome of the detective fedora was the Moe Penn hat from the lower East Side.
Hey, John- Do you remember the exact address?
Frank fondly recalls being told he was being transferred into The Bureau by his C.O. who told him to �get a hat�, and noted that he was told the same by the Chief of Detectives when being sworn in.
While noting Frank�s input to this site I�d also like to mention a note that December 31, 2004 will be the 50th anniversary of his being sworn in to the department. He mentioned that he was sworn in on December 31,1954 but it wasn�t effective until January 1,1955 because nobody wanted to work on New Years Day. The more things change, the more they remain the same!
FOR THE CULINARY DETECTIVE
A running commentary on the best places for pizza has been ongoing on this site.
A new addition which Sgt. Mike Fanning would like to add is DiRoberti's, in Manhattan.
Located on 1st Avenue, on the east side of the street, they also have a good selection of pastries to finish your meal, with some espresso, of course.
Apparently there is a little debate going on as to whether they are better than Veniero's, which is across the street.
I�ll have to put John Cantwell on the mission for a critical review of both.
WHAT DO THE SYMBOLS ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULDER PATCH AND POLICE OFFICER'S SHIELD MEAN?
The N.Y.P.D. patch was adopted for the police uniform in 1973.
Both the patch and Police Officer's shield are modeled after the seal of New York City. In the center of the patch are the scales of justice balanced on a bundle of rods or sticks with an ax-blade at the top, all of which are tied together.
This bundle is called a "fasces" and was carried by ancient Roman magistrates as a symbol of their official powers. Beneath this symbol is an inverted "V," or chevron, that has five stars representing the five boroughs of the City. Beneath the chevron appears the seal of the Police Department.
The Department seal appears on both the shoulder patch and the police officer's shield.
Two figures appear on the left and right of the center. On the left side is the image of a British sailor (representing the English influence on New York's history). The sailor is holding a "sounding-lead" on a rope. This device was used to test the depth of the river while navigating ships. The figure on the right of the center of the shield is a native-American, holding a bow. This figure represents the natives that lived in the New York area when the Dutch colonists first arrived in the 16th century. In the center of the seal is a shield-shape with the crossed arms of a windmill on it that represents the Dutch heritage of the City. Between the crossed arms of the windmill appear two beavers and two barrels. These represent the native animals and plant products (like corn and tobacco) of the region that supported the new colonists. Above the central shield-shape appears an eagle, representing the federal government of America established with the declaration of Independence in 1776. The Eagle rests upon a hemisphere that represents the "New World."
10-13 REQUESTED
On January 28, 1980 PO CECIL SLEDGE of the 69 Pct was shot and killed during a car stop by Salvatore Desarno, who was on parole at the time.
Desarno was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life.
He is scheduled for a parole hearing this November.
Mrs. Linda Sledge, the widow of Cecil, is requesting that everyone forward a letter to Governor Pataki and to the State Parole Board to recommend AGAINST HIS PAROLE.
Please take the time to forward a letter to:
Governor George Pataki
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
State of NY, parole Board
97 Central Ave
Albany, NY 12206
Att: Victim Impact Unit
The info on the convict is:
Salvatore Desarno
NYSID# 4075158Q
State Inmate# 81A1798
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
August 25, 1864 Ptl John OBrien, 19 Pct, Arrest-robbery
August 25, 1928 Ptl Joseph Dursee, 8A Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
August 25, 1946 Ptl Michael Zawoltk, Traffic K, Shot during arrest
August 26, 1918 Ptl William Barrett, 13 Pct, Thrown from horse
August 26, 1936 Ptl Richard McCormack, 20 Pct, Injured on patrol
August 26, 1971 Sgt Joseph Morabito, 1Div Narco, Shot during investigation
August 27, 1921 Ptl Daniel Neville, 23 Pct, Shot during investigation
August 28, 1939 Ptl Clarence Mihlheiser, Hwy3, Auto accident on patrol
August 29, 1977 Det Joseph Taylor, 83 Pct, Shot during investigation
August 31, 1962 Ptl Nicholas Panico, 62 Pct, Shot by EDP
August 31, 1969 Ptl Kenneth Keller, 19 Pct, LOD heart attack
Sept 1, 1891 Ptl John Sherman, 26 Pct (24 Pct), Stabbed during arrest
Sept 1, 1923 Ptl John Egan, 51 Pct, Shot by perp
Sept 1, 1954 Ptl Anthony Balga, PBBklyn, Auto accident on patrol
Unknown to mostly of the general public, Crash Data black boxes, commonly called Event Data Recorders or EDRs are in almost all commercial trucks and most new cars these days. With in the next couple of years, they will be in all vehicles.
Within the next few years, it will become a MUST for all investigators who conduct accident and personal injury investigations to know how to obtain the crash data from black boxes that will be in almost every vehicle.
These black boxes, much like the black boxes we hear about in airline accidents, record data pertaining to speed, brake timing, seat belt usage and other data during a vehicle crash. Although this vital evidence will not take the place of an accident investigation in and of itself, it is becoming a vital part of the data the investigator collects to reconstruct the accident. Those investigators armed with the knowledge and know-how on how to do this will be the only investigators who will be able to successfully conduct these types of investigations. It's becoming a vitally important area of conducting personal injury and accident investigations now and this 20 minute digital video gives you a heads-up on this
To find out more about these automobile �black boxes�, check out the site:
http://www.pimall.com/nais/crashdataseminar.html
WHO LUV�S YA, BABY?
Being the buff that I am, I couldn�t pass up the purchase of a pair of cufflinks that have the photo of Kojak on them. With a lollipop in his mouth and a fedora on his head; how could I pass it up?
Showing them off to a twenty-something relative, though, I was a little dismayed to be asked �And who is that?� When I replied, �Kojak�, I then saw a blank stare followed by the question �And I�m supposed to know who that is�? Oh, the aging process!
For those that don�t know, or need a little reminder, I give you the following.
Beginning life as an award winning 1973 TV movie �The Marcus-Nelson Murders�, which was based on the true life Wylie-Hoffert case, and played with charismatic charm by long established movie actor Telly Savalas as the New York cop with a penchant for sucking lollipops, the series went for a graphic 'street level' realism which turned it into an instant top-ten hit in it's first season.
Lt. Kojak was a tough cop with a smart mouth and wits even sharper than his top flight dress sense. Support came from George Savalas (brother of Telly), as Detective Stavros, Dan Frazer as Inspector Frank McNeil, and a small team of hitherto unknown actors who were destined to become, for a while, instantly recognizable household names.
The series was a global hit, playing very popularly around the world and especially so in Japan! Even after it's five year run it was brought back in a succession of TV movies, the last being made in 1989. By this time Theo Kojak had been promoted to the rank of Inspector.
In 1993 Savalas sued the makers of Kojak, Universal TV, for $6 million, claiming 25 per cent of the programs profits. He died a year later.
The series elevated Savalas to the status of superstar and unlikely sex-symbol. In 1975 at the height of his popularity he even topped the popular music charts with a cheesy version of David Gates� song "If".
Kojak reclaimed the city of New York's dubious crown as 'Crime Capital of the World', from a decades long stint on the sun-drenched street's of Southern California (Dragnet, Adam 12, Streets of SF). The television viewing world loved Savalas for it. New Yorker's loved him even more.
In true New York squad commander fashion, Kojak was often heard from his office barking out orders to his men, usually preceded by calling on �Crocker!!� or �Saperstein!!�, which no doubt had them running in to see what �the boss� needed. �Crocker!!! Get me the rap sheet right away�. �Sure, boss�.
By the way, you can still catch episodes of Kojak on The Hallmark channel on most Sunday afternoons. A suitable way to pass the time after watching the Jets!
INDEX OF WATCH MOVEMENTS?
As noted previously on this site, two of the old DD forms were related to Watches, the DD11 Index of Watch Movements and DD12 Index of Watch Cases. What surprised me upon learning more, though, was that this related to actual timepieces.
It seems that years ago stealing a watch was very significant. Before Timex, or Swatch, watches were a very valuable item and not commonly owned. A watch was given to a worker after 50 years of service, and most watches were passed down through generations. Like the Rolex of today, Whitnauer and Longines kept records. Watch repair people actually put their specific mark or initials on the works or on the inside of the case or both when they worked on a watch. This was a valuable source of intelligence.
The DD 11, Index of Watch Movements: The movement of a pocket watch was the guts of it, all the parts that you could see running when you opened up the back.
The DD12 Index of Watch Cases: The watch case was the front and back part of a watch into which the movement was placed. The front of the watch case had a glass through which you could read the dial and hands to tell the time. The back of the case could be opened so the movement could be adjusted if the watch was running fast or slow.
The reason that there were two indexes was because the movement may have been made by one watch company and the case by another company. Both companies would use different serial numbers on the part of the watch they made.
For example, Ret. Det1 John Reilly notes that he has his father's pocket watch made in the 1930s. The movement was made by the Waltham Watch Co., and has a number which is different from the case, which was made by the Supreme Watch Case Co. What has to be remembered is that the movement of a watch could be removed from its case and placed into a different case.
The DD 11 & DD 12 were just many of the files that the Detective Squad Were required to keep.
There was also the DD 6 Dealer's and Pawnbroker Watch card, the DD 7 Property Other than Watches & Jewelry. I think the idea was that if someone reported that their watch had been stolen or lost then a card was made out and keep in the file. Next, any time a suspect was taken to the Squad any watch he was carrying was checked against the DD 11 & 12 indexes. Both were needed as a stolen movement was often taken out of the original case and put into a case that was not hot.
WE have to remember that things were a lot different in the days before computers. It is noted also by John Reilly that in the 1908 Rules & Regulation itStates that when articles of any description which should go to the Property Clerk come into the possession of any Patrolman, the latter will furnish to his Commanding Officer, in the case of watches, name and number of case and works will be given. If this type information had been given in a Missing Person report, then a Detective conducting an investigation of an unidentified DOA could check the DD 11 & 12 to identify the body.
I�d like to thank both Ret Det1 John Reilly and Ret Det. Capt Frank Bolz for their input on this item.
ABOUT THOSE HATS
Frank Bolz adds that the official "uniform" of the Detective was, without a doubt, The Fedora.
He notes that Stetson and Howard�s sold hats but the epitome of the detective fedora was the Moe Penn hat from the lower East Side.
Hey, John- Do you remember the exact address?
Frank fondly recalls being told he was being transferred into The Bureau by his C.O. who told him to �get a hat�, and noted that he was told the same by the Chief of Detectives when being sworn in.
While noting Frank�s input to this site I�d also like to mention a note that December 31, 2004 will be the 50th anniversary of his being sworn in to the department. He mentioned that he was sworn in on December 31,1954 but it wasn�t effective until January 1,1955 because nobody wanted to work on New Years Day. The more things change, the more they remain the same!
FOR THE CULINARY DETECTIVE
A running commentary on the best places for pizza has been ongoing on this site.
A new addition which Sgt. Mike Fanning would like to add is DiRoberti's, in Manhattan.
Located on 1st Avenue, on the east side of the street, they also have a good selection of pastries to finish your meal, with some espresso, of course.
Apparently there is a little debate going on as to whether they are better than Veniero's, which is across the street.
I�ll have to put John Cantwell on the mission for a critical review of both.
WHAT DO THE SYMBOLS ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULDER PATCH AND POLICE OFFICER'S SHIELD MEAN?
The N.Y.P.D. patch was adopted for the police uniform in 1973.
Both the patch and Police Officer's shield are modeled after the seal of New York City. In the center of the patch are the scales of justice balanced on a bundle of rods or sticks with an ax-blade at the top, all of which are tied together.
This bundle is called a "fasces" and was carried by ancient Roman magistrates as a symbol of their official powers. Beneath this symbol is an inverted "V," or chevron, that has five stars representing the five boroughs of the City. Beneath the chevron appears the seal of the Police Department.
The Department seal appears on both the shoulder patch and the police officer's shield.
Two figures appear on the left and right of the center. On the left side is the image of a British sailor (representing the English influence on New York's history). The sailor is holding a "sounding-lead" on a rope. This device was used to test the depth of the river while navigating ships. The figure on the right of the center of the shield is a native-American, holding a bow. This figure represents the natives that lived in the New York area when the Dutch colonists first arrived in the 16th century. In the center of the seal is a shield-shape with the crossed arms of a windmill on it that represents the Dutch heritage of the City. Between the crossed arms of the windmill appear two beavers and two barrels. These represent the native animals and plant products (like corn and tobacco) of the region that supported the new colonists. Above the central shield-shape appears an eagle, representing the federal government of America established with the declaration of Independence in 1776. The Eagle rests upon a hemisphere that represents the "New World."
10-13 REQUESTED
On January 28, 1980 PO CECIL SLEDGE of the 69 Pct was shot and killed during a car stop by Salvatore Desarno, who was on parole at the time.
Desarno was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life.
He is scheduled for a parole hearing this November.
Mrs. Linda Sledge, the widow of Cecil, is requesting that everyone forward a letter to Governor Pataki and to the State Parole Board to recommend AGAINST HIS PAROLE.
Please take the time to forward a letter to:
Governor George Pataki
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
State of NY, parole Board
97 Central Ave
Albany, NY 12206
Att: Victim Impact Unit
The info on the convict is:
Salvatore Desarno
NYSID# 4075158Q
State Inmate# 81A1798
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
August 25, 1864 Ptl John OBrien, 19 Pct, Arrest-robbery
August 25, 1928 Ptl Joseph Dursee, 8A Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
August 25, 1946 Ptl Michael Zawoltk, Traffic K, Shot during arrest
August 26, 1918 Ptl William Barrett, 13 Pct, Thrown from horse
August 26, 1936 Ptl Richard McCormack, 20 Pct, Injured on patrol
August 26, 1971 Sgt Joseph Morabito, 1Div Narco, Shot during investigation
August 27, 1921 Ptl Daniel Neville, 23 Pct, Shot during investigation
August 28, 1939 Ptl Clarence Mihlheiser, Hwy3, Auto accident on patrol
August 29, 1977 Det Joseph Taylor, 83 Pct, Shot during investigation
August 31, 1962 Ptl Nicholas Panico, 62 Pct, Shot by EDP
August 31, 1969 Ptl Kenneth Keller, 19 Pct, LOD heart attack
Sept 1, 1891 Ptl John Sherman, 26 Pct (24 Pct), Stabbed during arrest
Sept 1, 1923 Ptl John Egan, 51 Pct, Shot by perp
Sept 1, 1954 Ptl Anthony Balga, PBBklyn, Auto accident on patrol
Thursday, August 19, 2004
BACK FROM VACATION
The Minister has returned from a restful weeks vacation (hence the lack of a more recent update). Hope everyone is enjoying their summer; to those of us here in the NYPD this will be the �last week of summer�; the Republican National Convention, followed by the West Indian Day weekend and the General Assembly � bye, bye summer!
REDESIGNED MEDAL OF HONOR � 1973
Sixty years after the Medal of Honor replaced the Department Medal as the NYPD�s top award for valor, the department decided to change its design.
In 1972, a contest was announced to pick a design for a new medal. The winner was Ptl. Alfred Young, a police historian and later curator of the Police Museum. His design was based on the star-shaped badge worn by the New York City Municipal Police Department officers from 1845 to 1857. The medal hangs from a green ribbon on which 12 white stars are clustered. A top bar is inscribed with �Valor�. A gold palm leaf on the ribbon indicates a second award. Since 1997, the medal has been made of gold.
The first presentation of the new medals were made on October 23, 1973, to the widows of five officers: Gregory Foster and Rocco Laurie, 9 Pct., Elijah Stroud, 88 Pct., Phillip Cardillo, 28 Pct., and Det. William Capers, 16 B/L Sqd, who were slain in the line of duty during 1972. Two other awards of the Medal of Honor were also made that day to Sgt. William Manos, ESD 4, and Officer Frank Buono, Bx. FSA.
At the 1985 Medal Day ceremonies the first awards of the NYPD Medal of Honor to a female police officer were made to PO Tanya Braithwaite, 41 Pct, and PO Sharon Fields, 40 Pct. Each officer had engaged in a shootout with a gunman who had just murdered another police officer.
It is noted that in 1984, a female police officer with the NYC Transit Police Department, Irma Lozada, was killed in the line of duty and awarded the Transit Police� Medal of Honor posthumously. (My note: It�s hard to believe, but it will be 20 years since Fran was killed, this September 21).
Since 1921, when posthumous awards were first made, approximately 70% of the Medals of Honor awarded have been to officers who died in the line of duty, with the majority killed in shooting incident.
COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU
Slated for production in early 2005 is the film based on the life of Chris Paciello, a Staten Island street thug who became the king of South Beach Miami nightlife.
With elements of "Scarface," "Miami Vice," "The Sopranos," and "Donnie Brasco," the 90-minute feature film, "The King of Clubs" tells the true and unbiased story of Paciello, who made world headlines when he was arrested in 1999 in connection with the 1993 murder of a Staten Island, NY housewife.
Billed by The Village Voice as "the biggest scandal to hit South Beach since the 1997 murder of Gianni Versace." The New York-born Paciello was a well-known fixture of Miami's nightclub and society crowds. In fact, Paciello, who co-owned Liquid, was credited with adding fire to South Beach's rising status as a major international hotspot. Paciello, who partied with superstars like Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and supermodel Niki Taylor, was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison.
"The King of Clubs" is based on Daily News reporter Michele McPhee's "Mob Over Miami�.
The story spans from Paciello's early life as Christian Ludwigsen on the mean streets in the New York boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island to his recreation as Chris Paciello in Miami. Readers of the book will recall the fine job the NYPD did in this case.
Also believed to be in production is a screen version of the classic TV show, Kojak.
The lead, which was portrayed so finely by Telly Savalas, is believed to be taken by screen star Vin Rames (I�m probably spelling it wrong!). Regardless, all Kojak aficionado�s will certainly be looking forward to this.
�GET A HAT�
Readers to this site may recall this reference to �Get a Hat�.
It has been pointed out that there was a time when that statement was used to signify that a patrol cop was being promoted to the Detective Bureau, as all detective�s wore very fashionable fedora's.
Ret. Det Capt Frank Bolz points out that one of the popular hat�s among that time were Adam Hats. The chain that sold the hats provided a gift certificate, which was a miniature felt hat in a mini hat box.
Many an NYPD detective traded that in for a real hat!
ABOUT THOSE OLD FORMS
I have been reminded by Ret. 1 John Reilly about some of the old DD forms, and their actual usage.
As has been noted, the DD11 was an Index of Watch Movements, and a DD12 was an Index of Watch Cases. What I did not realize was the �watch� they are referring to is an actual watch � a timepiece!
John has been so kind as to break down the what-and-why�s of such a record, and will be the subject of a future posting.
IN MEMORIAM: PTL. MICHAEL J. LYNCH - 1911
It was on July 1, 1911 that Ptl. Michael J. Lynch #7077 of the 22 Precinct (Midtown South) was killed in the line of duty.
Just after 8.00pm on July 1, 1911, Ptl. Lynch had just come off duty at the West 37th Street station house, and was walking to the 34th Street station of the Ninth Ave. elevated train to go home. At 37th St. & Ninth Ave. he stopped to talk with Ptl. Brady, a plainclothes officer. As they were chatting they heard the sound of three pistol shots coming from an apartment house at 347 West 37th Street.
Arriving at the house the officers were informed that the shots had been fired from a flat on the second floor, the home of John Collins. Collins had been drinking for about 4 hours and soon became drunk. After he became drunk he quarreled with the woman who lived with him and then fired his pistol out the window. The police tried to enter Collin�s flat, but the doors were locked. Ptl. Lynch got the janitor who used a key to open a door leading into the kitchen. As Lynch pushed the door open he found himself facing a pistol in the hand of Collins. Before he had a chance to do anything Collins fired at him and he fell to the floor dead, shot in the head. Collins jumped over the dead policeman�s body and ran to the roof of the building. On the roof he jumped to another building. After a chase he was arrested in a building on West 38th Street.
Ptl. Lynch had been a police officer for six years, he was 32 years old, married, with a two year old son and his widow was expecting another child. On July 4, 1911, a funeral service was held at the Church of St. Charles Borromeo, West 141st Street. After the service the remains were taken to Calvary Cemetery, Queens, for burial. A collection was taken up from the members of the NYPD for the widow and her children; on Oct. 20, 1911 the sum of $6,540.10 was presented to Mrs. Nellie Lynch. During December of 1911, the Riot Relief Fund donated the sum of $1,000 to the family of Ptl. Lynch. On Aug. 11, 1911, after a trial in before Judge Mulqueen in the Court of General Sessions, John Collins was found guilty by the jury of murder in the first degree. On Aug. 16, 1911, Collins was sentenced to die in the electric chair for the murder of Ptl. Lynch. At 5.09 am Aug 12, 1912, Collins was the first of seven murderers executed at Sing Sing prison. FROM FROM THE INVESTIGATOR�S DICTIONARY
Lividity: The process by which the blood settles into dependent capillaries and eventually �fixes� in certain areas of the body.
Postmortem Lividity: Also known as livor mortis. Caused by the pooling and settling of blood within the blood vessels from the effect of gravity. It appears as a purple discoloration of the skin. During life, the pumping action of the heart maintains a constant flow of blood through the numerous vessels of the body. Upon death, this pumping action ceases, and the blood pools within the dependent portions of the body (lowest points).
FOR THE INVESTIGATOR�S LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Life Insurance Locator: Finding life insurance policy information of a decedent when the identity of the insurance company is unknown can be a daunting task. Perhaps checking the subject�s check book for recent policy payments can help, but if that proves to be worthless, there is another alternative.
Although it is a fee-based service, costing approximately $150 per search, it�s good to know that a search is available. Life benefits Search, Inc. is an internet-based service that has automated the search process. You provide them with the information on the decedent and they mass mail inquiries to a lengthy list of life insurance companies.
If a policy is found, a claim can then be submitted.
Reference Library: Ever need to call a library reference desk in the middle of the night for information on a hard-to-find piece of information?
The University of Arizona library is open 24/7 with a reference librarian on duty � ask for the Reference Desk when calling:520-621-6441
www.dizzy.library.arizona.edu
SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX: The Social Security Administration�s master death index is public record and searchable for free on the internet.
Access the following site, and click on the �Death Records� button: http://www.crimetime.com/online.htm
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
Aug 8, 1926 Ptl Frank Murphy, Mcy Dist, Shot-GLA arrest
Aug 9, 1930 Det Harry Bloomfield, 44 Sq, Shot by prisoner
Aug 11, 1926 Det John Singer, DD, Shot by prisoner
Aug 11, 1937 Det Isadore Astel, MODD, Shot � Robbery in Progress
Aug 11, 1937 Ptl John Bosworth 43 Pct, Trolley Car accident
Aug 11, 1937 Ptl Joseph McBreen ESS10, Building collapse
Aug 11, 1949 Ptl George Connelly 19 Pct, Line of duty accident
Aug 12, 1952 Ptl James McGillion 34 Pct, Shot during investigation
Aug 12, 1966 Ptl Harold Levine Mcy2, Motorcycle accident
Aug 14, 1924 Ptl Frederick Thomas 9 Pct, Shot-robbery investigation
Aug 14, 1980 PO Harry Ryman 60 Pct, Shot-investigation
Aug 15, 1865 Ptl Thomas Walken 29 Pct, Arrest-assault
Aug 16, 1988 PO Joseph Galapo BSNarco, Shot during arrest
Aug 17, 1947 Ptl Thomas Gargan 6 Pct, Shot-burglary in progress
Aug 17, 1969 Sgt Cornelius McGowan 114 Pct, Line of duty heart attack
Aug 17, 1979 PO Thomas Schimenti, MTS Pct, Shot-robbery
Aug 19, 1974 Ptl Thomas Pegues, TPF, Shot-auto check
Aug 20, 1971 Ptl Kenneth Nugent, 103 Pct, Shot-robbery
Aug 20, 1987 Det Myron Parker, BxNarco, Assaulted
Aug 21, 1931 Ptl Walter Webb, 40 Pct, Shot-Robbery in progress
Aug 21, 1931 Ptl Edwin Churchill, McyDist, Shot-robbery in progress
Aug 22, 1924 Ptl Harry Blumberg, 10 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
Aug 22, 1925 Ptl David Sheehan, 4 Pct, Shot-burglary arrest
Aug 22, 1941 Ptl Harold King, TrafficB, Shot-GLA arrest
The Minister has returned from a restful weeks vacation (hence the lack of a more recent update). Hope everyone is enjoying their summer; to those of us here in the NYPD this will be the �last week of summer�; the Republican National Convention, followed by the West Indian Day weekend and the General Assembly � bye, bye summer!
REDESIGNED MEDAL OF HONOR � 1973
Sixty years after the Medal of Honor replaced the Department Medal as the NYPD�s top award for valor, the department decided to change its design.
In 1972, a contest was announced to pick a design for a new medal. The winner was Ptl. Alfred Young, a police historian and later curator of the Police Museum. His design was based on the star-shaped badge worn by the New York City Municipal Police Department officers from 1845 to 1857. The medal hangs from a green ribbon on which 12 white stars are clustered. A top bar is inscribed with �Valor�. A gold palm leaf on the ribbon indicates a second award. Since 1997, the medal has been made of gold.
The first presentation of the new medals were made on October 23, 1973, to the widows of five officers: Gregory Foster and Rocco Laurie, 9 Pct., Elijah Stroud, 88 Pct., Phillip Cardillo, 28 Pct., and Det. William Capers, 16 B/L Sqd, who were slain in the line of duty during 1972. Two other awards of the Medal of Honor were also made that day to Sgt. William Manos, ESD 4, and Officer Frank Buono, Bx. FSA.
At the 1985 Medal Day ceremonies the first awards of the NYPD Medal of Honor to a female police officer were made to PO Tanya Braithwaite, 41 Pct, and PO Sharon Fields, 40 Pct. Each officer had engaged in a shootout with a gunman who had just murdered another police officer.
It is noted that in 1984, a female police officer with the NYC Transit Police Department, Irma Lozada, was killed in the line of duty and awarded the Transit Police� Medal of Honor posthumously. (My note: It�s hard to believe, but it will be 20 years since Fran was killed, this September 21).
Since 1921, when posthumous awards were first made, approximately 70% of the Medals of Honor awarded have been to officers who died in the line of duty, with the majority killed in shooting incident.
COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU
Slated for production in early 2005 is the film based on the life of Chris Paciello, a Staten Island street thug who became the king of South Beach Miami nightlife.
With elements of "Scarface," "Miami Vice," "The Sopranos," and "Donnie Brasco," the 90-minute feature film, "The King of Clubs" tells the true and unbiased story of Paciello, who made world headlines when he was arrested in 1999 in connection with the 1993 murder of a Staten Island, NY housewife.
Billed by The Village Voice as "the biggest scandal to hit South Beach since the 1997 murder of Gianni Versace." The New York-born Paciello was a well-known fixture of Miami's nightclub and society crowds. In fact, Paciello, who co-owned Liquid, was credited with adding fire to South Beach's rising status as a major international hotspot. Paciello, who partied with superstars like Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and supermodel Niki Taylor, was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison.
"The King of Clubs" is based on Daily News reporter Michele McPhee's "Mob Over Miami�.
The story spans from Paciello's early life as Christian Ludwigsen on the mean streets in the New York boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island to his recreation as Chris Paciello in Miami. Readers of the book will recall the fine job the NYPD did in this case.
Also believed to be in production is a screen version of the classic TV show, Kojak.
The lead, which was portrayed so finely by Telly Savalas, is believed to be taken by screen star Vin Rames (I�m probably spelling it wrong!). Regardless, all Kojak aficionado�s will certainly be looking forward to this.
�GET A HAT�
Readers to this site may recall this reference to �Get a Hat�.
It has been pointed out that there was a time when that statement was used to signify that a patrol cop was being promoted to the Detective Bureau, as all detective�s wore very fashionable fedora's.
Ret. Det Capt Frank Bolz points out that one of the popular hat�s among that time were Adam Hats. The chain that sold the hats provided a gift certificate, which was a miniature felt hat in a mini hat box.
Many an NYPD detective traded that in for a real hat!
ABOUT THOSE OLD FORMS
I have been reminded by Ret. 1 John Reilly about some of the old DD forms, and their actual usage.
As has been noted, the DD11 was an Index of Watch Movements, and a DD12 was an Index of Watch Cases. What I did not realize was the �watch� they are referring to is an actual watch � a timepiece!
John has been so kind as to break down the what-and-why�s of such a record, and will be the subject of a future posting.
IN MEMORIAM: PTL. MICHAEL J. LYNCH - 1911
It was on July 1, 1911 that Ptl. Michael J. Lynch #7077 of the 22 Precinct (Midtown South) was killed in the line of duty.
Just after 8.00pm on July 1, 1911, Ptl. Lynch had just come off duty at the West 37th Street station house, and was walking to the 34th Street station of the Ninth Ave. elevated train to go home. At 37th St. & Ninth Ave. he stopped to talk with Ptl. Brady, a plainclothes officer. As they were chatting they heard the sound of three pistol shots coming from an apartment house at 347 West 37th Street.
Arriving at the house the officers were informed that the shots had been fired from a flat on the second floor, the home of John Collins. Collins had been drinking for about 4 hours and soon became drunk. After he became drunk he quarreled with the woman who lived with him and then fired his pistol out the window. The police tried to enter Collin�s flat, but the doors were locked. Ptl. Lynch got the janitor who used a key to open a door leading into the kitchen. As Lynch pushed the door open he found himself facing a pistol in the hand of Collins. Before he had a chance to do anything Collins fired at him and he fell to the floor dead, shot in the head. Collins jumped over the dead policeman�s body and ran to the roof of the building. On the roof he jumped to another building. After a chase he was arrested in a building on West 38th Street.
Ptl. Lynch had been a police officer for six years, he was 32 years old, married, with a two year old son and his widow was expecting another child. On July 4, 1911, a funeral service was held at the Church of St. Charles Borromeo, West 141st Street. After the service the remains were taken to Calvary Cemetery, Queens, for burial. A collection was taken up from the members of the NYPD for the widow and her children; on Oct. 20, 1911 the sum of $6,540.10 was presented to Mrs. Nellie Lynch. During December of 1911, the Riot Relief Fund donated the sum of $1,000 to the family of Ptl. Lynch. On Aug. 11, 1911, after a trial in before Judge Mulqueen in the Court of General Sessions, John Collins was found guilty by the jury of murder in the first degree. On Aug. 16, 1911, Collins was sentenced to die in the electric chair for the murder of Ptl. Lynch. At 5.09 am Aug 12, 1912, Collins was the first of seven murderers executed at Sing Sing prison. FROM FROM THE INVESTIGATOR�S DICTIONARY
Lividity: The process by which the blood settles into dependent capillaries and eventually �fixes� in certain areas of the body.
Postmortem Lividity: Also known as livor mortis. Caused by the pooling and settling of blood within the blood vessels from the effect of gravity. It appears as a purple discoloration of the skin. During life, the pumping action of the heart maintains a constant flow of blood through the numerous vessels of the body. Upon death, this pumping action ceases, and the blood pools within the dependent portions of the body (lowest points).
FOR THE INVESTIGATOR�S LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Life Insurance Locator: Finding life insurance policy information of a decedent when the identity of the insurance company is unknown can be a daunting task. Perhaps checking the subject�s check book for recent policy payments can help, but if that proves to be worthless, there is another alternative.
Although it is a fee-based service, costing approximately $150 per search, it�s good to know that a search is available. Life benefits Search, Inc. is an internet-based service that has automated the search process. You provide them with the information on the decedent and they mass mail inquiries to a lengthy list of life insurance companies.
If a policy is found, a claim can then be submitted.
Reference Library: Ever need to call a library reference desk in the middle of the night for information on a hard-to-find piece of information?
The University of Arizona library is open 24/7 with a reference librarian on duty � ask for the Reference Desk when calling:520-621-6441
www.dizzy.library.arizona.edu
SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX: The Social Security Administration�s master death index is public record and searchable for free on the internet.
Access the following site, and click on the �Death Records� button: http://www.crimetime.com/online.htm
�LEST WE FORGET�� THE NYPD MEMORIAL
Aug 8, 1926 Ptl Frank Murphy, Mcy Dist, Shot-GLA arrest
Aug 9, 1930 Det Harry Bloomfield, 44 Sq, Shot by prisoner
Aug 11, 1926 Det John Singer, DD, Shot by prisoner
Aug 11, 1937 Det Isadore Astel, MODD, Shot � Robbery in Progress
Aug 11, 1937 Ptl John Bosworth 43 Pct, Trolley Car accident
Aug 11, 1937 Ptl Joseph McBreen ESS10, Building collapse
Aug 11, 1949 Ptl George Connelly 19 Pct, Line of duty accident
Aug 12, 1952 Ptl James McGillion 34 Pct, Shot during investigation
Aug 12, 1966 Ptl Harold Levine Mcy2, Motorcycle accident
Aug 14, 1924 Ptl Frederick Thomas 9 Pct, Shot-robbery investigation
Aug 14, 1980 PO Harry Ryman 60 Pct, Shot-investigation
Aug 15, 1865 Ptl Thomas Walken 29 Pct, Arrest-assault
Aug 16, 1988 PO Joseph Galapo BSNarco, Shot during arrest
Aug 17, 1947 Ptl Thomas Gargan 6 Pct, Shot-burglary in progress
Aug 17, 1969 Sgt Cornelius McGowan 114 Pct, Line of duty heart attack
Aug 17, 1979 PO Thomas Schimenti, MTS Pct, Shot-robbery
Aug 19, 1974 Ptl Thomas Pegues, TPF, Shot-auto check
Aug 20, 1971 Ptl Kenneth Nugent, 103 Pct, Shot-robbery
Aug 20, 1987 Det Myron Parker, BxNarco, Assaulted
Aug 21, 1931 Ptl Walter Webb, 40 Pct, Shot-Robbery in progress
Aug 21, 1931 Ptl Edwin Churchill, McyDist, Shot-robbery in progress
Aug 22, 1924 Ptl Harry Blumberg, 10 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
Aug 22, 1925 Ptl David Sheehan, 4 Pct, Shot-burglary arrest
Aug 22, 1941 Ptl Harold King, TrafficB, Shot-GLA arrest
