Traffic Lights, Intersections, Vehicles and Pedestrians Lead to Crosswalks

We would have a difficult time introducing the traffic light if we couldn't introduce the crosswalk. When Baltimore started using our crosswalk system in 1914, intersections on Baltimore Street from the Fallsway to Howard Street and on Howard Street from Baltimore Street to Franklin would receive these thick white lines telling pedestrians where they needed to be when crossing the streets in this part of town. The concept seen in Cleveland and Detroit could be seen first on these downtown streets, but before long they would be on nearly every major intersection in the city. The goal was to save lives. As more and more cars came into the city, and these cars were being made to go faster and faster, those on foot needed to earn the right to interact with these machines in a uniform and in a safe manner.

Baltimore St and Charles St
1914

15 November 15, 1914

WALK THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH

VINCENT FITZPATRICK The Sun (1837-1989); SN1

Walk the Straight and Narrow Path

What are those white lines painted on the street, stretching right across the asphalt, mean? Scores of men asked the men who were painting; hundreds have looked at them, stopped, and wondered.

Thousands who walk through the business district of the city have noticed recently at the street intersections of Baltimore Street from the Fallsway to Howard Street, and on Howard from Baltimore Street to Franklin, these heavy white lines on all four sides of the intersecting streets. The lines extend from curb to curb: those on the north and south sides of the street running east and west, and those on the east and west sides of the street running north and south.

One of the lines on each side runs coincident with the building line; the other runs with the curb between these lines. All Baltimoreans who use Shanks’ Mare as their mode of transportation must walk in the future. There is to be no “cutting catty-corner” at these intersections. Everyone must walk to the line, or the policemen stationed at these crossings will know the reason why.

In Cleveland and Detroit.

In other words, Baltimore is about to inaugurate an arrangement in the way of handling the traffic situation that has been in vogue for some time in the number of large cities of the country.

Those who have visited Cleveland and Detroit have undergone the experience of being held up by the policeman at the crossing when they attempt to scoot diagonally from one corner of the street to another. They had to go around in a certain way, and perhaps some of them have murmured at what they thought of as a useless and childish procedure. In some of these cities, the lines are not used, while in others, there is quite an involved system of lines. Which takes a little time to puzzle out. In all of these cities, the adoption of either the line system or that used, for example, in Cleveland, where the police simply directed the way the pedestrian should go, has been rewarded with beneficial results in the saving of life and limb.

In Baltimore, in the last five years, the toll of life and limb exacted by streetcars, automobiles, and other vehicles has been considerable. Perhaps 50 people have been killed or died from their injuries. In all of this list, it's unlikely that a coroner's jury's decision did not in some way place the accident victim at fault for their own negligence. In every instance, it seems to have been a case where the person who was killed stepped directly in the path of the automobile or the trolley car, and the motorman or the chauffeur had no time to bring his car or automobile to a stop.

Often, there have been no disinterested witnesses to the accident. Death has sealed the victim's lips. The person who ran him down naturally testifies in his own defense. With conditions existing as they are in Baltimore today, it is a wonder that more people are not killed or injured. There are always a few people who are so careless and drive automobiles and other vehicles that they are a constant danger to pedestrians. As long as some men will not respect the rights of others and as long as many people are so careless about their own protection, the city must step to the defense of those who either cannot or will not take care of themselves.

The Way It Works

The layout of these lines is regarded as an important step toward better traffic handling. City Engineer McKay is initiating the innovation. He will shortly write a letter to the board of police commissioners asking them to have the members of the Police Department cooperate with city authorities in seeing that the new plan is carried out.

When that system is put into force, a person wishing to cross, say from the south-west side of Baltimore and Charles streets to the northeast corner of Baltimore and Charles streets, will have to walk east on the south side of Baltimore Street to the southeast corner of the intersecting streets and then north to his objective point. There may be some people who object on the grounds that this is a waste of time and energy. Doubtless, they will in the future see its good points.

Once the traffic patrolman gives the signal for persons moving east and west to move on, every vehicle bound north and south must stop. When he gives the sign to those on their way north and south, every vehicle moving east and west must stop. Every person moving along between the lines is absolutely protected. If, though some disobedience of the law of a driver should persist on his way and a person is cut down between the lines, the party guilty of the violation will have practically no defense and will probably have to face a lawsuit for damages.

The city engineering department intends to place these lines throughout most of the traffic-congested districts. It is the only continuation of the policy of the city officials that “life is not cheap.”

The Useful Traffic Squad

It will surprise some to learn that the money required for the protection of people from injury resulting from traffic reaches into the thousands, and the thousands of dollars more will be expended. Even at that, the safeguards for the pedestrians will not be enough, and those who of studied the question believe that the time is coming when a special yearly appropriation will be made for this purpose.

Until a decade or so ago, this city had practically no traffic squad. Indeed, when the idea was first breached, the proposal met with more or less derision, and those who were appointed to this special work were referred to as members of “the beauty squad.” Baltimoreans have ceased to laugh at that squad. They know the work its members have done in saving elderly men, women, and children from death on those streets was “big business,” and unmindful pleasure hustled and bustled along apparently careless of the rights of others. There are in the city today 39 members of the traffic squad, including three mounted policemen. Of sergeants Barry and Zimmerman, with deputy Marshal House as the directing head. These men are stationed at all of the principal traffic corners downtown, or at what some call the “automobile death traps.”. These “traps” are at North and Charles streets, St. Paul and Chase streets, St. Paul Street, and Mount Royal Avenue.

These patrolmen work from 7 o’clock in the morning until 7 o’clock at night. One half of the squad works on Saturday night from seven to 11 o’clock. The officers are not kept on duty on Sundays, except for the one man who was stationed at Charles Street and North Avenue. This assignment is taken in turn, which means that each member of the squad has to work approximately one Sunday in every 39.

Many Warning Signs

More policemen for this work are needed and badly needed, officials say, but as there is no money appropriated, the next best step is taken. Signs have been printed warning automobiles and others what they must do in order to conform to the traffic laws. Signs are fixed in dangerous places where it is impossible, because of a lack of numbers, to station a patrolman. The signs cost eight dollars apiece, but they last many years. The patrolman must be paid $20 a week. Therefore, the signs are much more economical, though perhaps not as powerful in terms of restraint as the policeman.

To further the “safety first” crusade, the officials of the United Railways have placed posters in the trolley cars requesting passengers not only to be careful while getting on or off the cars but also warning them of the need to be watchful while crossing or walking in the street.

The automobile club of Marilyn now keeps large signs on its side warning pedestrians of the necessity of watching out for automobiles and other vehicles. This is sent out only through the automobile,  thus constituting a running lesson of advice.

Moving: Picture Lessons

Deputy Marshal House, who is intensely interested in the “safety first” movement, is greatly pleased with the results that have followed one method of campaigning in this matter. There are 200 moving picture houses in Baltimore. In these houses, at least once a week, warnings are given of the dangers that are to be met within the city from moving vehicles. They urge the readers to “stop, look, and listen” before attempting to cross a street. They tell children of the dangers of stealing rides on the back of wagons, cars, etc. And these lessons produce an impression.

The police are always on the lookout to detect those who violate the traffic laws. In stables all over town, the traffic rules are posted. Thousands of little pamphlets, published at the city’s expense, containing the traffic rules and the penalties for violating them have been issued to chauffeurs, automobile owners, and drivers.

In the case of minor violations of the law by drivers of wagons, the rule that is generally followed is to take the name of the driver, if it is his first defense, and the name of his employer. The employer is then notified that his employee has disregarded the law, and he is asked to advise his men not to repeat the offense. If the offense is committed again, the violators will be arrested and fined.

To “Park” Vehicles

Deputy Marshal House is striving to get the owners of the various business houses and big office buildings interested in a new plan of his. He wants them to purchase signs to be used in front of their buildings, telling automobile lists and drivers to “park” their vehicles within certain lines to be marked off in front of the buildings. This is to keep the entrances to the buildings clear.

There is one good thing that the deputy marshal believes will result from such a plan, and that is the expediting of the collection of the males. Because of the congestion in front of mailboxes, post office employees have often been delayed by a minute or more in  taking up such mail. This means lost time and inconvenience to the businessmen and others in getting their mail.

The popularity of roller skating brought about by the increase in smooth payments has created a new problem for the police to solve. Regulations had to be made and enforced, giving the children the right to use certain streets at certain hours for their fun. Some of the too-favorite skaters had to be protected against automobiles, and vice versa, automobiles had to be protected against heedless skaters.

May Restore the Whistles

In the downtown section, the traffic police, for a long time, used the whistle system to direct traffic. One blow of the whistle meant the movement of traffic north and south; two blasts met the movement of traffic east and west. This system was discontinued; traffic is now directed there by the waiving of the hand. Part of the present system, according to Deputy Marshal House, has proved unsatisfactory, and he has brought before the board of police commissioners a proposal to bring back the whistles again. It is said that many drivers, especially Negroes, who sometimes drive along half asleep, fail to notice the wave of the officer’s hand, and much confusion has resulted. The sharp whistle keeps a man awake and alert and wakes up the sleeping or the stupid.

There are new traffic problems arising every day as the city grows. It is a big thing—the protection of the people—a job well worth what it costs. Over in Northeast Baltimore and down in the crowded sections of East Baltimore, hundreds of people have been injured more or less seriously, and some have lost their lives because the streets were not better guarded. Especially where there is a need for the protection of children and elderly persons, and down there, where they have never had any officers to look after pedestrians and hold teams and motorcars in check, traffic police are needed.

It’s a big problem, one that Baltimore has handled pretty well with its limited force in the past few years, but it’s planning to manage with a better and more comprehensive system in the future.

 

Baltimore Police Historical Society Calendar 

Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

 

 January 

01 Jan - 1857 Start of New Police Provisions

Today in Baltimore Police History 1 Jan 1857, came an important change under the provisions of this act; the ordinance introduced an entirely new order of things and placed Baltimore's Department of Police on practically the same footing as those of the other large cities of this country. It declared that after; 1 March 1857, the existing watch and police systems of the time would be ABOLISHED, and all ordinances for the establishment and regulation of the same be repealed. The new force consisted of one marshal, one deputy marshal, eight captains, eight lieutenants, twenty-four sergeants, three hundred and fifty police officers, five detective police officers and eight turkeys. The men were required to do duty day and night and were given all the powers then vested by law in the city bailiffs, police officers, constables, and watchmen. The city was divided into four police districts, whose stations were at the watch-house. The Marshal, with the concurrence of the mayor, was given authority to establish the limits of the stations, divide them into beats, making allowance for a proper force to retain at the station houses. He had power also to alter at will the limits of the districts and beats. At this time, the Detective Bureau was established. The city was divided into four police districts. Eastern, Middle/Central, Western and Southern. 

01 Jan - Park Police officially merged

Today in Baltimore Police History 1 January 1961, the Baltimore Park Police officially merged with the Baltimore City Police Department.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/94-baltimore-city-park-police #BPD_History

01 Jan - Final Roll Call Marshal Frey passed away

Today in Baltimore Police History 1 January 1911 Former Police Marshal Jacob Frey passed away. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call

02 Jan - Fallen George D. Hart

On this day in BPD History 2 Jan 1925, we lost our Brother Police Officer George D. Hart #‎BPDNeverForget https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/294-police-officer-george-d-hart

02 Jan - Fallen William A. Bell

On this day in Baltimore Police History 2 Jan 1932, we lost our brother, Officer William A. Bell - Officer Bell was shot and killed instantly on 2 January 1932, while in the process of arresting a burglary suspect, Based on the following: #‎BPDNeverForget https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/56-officer-william-a-bell

02 Jan - Baltimore Regional Auto Theft Team was Initiated

The Baltimore Regional Auto Theft Team (RATT) launched as a six-month Task Force on January 2, 1995, RATT has consistently demonstrated its commitment to combating vehicle theft in the region.

Over the years, RATT members, past and present, have achieved remarkable results, including a substantial reduction in vehicle theft rates (reaching a low of 70% during certain periods). Their dedication has been recognized with numerous awards, and they have forged lasting friendships within the team.

As RATT enters its fourth decade, it stands as a testament to the impact of collaborative efforts in law enforcement.

"Job well done," to all who have contributed to the success of the Baltimore Regional Auto Theft Team.

05 Jan - 1919 Annexation Act / Parts of Baltimore County Now Baltimore City

1919 Annexation Act / Parts of Baltimore County Now Baltimore City
Today in Baltimore Police History, 5 January 1919 - Thirty-Three Former members of Baltimore County Police Dept were accepted into the Baltimore City Police Depart as part of the Annexation Act. This allowed 60 men to patrol the 50 square miles of the Annex. Area's such as 'Canton' - 'Highland town' etc. were all formerly Baltimore County but are now Baltimore City. #BPD_History

06 Jan - Fallen Charles W. Fisher

On this day in Baltimore Police History 6 Jan 1884, we lost our Brother Police Officer Charles W. Fisher - Officer Fisher drowned to death while investigating suspicious activity and fell from the pier and through the ice of the basin. #BPDNeverForget https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/536-officer-charles-w-fisher

06 Jan - Fallen Ronald W. Morgan

On this day in Baltimore Police History 6, January 1951 we lost our Brother Officer Ronald W. Morgan - Officer Morgan was struck and killed while getting out of his patrol car to use a call box https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/331-officer-roland-w-morgan #BPDNeverForget

06 Jan - Final Roll Call Commissioner Bishop Robinson

Today in Baltimore Police History 6 January 2014 we lost our brother former police Commissioner Bishop Robinson.

BALTIMORE - (4:30 p.m.) -- The first African American Police Commissioner in the history of the Baltimore Police Department died Monday, 6 January 2014, a department spokesman said.

'I'm so sorry that he died,' Baltimore City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke said in a statement. 'He broke the racial barriers in the police department, and he did it with strength and great dignity. He was a very strong leader in that department and very highly respected. He went on to be involved in many other areas of civic life as well. He will be truly missed.'

Bishop L. Robinson died at the age of 86. He served as commissioner from 1984 to 1987 and later served A Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety, and Correctional Services from 1987 to 1997.

'When Commissioner Robinson joined the police department in 1952 the role and scope of African American officers were severely restricted,' Baltimore police spokesman Lt. Eric Kowalczyk wrote in a release. 'African American officers were not allowed to patrol white neighborhoods or use patrol cars. During his career the United States saw the advancement of the Civil Rights movement, opening the door for Commissioner Robinson to advance in rank.

'His ascendancy to command the Baltimore Police Department is a testament to his perseverance, character, and dedication to duty,' the release continued. 'Fighting through a culture that was in the midst of changing, Commissioner Robinson gained the respect and admiration of his peers and subordinates.'

Robinson was one of the founding members of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. The Annex Headquarters Building at Fayette and Presidents streets is named in his honor.

'We are saddened by the loss of Commissioner Bishop Robinson, he was our Jackie Robinson.' said retired Baltimore police Det. Kenny Driscoll.

Driscoll runs the website www.BaltimoreCityPoliceHistory.com

'He broke color barriers in one of America's toughest careers, for one of America's best police forces, the Baltimore Police Department, we were all proud to have served for him, and sorry to see him go,' Driscoll said.

Baltimore officials expressed their condolences to the Robinson family, toasting his service to the city.

'Commissioner Robinson was a pioneer in the field of public safety and Baltimoreans benefited from his tireless efforts to improve our city,' City Council President Bernard 'Jack,' Young said in a statement. 'His successes inspired countless men and women to dedicate their lives to public service.

'I enjoyed the privilege of working alongside Mr. Robinson and I was extremely proud of his career of service, which was showcased last February during a dedication ceremony for a public justice institute at Coppin State University that bears his name,' the statement continued. 'The institute stands as a tribute to his enduring legacy.'

Councilman Carl Stokes added, 'Although he led a lengthy career representing Baltimore's finest, the fact that he was an African American leader meant he faced many barriers, adapted and overcame.

'We have lost an able statesman whose wisdom, experience and proactive leadership will be dearly missed at a time when cities like ours could benefit from his wisdom and expertise,' Stokes said in a statement to the media.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call

06 Jan - Sherlock Holmes' Birthday

Today in Baltimore History, 6 January 1934, a group known as, 'The 6 Napoleons' made up of Sherlock Holmes fans, celebrate Mr. Holmes' birthday.

07 Jan - Fallen Officer John P Burns

On this day in Baltimore Police History 7 Jan 1931, we lost our Brother Police Officer John P Burns to gunfire Please Visit the following Link
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/27-police-officer-john-p-burns #BPDNeverForget

08 Jan - James Birthday

James Birthday

09 Jan - Fallen Detective Troy Chesley

On this day in BPD History, 9 January 2007 we lost our Brother Det Troy Chesley to gunfire. Please Visit the following Link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/345-det-troy-lamont-chesley-sr #BPDNeverForget

09 Jan - Fallen Officer William H. Torbit

On this day in BPD History, 9 January 2011 we lost our Brother P/O William H. Torbit Junior to gunfire. Please Visit the following Link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/224-officer-william-h-torbit-jr #BPDNeverForget

09 Jan - Fallen Officer Craig Chandler

On this day in BPD History, 9 January 2015 we lost our Brother P/O Craig Chandler to injuries stemming from an auto accident. Please Visit the following Link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/346-officer-craig-chandler #BPDNeverForget

10 Jan - Fallen Officer Francis Stransky

On this day in BPD History, 10 January 1964 we lost our Brother P/O Francis Stransky to gunfire. Please Visit the following Link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/233-officer-francis-stransky #BPDNeverForget

11 Jan - Fallen Patrolman Richard H. Duvall

On this day in BPD History, 11 January 1959 we lost our Brother Patrolman Richard H. Duvall to accidental gunfire. Please Visit the following Link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/275-patrolman-richard-h-duvall #BPDNeverForget

12 Jan - Fallen Officer Charles J Walsh

On this day in BPD History, 12 January 1871, we lost our brother police officer Charles J Walsh to gunfire. Please Visit the following Link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/9-patrolman-charles-j-walsh #BPDNeverForget

12 Jan - Fallen Policeman James T. Harvey

On this day in BPD History, 12 Jan 1873, we lost our brother Policeman James T. Harvey to duty-related illness, Please Visit the following Link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/295-policeman-james-t-harvey #BPDNeverForget

12 Jan - Fallen Policeman John H. Dames

On this day in BPD History, 12 Jan 1873, we lost our brother Policeman John H. Dames to duty-related illness, Please Visit the following Link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/269-policeman-john-h-dames #BPDNeverForget

12 Jan - BPD History Motorcycle Sidecars

Today in BPD History 12 Jan 1921 - Motorcycle Sidecars were to be added as a New Crime Deterrent - Police Vehicles were to Have Hand and Foot Cuffs Attached to Secure Prisoners.

In all, 136 of these side-car motorcycles were expected in Baltimore within the following week or two. They were to be distributed among the six police districts that had only recently at the time been increased by the 1919 annexation. #BPD_History

12 Jan - Fallen Patrolman George Pumphrey

On this day in Baltimore Police History 12 Jan 1884, we lost our Brother Patrolman George Pumphrey in the line of duty based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/world/360-patrolman-george-pumphrey #‎BPDNeverForget

13 Jan - Fallen Officer Fred R. Unger

On this day in BPD History, 13 January 1947, we lost our brother P/O Fred R. Unger to gunfire based on the following: Please Visit the following Link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/5-officer-fred-r-unger #BPDNeverForget

13 Jan - Final Roll Call Patrolman Diamond E. Hannigan

Today January 13 of 1929, Baltimore Police Department Patrolman Diamond E. Hannigan, a SD motorcycle patrolman, was killed when his car was struck by a train at the North Central Railroad Parkton crossing on the York Turnpike (York Rd.) after visiting relatives... Also killed in the accident was his wife, Minnie, and their two sons, Robert, age 4, and Edward, age 9. The only survivor was their daughter, Edith, who was 10 years old at the time. She was taken by train to Mercy Hospital. Edith lived a long life and died at age 75 in 1996. May Patrolman Hannigan and his family rest in eternal peace., Baltimore Police Department Patrolman Diamond E. Hannigan, a SD motorcycle patrolman, was killed when his car was struck by a train at the North Central Railroad Parkton crossing on the York Turnpike (York Rd.) after visiting relatives... Also killed in the accident was his wife, Minnie, and their two sons, Robert, age 4, and Edward, age 9. The only survivor was their daughter, Edith, who was 10 years old at the time. She was taken by train to Mercy Hospital. Edith lived a long life and died at age 75 in 1996. May Patrolman Hannigan and his family rest in eternal peace. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call

13 Jan - Final Roll Call - Major Richard 'Rick' Fahlteich

On this day 13 January 2023 our brother Major Richard 'Rick' Fahlteich passed away at his home surrounded by family. He was one of us, no matter how high he climbed through the ranks, he remained a brother, a leader, and a friend. He will be missed, but not forgotten, may he rest in peace. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call

14 Jan - Fallen Capt. Harvey Von-Harten

On this day in Baltimore Police History 14 Jan 1941, we lost our Brother Capt. Harvey Von Harten based on the following: To learn more please visit the following link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/7-capt-harvey-von-harten #BPDNeverForget

15 Jan - First Fallen Officer Plaque issued/presented

Today in BPD history 15 Jan 1954 - The Fallen Officer Memorial Plaques found in all the districts was first issued/presented - One was issued to be hung in Eastern District, and a second was presented to the officer's widowed bride. Police Commissioner Beverly Ober holding plaque which he said was to be presented to Mrs. Margret A. Scholl, widow of Sergeant James L. Scholl of the Eastern District. Sgt. Scholl died of a gunshot wound on 1 Aug 1953. The plaque carries Sergeant Scholl's Baltimore Police Sergeant Badge inscribed with his badge Number 118, and an inscription reading; 'Baltimore Police Department, Medal of Honor. Sergeant James L. Scholl. Appointed 1 June 1942, Died in the discharge of his duty 1 Aug 1953. His service honored the Baltimore Police Department.' The Commissioner said this is the first such plaque to be made in honor of a fallen officer, but that similar plaques will now be awarded in all such cases. Sergeant Scholl's was the first award of its kind within the Baltimore police Department.

16 Jan - Fallen Officer George F. Heim

On this day in Baltimore Police History 16 Jan 1970, we lost our Brother George F. Heim based on the following: To learn more please visit the following link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/298-patrolman-george-f-heim #BPDNeverForget

16 Jan - Possibly the First Recorded Attempt at Maintaining Departmental History

Today in Police History 16 Jan, 1905, we remember what might be the department's first recorded attempt at maintaining of our Department's History, when Patrolman William Burgess of the Central District began his new job in his new office as, 'Librarian and Keeper of the Archives of the Central District,' based on the following as we can see from the following Sun paper report:

Rearranging old police records
Baltimore Sun 16 January, 1905

Rearranging old police records

Patrolman William Burgess, of the Central District, is now busy with his new office of librarian and keeper of the archives of the Central Police Station. All of the musty old records of the police station, dating back to before the Civil War, are being resurrected from the dark, dusty closet in the rear of the Capt.’s office and arranged in their proper order on neat shelves in a little room on the second floor.

Patrolman Burgess, who was an expert stage carpenter before he laid aside the saw and hammer for the Espantoon and “Billy,” erected the shelves and is now busy arranging the record books in rows upon them. A single glance along the long row of frayed and weak back books is interesting, as it shows exactly when the old Middle District changed its name to the more dignified title of Central District. The record for 1884 is the first book bearing the name Central District.

Held together by their fellows supporting them on either side, the worn and dilapidated volumes present a pitiable spectacle of a departed usefulness. Could they but speak to stories of crime, and blood, and misery, and man’s inhumanity to man, that be hidden within their musty pages, they would a tale unfold that would make a weird offspring of Poe’s erratic genius seems commonplace.

19 Jan - Edgar Allen's Birthday 
Edgar Allan Poe was a famous American writer, poet, critic, and editor who was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of gothic fiction, detective fiction, and science fiction in American literature. He is also known for his poems, such as “The Raven”, “Annabel Lee”, and “The Bells”, which have a musical and melancholic quality. Poe had a tragic and turbulent life, marked by poverty, addiction, and the loss of his loved ones. He died under mysterious circumstances on October 7, 1849, in Baltimore, Maryland, leaving behind a legacy of influential and innovative works.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/594-edgar-allan-poe-and-the-bpd

20 Jan -Commissioner Donald Pomerleau Obit

Today in BPD History 20 Jan 1992 Retired Commissioner Donald Pomerleau served from 1966 to 1981 Passed away based on the following two links

http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/The_Evening_Sun_Mon_Jan_20_1992_pg1.jpg

http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/The_Evening_Sun_Mon_Jan_20_1992_pg2.jpg

20 Jan - Checker Cab Company

Today in BPD History 20 Jan 1982 the Baltimore Police Department began working side by side with the Checker Cab Company on a project called TOP - Taxis On Patrol. What began here in Baltimore went on to become a national program to report and solve crimes all over the country

20 Jan - Fallen Officer Charles R. Ernest

On this day in Baltimore Police History 20 January 1965, we lost our Brother Police Officer Charles R. Ernest based on the following: To learn more please visit the following link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/282-officer-charles-r-ernest #BPDNeverForget

20 Jan - Brittany's Birthday

Brittany's Birthday

22 Jan - Fallen Patrolman Michael J Burns

On this day in BPD History, 22 Jan 1917 we lost our Brother - Patrolman Michael J Burns of the bicycle squad as he was killed almost instantly about 7 o'clock last night (22 Jan 1917) when he attempted to re-light and electric lamp in front of 4012 Park Heights Ave.

He was pronounced dead by Dr. James S Akehurst, who lives at 4012 Parklake Ave. and who reached the side of the Patrolman's body a few minutes after he was electrocuted. Shortly after the current was turned on the lamp began to sputter, and several the residents of the neighborhood complained of the flashing light. Patrolman Burns came along on his bicycle on his way to his post a small sub-station at Parklake Avenue and Reisterstown Road. His attention was called to the lamp by a passerby, and he stated that he could try to make the light come on, to its normal power by tapping on the chain that leads from the pad, about 6 feet up the pole to the lamp itself. Leaning his bike against the police, he stood atop his bike and reached up to tap the chain, at which time he received a shock that threw him from the bike, electrocuting him and taking his life. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/26-patrolman-michael-j-burns #‎BPDNeverForget

22 Jan - Jamie's Birthday

Jamie's Birthday

22 Jan - Wodie's Birthday

Tom Wohkittel

 

25 Jan - Fallen Officer William J. Baumer

On this day in Baltimore Police History 25 January 1967, we lost our Brother Police Officer William J. Baumer to a heart attack during a struggle based on the following - Please Visit the following Link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/53-officer-william-j-baumer #‎BPDNeverForget

25 Jan - Department's First African American Officer to the Rank of Sergeant

Today in Baltimore Police History 25 Jan 1947, The Baltimore Police Department promotes one of the Department's First African American officers to the rank of Sergeant. Patrolman James H. Butler Jr. now Sergeant Butler - Please Visit the following Link - #BPD_History

26 Jan - Fallen Patrolman Mathew Boone

On this day in Baltimore Police History 26 Jan 1905, we lost our Brother Patrolman Mathew Boone, to a line of duty illness. To learn more, visit the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/33-patrolman-mathew-boone #‎BPDNeverForget

29 Jan - Fallen Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs

On this day in Baltimore Police History 29 January 1944, we lost our Brother Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs after a serious fall in which his neck was broken, based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/8-patrolman-joseph-waldsachs #‎BPDNeverForget

29 Jan - Final Roll Call Retired Officer Jim Mitchell

Today in Baltimore Police History 29 January 2014, we lost our brother Jim Mitchell;

On this day 29 January 2014 at 4 PM Jim Mitchell passed away in his home in Hanover PA. He was good police, a good man, and a good friend, he will always be missed. If ever we need to remember the meaning of brother as in brotherhood, all we need to do is think of Jim, he is and always will be our brother in blue… God Bless, Rest in Peace. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call

29 Jan - Colton's Birthday

Colton's Birthday

 Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

 

February

01 Feb - Mom passed away

Today 1 February in 2021, our mother, Shirley Driscoll, passed away. May she rest in peace.

 

02 Feb - Department Placed Under State Control

Today in Baltimore Police History 2 Feb 1860, the department was taken out of City control and placed under State control. By May 1st, 1860, we would switch our badges to the 2nd issue badge.

It was a new “Metropolitan Police' force under a Board of Police Commissioner’s (BOC), state-appointed civilians, and signaled the retirement of the 'Corporation Police force' with the authorization of the new badge. The 2nd. Issue Badge was issued May 1, 1860, the large oval badge with Roman 'fasces', and an ax bound by wooden rods, as its central symbol. Across the top and sides of the 'fasces' is a banner with the words 'Baltimore Police' in raised letters.

The Baltimore City Police Department remained under State governance until 1978, when the mayor began to appoint the Police Commissioner, subject to confirmation by the City Council (Chapter 920, Acts of 1976). -

From the MSP website Baltimore City Police Force. The first State agency to exercise police powers was the Baltimore City, Police Force. Established in 1867 under a Board of Police Commissioners, the Force was elected by the General Assembly (Chapter 367, Acts of 1867). Baltimore had been developing a police force since the formation in 1784 of a night watch 'very necessary to prevent fires, burglaries, and other outrages and disorders' (Chapter 69, Acts of 1784). Its police force, from 1867, was governed by a state board although jurisdiction was limited to the city.

From 1900 to 1920, the Board of Police Commissioners was appointed by the Governor. After 1920, a single Police Commissioner of Baltimore City was chosen and also served on the Governor's Advisory Council.

The Baltimore City Police Department remained under State governance until 1978, when the Mayor began to appoint the Police Commissioner, subject to confirmation by the City Council (Chapter 920, Acts of 1976).

In 1909, the Board of Police Commissioners of Baltimore City urged the creation of a State detective force since the Governor, the Fire Marshal, and State's Attorneys in the counties frequently sought help from Baltimore City's expert investigators.

The first tentative step towards a state-wide police force, however, was taken in 1914 as a corps of motorcycle officers under the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles began to enforce motor vehicle laws throughout Maryland (Chapter 564, Acts of 1914).

02 Feb - Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day (Pennsylvania German: Grund'sau dåk, Grundsaudaag, Grundsow Dawg, Murmeltiertag; Nova Scotia: Daks Day) is a popular North American tradition observed in the United States, Canada, and Australia on February 2. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.

While the tradition remains popular in the 21st century, studies have found no consistent association between a groundhog seeing its shadow and the subsequent arrival time of spring-like weather.

The weather lore was brought from German-speaking areas where the badger (German: Dachs) is the forecasting animal. This appears to be an enhanced version of the lore that clear weather on the Christian festival of Candlemas forebodes a prolonged winter.

The Groundhog Day ceremony held at Punxsutawney in western Pennsylvania, centering on a semi-mythical groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil, has become the most frequently attended ceremony. Grundsow Lodges in Pennsylvania Dutch Country in the southeastern part of the state observe the occasion as well. Other cities in the United States and Canada also have adopted the event.

06 Feb - Fallen Officer Claude J. Profili

On this day in Baltimore Police History 6 Feb 1964, we lost our Brother Police Officer Claude J. Profili to gunfire to learn more please visit the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/255-patrolman-claude-j-profili #‎BPDNeverForget

06 Feb - Fallen Patrolman John Neill

On this day in BPD History 6 Feb 1956, we lost our Brother Patrolman John Neill to a head injury caused as he fell on his way home striking his head on his front porch steps https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/38-patrolman-john-neill #BPDNeverForget

07 Feb - BPD turns streetlights over to Peal Gas Light Company of Baltimore

7 February 1816, after just 34 years the Baltimore Police turned maintenance of the streetlights over to Peale's Gas Light Company of Baltimore. The first gas streetlamp in America was lit at the corner of N. Holliday St. and E. Baltimore St., where there still stands a replica of this light as a tribute to the rich history of our city, our police department, and the initiation of gas lighting in this country. As a side note the first home to have gas light was the residence of William Henry, a coppersmith located in the 200 block of Lombard Street. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/410-baltimore-street-lamps #BPDHistory

07 Feb - Baltimore Fire

Today in Baltimore History Baltimore 7 Feb 1904 was the start of the great Baltimore Fire - one of this country's worse fires of all time. The Great Baltimore Fire raged in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, on Sunday, Feb 7 and Monday, Feb 8, 1904. 1,231 firefighters were required to bring the blaze under control, both professional paid truck and engine companies from Baltimore City Fire Departments BCFD and volunteer fire companies from the surrounding counties, along with some out of state units that came in on local railways.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/business-economy/our-police-3/baltimore-fire-1904 #BPD_History

09 Feb - Fallen Officer Milton Heckwolf

On this day 9 Feb 1926, we lost our Brother Police Officer Milton Heckwolf to a line of duty Illness To learn more please visit the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/297-police-officer-milton-heckwolf #‎BPDNeverForget

09 Feb - Bill Hackley's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Bill, I hope you are looking down on us, enjoying the museum, and what we are doing with your old site. You are not forgotten, Brother...

God bless and Rest in Peace

Bill was the founder of our Baltimore City Police History Site https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/414-officer-william-m-hackley

10 Feb - Fallen Officer Frederick K. Kontner

On this day in Baltimore Police History 10 Feb 1967, we lost our brother Police Officer Frederick K. Kontner to gunfire to learn more please visit the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/312-officer-frederick-k-kontner #‎BPDNeverForget

10 Feb - Jon Pease's Birthday

Today is Jon Pease's birthday, he would have turned 69. We all knew and loved Jon - Happy birthday big guy....

10 Feb 1954

11 Feb - Fallen Hero Lt Michael F Black

On this day in Baltimore Police History 11 Feb 1898, we lost our Brother Lt Michael F Black to a line of duty Illness To learn more please visit the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/world/367-lieutenant-michael-f-black #‎BPDNeverForget

12 Feb - Final Roll Call Bud Carder

Today in Baltimore Police History 12 Feb 2019 our brother retired Lieutenant Bud Carder passed away. Let us take a minute to remember our old friend. May he rest in peace, and may God continue to bless him. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call

12 Feb - Fallen Officer John Blank

On this day in Baltimore Police History 12 Feb 1934, we lost our Brother Police Officer John Blank - To learn more please visit the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/50-officer-john-blank #‎BPDNeverForget

12 Feb - Fallen Sergeant George M. J. May

On this day in Baltimore Police History 12 February 1928, we lost our Brother Police Sergeant George M. J. May to an auto accident. To learn more please visit the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/322-sergeant-george-m-j-may #‎BPDNeverForget

13 Feb - Fallen Joseph D. Benedict

On this day in Baltimore Police History 13 Feb 1918 we lost, our Brother Patrolman Joseph D. Benedict to gunfire to learn more please visit the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/57-patrolman-joseph-d-benedict #‎BPDNeverForget

14 Feb - Fallen Officer Max Hirsch

On this day in Baltimore Police History 14 Feb 1935, we lost our Brother Police Officer Max Hirsch to an on-the-job injury To learn more please visit the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/302-police-officer-max-hirsch #‎BPDNeverForget

14 Feb - Fallen Officer Alfred Bobelis

On this day in Baltimore Police History 14 Feb 1954, we lost our Brother Police Officer Alfred Bobelis to an auto accident to learn more please visit the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/34-officer-alfred-bobelis #‎BPDNeverForget

14 Feb - Fallen Honorary Police Officer Simon Fried

On this day in Baltimore Police History 14 Feb 1966, we lost an Honorary Police Brother A man by the name of Simon Fried. - A true hero. To learn more please visit the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/262-honorary-policeman-simon-fried #‎BPDNeverForget

14 Feb - Kenny's Birthday

Kenny's Birthday

15 Feb - Bike Unit Started

1915 - 15 Feb 1915 - Baltimore begins its first ever Bike Squads, from four booths throughout the city, they worked two shifts, 4x12 12x8, they rode in 2-hour rotations, splitting time with officers in the booth. Dispatch phoned the booth, and calls were sent forward from there to the units on their bikes. The concept was to provide better police service to the rural homes in the city.

16 Feb - Fallen Officer  Officer Edgar Rumpf

On this day in Baltimore Police History 16 Feb 1978, we lost our Brother Police Officer Edgar Rumpf in the line of duty. To learn more please visit the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/246-officer-edgar-rumpf #‎BPDNeverForget

16 Feb - Fallen Officer Arthur R. Cornthwaite

On this day in BPD History, 16 Feb 1936 we lost our Brother Patrolman Arthur R. Cornthwaite to a line of duty injury https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/266-patrolman-arthur-r-cornthwaite #BPDNeverForget

16 Feb - Fallen Officer Albert L. Borrell

On this day 16 Feb 1919, we lost our Brother Patrolman Albert L. Borrell, to a line of duty Illness To learn more please visit the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/32-patrolman-albert-l-borrell #‎BPDNeverForget

16 Feb - Final Roll Call Jon Pease

Today, we remember our brother, police officer Jon Peace, who passed away on February 16, 2021. Officer Peace was a dedicated member of the Baltimore Police Department, known for his unwavering commitment to serving and protecting our community.

Jon was not only a respected officer but also a beloved colleague and friend. His dedication to duty and his compassionate nature left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of working with him. He was always ready to go above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of others.

As we reflect on Jon’s life and service, let us take a moment to honor his memory and the sacrifices he made. May we keep his family and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

May Officer Jon Peace rest in peace, and may his legacy of service and dedication continue to inspire us all.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call  #‎BPDNeverForget

18 Feb - Southern District Established

Today in BPD History 18 February 1845 - The Southern District was established under a city ordinance. Two captains and four lieutenants were appointed for it, and the boundaries of the other districts were rearranged. #BPD_History

18 Feb - Fallen Sergeant William Wright

On this day in Baltimore Police History 18 Feb 1863, we lost our Brother Sergeant William Wright in the line of duty based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/364-sergeant-william-wright ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

19 Feb - John Heiderman's Birthday

John Heiderman 19 Feb 1953

21 Feb - Radio System Established for Our Marine Unit

Today in Baltimore Police History 21 Feb 1921, a two-way radio system was first introduced within the Baltimore Police Department. Installed on this day for testing, with an official inauguration day of 4 March 1921. It was called the Radio Phone system and installed in both vessels of the Marine Unit, as well as all waterfront districts with plans to eventually be established in all districts. This would later help add these radios to radio cars, and then all patrol vehicles. Before going to the handheld systems, we have today we started here. In fact, when we initially started outfitting patrol vehicles, they used the same by the Navy. US NAVY Handset ship phone radio.
#BPD_History

21 Feb - Accident Investigation Unit was Established

Today in Baltimore Police History, 21 February 1938, the Accident Investigation Unit was Est. The new unit was established on 21 February 1938. Crews were to investigate all automobile accidents and will have decelerometers for testing the brakes of cars involved in crashes, as well as photographic equipment for recording the actual conditions after the accident. At the time the unit was un-named, but the media was calling it the 'Crash Squad' #BPD_History

22 Feb - First Traffic Light Invented & Used in Baltimore

24 Feb - Need for More Detectives

Need For More Detectives
Marshall Carter and the Police Board Are Planning to Reorganize the Bureau

The need for men is inescapable.
The growth of the city necessitates a larger force of plainclothes officers to deal with the increase in crime.
24 Feb 1919 - Marshall Carter and members of the police board are working on plans for the reorganization of the detective bureau, which will include an additional 25 men and new quarters, and it will be included in a police bill to be presented to the next legislature. Marshall Carter and the police commissioners have been aware of a lack of men in the detective branch of the police department for several years, and now that the city is twice its former size, the need for efficient plainclothes men is critical.

25 Feb - Stephanie Justine's Birthday

Stephanie Justine's Birthday

26 Feb - City Council Authorized the Appointment of a Constable in each Ward

26 February 1799 - Authorized the appointment of a city constable in each ward. This ward constable was thus a policeman, and the term of city constable was not properly his, although his duties were defined by the ordinance to be the same as those of the city or high constable

26 Feb - Julia's Birthday

Julia's Birthday... my mother-in-law

27 Feb - Fallen Sergeant James Robert Moog

On this day in Baltimore Police History 27 February 1931, we lost our Brother Sergeant James Robert Moog in the line of duty https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/sergeant-james-robert-moog #‎BPDNeverForget

28 Feb - Officer Alvin Martin - Injured

Officer Wounded 28 February 1976, Officer Alvin Martin The activity on the streets of Southeast Baltimore when suddenly a shot rang out. Officer Martin's windshield shattered' and he felt a sharp pain in his chest and shoulder.

28 Feb - The Loitering Bill in the City of Baltimore Submitted 28 Feb 1967

Introduction of HB715
Loitering in the City of Baltimore
Submitted 28 Feb 1967

14 March 1967

On 13 March 1967 Delegate Calvin A. Douglass, a representative from Baltimore's 4th district, advocated for the passage of HB715, a bill introduced by Delegate Douglass on 28 Feb 1967 a day in which 200 other bills flooded the house. The Bill, would apply only to Baltimore City, a bill that defines “Loitering” as a crime and provided a penalty of not less than $10 or more than $50, along with imprisonment of up to 30 day or both a fine a prison sentence.

Term defined - The definition of “Loiter” in the bill is:

“To stand or move purposely slowly around an area in front of or near a commercial establishment or public building, or near a well-traveled public way, in the company of one or more other persons for an unreasonable length of time under the circumstances with no valid reason for being in that place.”

Defending his bill before the House Judiciary Committee, Mr. Douglass said it was aimed at young men who stand around in front of drugstores, laundromats, and restaurants, etc, disturbing women who walk by.

However, Delegate Thomas Lowe asked what about civil rights demonstrations. Mr. Douglass answered it would not affect such demonstrations because the police would not abuse the law with “unnecessary arrests” Adding the bill is meant to prevent anyone from loitering on corners, “preventing the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.”

Mr. Lowe referred the bill to the Baltimore City Delegation, after asking Mr. Douglass if that would be acceptable to him

Both Delegate Lowe, and Douglass were members of the democratic party

POLICE ORDINANCES ART. 19, § 25-1

SUBTITLE 25

LOITERING - GENERAL

25-1. Public places.
(a) Definitions.

(1) Loiter.

“Loiter” means:

(i) to stand around or remain or to park or remain parked in a motor vehicle at a public place or place open to the public and to engage in any conduct prohibited under this law; or

(ii) to collect, gather, congregate, or to be a member of a group or a crowd of people who are gathered together in any public place or place open to the public and to engage in any conduct prohibited under this law.

(2) Place open to the public.

(i) “Place open to the public” means any place open to the public or any place to which the public is invited and in, on, or around any privately owned place of business, private parking lot, or private institution, including places of worship, cemetery, or any place of amusement and entertainment, whether or not a charge of admission or entry thereto is made.

(ii) It includes the elevator, lobby, halls, corridors, and areas open to the public of any store, office, or apartment building.

(3) Public place.

“Public place” means any public street, road, or highway, alley, lane, sidewalk, crosswalk, or other public way, or any public resort, place of amusement, park, playground, public building or grounds appurtenant thereto, public parking lot, or any vacant lot.

(b) Prohibited loitering.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter at, on, or in a public place or place open to the public in such manner:

(i) to interfere with, impede, or hinder the free passage of pedestrian or vehicular traffic;

(ii) to interfere with, obstruct, harass, curse, or threaten or to do physical harm to another member or members of the public; or

(iii) that by words, acts, or other conduct, it is clear that there is a reasonable likelihood a breach of the peace or disorderly conduct shall result

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter at a public place or place open to the public and to fail to obey the direction of a uniformed police officer or the direction of a properly identified police officer not in uniform to move on, when not to obey such direction shall endanger the public peace.

(c) Scope.

(1) No person shall be charged with a violation of this section unless and until the arresting officer has first warned the person of the violation and the person has failed or refused to stop the violation.

(2) Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit orderly picketing or other lawful assembly.

(d) Penalties.

Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 10 days, or both fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.

(City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §58B.) (Ord. 79-1195.)

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March

01 Mar -1857 Existing Watch Would Be ABOLISHED

Today in Baltimore Police History 1 Jan 1857, came an important change under the provisions of this act; the ordinance introduced an entirely new order of things and placed Baltimore's Department of Police on practically the same footing as those of the other large cities of this country. It declared that after; 1 March 1857, the existing watch and police systems of the time would be ABOLISHED, and all ordinances for the establishment and regulation of the same be repealed.

01 Mar - First Detective Squad

1 March 1857 - First Detective Squad - The first squad of detectives was appointed by the mayor, under the New Police Bill in Dec of 1856

02 Mar - Fallen Officer John H Spencer

On this day in Baltimore Police History, 2 March 1979, we lost our brother, Police Officer John H. Spencer to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/238-officer-john-h-spencer #‎BPDNeverForget

02 Mar - Fallen Officer Frank L. Latham

On this day in Baltimore Police History, 2 March 1924, we lost our brother Police Officer Frank L. Latham to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/342-patrolman-frank-l-latham #‎BPDNeverForget

03 Mar - Baltimore Police Newsletter

Today in Baltimore Police History, 3 March 1967, Commissioner Pomerleau officially started the Baltimore Police Newsletter, it was distributed every payday to officers of our agency. Here's a link to an article on the newsletter as well as links to as many of the newsletters as we could find. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/baltimore-police-newsletters

04 Mar - Radio Communication was established

Today in Baltimore City Police History 4 March 1933 - Our Radio Communication was established. The First radio communications system between Patrol Vehicles and a Central Dispatcher went into service on this day 1933. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/511-communications-division #‎BPDNeverForget

04 Mar - Fallen Patrolman Thomas H. Worthington

On this day in Baltimore Police History 4 March 1909 - We lost our Brother Patrolman Thomas H. Worthington in the line of duty to Electrocution based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/22-patrolman-thomas-h-worthington #‎BPDNeverForget

04 Mar - National Sons Day

National Sons Day is celebrated on March 4. It is a day to show appreciation for the boys in our lives, and for the parents of boys to reflect on how we are raising our sons.

The official National Sons Day is on March 4, but it is also celebrated on September 28

Happy Sons Day

Kennith James
James Patrick

Kyle
Josh

05 Mar - Fallen Officer Patrolman Charles R. Bozman

Patrolman Charles R. Bozman Today in Baltimore Police History 5 March 1932 we lost our brother Patrolman Charles R. Bozman to an accidental discharge as he was making a joke and wrongfully playing around with his service weapon. In doing so, he attempted to make a joke and his firearm went off instantly taking his life https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/356-patrolman-charles-r-bozman #‎BPDNeverForget

05 Mar - Fallen Officer Retired Officer Calvin McCleese

On this day in Baltimore Police History 5 March 1989 – Retired Officer Calvin McCleese in the line of duty based on the following - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/world/371-retired-officer-calvin-mccleese #‎BPDNeverForget

05 Mar - Final Roll Call - Joseph 'Joe' Barnes

Today in Baltimore Police History, 5 March 2020 our brother Joseph 'Joe' Barnes passed away. he was retired at the time. Joe was a former Central District officer. he will be missed.

05 Mar - Detective Badge #12 Retired from Service

06 Mar - Remember the Alamo

Today, 6 March 1836 was last day of the Battle of the Alamo. Remember the Alamo, it went from the 23rd of February until the 6th of March 1836.

The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna reclaimed the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar (modern-day San Antonio, Texas, United States), killing most of the Texians and Tejanos inside.
Santa Anna's cruelty during the battle inspired many Texians and Tejanos to join the Texian Army. Buoyed by a desire for revenge, the Texians defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, on April 21, 1836, ending the rebellion in favor of the newly formed Republic of Texas.

Several months previously, Texians had driven all Mexican troops out of Mexican Texas. About 100 Texians were then garrisoned at the Alamo. The Texian force grew slightly with the arrival of reinforcements led by eventual Alamo co-commanders James Bowie and William B. Travis. On February 23, approximately 1,500 Mexicans marched into San Antonio de Béxar as the first step in a campaign to retake Texas. For the next 10 days, the two armies engaged in several skirmishes with minimal casualties. Aware that his garrison could not withstand an attack by such a large force, Travis wrote multiple letters pleading for more men and supplies from Texas and from the United States, but the Texians were reinforced by fewer than 100 men because the United States had a treaty with Mexico, and supplying men and weapons would have been an overt act of war.

In the early morning hours of March 6, the Mexican Army advanced on the Alamo. After repelling two attacks, the Texians were unable to fend off a third attack. As Mexican soldiers scaled the walls, most of the Texian fighters withdrew into interior buildings. Occupiers unable to reach these points were slain by the Mexican cavalry as they attempted to escape. Between five and seven Texians may have surrendered; if so, they were quickly executed. Several noncombatants were sent to Gonzales to spread word of the Texian defeat. The news sparked both a strong rush to join the Texian army and a panic, known as 'The Runaway Scrape', in which the Texian army, most settlers, and the new, self-proclaimed but officially unrecognized, Republic of Texas government fled eastward toward the United States ahead of the advancing Mexican Army.

Within Mexico, the battle has often been overshadowed by events from the Mexican–American War of 1846–48. In 19th-century Texas, the Alamo complex gradually became known as a battle site rather than a former mission. The Texas Legislature purchased the land and buildings in the early part of the 20th century and designated the Alamo chapel as an official Texas State Shrine. The Alamo has been the subject of numerous non-fictions works beginning in 1843. Most Americans, however, are more familiar with the myths and legends spread by many of the movie and television adaptations, including the 1950s Disney mini-series Davy Crockett and John Wayne's 1960 film The Alamo.

06 Mar - Officer Donald Fisher 

P/O Fisher was shot 6 March 1956, the round entered his mouth split his tongue and penetrated the roof of his mouth lodging by his ear.

07 Mar - Fallen Lt. Cornelius J. Roche

On this day in BPD history 7 Mar 1933, we lost our Brother Lt. Cornelius J. Roche to a heart attack and paralytic stroke while working the Presidential Inauguration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Washington DC. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/250-lt-cornelius-j-roche #‎BPDNeverForget

07 Mar - Epic Disaster Shook Curtis Bay with the Impact of a Tactical nuclear weapon

Epic Disaster Shook Curtis Bay with the Impact of a Tactical nuclear weapon

The explosion of the Alum Chine from roughly two miles away in the Patapsco River.
One of the worst maritime disasters in Baltimore history occurred when a stevedore aboard the British cargo steamer Alum Chine accidentally set off a blasting cap in the ship’s hold that ignited 350 tons of dynamite on Friday, March 7, 1913. The resulting fire set off a series of earthshaking explosions in the Patapsco River that killed 33 men, injured another 60, and shook buildings as far north as Philadelphia.

The tragedy was borne out of impatience, clumsiness, and quarreling among the ship’s crew and stevedores (longshoremen) who were loading the cargo. Everyone was behind schedule on that bitterly cold morning. The ship, which was scheduled to depart for Panama later that day with explosives that would be used to help carve the Panama Canal, was still 150 tons short of its contracted load. U.S. Revenue Service and Customs inspectors had been aboard to approve the cargo and had already left. The remaining dynamite crates were being brought by railroad to Curtis Bay and ferried out to the freighter via small barges to its anchorage off Leading Point, just 2,000 feet from the Quarantine Station at Hawkins Point.

There was bickering among the crew that morning, witnesses said, and the pace was lagging when the stevedore assistant foreman, William J. Bomhardt, in trying to speed up the work, carelessly jammed a bale hook into a crate storing dynamite caps. The steel hook pierced the crate, punctured one of the caps, and made a sound like a pistol shot. The noise reverberated through the hold and seconds later the crate was on fire. The adjacent dynamite crates — sitting atop mounds of coal — started to burn too. Well aware of the unstable nature of their cargo, the stevedores abandoned the ship; others aboard weren’t warned and never knew. Plumes of thick, black smoke began billowing from the hold, and within minutes, a series of three titanic explosions decimated the ship. The last explosion disintegrated the Alum Chine, and the sheer force of the blast leveled the tugboat Atlantic; the naval collier vessel Jason was also anchored close by and sustained serious damage. The explosion was the equivalent of 0.02 megaton blast, roughly the same explosive power of a tactical nuclear weapon.

Map illustration of the Patapsco River, Curtis Bay and the placement of ships and landmarks of the Alum Chine disaster. (Baltimore Sun illustration) The thunderous eruption shook Curtis Bay, Brooklyn, and Baltimore. Every window in every building was shattered at Flood’s Park, the popular beach resort at the head of Curtis Creek, which was roughly a mile and a half away. The blast sent shock waves up and down the Eastern Seaboard. The governor’s office in Annapolis thought it was an earthquake, and officials at the Naval Academy thought a munitions ship had exploded. When a tremor shook Dover, Delaware, the speaker of the house for Delaware’s House of Representatives paused a speech and asked if there had been an earthquake. The switchboards to the local weather bureaus lit up in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, the Susquehanna Valley, Salisbury, Easton, and St. Michaels where people pilloried staffers with questions about the phantom earthquake. Windows were shattered as far north as Havre De Grace and Aberdeen.

The Alum Chine was reduced to a burning, floating mass of timbers and steel that quickly slipped beneath the surface of the Patapsco River. Its explosion created four- and five-foot-long shards of steel and wood that became projectiles as if shot out by a cannon. Nearby ships and buildings were thrashed with debris. The Quarantine Hospital at Hawkins Point took the full brunt of the explosion. Patients and staff there had been watching the burning ship with curiosity as the billowing smoke emitting from the ship in long black coils. The sudden blast shattered all the hospital’s windows and shards of glass and debris sprayed people inside, lacerating their hands, arms, and faces. Heavy oak doors, which had been closed and locked, were blown off their hinges. The frames of some of the outbuildings were shaken off their foundations. The only room untouched by the explosions was the kitchen, so the hospital staff moved the patients there to warm them since none of the wards had windows any longer. The clock in the hospital’s main doctor’s office stopped at 10:39 a.m., which became the official time of the explosion. “It was an awful sight,” resident physician Dr. Thomas L. Richardson told the Baltimore Sun. “It looked like a cyclone had struck the grounds. The employees were running about with their heads, faces and hands bleeding. The whole place was in confusion.”

Anchored 300 feet away, the brand-new U.S. Navy collier vessel Jason, which was built by the Maryland Steel Company in Fairfield, sustained more than $100,000 in damages. The Jason’s crew sent out the first distress call for the Alum Chine, then raised anchor and tried to get as far away from the burning vessel as possible. It wasn’t fast enough. The Jason’s captain ordered the crew’s firemen to start shoveling coal for its steam engines, but it became clear quickly that it would not be able to escape. Some crew members were thrown against the ship’s walls with enough force to render them unconscious. One crew member was decapitated, and others were killed by projectiles. Despite the heavy damage it sustained, the Jason remained afloat and would go on to a long naval career. Six boats would respond to the Jason’s call. It would take two days to fully account for all the victims. Some who had been reported missing were never found and assumed killed in the blast or drowned.

James and Jerome Goodhues were shipping agents who worked the docks in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Sparrows Point, and Curtis Bay. The brothers had a gasoline launch, the Jerome, named in honor of their father, and they had dropped off two engineers to the Alum Chine earlier that morning. While preparing for their next job, they saw the smoke billowing from the ship and headed out to assist. They steered up alongside it and panicked crew members, including several shirtless, smoke-grimed firemen, jumped onto the launch. Now nearly full, the Jerome began pulling away when Howard South, a clerk with the Joseph R. Foard Company who accounted for the dynamite, screamed for the launch to come back. The Jerome backed up and South leaped 10 feet down, bellyflopping roughly onto the rail as the launch pulled away. At the helm, “Jimmie” Goodhues considered returning to the burning boat to get others, but south alerted him to the ship’s cargo and frantically urged him to speed away. The Jerome had made it 200 feet away when the first explosion occurred. Goodhues and South watched with amazement as a hoisting winch was catapulted 1,000 feet in the air alongside a severed leg. Somehow, the launch managed to avoid the spray of debris. Alongside them was Philip Berlin, the ship’s outfitter, who said that the last thing he saw before the explosion was the captain’s black retriever, who stood motionless at the bow of the ship as if carved in stone.

“I well remember that terrible day,” John W. Forrest, a steward who escaped from the Alum Chine, recounted in an essay he wrote for the Baltimore Sun in 1960. “I had just finished a cigarette in my cabin when, in mid-morning of that cold March 7, I felt a slight shudder run through the ship, and then I heard shouting out on deck. I thought the lighter [a small barge] had bumped the ship and the stevedores were quarreling, but when I went out, I saw, to my horror, a lot of black smoke blowing aft.” Forrest said he raced to the engine room and shouted to the crew, “Down below there, the ships on fire!” After alerting what crew could hear him, Forrest jumped off the portside bridge dock into the water and started swimming frantically toward a boat he saw some distance away. Weighed down by his waterlogged clothes, he began to tire, but was unexpectedly pulled from the water by the Jerome. The Goodhues brothers then quickly turned their now-full launch around and headed toward the safety of Sparrows Point across the river.

As they sped away, thick clouds of black smoke continued belching from the ship, Forrest said. When he turned to look back, there was a terrific flash that seemed to reach the sky and a deafening explosion rung out. “It seemed to go dark as night and debris began falling all around us,” he said. “When that rain stopped there was simply nothing where the ship had been, but from her position a white-crested wave as big as a mountain was coming at us, and when it struck it lifted our little boat in the air and tumbled us all over each other, leaving us bruised, wet and numb with cold.” Forrest and the rest of the rescued men were taken ashore to a cabin and given hot coffee and dry clothes. At a hastily organized disaster recovery center called “Anchorage,” they were all reported as survivors of the explosion. The Goodhues brothers officially rescued the chief engineer, one officer and eight crew members, including Forrest, along with four stevedores.

Along with the Jerome, five other vessels responded to help those fleeing from the Alum Chine, but none more tragically than the tugboat Atlantic. As the flagship tugboat for the Atlantic Transport Company, the Atlantic and its skipper, William E. Van Dyke, were well known and respected around Baltimore’s waterways; he was born in Baltimore, spent a decade working in Curtis Bay, and lived with his wife and 11-year-old son in Locust Point. That morning, the Atlantic was anchored next to Fort Carroll near the center of the Patapsco River. Van Dyke and his first mate, Robert W. Diggs, saw the smoke engulfing the Alum Chine and opened up the Atlantic’s engines to get there quickly.

As they pulled up to the bow, a dozen men jumped aboard, stevedore foreman Bomhardt among them. Van Dyke turned the tug about and started heading away, but just as it completed its turn, two Alum Chine crewmen appeared at the bow and waved frantically. Van Dyke turned the boat around and steamed back to get them. The men climbed aboard, and the Atlantic began backing away. But moments later, a solitary flare soared into the air from the burning ship and then the epic explosion rocked Curtis Bay. The Atlantic took the full force of the explosion at point-blank range. Witnesses said when the dust cleared, it was flayed down to the waterline. Crew members who had been rescued by the Atlantic jumped off the tug at the point of explosion and, being under water, some were saved from the concussive blast. Witnesses said that Van Dyke and Diggs might have survived the blast too but were killed by the scalding water from the boat’s steam engine. Some survivors were also severely burned by the scalding water.

The aftermath was gruesome. The Baltimore Port patrol boat Lannan had the sad duty of gathering bodies from the water. Police combed the shores of Curtis Bay and Hawkins Point looking for survivors and bodies. The four remaining tugboats in the area gathered more wounded from the cold river, including survivors of both the Alum Chine and the Atlantic, and brought them ashore. The dead were taken to a makeshift morgue in a small house on the riverfront before being moved to the city morgue; the wounded were transported to St. Joseph’s and Johns Hopkins Hospitals in the city. The real tragedy of the grim day came when police were dispatched to family homes to bring the tragic news to wives and children. Most of the dead were poor stevedores of Polish descent and African Americans. Baltimore Sun reporters followed police to the Locust Point home of Captain Van Dyke, who broke the heartbreaking news to his disbelieving wife of his valor and sacrifice.

In the days that followed the disaster, those around Curtis Bay assessed the damages. The fortified structures that supported the big guns at Fort Armistead showed visible cracks from top to bottom and even extended underground; the guns were rendered useless until repairs were made several weeks later. The mine-planting building at the fort was completely destroyed and every pane of glass in the facility’s barracks was broken. Doors were ripped off their hinges with such force that many of them splintered on impact with the ground. Two boilers at the Davison Chemical Company in Curtis Bay “went off like cannons,” and the company’s towering brick smokestack was toppled; no one was injured in either incident. The lighthouse at Leading Point had its windows shattered and doors blown open, but the beacon was not damaged and kept shining.

The shoreline at Hawkins Point was freckled with fragments of steel, rivets, and human remains. Local fishermen plucked floating fish killed by the concussive blast out of the water up and down the Patapsco River that day. Debris from the explosion was strewn across Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties. The lighthouse inspector for Maryland’s Fifth District said the Alum Chine was found on the westerly side of the main ship channel, at the anchorage of the Quarantine Station of Leading Point on the line at Fort McHenry. It had settled at the bottom of the Patapsco River with 13 feet of water between it and the surface. Because it was in a shipping lane, it was deemed a hazard and plans were made for its removal. A gas buoy was placed over the wreck with a light that flashed red every seven seconds.

The Baltimore Harbor Board initially started an investigation but lost a jurisdictional fight with the U.S. Army Ordinance Department, which claimed investigative powers over the transport of explosives. In press reports immediately after the tragedy, William Bomhardt, the stevedore foreman who negligently ignited the blasting cap that started the fire, attributed the fire to the spontaneous combustion of gas that had built up in the mounds of coal. In another report, he said the friction of two sticks of dynamite rubbing against each other set off the explosion. Witnesses agreed that there were mounds of soft coal throughout the hold, and that dynamite cases were stored atop piles of coal. Some thought it possible that a burning ember might have found its way into those coal piles. But the grand jury decided there was enough evidence to charge Bomhardt and he was arrested; he was released on $1,000 bail. Even as the trial began, he denied culpability, insisting he was being treated unfairly. “It isn’t just,” he told reporters after he was indicted. “I was the unfortunate devil who happened to handle the box that exploded. The men who testified before the grand jury have bail hook on the brain.”

Indeed, there were sixteen stevedore witnesses who testified that Bomhardt was upset with the pace of work that morning and started the fire when he carelessly struck the crate of blasting caps with a boat hook. But the grand jury spread blame further than with just the foreman. It said there were “manifest evidence of carelessness” among all the stevedores, including the wearing of steel-spiked shoes rather than rubber shoes as required when working with dynamite. The principal officers of the stevedore company also showed an “utter ignorance” of the Inter-State Commerce Commission’s recommendations on handling explosives.

Bomhardt and the stevedores worked for the Joseph R. Foard Company and its subsidiary, the General Stevedoring Company, which operated as independent contractors. The company was sued by the owner of the Alum Chine, the Munson Line, the Maryland Steel Company, and an array of different victims for more than $500,000, but Judge John C. Rose awarded just $220,000 (roughly $5.8 million in 2020 dollars) to the various petitioners. The owners of the Alum Chine received the biggest award at $75,000 ($1.9 million in 2020), and the courts ordered “allowances” (annuity payments) to the families of victims for a period of years. Foard filed for bankruptcy immediately afterwards, so it was unclear whether anyone ever received the awards grant by the court. As for Bomhardt, there was no published evidence of a conviction or civil charges.

John Forrest, the Alum Chine steward rescued by the Goodhues brothers, was cared for in Baltimore and weeks later returned with his surviving crewmates to Liverpool, England. The voyage home was a challenge for him as he grew ill. Newspapers far and wide covered the tragedy and when the crew arrived at Newport, Monmouth shire, England, they were welcomed as heroes by a large crowd and were given a police escort to their homes. Forrest ended up in the hospital and neurological damages confined him to a wheelchair. It would take him two-and-a-half months to be able to walk with two canes, and another fourteen months to walk with just one. Two years later in 1915 he was finally able to walk unassisted.

The Goodhues brothers officially rescued between twelve and fifteen people that cold March morning. Other published reports suggested they rescued far more than they were credited with. They received medals of valor for their heroism from the British government later in 1913. Ninety-four years later in 2007 James’ granddaughter, Patricia Lee Goodhues, would appear with her grandfather’s memorabilia from the disaster on the PBS show Antique Roadshow, where she told the story of his heroism. The Carnegie Heroes Fund, a charity established by Pittsburgh steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, granted lifelong annuity payments to the Atlantic Captain Van Dykes’ wife and mother, and a smaller annuity for his son until he became of age. Diggs’ wife was presented with a silver medal honoring his bravery; four other crew members of the Atlantic were also recognized.

The Alum Chine disaster remains one of the worst disasters in Baltimore history. In the years prior to the Curtis Bay disaster the city’s dynamite shipments were managed in the heavily populated Canton district. But residents expressed concern that a disaster was looming; the city acceded to their removal requests in 1912 — just one the year before the Alum Chine explosion — and moved dynamite shipments offshore from Quarantine and Hawkins Point. Weeks after the blast the city codified that decision by formally requiring that all high explosive shipments be moved even further away from the city, requiring loading, and unloading further south that the Quarantine Station. A blast of its kind would not happen again for another 25 years when an explosion in the Montebello Loch Raven tunnel killed ten and injured seven in July 1938.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/350-tons-of-dynamite-explode-in-curtis-bay

08 Mar - Fallen Officer Jamie Allen Roussey

On this day in Baltimore Police History, 8 March 2000, we lost our brother Police Officer Jamie Allen Roussey - Based on the following - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/248-officer-jamie-a-roussey #‎BPDNeverForget

08 Mar - Women's Day

This Women's Day was first observed on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Campaigns across Europe against WWI inspired women in other countries to adopt International Women's Day. The date of observance moved to March 8 in 1913.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/488-women-and-the-baltimore-police-department  

09 Mar - Fallen Hero - Capt. Charles H Burns

On this day in BPD history 9 Mar 1933, we lost our Brother Capt. Charles H. Burns to a LODD due to a work-related illness see the following link - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/369-captain-charles-h-burns #‎BPDNeverForget

09 Mar - Duties of the BOC established

9 March 1807 - A general ordinance was passed defining the duties of the city commissioners. They were given large powers. Among other things, with the mayor they were authorized to employ as many captains, officers, and watchmen as they might, from time to time, find necessary, but the expense should not exceed the annual appropriation for the service. The board was also required to make regulations and define the hours of duty of the watch; see that they attended to their duties with punctuality, receive their reports and cause them to be returned to the mayor’s office.

09 Mar - Eastern, Western, Central Districts all open on this day 1826

1826 - 9 March, 1826 - The Mayor was given control of the police of the city by an ordinance which provided that there should be appointed, annually, two captains and two lieutenants of the watch for the Eastern District: two captains and four lieutenants of the watch for the Middle District and two captains and two lieutenants of the watch for the Western District. They were expected to perform such duties as the mayor might, from time to time, direct. The latter was also given the power to appoint as he chose any number of watchmen and to dismiss them at his pleasure. He was also to prescribe their duties.

1826 - Central/Middle District History - 9 March 1826 - Holiday and Saratoga Streets, established 03-09-1826, the building that housed it was built in 1802 and was in use until 1870. 202 N. Guilford Avenue, (North Street) built in 1870 used until 1908. Saratoga and St. Paul Streets, renovated school, March 4, 1908, until 1926. Fallsway and Fayette St. built in 1926 and used until 09-12-1977 when they moved to 500 E Baltimore St. from 12 Sept 1977 until present.

1826 - Eastern District History - 9 March 1826 - 1621 Bank Street built around 1822, still stands. Used until 31 Aug 1959 at 12:01 am when they opened their new station house at the old Northeastern station at Ashland and Rutland Avenue until a new building was erected at Edison highway and federal streets, in Dec of 1960 and is the current site of the Eastern District. When it opened (in 1959) it was run by Capt. Millard B Horton.

1826 - Western District History - Green St between Baltimore St, and Belvidere St. Used from 1826 until 1876 when they moved to their new location, Pine Street, (still stands today and is used by the Maryland University Police) Baltimore Police used it from 1876 until 31 Aug 1959 at 12:01 am when they opened their new station house at Riggs Ave and Mount St. (1034 N Mount St), which is the current site of the Western District. When it opened it was run by Capt. Wade H. Poole.

09 Mar - A 'Supplement” to this Ordinance

1835 - 9 March, 1835 - A 'Supplement” to this ordinance, which was passed on this day, provided for the appointment of twelve lieutenants of the watch, constituted policemen ' to preserve the peace, maintain the laws and advance the good government of the city.' These lieutenants were required to reside in certain districts by the mayor and have conspicuous signs on their houses bearing their names and office. In addition to their police duties, they were required to act as city bailiffs about the markets, their compensation was fixed at $20 a month for their night work as lieutenants of the watch and they received an additional sum of $220 a year for the services mentioned in the ordinance.

09 Mar - Dennis' Birthday

Dennis' Birthday

12 Mar - Fallen Agent Michael Joseph Cowdery, Jr.

On this day in Baltimore Police History 12 March 2001, we lost our Brother Police Agent Michael Joseph Cowdery, Jr. to gunfire based on the following - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/267-agent-michael-joseph-cowdery-jr #‎BPDNeverForget

13 Mar - Its 10 pm Do you know where your children are

It's 10 p.m., Do you know where your children are?
Today In American History 13 March 1967, America's longest-running prime-time newscasts: WNYW ( aka WNEW-TV) first premiered its 10 p.m. newscast – Each night, the newscast originally known as The 10 O'clock News was famously preceded by the simple, announcement: 'It's 10 p.m., Do you know where your children are?' The announcement was coined by Mel Epstein. And was first uttered by Tom Gregory. Soon stations across the country began using the tagline for their own 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. news slots depended on the start of the local markets. The entire PSA was initiated as a reminder to parents of the youth curfews. In Baltimore, it was 11 PM and came with a brief introduction of the announcer. With that

Its 10 pm Do you know where your children are

15 Mar - Final Roll Call - Major Joe Chianca

Today in BPD History 15 March 2018 we lost our brother Retired Major Joe Chianca - He is gone but will never be forgotten https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call

15 Mar - Fallen Night Watchman George Workner

On this day in Baltimore Police History 15 Mar 1808, we lost our Brother Night Watchman George Workner – Based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/338-watchman-george-workner #‎BPDNeverForget

15 Mar - Final Roll Call - Officer Bill Hackley Passed

Today in Baltimore Police History we lost our brother Retired Police Officer William 'Bill' Hackley, Bill Passed away on 15 March 2012 - A historian, Bill started the BaltimoreCityPoliceHistory website. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/414-officer-william-m-hackley #BPD_History

16 Mar - FOP formally recognized by Donald D. Pomerleau

16 March 1967 – A bill to direct Donald D. Pomerleau, Baltimore Police Commissioner, to recognize the Fraternal Order of Police as the “Official Representative” of members of the force was introduced in General Assembly Today (16 March 1967). Already pending is a rival measure designed to force recognition of a non-striking AFL-CIO union local of Baltimore police patrolman and sergeants. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/500-history-of-fop-lodge-3 #BPD_History

16 Mar - Today, March 16, 1966, is Gemini's first docking of two spacecraft in Earth orbit

Today, March 16, 1966, is Gemini's first docking of two spacecraft in Earth orbit. On March 16, 1966, command pilot Neil Armstrong and pilot David Scott successfully docked their Gemini VIII spacecraft with the Agena target vehicle, the first-ever linking of two spacecraft together in Earth orbit.  https://www.nasa.gov/mission/gemini-viii/

17 Mar - Dad passed away

Today 17 March 2021 our father, Charles Driscoll passed away

19 Mar - An Officer Became Known as a “High Constable,” by City Ordinance

19 March 1798 - An officer then known as “The City” or “High Constable”, was created by the ordinance on 19 March 1798. His duty was 'to walk through the streets, lanes, and alleys of the city daily, with mace in hand, (a mace was a Billy club) He was to make rounds, so that within a reasonable time he could visit all parts of the city, and give information to the Mayor, or other Magistrate, of all nuisances within the city, and all obstructions, and impediments in the streets, lanes, and alleys, as well as all offenses committed against the laws, and ordinances.' He was also required to report the names of the offenders against any ordinance, and the names of the witnesses who could sustain the prosecutions against them and regard the mayor as his chief. The yearly salary of the city constable was fixed at $350, and he was required to give a bond for the performance of his duty.

19 Mar - Fallen Police Matron Cecelia A. Foll

On this day in Baltimore Police History 19 March 1918, Police Matron Cecelia A. Foll, dies in her chair in her office while working. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/world/280-police-matron-cecelia-a-foll #‎BPDNeverForget

20 Mar - Baltimore City's 1st Seal

Today in Baltimore City History 20 March 1797, Baltimore's first Seal was put into use. It was a figure of Liberty overcoming tyranny. This seal remained in use until 1827 when the current seal was introduced. The first seal is only a few very old documents. As we were looking for Baltimore Police history and memorabilia for exhibit, we came across a copper electrotypes plate made in 1880 by John Ryan as a representation of 'The First Seal of the City of Baltimore' it measures 4.75' tall and was made to resemble a printer’s type plate (except not reversed) but made to celebrate the Baltimore City Seal for an 1880 Sesqui-Centennial presentation. This is the center plate from the set of three. It is believed the set was broken up because the other two seals were so far off, collectors didn't want them together. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/63-the-1st-seal-of-baltimore #Baltimore_History

20 Mar - Fallen - Patrolman August Harting

On this day in BPD History 20 March 1885, we lost our Brother Patrolman August Harting after he died while on duty from Bright's Disease https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/world/357-patrolman-august-harting #‎BPDNeverForget

20 Mar - Anniversary of the Birth of the Republican Party

Today 20 March 1854 is the anniversary of the birth of the Republican party on in Ripon, Wisconsin.

21 Mar - Final Roll Call - Officer Richard Mioduszewski Sr.

Today in Baltimore Police History, 21 Mar 2002, we lost our Brother Retired Officer Richard Mioduszewski Sr., 56, The city officer who helped end the 1971 shooting spree. #‎BPDNeverForget https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/598-richard-b-mioduszewski-sr

22 Mar - Cameron's Birthday

Cameron's Birthday

24 Mar - Final Roll Call - Lieutenant Lorenzo 'Renny' Miles 
Years ago, I started working as part of a task force with Baltimore County Police, a few PI firms, and the Secret Service when the guy I worked with the closest, Agent Greg Tate, was transferred to the White House on a presidential detail/assignment. As a going-away gift, he gave me a brand-new friend; I believe he was initially a Deputy, eventually promoted to Sergeant, and then Lieutenant. Lt. Lorenzo 'Renny' Miles called me for the first time all those years ago and said, 'Agent Greg Tate gave me your number; he said you were an expert at Statement Analysis, and you could help me.' this was more than 20 years ago; closer to 25 years ago, Renny and I talked at least once a week, sometimes more, and at least once a month we talked for hours. Greg was right; Renny knew his stuff and was ready to work with me on statements to become better at what we did (that is to say, I helped make him better; as much as he was working to make me better, we complimented each other and had fun knowing just how powerful this statement analysis technique could be). I let him know from the start; he knew it, he understood it, and he had the same knowledge as I did. The only difference between us was that I trusted the technique and I trusted myself to use it. He just needed to believe in himself, so we worked on his confidence to show him he understood the technique and was as proficient as he needed to be to start using it in the interrogation room. Before long, those around him knew he was one of, if not the best, and it would be better to confess and tell him what they wanted him to know rather than try and hold back and have him tell them everything about themselves and the crime(s) they committed. Once he got the confidence he initially lacked, and BTW, he didn't lack confidence long; once he passed that block in his training, he was a machine. It would take a lot to get one past him. But more than that, he was my friend. And on this day, March 24, 2019, my best friend Renny Miles passed away. The world lost what we in Baltimore would identify as 'Good Police...' I hope we can all take a minute and remember my friend, or a similar friend you may have had or still have. Let them know how important they are while you still have a chance. I am glad I told Renny before it was too late. I know it made him proud that I knew how hard he worked to become as good as he was at the skill we shared—not just knowing when people were lying but also knowing other information about them. We also learned there was a time for pointing out deception and a time to ignore it and just keep them talking.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call

24 Mar - Fallen Patrolman Henry Mickey

On this day in Baltimore Police History, 24 March 1970, we lost our brother Patrolman Henry Mickey of the Central District, his cause of death was Gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/327-officers-henry-m-mickey #‎BPDNeverForget

25 Mar - Fallen Patrolman Henry E. Auld

On this day in Baltimore Police History 25 Mar 1938, we lost our brother, Patrolman Henry E. Auld to heart failure. To learn more please visit the following - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/47-patrolman-henry-e-auld #‎BPDNeverForget

25 Mar - Maryland Day

Maryland Day commemorates March 25, 1634. On that day, people disembarked from the Ark and the Dove, two tiny sailing ships, onto Maryland soil. They arrived at what is now St. Mary's County, Maryland, at St. Clement's Island.

Charles I of England granted Cecilius Calvert, Baron of Baltimore, a charter on June 20, 1632, allowing the Maryland colony to exist. Leonard Calvert, Lord Baltimore's brother, led the Maryland immigrants aboard the Ark to the new settlement. Their mission was not to find new regions, but to colonize them. And, as it turned out, they traveled from island to island in search of their new world.1

These pilgrims (about 140 in number) set sail from Cowes on the English Island of Wight on November 22, 1633. A powerful storm threw them out to sea three days later. The Dove (the smaller ship) was not to be seen the next morning. The Ark continued its trip south along Europe's coast to the Fortunate (now Canary) Islands. From the Canaries, the Ark sailed straight west across the Atlantic, coming down on the West Indian island of Barbados on January 3, 1633/34. The ship's tired passengers stayed on for three weeks to get more supplies, and the Dove came back to the surface on its own after making it across the Atlantic. They also landed on other Caribbean islands before sailing north. They arrived in Virginia on February 27th, grabbed additional provisions, and maneuvered the Chesapeake Bay north to the Potomac River mouth by March 3rd.

In March 1634, as these voyagers reached the southern Maryland shoreline, their ships disturbed Native Americans, who issued signals with massive signal fires. Leonard Calvert traveled to Piscataway on the Dove to visit the Conoy Indian chief and assuage Tribal anxieties. They reached a peaceful agreement there, and Calvert sailed back down the Potomac near present-day St. Mary's County. The English immigrants descended from the Ark and the Dove on March 25th and rowed to the island they christened St. Clement's. They celebrated a day of appreciation for their safe arrival, which we now remember as Maryland Day.

Maryland Day was first observed formally in 1903, when the State Board of Education designated one day in the school year to be devoted to Maryland history. The Board of Education designated March 25th as Maryland Day. Maryland Day was declared an official holiday by the General Assembly in 1916. (Chapter 633, Acts of 1916).

25 Mar - Officer Charles H. Benjamin - Injury

Eastern District Officer Wounded During Ambush March 25, 1980, Police Officer Charles H. Benjamin, Eastern District, was wounded on Friday, March 25, 1980, during an apparent ambush.

25 Mar - Lisa's Birthday

Lisa Mitchel Driscoll's Birthday

26 Mar - Fox Trot Two New Unit Obtained

Today in Baltimore Police History 26 March 1971 Our Fox unit the made two new acquisitions, during the next several days our flight officers received transitional flight instructions from the Hughes Company as they provided test pilots to familiarize our pilots with the new crafts.

At the termination of the three-day orientation period, our officers were certified to fly the model 300-C. On the 1st of April, the crews were ready to begin the return transcontinental trip. However due to a heavy fog that blanketed the area, the departure was delayed almost three hours.

Further, because of extremely turbulent winds over the mountains, the route for the first leg was modified. The planned route for the return trip was through the southern section of the country to avoid adverse weather and high mountainous terrain farther to the north.

This route would cover approximately three thousand miles and necessitate a projected figure of forty-two hours of flying time. - Two Hughes 300-C helicopters were formally accepted and registered to the department. The two new helicopters raised to three the total number of such craft available for tactical deployment in the department's continuing efforts to combat crime.

Purchased under a Federal grant of $100,000, the Hughes model 300-C represented a maximum combination of utility and modernization within the department's crime-fighting efforts at that time.

CLICK TO HEAR AUDIO
http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/audio/Fox-1971.mp3
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/412-the-aviation-unit #BPD_History

28 Mar 1925 - Female officers are given their first lessons in firearms training

http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/audio/firearms-training-1925.mp3

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/488-women-and-the-baltimore-police-department

28 Mar - The Baltimore Colts Leave Baltimore

On this day in 1984 The Baltimore Colts leave Baltimore... Bob Irsay moved the team in the dead of night on March 28 – 29, 1984. After the city of Baltimore proved we were willing to replace Memorial Stadium and Bobby Boy promised he would stay, he went home packed his office and fled this once great city. Unlike Baltimore that had class and left Cleveland their name and records, Fat Bob was at it again, not only wouldn't he leave the name or the records, but he sued our Canadian team when they tried to use the Colt Name forcing them to use The Baltimore Stallions.

29 Mar - 5th Issue badge Introduced

Today in Baltimore police history 29 March 1976 - the 5th. Issue badge came along and is the Badge currently worn by Baltimore Police Officers to this day. With exception to the 2nd Issue badge the word, Baltimore did not appear on any other official Police badge. The 5th Issue badge is similar to the 4th Issue 'Supervisor's' badge with a new center seal that is the same as worn on the large shoulder patch. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/politics-diplomacy/425-badges

  Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

 

April

01 Apr - Bobby Lee's Birthday

Bobby Lee's birthday

02 Apr - Today is Autism awareness day

Today is Autism Awareness Day.

Autism, can be thought of as a unique operating system that processes information differently. Just like different operating systems on computers, each with their own strengths and ways of doing things, individuals with autism have their own unique strengths and perspectives. They may have heightened abilities in certain areas, such as attention to detail or memory, and they often have a unique way of experiencing the world around them. This diversity enriches our society and brings a valuable perspective to our understanding of the human mind. It’s important to appreciate and respect these differences, just as we do with different computer operating systems.

World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day that takes place annually on April 2. This day encourages Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about autistic individuals throughout the world.

The goal of this day is to help create a world in which autistic individuals are fully supported. It’s a day to celebrate the immense contributions of all neurodiverse people, whose perspectives and experiences make our societies richer.

This year’s observance focuses on the contribution of autistic people at home, at work, in the arts, and in policymaking. The event was organized in close collaboration with autistic people and featured autistic people from around the world discussing how the transformation in the narrative around neurodiversity can continue to be furthered in order to overcome barriers and improve the lives of autistic people.

It’s a day to move away from the narrative of curing or converting autistic people and instead focus on accepting, supporting, and including autistic people, and advocating for their rights. This transformation enables autistic people to claim their dignity and self-esteem, and to become fully integrated as valued members of their families and societies.

So, let’s celebrate World Autism Awareness Day and embrace our differences!

03 Apr - City Council Passed 1st Ordinance Affecting the Police

3 April 1797 - the City Council passed the first ordinance affecting the police. It directed that three persons were to be appointed Commissioners of the watch. They could employ for one year as many Captains and watchmen as had been employed in the night watch the year past for the same remuneration. The Commissioners prescribed regulations and hours of duty for the police.

04 Apr - Inauguration of the Accident Investigation Bureau

Today in Baltimore Police History 4 April 1938 - was the inauguration of the Accident Investigation Bureau. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/pages/units-2/traffic-investigation-services #BPD_History

04 Apr - Fallen Officer James Joyce

On this day in Baltimore Police History, 4 April 1949, we lost our brother Police Officer James Joyce to an auto accident based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/306-officer-james-joyce #‎BPDNeverForget

04 Apr - 5th. ISSUE Badge

5th. ISSUE
4 April 1976: Badge currently worn by Baltimore Police Officers With exception to the Series 2 badge, the word Baltimore did not appear on any official Police badges. The Series 5 badge is similar to the Series 4 supervisor badge with a new center seal that is the same as worn on the patch. Police officers and supervisors wear the same badge, with the ribbon in the eagle's beak denoting the rank. Lieutenants and above wear the same badge, which is gold in color.

The 5th issue badge that is currently worn by BCPD was designed by Robert DiStefano, now a retired BPD Major. He made the drawings that were submitted to the committee for approval and subsequently to the manufacturer.

Police Commissioner Donald D. Pomerleau was given two designs that he had drawn, one of which was more of an oval badge and the other of which he personally liked. He designed the current badge to be somewhat 'different' than the classic 'Eagle on Shield' design.

He says he purposely made the eagle's wings too high in proportion and squared them off, sort of boxy. He wanted the committee to pick the oval; he lost!

Police Commissioner Pomerleau likes the 'traditional' 'Eagle on the Shield.' That's how we lost a really nice-looking, more modern badge. He says that the chosen design grew on him!

He also worked on the design team that did the departmental sword. Along with Sergeant Bill Stone, he worked on the etchings for the blade. He was in Colonel Karner's office when he met with representatives of Wilkinson Sword. He has sword No. 4 (April 1976). Issue badge came along and is the badge currently worn by Baltimore Police Officers to this day. With exception to the 2nd Issue badge, the word Baltimore did not appear on any other official Police badge. The 5th Issue badge is similar to the 4th Issue 'Supervisor's' badge with a new center seal that is the same as worn on the large shoulder patch and considered our official department emblem.

05 Apr - Retroactive Citation of Valor Program

Today in Baltimore Police History 2013 - 5 April 2013 'Retroactive Citation of Valor' program is started and approved; Commissioner Batts listened to the concept submitted by Mrs. Patricia Driscoll, MD Adopt-a-Cop DBA Disabled American Law Enforcement (D.A.L.E.) to allow disabled officers that were permanently disabled in the line of duty, to apply for the 'Citation of Valor'. This is done through Mrs. Driscoll’s Adopt a Cop (D.A.L.E.) program and can be submitted to her either by the officer, another officer with information on the case, or the officer’s family. Mrs. Driscoll began working on this program back in 2004/05 and after many attempts, and a lot of hard work; she finally got her program through. To date three officers’ names have been submitted. and approved they are… 1st Ret. Det. Kenneth Driscoll awarded 5 April 2013 for injuries sustained 10 Aug 2001, 2nd to receive the award is Ret. Officer Gary Lapchak awarded on 3 Feb 2014 for injuries sustained 28 Oct 1997 and 3rd awarded this award is Ret Officer Daryl Buhrman he also received his on 3 Feb 2014 for injuries sustained 8 Feb 1981 - Mrs. Driscoll is thankful to Commissioner Batts, Sgt. Stephanie Lansey, Officer Robert Brown and several others. Anyone wishing to submit an officer for this award we are requesting you write me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Patty at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

05 Apr - Mom's Birthday

Mom's Birthday

06 Apr - 1968 Baltimore Riots

Today in Baltimore Police History 6 April 1968, was the start of the Baltimore Riot https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/business-economy/our-police-3/1968-riots #BPD_History

06 Apr - Fallen Patrolman Norman Buchman

On this day in Baltimore Police History 6 April 1973, we lost our brother Patrolman Norman Buchman of the Northwest District to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/30-officer-norman-f-buchman ‎#BPDNeverForget

07 Apr - My Birthday

My Birthday

07 Apr - Ret Lieutenant Joe Peters

Today in Baltimore Police History 2017 we lost our brother, Ret Lieutenant Joe Peters - He will be missed but never forgotten. as we take a minute to think of and remember our friend and brother, we ask that God continue to bless him and allow him to rest in peace. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call

07 Apr - Fallen Officer Henry Smith Jr.

On this day in Baltimore Police History 7 April 1962, we lost our brother Police Officer Henry Smith Jr. to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/241-officer-henry-smith-jr #BPDNeverForget

07 Apr - Central Records Bureau was Established

Today in BPD history 7 April 1951 - Central Records Bureau was Established, for more information click this link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/434-central-records-bureau #BPD_History

07 Apr - John Prine Passed away

Agent Peter J. Vasiliou - Southeast police officer is an apparent suicide
Agent Peter J. Vasiliou Southeast police officer is an apparent suicide on 8 April 1987 - A Baltimore police officer from the Southeastern District, described as a man who had 'everything going for him,' was found dead in his bed yesterday, the victim of an apparent suicide. City Police Agent Peter J. Vasiliou had seven years on the force, and during those years was commended for his police work as well as his fundraising for the Ronald McDonald House. 'He was a helluva cop. Right here on my desk in front of me is his record. An award from the American Legion Post 95 in East Baltimore runner-up for the Policeman of the Year award by the Highlandtown Exchange Club, and a nomination for 1987 [Evening Sun] Policeman of the Year,' Lt: Col. Joseph R. Bolesta said yesterday. The police agent – a special designation for college-educated officers was found dead in his apartment In the 1700 block of Elrino Street yesterday morning by his roommate, Officer Jonathan Sheehan, 44, of the Eastern District. Agent Vaslliou was lying on the bed with his .38 caliber service revolver lying nearby. He had been shot once in the right side of the head, according to Agent Arlene Jenkins, a police spokeswoman. The police officer would have been 31 the following week. No note was found and everyone who knew him seemed stunned 'This is a real shock. It doesn't make sense.... He seemed to like his job. He talked a lot about the street. We have other police offices here and they all talk about everything they have to deal with on the street,' said Keith Gugliotta owner of the Total You Fitness Center in Dundalk, where Agent Vasiliou lifted weights. He was last seen alive at the club about 9:15 p.m. Tuesday. Ann Elkenberg, a spokeswoman for the Ronald McDonald House in East Baltimore, praised him for being 'truly Interested In the house, a very friendly man. The McDonald House provides out-of-town parents of seriously ill children with a place to stay while their children are hospitalized here. Agent Vasiliou had been on medical leave for a back Injury he suffered in an off-duty car accident' March 27, 1987, according to Lt. Michael, Bass, another police spokesman.

08 Apr - Re-appointment of Sgt. Philip Flood

On 8 April 1898 the Baltimore Sun reported the re-appointment Sgt. Henry Shoemack and Patrolman S. J. D. Wilson, Andrew Jemison and James McGeeney, of the Central District, Sgt. Philip Flood and Patrolman Lewis of the Southern District; Patrolman John Nix and George and Kissner, of the Eastern District; Patrolman Matthews, and Edwin M. Taylor of the Northeast District, and Patrolman Joseph Brummer, of the Western District.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/417-ptlm-thomas-norton-sgt-philip-j-flood

09 Apr - Serious Injury / Shooting

Today in BPD History 9 April 1887, while on duty Patrolman James M. Moore was shot several times by a crazed drunken man. He was blinded in one eye from one shot and received a second round which lodged near his heart; that second round was left resting in such a position that doctors couldn't safely attempt to remove it.
The Patrolman was injured to a degree that he would be placed on a medical retirement. He would continue living his life for 43 years until one Friday night in July of 1929 when his life was cut short due to complication caused by that bullet. In 1887 the newspapers had sensationalized the shooting as they hailed the Patrolman a hero. They said this because after being shot in such a way as to take away his vision from one eye, and leave a bullet near his heart, the Patrolman continued to fight until he was able to take the suspect into custody, arrest him, and then attend court to prosecute and convict the offender.

This post is not as much about the death of Patrolman Moore as it is about his survival, we would like to remind readers that 1887 was only a few years after Baltimore Police began using the patrol wagons, and call boxes. He had no radio to call for help, yet we can be sure that when other officers heard the shots being fired, they were headed in his direction. We cannot ignore the strength, and courage of the officers of those times, the times before, and the times since. Not just Patrolman Moore, but of every officer before, during and since that has faced similar circumstances while serving the city as a police officer with intent on keeping the peace.
God bless our Police, and may Patrolman Moore continue to rest in peace
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/330-patrolman-james-m-moore

10 Apr - Sgt Moog, Sun Paper Article 10 April 1925

Today in BPD history 10 April 1925, Sgt James Moog does in interview with the Baltimore Sun in which he said the following.

“Motorcycles are faster than horses,” said Sgt. Moog, continuing, “They have a few other advantages too… but horses are bound to remain in use by the Police Department for many years to come.” This prediction was the opinion of Sgt James Moog, who at the time of this statement, 10 April 1925, was 80 years of age, and had already served 45 years with the Baltimore Police Department. Sgt Moog helped to build the mounted unit in 1888.

See the article here, then following the second link to learn more about Sgt Moog

http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/The_Evening_Sun_Fri__Apr_10__1925_.jpg

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/sergeant-james-robert-moog

14 Apr - Service Stripes Permitted

Service Stripes Permitted - A measure that the present board has recently decided upon is one that permits the members of the BPD to use service stripes on their uniforms might seem like something new, and most of us like the wreath better, I know I do. But the Service Stripes that started under Batts, are not new to BPD, and in fact, date back to 1887.

On April 14, 1887, Marshal Frey called the Board of Commissioner's attention to the regulation of the New York Board of Police ordering the use of these stripes on the policeman's sleeves. He consulted with the Commissioners and the latter ordered that a stripe of blue cloth with black edges be placed upon each policeman's sleeves, one for every five years he had served the city. The commissioned officers of the force were empowered to wear gold lace stripes. This regulation has, like the introduction of the uniform helmet, added to the appearance of the men, and goes a great way towards making them anxious to obtain the honorable distinction of long service.

15 Apr - Commissioner says no more one-man cars

Today in Baltimore Police History 15 April 1946 Commissioner Atkinson says no more one-man cars

1-MAN PATROL CAR OPPOSED

The Sun (1837-1989); Apr 15, 1946; pg.7

1- PATROL - CAR OPPOSED MAN

Atkinson Says Two Are Needed / For Each Machine Police patrol cars in Baltimore, could not adequately serve I the public interest if operated by one man instead of two, Hamilton R. Atkinson, Commissioner of Police, declared yesterday.

Mr. Atkinson, who is asking for 212 additional patrolmen, had been questioned about relieving the need

for extra police personnel by taking a man from each of the radio cars and using him elsewhere. Two men in each car usually are necessary to handle such emergencies as a fight, house-breaking or disturbance involving several persons, the commissioner explained.

Major Problem Cited Moreover, if only one man were in the car, the machine often would have to be left unprotected, and a less continuous check could be kept on reports coming over the radio, he added. He said, also, that two-man operation facilitated the handling of school traffic, a major problem of the day shift or the department. Foot patrolmen are far from adequate to cover the school traffic, Mr. Atkinson declared, and patrol cars are called into use, as well as traffic officers on motorcycles. One patrolman in the car will take charge at one school, and the second man will move on to other traffic-congested areas nearby.

Child Fatality Low

'The child fatality record has been very low, and I intend to keep it that way.' he asserted. The day shift has to devote approximately five and a half hours to taking care of school traffic, he added. 'We have never used one man in radio cars. I have gone into the matter thoroughly with the inspector of the department and the captains or the district,” Mr. Atkinson said. 'None of my predecessors thought it feasible, and neither do I. 'Mr. Atkinson insisted on the need for more men to protect the city, particularly in outlying districts. He said there were about 231 men on each shift serving the entire city-wide area, 91 square miles.

This would increase Officer Safety while decreasing the expenses of fuel and the hours put on patrol cars.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/523-police-patrol

#BPD_History

16 Apr - Officer Calvin R. Mencken - Injured

Officer Calvin R. Mencken - Four Officers injured 16 April 1976 - James Brennan, Arthur Kennell Jr., Neal C. Splain, and Calvin R. Mencken.

16 Apr - Officer Neal C. Splain - Injured

Officer Neal C. Splain - Four Officers injured 16 April 1976 - James Brennan, Arthur Kennell Jr., Neal C. Splain, and Calvin R. Mencken.

16 Apr - Officer Arthur Kennell Jr. - Injured

Officer Arthur Kennell Jr. - Four Officers injured 16 April 1976 - James Brennan, Arthur Kennell Jr., Neal C. Splain, and Calvin R. Mencken.

16 Apr - Officer James Brennan - Injured

Officer James Brennan - Four Officers injured 16 April 1976 - James Brennan, Arthur Kennell Jr., Neal C. Splain, and Calvin R. Mencken.

16 Apr - Fallen Officer Jimmy Dale Halcomb

Officer Jimmy Dale Holcomb - On this day in Baltimore Police History 16 April 1976 we lost our Brother Police Officer Jimmy Dale Halcomb to gunfire based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/115-officer-jimmy-d-halcomb #BPDNeverForget May he Always Rest in Peace

16 Apr - Birthday Ernie Hubley

Ernie Hubley's Birthday

17 Apr - K9 Unit Considered Success

Today in Baltimore Police History 17 April 1957 - Baltimore’s K9 Unit was considered a success and made official.

On Tuesday, December 11, 1956, an article was published in one of our local newspapers which were one in a series of articles written by Martin Millspaugh pertaining to Scotland Yard. This article the last of a series was devoted to the use of police dogs in London. As a result of the letters and inquiries received by Commissioner James M. Hepbron, an article appeared in the Morning Sun on December 17, 1956, which briefly stated that Commissioner Hepbron was interested and saw the possibilities of using dogs in the Baltimore City Police Department.

On December 18, 1956, the two dogs (Turk & Major Gruntz) that had had previously been training were offered to the Baltimore Police Department and, with two officers (Patrolman Thomas McGinn and Irvan Marders) both with previous dog experience, the program was put into effect on an “experimental basis”. By the middle of January 1957, fourteen dogs had been acquired as potential candidates and fourteen men were selected and assigned to the K9 Corps. These men were chosen as a result of a questionnaire that was sent to all members of the department asking for volunteers.

These men and dogs were trained daily until March 1, 1957. At that time, they were put on the street on Friday and Saturday nights, working the areas where the crime was most prevalent. Shortly after this, on 17 April 1957 - Commissioner Hepbron, considering the experiment a success, made it official, he went before the Mayor and City Council and appropriations were made through the Board of Estimates which resulted in the K-9 Corps becoming a permanent part of the Baltimore City Police.

For more info on Baltimore’s K9 check out our website on Baltimore Police History
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/75-K-9-UNIT

#BPD_History

18 Apr - Fallen Patrolman George Sauer

Patrolman George Sauer - On this day in Baltimore Police History 18 April 1915, we lost our Brother Patrolman George Sauer to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/537-patrolman-george-c-sauer ‎#BPDNeverForget

18 Apr - Fallen Detective Richard F. Bosak

Detective Richard F. Bosak - On this day in Baltimore Police History 18 April 1968 we lost out Brother Detective Richard F. Bosak to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/31-patrolman-richard-f-bosak ‎#BPDNeverForget

18 Apr - 18 April 1861 Riots

18 April 1861 day 1 of the Baltimore Riots - Today in Baltimore Police History 18 April 1861... The Riots before the Riots that kicked off the Civil War... This marked the first day of two days of rioting that kicked off the civil war. While some blamed marshal Kane for the results of day two, had it not been for the Baltimore Police things would have been much worse. We remember Nicholas Biddle as 'The first man wounded in the Great American Rebellion' https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/business-economy/our-police-3/1861-riots #BPD_History

18 Apr - Abraham Lincoln addressed Baltimore Sanitary Fair

18 April 1864, President Abraham Lincoln addressed Baltimore Sanitary Fair, organized by Maryland women for U.S. Sanitary Commission.

19 Apr - Fallen Patrolman Aubrey L. Lowman

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 19 April 1954, we lost our Brother Patrolman Aubrey L. Lowman, to Gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/320-patrolman-aubrey-l-lowman #BPDNeverForget

19 Apr - Pratt St Riots 1861 

Pratt St Riots 1861 - Today in BPD History 19 April 1861 at President and Pratt Baltimore Police helped end the second day of rioting that led to the first death of America's Civil War.

Police arrested “great numbers” afterward. But only seven were ever named – Mark Hagan and Andrew Eisenbreeht, charged with “assaulting an officer with a brick” Richard Brown and Patrick Collins “throwing bricks creating a riot” William Reid “severely injuring a man with a brick” J Friedenwald, “assaulting an unknown man” and Lawrence T Erwin, “throwing a brick on Pratt Street.” The first injured in the riots was Nicholas Biddle

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/429-nicholas-biddle

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/430-riots-1861-newspaper-article 

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/431-riots-1861-newspaper-article-ii

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/business-economy/our-police-3/1861-riots

#BPD_History

Today in BPD History 19 April 1861 at President and Pratt Baltimore Police helped end the second day of rioting which led to the first death of America's Civil War. The first injured in the riots was Nicholas Biddle
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/429-nicholas-biddle #BPD_History

19 Apr - Katelynn's Birthday

Katelynn's Birthday

21 Apr - Fallen Officer John R. J. Block

On this day in Baltimore Police History 21 April 1933, we lost our brother, Police Officer John R. J. Block due to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/40-officer-john-r-j-block #BPDNeverForget

21 Apr - Fallen Officer Kevon Malik Gavin

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 2000, we lost our Brother Police Officer Kevon Malik Gavin, to vehicular homicide based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/287-officer-kevon-m-gavin-sr #BPDNeverForget

22 Apr - Maryland Auto Tag Plate History

Today in Maryland History 22 April 1934 the State ended its war with Delaware in regard to making our own license plates. They were made in our state penitentiaries. The first history of makers of any kind of automobiles in Maryland dated back to approx. 1904, when one dollar was required to be paid by the owner of the motor car to the secretary of state, 644 applications were issued that year in Annapolis, the first being 128, done in May 1904. For more information click the following link - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/maryland-tag-plate-history #BPD_History

23 Apr - Fallen Sergeant Robert John Barlow

On this date 23 April 1978 in Baltimore Police History, we lost our Brother Sergeant Robert John Barlow to a Heart Attack based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/51-sgt-robert-j-barlow #‎BPDNeverForget

24 Apr - Fallen Officer Donald W. Sager

On this Day 24 April 1970, in Baltimore Police History, we lost our Brother Officer Donald W. Sager to gunfire - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/542-officer-donald-w-sager #BPDNeverForget

25 Apr - Final Roll Call - Police Officer Norman Stamp Friendly Fire

Today in Baltimore Police History 25 April 2008 we lost our brother Police Officer Norman Stamp to an off-duty case of friendly fire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call ‎#BPDNeverForget

28 Apr - Maryland Became the 7th State

Today in Maryland history 28 April 1788 – Maryland Became the Seventh State in the Union. Maryland was the seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution and has two nicknames, the Old-Line State, and the Free State

Old Line State. According to some historians, General George Washington bestowed the name 'Old Line State' and thereby associated Maryland with its regular line troops, the Maryland Line, who served courageously in many Revolutionary War battles.

Free State. Maryland was first recognized as a 'Free State' on November 1, 1864. On that date, the Maryland Constitution of 1864 took effect. By its provisions, slavery within the State's borders was abolished, and Maryland, indeed, became a free state. To celebrate the emancipation, under direction of the Baltimore City Council, five hundred guns were fired, bells were rung, and flags displayed 'to attest the joy of the people at their great deliverance.'

Much later, the nickname 'Free State' was used in a different context by Hamilton Owens, editor of the Baltimore Sun. In 1923, Georgia Congressman William D. Upshaw, a firm supporter of Prohibition, denounced Maryland as a traitor to the Union for refusing to pass a state enforcement act. Mr. Owens thereupon wrote a mock-serious editorial entitled 'The Maryland Free State,' arguing that Maryland should secede from the Union rather than prohibit the sale of liquor. The irony in the editorial was subtle, and Mr. Owens decided not to print it. He popularized the nickname, however, in later editorials.

29 Apr - The nameplate was first worn

Today in BPD history 29 April 1966 at 9 am- The Nameplate was first worn by City Police Officers. In a program called 'Know Your Police,'
As a side note, Patrolman Edward Campbell would be the first City Officer to wear such nameplate as he posed for the Baltimore Sun a day earlier on 28 April 1966. We should add Officer Tom Wade posed for a similar picture in which Commissioner Gelston was seen pinning his nameplate on him.
Something I found interesting was that we and the state police added nameplates to our uniforms on the same date, it was different years but the same date 7 years earlier on the same day (29 April 1959)
Name plate 1966 Ed Campbell 73

30 Apr - Reorganization of Baltimore's “Night-Watch

Today in BPD history 30 April 1800 - A committee of three persons from each of Baltimore's wards was appointed to plan a reorganization of the city's “Night-Watch”. At the assembly, the committee voted on a plan that suggested patrols be increased. The recommendation was approved, and by the vigilance of the city's watchmen, the disorder in Baltimore was suppressed for a time.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/95-baltimore-has-a-roistering-past #BPD_History

01 May - 2nd Issue Badge Introduced

Today in Baltimore Police History 1 May 1860, we switched our badges from the Issue 1 Badge to the 2nd Issue Badge. It was a new “Metropolitan Police' force under a Board of Police Commissioner’s (BOC), state-appointed civilians, signaled the retirement of the 'Corporation Police force' and the new badge was authorized
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/425-badges
#BPD_History

  Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

 

May

01 May - Fallen Patrolman Edgar Shellito

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1 May 1921, we lost our Brother Patrolman Edgar Shellito in the line of duty. To learn more please visit the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/243-patrolman-edgar-shellito #‎BPDNeverForget

01 May - BOC Dropped for Single Commissioner

Today in BPD History 1 May 1920 the Baltimore Police Depart dropped the Board of Commissioners for a single Commissioner system The 1st Commissioner of the time was Charles Gaither, not the best choice perhaps, but we have come a long way and hope the best for our current and future Commissioner(s) https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/498-commissioner-charles-d-gaither #BPD_History

01 May - Fallen - Night Watchman Turner

On this day In BPD History 1 May 1787, we lost our Brother Night Watchmen Turner based on the following:
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/375-watchman-turner #‎BPDNeverForget

02 May - Happy Birthday to our Granddaughter Gabriella Jackson

Happy birthday to our granddaughter Gabriella Jackson

02 May - Elijah J. McCoy - invented a lubrication system for steam engines.

Elijah J. McCoy (May 2, 1844 – October 10, 1929) invented a lubrication system for steam engines. His inventions and accomplishments were honored in 2012 when the United States Patent and Trademark Office named its first regional office, in Detroit, Michigan, the 'Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional Patent Office' When Elijah McCoy arrived in Michigan, he could find work only as a fireman and oiler at the Michigan Central Railroad. In a home-based machine shop in Ypsilanti, McCoy also did more highly skilled work, such as developing improvements and inventions. He invented an automatic lubricator for oiling the steam engines of locomotives and ships, patenting it in 1872 as 'Improvement in Lubricators for Steam-Engines'

Similar automatic oilers had been patented by him previously; one is the displacement lubricator, which had already attained widespread use and whose technological descendants continued to be widely used into the 20th century. Lubricators were a boon for railroads, as they enabled trains to run faster and more profitably with less need to stop for lubrication and maintenance. By 1899, the Michigan Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics reported that the McCoy lubricator was in use on almost all North American railroads.

McCoy continued to refine his devices and design new ones, and was noted in periodicals of the time, including the Railroad Gazette. Most of his patents dealt with lubricating systems, including a further patent in 1898 which added a glass 'sight-feed' tube to monitor the rate of lubricant delivery (U.S. Patent 614,307).
After the turn of the century, he attracted notice among his Black contemporaries. Booker T. Washington, in Story of the Negro (1909), recognized him as having produced more patents than any other Black inventor up to that time. This creativity gave McCoy an honored status in his community that has persisted to this day. He continued to invent until late in life, obtaining as many as 57 patents; most related to lubrication, but others also included a folding ironing board, and a lawn sprinkler.

Lacking the capital with which to manufacture his lubricators in large numbers, he usually assigned his patent rights to his employers, or sold them to investors.

In 1920, near the end of his career, he formed the Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company.

04 May - Col. Sherlock Swann Sworn to BOC

Today in BPD History 4 May 1908 the president of the BOC was sworn. Col Sherlock Swann brought a lot of the modern police rules and procedures to Baltimore during his one term with BPD Read more about him and what he gave us at the following link. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/453-col-sherlock-swann #BPD_History

04 May - Inspectional Services Division (IID) was initiated

Today in BPD History 4 May 1966 - Along with Commissioner Pomerleau came the idea of 'Police, Policing... Police', Internal Affairs, Internal Investigations, IID... IAD... call it what you like, but DP said, 'Things will change, you may have been on the take yesterday, but you will not be on the take tomorrow, and if you are, you will be arrested just like any other criminal in Baltimore!' Some officers were smart and yielded to his advice, others were not so smart and ended up someplace alright, 'That place was their place in a perp walk 1966 style.' 4 May 1966 - Inspectional Services Division was initiated https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/62-internal-investigation-division #BPD_HISTORY

05 May - Adelynn's Birthday

Adelynn's Birthday

05 May - Fallen Patrolman Charles W. Frizzell

On this day in Baltimore Police History 5 May 1939, we lost our Brother Patrolman Charles W. Frizzell due to injuries from a line of duty assault: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/285-patrolman-charles-w-frizzell #‎BPDNeverForget

05 May - Fallen Officer Frank Warren Whitby, Jr.

On this day in Baltimore Police History 5 May 1974, we lost our Brother Police Officer Frank Warren Whitby, Jr. to Gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/16-officers-frank-w-whitby ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

06 May - First Electric Traffic Signal

On this day in Baltimore Police History 6 May 1921 - First Electric Traffic Signal installed in the city at the Mall Crossing in Druid Hill Park. It was installed in place of the old manually operated Go-Go signals, and was first operated by Baltimore Park Police Officer R. W. Wilson on 6 May 1921
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/65-traffic-lights

06 May - Tricia's Birthday

Tricia's Birthday

06 May - Detective Badge # 550 Retired from Service

By an announcement of Baltimore Police Commissioner, Darryl DeSousa on 6 May 2018 it was said, 'Now and forever Ken's badge and number have been retired! and Detective Badge #550 will never be issued or worn again!'

07 May - Fallen Lieutenant Owen Eugene Sweeney, Jr.

On this day in Baltimore Police History 7 May 1997, we lost our brother Lieutenant Owen Eugene Sweeney, Jr. to gunfire based on the following
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/229-lt-owen-e-sweeney-jr #BPDNeverForget http://baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/audio/O_Sweeney.mp4

07 May - Fallen Patrolman Robert L. Osborne

On this day in Baltimore Police History 7 May 1930, we lost our Brother Patrolman Robert L. Osborne in the line of duty based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/348-patrolman-robert-l-osborne #‎BPDNeverForget

08 May - Historical - Meter Maid Program Began

Today in BPD history 8 May 1961 the Baltimore Police department started it's Meter Maid Unit, they worked out of the Traffic Division with 10 Meter Maids, ALL under the direction of one Sergeant and one Lieutenant.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/447-bpd-meter-maid-history

09 May - Final Roll Call Officer Gary Dresser

Today in Baltimore Police History 9 May 2013 - We lost our Brother Retired Police Officer Gary Dresser. While on the force Officer Dresser was one of our Medal of Honor Recipients. Please take a minute to check the following link - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/107-officer-gary-dresser #BPD_History

11 May - Kyle's Birthday

Kyle's Birthday

12 May - Robot Traffic Cop comes to Town

Today in Baltimore Police History 12 May 1929 Baltimore is about to install several units of a new traffic dispatching system which, to those who have seen it in operation it seems almost human: more than human and some of its aspects of controlling the ebb and flow of vehicles. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/65-traffic-lights #BPD_History

13 May - Union Forces Occupied Baltimore

13 May 1861, Brig. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler's Union forces occupied Baltimore. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/87-marshal-george-proctor-kane

15 May - Peace Officers Memorial Day

Each year, the president of the United States proclaims May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week of each year during which such May 15 occurs as Police Week.

HISTORY
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Memorial Service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation's Capital each year.

The National Peace Officers Memorial Service, which is sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, is one in a series of events which includes the Candlelight Vigil, which is sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) and seminars sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)

National Police Week draws in between 25,000 to 40,000 attendees. The attendees come from departments throughout the United States as well as from agencies throughout the world. This provides a unique opportunity to meet others who work in law enforcement. In that spirit, the Fraternal Order of Police DC Lodge #1 sponsors receptions each afternoon and evening during Police Week. These events are open to all law enforcement personnel and are an experience unlike any other.

15 May - Peace Officers Memorial Day

 

16 May - Chris' Birthday

Chris' Birthday my father-in-law

17 May - National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

Today in Baltimore Police History 16 May 1968, the department installed a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) terminal permitting direct access to a storehouse of information on wanted persons, stolen vehicles, stolen weapons, and identifiable stolen property at the Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Washington, D. C. This system enables inquiries from officers on patrol to be answered within seconds. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/national-crime-information-center-ncic  #BPD_History

17 May - Sun Paper Starts in Baltimore on 17 May 1837

Sun Paper starts in Baltimore on 17 May 1837 - The History of The Sun and we all know how much they have always loved and supported our Baltimore Police Department. Actually, they have been good to good police, if they could only hold off judgement on those in trouble until we know for sure, and them hammer them. Seriously though, their history is quite interesting and early favorable toward Baltimore's police. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/408-the-history-of-the-sun #BPD_History

17 May - Tink's Anniversary

18 May - Rory's Birthday

Rory's Birthday

18 May - Fallen Patrolman Patrick J Coniffee

On this day in Baltimore Police History 18 May 1925, we lost our brother, Patrolman Patrick J Coniffee in the line of duty based on the following. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/343-patrolman-patrick-j-coniffee #‎BPDNeverForget

19 May - Fallen Sergeant Anthony A. Byrd

On this day in Baltimore Police History 19 May 2006, we lost our Brother Police Sergeant Anthony A. Byrd based on the Following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/25-sergeant-anthony-a-byrd #BPDNeverForget

19 May - Detective Aaron J. Stewart - Injured

Today in Baltimore Police History 19 May 1995 Our Brother Detective Aaron J. Stewart was injured in the Line of duty based on the following:

Officer dragged and then shot while trying to stop car thief

May 20, 1995,|By Peter Hermann | Peter Hermann, Sun Staff Writer

A police officer was shot near his Southwest Baltimore house yesterday after he tried to stop a man from stealing a car and was dragged as he hung onto the driver's side window.

The incident left several parked cars damaged. The officer's weapon also discharged, apparently striking the driver in the abdomen.

'There was a lot of commotion, a lot of cars banging, a lot of shots fired and a good person got hurt,' said one witness, who wouldn't give her name for fear of reprisal.

The injured officer, Detective Aaron J. Stewart, 34, a nine-year veteran who is well known and liked in the Norwood Heights neighborhood, was in good condition yesterday at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center. He was being treated for a gunshot wound to the left ankle, a bite on the left arm and burns on his feet.

Police was guarding the apparent suspect, who has not been charged, at Shock Trauma yesterday. His condition was not available, but police said his injuries were not life-threatening.

The incident began about 6 a.m. when Detective Stewart -- who lives in the 400 block of S. Wickham Road and is assigned to the sex offense unit -- ran out of his house when he heard a noise, possibly breaking glass.

Thinking a man was trying to steal a cream-colored Nissan 300 ZX parked on the side of the road, the officer took out his 9 mm semiautomatic handgun and ran to the driver's side window. 'He said, 'Stop, I'm a police officer,' ' said Agent Robert W. Weinhold Jr., a police spokesman.

Police said the driver tried to put the car in gear, and Detective Stewart dived through the side window to pull up the emergency brake. The car began to move as the two struggled. Agent Weinhold said the officer's gun discharged, apparently striking the driver, who bit Detective Stewart on the left arm.

Meanwhile, the car careened up an embankment, struck the large rock, then accelerated back onto the street, dragging Detective Stewart, who became dislodged and landed in the middle of Wickham Road as the Nissan plowed into four parked cars. The driver ran away.

At the same time, a dark-colored car that had sped off when the detective ran from his house returned, and at least one of the occupants opened fire on the officer, striking him once in the ankle. The officer could not return fire because his gun was several feet away.

About 30 minutes later, Agent Weinhold said, a woman called police from a house in the 3100 block of Westmont Ave. in West Baltimore and reported that her son had been shot in the abdomen. Police said that shooting victim is a suspect in the dragging incident.

Police officers later recovered a stolen dark blue 1992 Acura Vigor in the first block of E. 22nd St. Agent Weinhold said $H investigators believe it is the car from which shots were fired at Detective Stewart.

Twenty shootings in Baltimore this year have involved the police. Six of them have been fatal.

#BPD_Line_of_Duty_Injured

20 May - Fallen Officer Charles J. Donohue

On this day in Baltimore Police History 20 May 1902, we lost our brother Patrolman Charles J. Donohue, of the Northwestern police district to Gun fire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/273-patrolman-charles-j-donohue #BPDNeverForget

22 May - Fallen Patrolman Joseph Clark

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1871 (22 May 1871) We lost our brother Patrolman Joseph Clark to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/339-patrolman-joseph-c-clarke #BPDNeverForget

25 May - Birthday Richard McNey

Happy Birthday to my nephew-in-law, Richard 'Ricky' McNey... Have a great day...
Shannon Driscoll's husband

26 May - Fallen Officer Herman A. Jones, Sr,

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 26 May 1993, we lost our Brother Police Officer Herman A. Jones, Sr, Officer Jones to gunfire based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/304-officer-herman-a-jones-sr #BPDNeverForget

26 May - Fallen Officer Richard D. Seebo

On this day in Baltimore Police History 26 May 1962, we lost our Brother Police Officer Richard D. Seebo to gunfire based on the following new reports: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/247-officer-richard-d-seebo #‎BPDNeverForget

27 May - 4th Issue Badge Introduced

Today in Police History 27 May 1890 the 4th issue badge was worn with an entirely new uniform by all members of the force. Follow this link - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/425-badges #BPD_History

27 May - Fallen Officer W. P. Thompson

On this day in Baltimore Police history 27 May 1956, we lost our Brother Officer W. P. Thompson based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/225-lieutenant-william-p-thompson #BPD_History

28 May - First Women Promoted to Sergeant

Today in Baltimore Police History 28 May 1937 women were promoted to the rank of sergeant for the first time in our agency. Four policewomen [at the time there was a distinction between male and female officers] those promoted were Miss Mae E. Little, Mrs. Bessie K. Cronin, Miss Clara Lynch, and Miss Margaret Ryan.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/488-women-and-the-baltimore-police-department #BPD_History

29 May - Motor's Unit was Initiated

Today in Baltimore City Police History 29 May 1914 - The Motor Unit was organized and initiated - It began with just five Officers, Patrolman Schleigh, Bateman, Pepersack, Vocke, and Louis. - They had 5 Indian twin cylinder motorcycles. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/385-motors #BPD_History

  Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

 

June

01 Jun - Police Suicide - P/O Charles E. Robinson

Today in BPD History 1 June 1942, Our Brother Patrolman Charles E. Robinson was found slumped over the wheel of his car. He was pronounced dead at West Baltimore General Hospital. Dr. Henry L. Wollenweber, Medical Examiner’s Office, said Robinson had committed suicide. Robinson is survived by a wife and a 12-year-old son.

01 Jun - The Ordinance Providing for a Police Boat

SECOND BRANCH. -- Tuesday, June 1st. -- The ordinance providing for a police boat, to be selected from the present police force of the city, was adopted... Source: Baltimore Sun, June 3rd. 1852, pg. 4.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/76-MARINE-UNIT

02 Jun - Josh's Birthday

Josh's Birthday

02 Jun - Fallen Turnkey Carroll E. Bond

On 2 June, 1914, we lost our brother, Carroll E. Bond, to an on-duty suicide. Turnkey Bond joined the Baltimore Police Department in 1900 as a patrolman. In 1911, while on a hunting trip with a fellow officer, he was shot in the face with a shotgun blast of birdshot. This accident took his eye, and it took him off the streets. No longer a patrolman, now a turnkey Turnkey Bond became meloncoly, and eventually, on 2 June 1914, he went to the assembly area of the booking area, called out to his sergeant, then put the muzzle of his revolver to his head and pulled the trigger. He was taken to a local hospital, where, a little over three hours later, he passed away from his injuries. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/turnkey-carroll-e-bond  #‎BPDNeverForget  

06 Jun - Anniversary of D-Day

On June 6, 1944, thousands of American and Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy to begin the liberation of Europe. On this the anniversary of D-Day, we honor the valor of the Greatest Generation and the sacrifices made by countless heroes for the freedoms we hold dear.

As a side note, the question often asked has been, 'What does the D in D-Day stand for?' The military gives the explanation as follows. The D in D-Day merely stands for Day. It was used like a count down, or to count passed a target day. This coded designation was used for the day of any important invasion or military operation. For military planners (and later historians), the days before and after a D-Day were indicated using plus and minus signs: D-4 meant four days before a D-Day, while D+4 meant four days after a D-Day.

07 Jun - Christine's Birthday

Christine's Birthday

08 Jun - First Woman Officer to Enter the Academy

Today in BPD History 8 June 1973 - Gladys Aye became the first woman officer to enter the academy after the designation Policewoman was dropped and both men and women officers went by the single title of 'Police Officer' making her the first female police officer hired by the Baltimore Police department. This also gave female officers the opportunity to be promoted above the rank of Lieutenant. The change from Policeman and Policewoman was in the works for nearly two weeks before it was officially announced on 11 June 1973 https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/488-women-and-the-baltimore-police-department 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFRTMzyABVA

10 Jun - Terry Vs Ohio
On this day in police history 10 June 1968, the Supreme Court issued an 8–1 decision against Terry that upheld the constitutionality of the 'Stop-and-Frisk' procedure as long as the police officer performing it has a 'Reasonable Suspicion' that the targeted person is about to commit a crime, has committed a crime, or is committing a crime, and may be 'Armed and Presently Dangerous.'
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/terry-v-ohio

11 Jun - Police Officer' Replaces 'Policeman' and 'Policewoman'

Today in BPD History 11 June 1973 - The Civil Service Commission authorized the single classification of 'Police Officer' to replace the dual designation 'Policeman/Patrolman' and 'Policewoman.' https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/488-women-and-the-baltimore-police-department #BPD_History

11 Jun - Fallen Patrolman Michael W. Ryan

On this day in BPD History 11 June 1900, we lost our Brother Patrolman Michael W. Ryan to a line of duty related injury. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/world/358-patrolman-michael-w-ryan #‎BPDNeverForget

12 Jun - Fallen Officer Carl Peterson, Jr.

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 12 June 1971, we lost our brother Police Officer Carl Peterson, Jr. to Gunfire based on the following. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/261-officer-carl-peterson-jr #‎BPDNeverForget

12 Jun - Fallen Officer William Woodcock

On this day in BPD History 12 June 1943, we lost our Brother Police Officer William Woodcock as he was beaten with his Espantoon, punched, stomped and kicked by a coward while he lay unconscious on the ground, https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/21-officer-william-woodcock #BPDNeverForget

13 Jun - Fallen Patrolman William L. Ryan

On this day in Baltimore Police History 13 June 1940, we lost our brother Patrolman William L. Ryan to knife wounds based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/539-patrolman-william-l-ryan #‎BPDNeverForget

13 Jun - Miranda

On this day 13 June 1966, the Supreme Court hands down its decision in Miranda v. Arizona, establishing the principle that all criminal suspects must be advised of their rights before interrogation. Now considered standard police procedure, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can, and will, be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you,” has been heard so many times in television and film dramas that it has become almost cliché.

14 Jun - Stars & Stripes

During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress adopts a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate stripes red and white” and that “the Union is thirteen stars, white on a field of blue, representing a new Constellation.” The national flag, which became known as the “Stars and Stripes,” was based on the “Grand Union” flag, a banner carried by the Continental Army in 1776 that also consisted of 13 red and white stripes. According to legend, Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross designed the new canton for the Stars and Stripes, which consisted of a circle of 13 stars and a blue background, at the request of General George Washington. Historians have been unable to conclusively prove or disprove this legend.

With the entrance of new states into the United States after independence, new stripes and stars were added to represent new additions to the Union. In 1818, however, Congress enacted a law stipulating that the 13 original stripes be restored and that only stars be added to represent new states.

On June 14, 1877, the first Flag Day observance was held on the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes. As instructed by Congress, the U.S. flag was flown from all public buildings across the country. In the years after the first Flag Day, several states continued to observe the anniversary, and in 1949 Congress officially designated June 14 as Flag Day, a National Day of Observance.

14 Jun - Army Birthday

The U.S. Army was founded on 14 June 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized enlistment of expert riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year.

15 Jun - Before the Paddy Wagon

Today in Baltimore Police History 15 June 1840, 45 years before Baltimore Police would receive their first Police Wagon aka Paddy Wagon when police made an arrest, the arrestee had several options about their pending excursion to the station. Keeping in mind we received the wagon and the call box the same year, and this 1840 was not that year. So, the arrestee could cooperate and walk adjacent to the officer to the lock-up, or they could resist. resisting came in two forms, one they fight the officer into the booking station, or second, they drop anchor, just plop straight to the ground and refuse to cooperate. The following is an article from this day in 1840 that describes one such case, and what the officers did to oppose the situation.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/421-patrol-wagon-history #BPDHistory

16 Jun - Fallen Officer - Sgt. Benjamin Graham

On this day in Baltimore City Police History, 16 June 1895, we lost our Brother Sergeant Benjamin Graham due to complications caused by a line of duty injury in which he was struck by a sleigh during the course of his duty 11 years earlier in the year 1884 based on the following.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/351-sgt-benjamin-graham

#‎BPDNeverForget

17 Jun - History - Cadet Program is Started

Today in BPD History 17 June 1965 - Baltimore Police began its Cadet Program, the first Cadet was Edmund Bossle. Edmund Bossle retired at the rank of Lieutenant.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/400- #BPD_History

17 Jun - I was sworn into the Baltimore Police Department on this day in 1987

17 Jun - Statue of Liberty a Gift of Friendship

On this day 17 June 1885, the dismantled Statue of Liberty, a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of America, arrives in New York Harbor after being shipped across the Atlantic Ocean in 350 individual pieces packed in more than 200 cases. The copper and iron statue, which was reassembled and dedicated the following year in a ceremony presided over by U.S. President Grover Cleveland, became known around the world as an enduring symbol of freedom and democracy.

Intended to commemorate the American Revolution and a century of friendship between the U.S. and France, the statue was designed by French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi (who modeled it after his own mother), with assistance from engineer Gustave Eiffel, who later developed the iconic tower in Paris bearing his name. The statue was initially scheduled to be finished by 1876, the 100th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence; however, fundraising efforts, which included auctions, a lottery and boxing matches, took longer than anticipated, both in Europe and the U.S., where the statue’s pedestal was to be financed and constructed. The statue alone cost the French an estimated $250,000 (more than $5.5 million in today’s money).

Finally completed in Paris in the summer of 1884, the statue, a robed female figure with an uplifted arm holding a torch, reached its new home on Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor (between New York City and Hudson County, New Jersey) on June 17, 1885. After being reassembled, the 450,000-pound statue was officially dedicated on October 28, 1886, by President Cleveland, who said, “We will not forget that Liberty has here made her home; nor shall her chosen altar be neglected.” Standing more than 305 feet from the foundation of its pedestal to the top of its torch, the statue, dubbed “Liberty Enlightening the World” by Bartholdi, was taller than any structure in New York City at the time. The statue was originally copper-colored, but over the years it underwent a natural color-change process called patination that produced its current greenish-blue hue.

In 1892, Ellis Island, located near Bedloe’s Island (which is 1956 was renamed Liberty Island), opened as America’s chief immigration station, and for the next 62 years Lady Liberty, as the statue is nicknamed, stood to watch over the more than 12 million immigrants who sailed into New York Harbor. In 1903, a plaque inscribed with a sonnet titled “The New Colossus” by American poet Emma Lazarus, written 20 years earlier for a pedestal fundraiser, was placed on an interior wall of the pedestal. Lazarus’ now-famous words, which include “Give me your tired, your poor/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” became symbolic of America’s vision of itself as a land of opportunity for immigrants.

Some 60 years after President Calvin Coolidge designated the statue a national monument in 1924, it underwent a multi-million-dollar restoration (which included a new torch and gold leaf-covered flame) and was rededicated by President Ronald Reagan on July 4, 1986, in a lavish celebration. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the statue was closed; its base, pedestal and observation deck re-opened in 2004, while its crown re-opened to the public on July 4, 2009. (For safety reasons, the torch has been closed to visitors since 1916, after an incident called the Black Tom explosions in which munitions-laden barges and railroad cars on the Jersey City, New Jersey, waterfront was blown up by German agents, causing damage to the nearby statue.)

Today, the Statue of Liberty is one of America’s most famous landmarks. Over the years, it has been the site of political rallies and protests (from suffragettes to anti-war activists), has been featured in numerous movies and countless photographs and has received millions of visitors from around the globe.

18 Jun - The War of 1812 Begins

On this day 18 June 1812, the day after the Senate followed the House of Representatives in voting to declare war against Great Britain, President James Madison signs the declaration into law–and the War of 1812 begins. The American war declaration, opposed by a sizable minority in Congress, had been called in response to the British economic blockade of France, the induction of American seaman into the British Royal Navy against their will, and the British support of hostile Indian tribes along the Great Lakes frontier. A faction of Congress known as the “War Hawks” had been advocating war with Britain for several years and had not hidden their hopes that a U.S. invasion of Canada might result in significant territorial land gains for the United States.

In the months after President Madison proclaimed the state of war to be in effect, American forces launched a three-point invasion of Canada, all of which were decisively unsuccessful. In 1814, with Napoleon Bonaparte’s French Empire collapsing, the British were able to allocate more military resources to the American war, and Washington, D.C., fell to the British in August. In Washington, British troops burned the White House, the Capitol, and other buildings in retaliation for the earlier burning of government buildings in Canada by U.S. soldiers.

In September, the tide of the war turned when Thomas Macdonough’s American naval force won a decisive victory at the Battle of Plattsburg Bay on Lake Champlain. The invading British army was forced to retreat back into Canada. The American victory on Lake Champlain led to the conclusion of U.S.-British peace negotiations in Belgium, and on December 24, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent was signed, formally ending the War of 1812. By the terms of the agreement, all conquered territory was to be returned, and a commission would be established to settle the boundary of the United States and Canada.

British forces assailing the Gulf Coast were not informed of the treaty in time, and on January 8, 1815, the U.S. forces under Andrew Jackson achieved the greatest American victory of the war at the Battle of New Orleans. The American public heard of Jackson’s victory and the Treaty of Ghent at approximately the same time, fostering a greater sentiment of self-confidence and shared identity throughout the young republic.

19 Jun - First Female Officers Hired

Today in Baltimore Police History 19 June 1912, the first Female officer hired under the title of policewoman was Mary S. Harvey, EOD of June 19, 1912 Her hiring was followed by that of Margaret B. Eagleston July 22, 1912 (interesting side note: on March 28, 1925, the Baltimore Sun reports that Two female members of department given first lesson in pistol shooting. They were Miss Margaret B. Eagleston and Mrs. Mary J. Bruff. A few days later, Mrs. Mary Harvey, Miss Eva Aldridge, and Ms. Mildred Campbell were also trained. So basically, the first two-woman officers hired by the BPD weren't trained in firearms until they had been on the force for 13 years! https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/488-women-and-the-baltimore-police-department #BPD_History

19 Jun - Fallen - Alexander McIntosh

20 Jun - The Sack of Baltimore

The Sack of Baltimore - 1631
On this day in our Driscoll family history, 20 June 1631, Baltimore [Ireland] fell victim to a what has become remembered as, a horrendous attack by pirates on the sleeping village of Baltimore, known as 'The Sack of Baltimore'. At that time among the O'Driscoll family that lived in the village where a population of settlers from England who had arrived some years earlier to work the lucrative pilchard fishery under lease from the O'Driscoll chieftain, Sir Fineen O'Driscoll. Piracy was rife along the shores of West Cork, much of it of a home-grown variety; indeed, the settlement's founder, Thomas Crooke, stood accused of involvement himself. However, the danger, in this case, was from much farther afield.

Follow this link to learn more about how many of our family's ancestors were sold into slavery on this day in 1631
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/the-sack-of-baltimore

20 Jun - Fallen Officer Michael Neary

Fallen Officer Michael Neary - On this day in Baltimore Police History 20 June 1894 we lost our brother's Policeman Michael Neary and Policeman James T. Dunn of the Central District. based on the following:
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/333-policeman-michael-neary #‎BPDNeverForget

20 Jun - Fallen Officer James T. Dunn

On this day in Baltimore Police History 20 June 1894, we lost our brother's Policeman James T. Dunn and Policeman Michael Neary of the Central District. based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/274-policeman-james-t-dunn #‎BPDNeverForget

20 Jun - Fallen Officer William Wilder

Fallen Officer William Wilder - On this day in Baltimore Police History 20 June 1969, we lost our brother, Police Officer William Wilder in the line of duty. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/17-officer-william-joseph-wilder #‎BPDNeverForget

20 Jun - Fallen Officer Charles S. Frank

Fallen Officer Charles S. Frank - On this day in Baltimore Police History 20 June 1924 we lost our Brother Police Officer Charles S. Frank to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/world/284-patrolman-charles-l-frank #‎BPDNeverForget

22 Jun - Military Takeover of Department

Today in Baltimore Police History 22 June 1861 - was the start of a military takeover that went from 22 June 1861, to 29 March 1862, (Under control if the United States Military authorities) Police Commissioners Appointed by the Military authorities - Columbus O'Donnell, Archibald Sterling Jr., Thomas Kelso, John R Kelso, John W Randolph, Peter Sauerwein, John B Seidenstricker, Joseph Roberts, and Michael Warner 

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/when-baltimores-police-board-was-sent-to-prison

22 Jun - 3rd Issue Badge Introduced

23 Jun - Fallen Patrolman Arthur Weiss

Fallen Patrolman Arthur Weiss - On this day in Baltimore Police History 23 June 1951 we lost our Brother Patrolman Arthur Weiss, in the line of duty based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/15-patrolman-arthur-weiss #‎BPDNeverForget

26 Jun - Fallen Officer James Shamer

On this date in Baltimore Police History 26 June 1946, we lost our Brother Patrolman James Shamer based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/245-patrolman-james-m-shamer #‎BPDNeverForget

27 Jun - Fallen Patrolman Henry Wilcox

On this day in Baltimore Police History 27 June 1858, we lost our Brother Patrolman Henry Wilcox in the line of duty based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/362-patrolman-henry-wilcox ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

28 Jun - Baltimore's 1st Uniform Shoulder Patch

Today in BPD History 28 June 1952, the department started using a single rocker type shoulder patch, it was black with yellow/orange trim, and lettering that read, 'Baltimore City Police.' This was to be worn on the left shoulder of the officer's coat, or blouse. The original concept was to also have a second patch similar to the coat patch but for the shirt. The shirt patch was being studied and would have had a white background with blue lettering/outline.

On the 28th of June 1952 these patches were issued to officers in training, Officers on the street would get them not long after at a cost of 30 cents each.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/485-baltimore-city-police-patches
#BPD_History

28 Jun - Injured - Thomas Dillion

Today in Baltimore Police History 28 June 1926 Clerk Thomas Dillion was shot and paralyzed in the line of duty based on the following - #BPD_History

29 Jun - Fallen Officer Webster E. Schumann

On this day in Baltimore Police History 29 June 1926, we lost our brother Police Officer Webster E. Schumann to Gunfire https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/538-patrolman-webster-schuman  #‎BPDNeverForget

  Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

 

July

01 Jul - Fallen Edward Henry Hanus

Today in Baltimore Police History 1 July 2014, we lost our Brother Edward Henry Hanus; On 1 July 2014 Edward Henry Hanus passed away. He was good police, a good man, and a good friend, he will always be missed. If ever we need to remember the meaning of brother as in brotherhood, all we need to do is think of Ed, he is and always will be our brother in blue… God Bless, Rest in Peace.

01 Jul - Fallen Officer Walter Davis

Fallen Officer Walter Davis - On this day in Baltimore Police History 1 July 1954 we lost our brother Police Officer Walter Davis to a Line of Duty Auto Accident based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/270-officer-walter-davis

01 Jul - Radar Unit Began

1 July 1954 - Radar Unit Began it consisted of 2 cars 3 officers. Warnings were given for the first several weeks after that summons were issued.

01 Jul - Blue Light Emergency System

1 July 1970 Baltimore Police went to an all-blue light emergency signaling system on their patrol cars and emergency vehicles. Twenty-four years later on 28 May 1994, with a new car design, the department did away with the solo blue lights and went back to the traditional red and blue lights.

01 Jul - Baltimore's Police Commissioners and Imprisoned

02 Jul - Sgt. Thomas P. Joyce

 

02 Jul - Fallen Officer Edward J. Kowalewski

On this day in Baltimore Police History 2 July 1962, we lost our brother Police Officer Edward J. Kowalewski to Gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/313-officer-edward-j-kowalewski #‎BPDNeverForget

03 Jul - Fallen Officer Brian Donte Winder

On this day in Baltimore Police History 3 July 2004, we lost our brother - Police Officer Brian Donte Winder to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/19-officer-brian-winder #‎BPDNeverForget

03 Jul - Fallen Patrolman John E Harris

Fallen Patrolman John E Harris - On this day in Baltimore Police History 3 July 1925 we lost our Brother Park Police - Patrolman John E Harris https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/292-patrolman-john-harris  #‎BPDNeverForget

03 Jul - Fallen Turnkey John J. Lanahan

Fallen Turnkey John J. Lanahan - On this day in Baltimore Police History 3 July 1919 we lost our Brother Baltimore Police Turnkey John J. Lanahan based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/316-turnkey-john-j-lanahan #‎BPDNeverForget

03 Jul - Fallen Detective John S. Pontier

Fallen Detective John S. Pontier - On this day in Baltimore Police History 3 July 1899 we lost our Brother Detective John S. Pontier, one of the best-known members of the police force, died at 11:25 o’clock last night at his home, 1426 North Bond St. Death was attributed to blood poisoning, caused by injudicious cutting of a corn in early May 1899. His system at the time had been weakened by overexertion during the three weeks previous to the election in which his work schedule left him little time to recuperate from the surgery. For several days before his death, it was challenging for him to take on necessary nourishment. He was attended to by Dr. Martin F. J. Cameron, 425 N. Broadway.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/257-detective-john-s-pontier  #‎BPDNeverForget 

03 Jul - Aviation Unit is Back up in the Airs of Baltimore City

3 July 2001 - Baltimore's Aviation Unit aka Fox lifts off from Martin State Airport at 4 PM for the first time since 4 Nov 1998 when we lost Officer Barry Wood in a tragic accident outside B&O railroad museum when Fox came down. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/412-the-aviation-unit

04 Jul - Hammerless Guns 1st issued in the BPD

Hammerless Guns 1st issued in the BPD - 4 July 1895 - Hammerless Pistols for the Police - Baltimore Sun, 4 July 1895 - Page 21

3 July 1895 - Twelve 38-caliber hammerless pistols were received yesterday by the police commissioner's office as the first part of a purchase of this variety of firearm for the Baltimore Police Department. The old-style pistols with hammers had to be cocked before they could be fired. The new ones are fired by a combination of pressure on the trigger and on a spring in the back of the weapon's handle, which is pressed by a firm grasp of the hand on the weapon. Each of the Commissioners will have one of the new pistols. Marshal Frey, Deputy Marshal Farnan and each of the Department's Captains from each of the Department's Districts will also receive one of these new pistols.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/482-bpd-weapons

04 Jul - Fallen Officer John T. Lloyd

Fallen Officer John T. Lloyd - On this day in Baltimore City Police History 4 July 1889 we lost our brother, Police Officer John T. Lloyd to gunfire.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/319-patrolman-john-t-lloyd #‎BPDNeverForget

04 Jul - Cornerstone of Washington Monument First Lid

Cornerstone of Washington Monument First Laid - 4 July 1815 - On this day in Baltimore City History 4 July 1815 the cornerstone of Washington Monument was first laid - it would be completed 25 Nov 1824 and was the first monument erected for George Washington in our country. The glorification of George Washington began long before his death in December 1799, and the dedication of a memorial in his honor seemed certain. A monument honoring Washington in Baltimore was first proposed in 1809, and a committee was formed to commission, and fund said monument. In 1811, Baltimore held the first of six lotteries, authorized by the Maryland General Assembly, eventually raising enough funds to construct a Washington Monument in Baltimore. Robert Mill's design was chosen in an architectural competition in 1815, and the cornerstone laid on July 4 of that year, as a side note Robert Mills also designed the more famous Washington Monument in the District of Columbia, but it was not completed until 1885. A brief history on that is as follows Construction of the monument began in 1848, was halted from 1854 to 1877, and finally completed in 1884. The hiatus in construction happened because of co-option by the 'Know Nothing party', a 'lack of funds', and the intervention of the 'American Civil War'. Two of which make interesting reading, the, Know Nothing Party, and of course the American Civil War. A difference in shading of the marble is visible approximately 150 feet or 27% up, shows where construction was halted. During the stop and start of construction, Robert Mills' design was modified significantly.

05 Jul - Fallen Officer James Murphy

Fallen Officer James Murphy - On this day in Baltimore City Police History 5 July 1870 we lost our Brother Police Officer James Murphy to an assault based on the following:
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/332-officer-james-murphy #‎BPDNeverForget

05 Jul - The Vice Squad was initiate

06 Jul - Zachariah's Birthday

Zachariah's Birthday

06 Jul - Final Roll Call Detective Edward Chaney

07 Jul - Sgt. William F. Higgins helped adopt the fingerprint system

Today in BPD History 7 July 1915 we lost our Brother Sgt William Higgins of the Bertillon Bureau of Identification he and Sgt John Casey helped adopt the fingerprint system of identification first used in Baltimore 26 Nov 1904 - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/300-sgt-william-f-higgins #BPDNeverForget

07 Jul - Fallen Officer - Patrolman George Kessler

On this day in Baltimore Police History 7 July 1918, we lost our brother, Patrolman George Kessler to a heart attack based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/world/353-patrolman-george-kessler #BPDNeverForget

08 Jul - Final Roll Call Detective Ralph Oakes

Today in BPD history, on July 8, 2018, we lost our brother, retired Detective Ralph Oakes. Ralph was a dedicated officer who served the Baltimore Police Department with honor and distinction. His commitment to justice and tireless efforts to protect the community made him a respected figure, both within the department and among those he served.

Ralph was not just a detective; he was a friend, a mentor, and a source of inspiration for many. He was well-known for his sharp investigative skills, unwavering integrity, and ability to bring a sense of humor as well as a sense of calm and order, even in the most challenging of situations.

Off duty, Ralph was a loving fiancé to Michelle and a devoted father. His children, family, and friends will dearly miss him. His brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department also deeply feel his loss.

As we bid farewell to Detective Ralph Oakes, we remember him not just for his service but for the man he was. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew him, as well as in the safer community he helped to build.

Rest in peace, brother. You will not be forgotten.

09 Jul - Police Suicide - Lt Charles H McClean

On this day in BPD history, 9 July 1918, our brother, Lieutenant Charles H. McClean, took his own life. I would like for us all to take a moment to remember Lt. McClean and to think of our police. While we pray, they find peace in their lives while trying to keep the peace in our communities. This is happening way too often, and as we can see here, it has been happening for far too long. We need to keep a close eye on our police family. We have to prioritize the mental health and well-being of our police, providing them with the necessary support and resources to cope with the challenges they face daily. Additionally, encouraging a culture that promotes open dialogue and eliminates the stigma of seeking help for mental health issues. This is crucial in the prevention of such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.

This is happening way too often, and as we can see here, it has been happening for far too long. We need to keep a close eye on or police family.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/352-lieutenant-charles-h-mcclean #‎BPDNeverForget

09 Jul - Dog-Pole first introduced

On this date 9 July 1943 - Baltimore Police Department put a 'Dog-Pole' in the trunks of patrol cars to help secure dangerous dogs while waiting for SPCA to take the animal off their hands. http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/The_Evening_Sun_Fri_Jul_9_1943_dog-pole.png #BPD_History

10 Jul - Final Roll Call Det. Shane Volk

Today 10 July 2013 Baltimore Police History we lost our Brother Det. Shane Volk to an off-duty vehicular accident based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/6-det-shane-volk #BPD_History

11 Jul - BPD - Strike

Today in Baltimore Police History 11 July 1974 - The Baltimore Police went on Strike - the unionized officers of the Baltimore Police Department were striking for better wages, joining many other municipal workers of the city the time. State troopers were brought in the next day to help keep the peace along with non-striking officers. By the 16th, the strike was over. Many other municipal workers were given an increase in their wages, but the police were only given a planned increase to begin the next year. The Commissioner at the time. Donald D. Pomerleau fired any of the striking officers and revoked most of the union's right. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/business-economy/our-police-3/1974-police-strike  

12 Jul - Marshal Jacob Frey Retired

Jacob Frey Retired - 12 July 1897 in Baltimore Police History my hero Marshal Jacob Frey (Retired) - As reported by the Baltimore Sun - On 12 July 1897, the active connection of Marshal Jacob Frey, with the Police Department ceased. On 7 October 1897, Capt. Samuel T. Hamilton was elected Marshal of Police to succeed Marshal Frey. Marshal Hamilton was a veteran officer of the Civil War and a man of indisputable courage and integrity. For many years following the great civil conflict he had served on the Western frontier and took part in the unremitting campaigns against the Sioux and other Indian tribes, who were constantly waging war upon the settlers and pioneers as they pushed their way toward the setting sun, building towns and railroads and trying to conquer the wilderness and its natural dwellers.

In the Sioux campaign of 1876, when Gen. George A. Custer and his gallant command, outnumbered ten to one by the Indians in the valley of the Little Big Horn, were annihilated, Captain Hamilton and his troop rode day, and night in a vain effort to re-enforce Custer and his sorely pressed men. It was on 26 June 1876, the Seventh United States Cavalry rode and fought to their deaths, and on 27 June 1876 the day following, the reinforcements arrived, exhausted from their terrific ride across the country. Captain Hamilton and his troop fought through the rest of the campaign, which resulted in Sitting Bull, the great Indian war chief, being driven across the US Borders into the Canadian frontier. It would be more than 20 years after fighting Sitting Bull that Hamilton would come to Baltimore and become the successor to Marshal Jacob Frey, Frey himself was no slouch, having led Baltimore Police into riots the same he himself went into battle against Indians while helping to lead America to the Western Frontier. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/marshal-jacob-frey

12 Jul - Fallen - Police Clerk Thomas J. Dillon

On this day 12 July 1926 in Baltimore Police History, we lost our brother Police Clerk Thomas J. Dillon to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/271-police-clerk-thomas-j-dillon #BPDNeverForget

12 Jul - Unlimited Medical

12 July 1973 - Unlimited Medical - It provided that all employees, both civilian and sworn, who entered on duty prior to 16 July 1973, were entitled to sick leave benefits in keeping with the existing Baltimore Police Department’s policy of unlimited sick leave. All civilian employees hired after this· date was entitled to one day of sick leave for each month of completed service. A maximum of 150 days could be accumulated. If the employee so desired, one of each four unused sick leave days (maximum 3 days) accumulated during each year could be converted to cash.

15 Jul - Fallen Officer - Martin 'Marty' Domzalski

Today 15 July 1999 in BPD history we lost our Brother P/O Martin 'Marty' Domzalski after he took his own life, on 20 July 1981, we lost our Brother Police Officer Ronald L. Tracey to gun fire Marty was Officer Tracey's partner, but was on an H-Day when his partner was killed officer's take the responsibility of protecting their partners very personal, and in this case, Officer Domzalski never got over not being there. It haunted him for years until he couldn't take it anymore and on this day in 1999, he took his own life.

15 Jul - Fallen Officer - Officer Jacob Zapp

Police Officer Jacob Zapp Baltimore City Police Department EOW: Wednesday, July 15, 1891, Cause: Struck by train
On this day in Baltimore City Police History 1891, we lost our brother Police Officer Jacob Zapp of the Southern District when he was struck a Baltimore and Ohio locomotive on Ostend Street near China Street in South Baltimore killing him instantly. The officer was walking near the track during a thunderstorm and stepped across the rails to avoid a puddle of water. Locomotive 634 was backing down the track. The rush of rain and the thunder prevented the patrolman from hearing the locomotive, and as his head was bowed to avoid the downpour, he did not see it approaching until the locomotive was close to him. Then he raised his hand instinctively as if to stop the locomotive. That was the last of him. Witnesses of the accident ran to the spot where it had occurred and were horrified at what they saw. The body had been so mangled that the remains were gathered together, could all be put in a two-foot soapbox and a cigar box. Patrolman Zapp was fifty-seven years of age and had been on the force since August 27, 1872. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/23-police-officer-jacob-zapp

15 Jul - First Recorded Academy Class Layoffs

15 July 1976 - Baltimore has some of its first recorded academy class layoffs - effected were classes 76-2 and 76-3 both of which were eventually rehired by the department on 14 January 1977 and 31 January 1977. Class 76-2 had 29 of the 34 come back and 76-3 had 27 of the original 31 trainees come back

16 Jul - The World's First Parking Meter

17 Jul - Southwestern District was first opened

17 July 1884 The Southwestern District was first opened at Calhoun and Pratt Streets (200 S Calhoun St) where it remained until 11 July 1958 when they moved to their present location at 424 Font Hill Ave. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/politics-diplomacy/southwestern

18 Jul - Change of Uniform for Traffic Police Officers

18 July 1922 - Baltimore City Traffic Police Officers will no longer have to wear their Coats while directing traffic. All other officers would have to continue wearing their coats year-round. Gen. Gaither said, 'Other officers can dip into the shade, but our traffic regulators [officers] do not have that luxury.' It wouldn't be until 6 June 1925 before all police would have the choice. It should also be pointed out that in both cases, it was only day-work police 8 AM to 4 PM shift that could shed their coats, in the high heat days of summer.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/pages/units-2/traffic-investigation-services-2

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/468-baltimore-police-officers-1st-to-go-coatless-in-public

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/469-coatless-cops-no

19 Jul - Radio Cars are Marked for the 1st Time

19 July 1944 - Radio cars are marked for the first-time departmental history. The Commissioner at the time Hamilton Atkinson said the cars could not be missed as they will have 12' letters running down both sides of the cars that simply reads 'POLICE' NOTE - Accident investigation vehicles were marked prior to the 1944 radio cars. http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/Sun_Wed__Jul_19__1944_72.jpg

20 Jul - Fallen Sgt. James L. Scholl

On this day in Baltimore Police History 20 July 1953, we lost our Brother Sgt. James L. Scholl to gunfire based on the following.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/541-sgt-james-l-scholl #‎BPDNeverForget

20 Jul - Fallen Officer - Officer Ronald L. Tracey

On this day in Baltimore Police History 20 July 1981, we lost our Brother Police Officer Ronald L. Tracey to gun fire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/3-officer-ronald-l-tracey #‎BPDNeverForget

21 Jul - Fallen Officer - Officer Richard Thomas Miller

On this day 21 July 1986 we lost our Police Officer Richard Thomas Miller to a vehicular assault as he was run down while on duty based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/328-officer-richard-miller #‎BPDNeverForget

22 Jul - Fallen Officer - Officer Robert Kuhn

On this day 22 July 1965 we lost our brother, Officer Robert Kuhn to gunfire based on the following:
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/314-officer-robert-kuhn #‎BPDNeverForget

22 Jul - Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Strike

22 July 1877, Baltimore, and Ohio Railroad strike; workers went on strike along line, demonstrated in Cumberland, struck, and rioted at Baltimore. Marshal Jacob Frey held crowds off for hours waiting for backup, then as the fighting began, he told his men not to shoot until they see the whites of their eyes.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/business-economy/our-police-3/1877-b-o-railroad-riots
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/marshal-jacob-frey

23 Jul - Charles D. Gaither Launched

Today in BPD History 23 July 1940 is anniversary of the launch of all the steel police boat Charles D. Gaither! Built by Spedden Shipbuilding Canton Yard she served as Baltimore City’s first all steel patrol boat for 31 years before she became the Baltimore City Fire Department Battalion Chief’s vessel. She is currently owned by the Baltimore & Chesapeake Steamboat Company. Fundraising efforts are currently underway to restore this boat. Follow this Facebook page for more info. Donations for the effort can be made here. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/76-MARINE-UNIT

24 Jul - The Baltimore Flood

24 July 1868, (Friday) - The Baltimore Flood overtook the city. In a crisis the bravery of Commissioner Carr in rescuing the victims of the catastrophe, became a matter of national fame. Harper's Weekly, at the time, in a long article on the floods, quoted the following editorial notice from the Baltimore Sunday Telegram, of July 26, 1868: 'It is a true saying, that in times of great public calamities, some men rise to the position of a greatness, and such was the case with Police Commissioner James E. Carr. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/business-economy/our-police-3/1868-baltimore-flood

26 Jul - Fallen Patrolman James M. Moore

On this day in Baltimore Police History 26, July 1929 we lost our Brother Patrolman James M. Moore to a line of duty shooting that took place some 43 years earlier in 1887 when a bullet that was left lodged in his chest caused his death; based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/330-patrolman-james-m-moore #‎BPDNeverForget

26 Jul - Fallen Officer Lorenzo Arnest Gray

On this day in BPD History 26 July 1972 - We lost our Brother Police Officer Lorenzo Arnest Gray
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/288-patrolman-lorenzo-gray #‎BPDNeverForget

27 Jul - Traffic Division Created

27 July 1905, the 'Beauty Squad' otherwise known as the 'Traffic Squad' went on duty. Some wore a patch on their left sleeve of the Maryland Coat of Arms surmounted by an Eagle with outstretched wings. This was done to set them apart from other police in the area, an interesting note in the colors of the Calvert family Quarters, instead of Or and Sable (Gold and Black) they were given Orange and Black in error as the patch maker mistook or for an abbreviation of Orange. Initially, our men didn't wear the patch, before long they all wore the patch and a distinct orange and Black cord on their helmets. To this day we still use Orange and Black for our ribbons and in other city logos and mottoes.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/pages/units-2/traffic-investigation-services-2

27 Jul - Community Services Division Created

27 July 1971 - the Community Relations and Youth Divisions were combined into a new division known as the Community Services Division. The creation of this division and the resulting centralization of administrative functions provides an effective channel of communication between the Police Officer and the community he serves. The major thrust of our expanded Community Services function is aimed at our young people. It is the Division's job to keep clear the channel of communication between officers and the community. The accomplishment of this mission is aided by the division's two Summer Camp operations located at Camp Perkins and Camp Ritchie. Also, our Officer Friendly Program geared for its first full year of operation.

28 Jul - Renny Miles' Birthday

Happy heavenly birthday to my best friend Renny Miles. You are gone but your legend and your friendship will never be forgotten.

28 Jul - The First African American Male Officers were Hired

Today in BPD History 28 July1938 The first African American male officers were hired. Their names were Walter T. Eubanks Jr., Harry S. Scott, Milton Gardner, and J. Hiram Butler Jr. were hired in all of whom were assigned to plainclothes
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/518-afr-amer-police #BPD_History

30 Jul - First Female K9 Officer

Today in Baltimore Police History 30 July 1982 - The first female K9 officer is assigned. Officer Charlene M. Jenkins was handler to Max https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/488-women-and-the-baltimore-police-department

  Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

 

August

01 Aug - Fallen Lieutenant Martin Webb

On this day In BPD History 1 Aug 1971, we lost our Brother Lieutenant Martin Webb to a drowning, based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/12-lieutenant-martin-e-webb #‎BPDNeverForget

01 Aug - Fallen Detective Sergeant Frank W. Grunder, Jr.

On this day in BPD History 1 Aug 1974, we lost our Brother Detective Sergeant Frank W. Grunder, Jr. to gunfire based on the following. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/290-detective-sergeant-frank-w-grunder-jr #‎BPDNeverForget

01 Aug - Mounted Unit Horse Dies in the Line of Duty

Today in the Baltimore Police History 1 Aug 1990 we lost one of our horses in the line of duty based on the following - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/77-the-mounted-unit #BPD_History

01 Aug - Fallen Officer - Officer James L. Scholl

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 1 August 1953 - We lost our Brother Police Sgt. James L. Scholl to gunfire based on the following.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/541-sgt-james-l-scholl #‎BPDNeverForget

02 Aug - Fallen Patrolman Irvin E Martz

On this day in Baltimore Police History 2 Aug 1925, we lost our Brother Patrolman Irvin E Martz to an on-the-job illness To learn more please visit the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/world/355-patrolman-irvin-e-martz #‎BPDNeverForget

04 Aug - Fallen Officer Charles M. Hilbert

On this day in Baltimore Police History 4 August 1950, we lost our Brother Police Officer Charles M. Hilbert. in the line of duty based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/301-police-officer-charles-m-hilbert #‎BPDNeverForget

04 Aug - Mounted Unit Horse Dies in the Line of Duty

Today in Baltimore Police History 4 Aug 1994, one of our horses from the mounted unit was killed in the line of duty based on the following-
A horse being ridden by a police officer was killed when the animal struck a car parked on an East Baltimore Street as the officer tried to join a nearby foot chase.
The officer, who was riding the 14·year-old American quarter horse called Bozman. was thrown from his mount and tumbled over the four-door Toyota Lexus, but he was not seriously injured. The accident scene in the 1000 block of N. Patterson Park Ave. near East Chase Street. drew dozens of officers and commanders, including at least five other others in the mounted unit. 'It is an excellent unit said Lt. John D. Smith, who oversees the 21 officers and 22 horses, which are concentrating on high-crime areas because of their Increased visibility. 'A lot of them are a little shaken up.' Police said the accident occurred about 11:40 a.m. when three mounted officers riding north on North Patterson Park Avenue were trying to join other officers chasing two men who had just broken into a house a block away. As they approached the Toyota, two officers went around to the left, and Officer Lloyd Caster. 43. a 22-year veteran tried to ride to the right by having his horse step up on the curb and onto a strip of grass. 'For whatever reason, the horse lost its balance and struck the rear of the vehicle,' said Officer Robert W. Weinhold Jr., a police spokesman. The spokesman said the horse, which had been with the police department for a year, died at the scene. Officers arrested the fleeing men. The horse's body was taken to a company called Valley Protein in Curtis Bay, which will ship the carcass out of state and process it into poultry feed. Said Neil Gagnon, the general manager 'It's not a real rosy ending for an animal such as this.' Mr. Gagnon said. 'I don't know why the city didn't buy It.' Officer Caster was treated for a shoulder injury at Johns Hopkins Hospital and released 'The horse is your partner,' said Officer Therman Reed, who had a horse die in the line of duty 1990. 'it's like you just lost your best friend.' 'It's kind of hard to explain.' #BPD_History

04 Aug - Fallen Patrolman Henry Schaper

On this day in Baltimore Police History 4 Aug 1877, we lost our Brother Patrolman Henry Schaper in the line of duty based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/world/361-patrolman-henry-schaper #‎BPDNeverForget

04 Aug - Coast Guard Birthday

The United States Coast Guard celebrates its birthday today. The Coast Guard was created on August 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton to construct ten vessels, known as “revenue cutters,” to combat smuggling and enforce tariff laws.

05 Aug - Fallen Officer William F. Doehler

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 5 Aug 1927, we lost our Brother Police Officer William F. Doehler in the line of duty based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/272-officer-william-f-doehler #‎BPDNeverForget

06 Aug - First Unit Citation

A new meritorious service award, conceived and authorized by Commis­sioner Frank J. Battaglia, was issued for the first time by the Commissioner during ceremonies following graduation exercises last week (6 August 1982.) The Narcotics Task Force of the Criminal Investigation Division’s Vice Section was singled out to receive the Department's first 'Unit Citation'. The Unit Citation is intended to commend extraordinary law enforcement performance, attention to duty, or contributions to this agency or to the general welfare of the citizens of Baltimore. Any bureau, division, dis­trict, section, subdivision, unit, or squad of members of the Department is eligible for the Unit Citation. The criteria for this award is the same as the 'Regular Commendation' but issued when a group, or “unit” effort is recognized. The Narcotics Task Force was singled out for its remarkable performance dur­ing the past several months. Moments after taking his Oath of Office on September 1, 1981, Commissioner Battaglia pledged to intensify the Department's effort to combat illegal narcotics activity. As a result, The Narcotics Task Force was created on September 14, 1981. Officers from the Criminal Investigation Division, the nine Police Districts and the Tactical Section, came together in a coordinated effort to im­pact upon illicit drug trafficking in Baltimore. The Task Force has attacked the narcotics problem on three levels. First, the Task Force has increased efforts to seek out and arrest street level dealers. Secondly, detectives have successfully conducted investigations to reach into the centers of the organizations which bring narcotics into the area. Just one of these investigations recently resulted in the elimination of the largest heroin organization in the history of the city. Finally, the Task Force has reached into the community to offer information and assistance to parents who believe that narcotics have invaded their households. During the past 10 months the Narcotics Task Force has accounted for more than 1900 drug related arrests resulting in more than 4100 narcotics charges. In addition, they have seized more than 450 firearms and nearly 200 other deadly weapons that could have been turned-on law-abiding citizens. Aggressive enforcement, combined with treatment and prevention pro• grams, has had a positive impact on the drug problem. Commissioner Battaglia has credited the work of the Task Force with helping in the reduction of serious crimes in 1982. The work of the Task Force has also received consider+ able media attention reflecting positively on the Department. Lieutenant Joseph P. Newman, Officer-in-Charge of the Criminal investigation Division Vice Section received the Unit Citation from Commissioner Battaglia. In addition, each member of the Task Force will receive a ribbon from the Police Commissioner to commemorate the event.

The members of the Narcotics Task Force are:

Lieutenant Joseph P. Newman
Sergeant Michael J. Andrew
Sergeant Hezekiah Bunch
Sergeant Gary T, Childs
Sergeant Ralph G. Clements
Sergeant James, H. Comega
Sergeant Gary E. Martin
Sergeant Robert Rabold
Sergeant Joseph Schanken
Sergeant Robert Schmelz
Sergeant Robert P. Sharp
Agent Robert D. DeAngelia
Agent Johnny W. Fisher
Agent Robert K. Jud
Agent Edward C. Koluch
Agent Albert M. Marcus, Sr.
Agent Romon C. Stelmach
Officer Gerald Armiger
Officer Carolyn 5. Butler
Officer Anthony G. Cannavale
Officer Lloyd G. Caster
Officer Michael G. Crutchfield
Officer Christine M. Davis
Officer Harry E. DeLair, Jr.
Officer John D. Evans
Officer Gary J. Fischer
Officer Fred R. Fitch
Officer Mark F. German
Officer Joseph T. Goldberg
Officer David H. Hollingsworth
Officer Arlene K. Jenkins
Officer William Lansey, Jr.
Officer Donald F. Licato
Officer Darryl Massey
Officer Brian May
Officer Rodell W. Meachem
Officer Paul S. Miller
Officer Tony C. Restivo
Officer Walter R. Roberts
Officer Russell N. Shea, Jr.
Officer Charles E. Smith
Officer Robert Smith, Jr.
Officer Daniel G. Steen
Officer Marvin E. Syndor
Officer Ronald J. Townsend
Officer Mark L. Tomlin
Officer Melvin L. Utz
Officer Marcellus Ward
Officer David E. Webb
Officer James J. Welsh
Officer John M. Wheeler
Officer David L. Williams

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/112-unit-citation

06 Aug - Baltimore Bank Riots

6 thru 9 Aug 1835, Baltimore mobs rioted following months of inaction in wake of Bank of Maryland's closure and damaged houses of bank directors and Mayor Jesse Hunt, among others. The Baltimore bank riot of 1835 in the major port city of Maryland was a violent reaction to the failure of the Bank of Maryland in 1834. Thousands of citizens had lost millions of dollars in savings. The riot, which lasted from 6 to 9 August, attacked the homes and property of a number of former directors of the bank, who had been accused of financial misconduct and fraud, as well as the federal district courthouse located on Battle Monument Square. The Baltimore bank riot was one of the most violent and destructive events of civic unrest in any American city prior to the Civil War. Rioters destroyed many of the homes of the city's wealthiest and most prominent citizens, and much valuable property was smashed or burned, but was later restored. The authorities were unable to control the violence and effectively surrendered the city to the mob, which was actively or passively supported by numerous bystanders. The state of Maryland later paid $100,000 in compensation to persons who had lost property in the rioting.

The bank failure that caused this public outburst occurred 17 months prior to the riots. People had lost a lot of money and had been patient. The vandals vandalized the home of US Senator Reverdy Johnson, who had also been a bank director. They came back the next day and really busted up his house. They took books from his law library and made a big bonfire in the middle of Calvert Street. It was not long before rioters had full control of the city (the city was very small then). The politicians had a big meeting. Mayor Jesse Hunt, resigned on the spot. Order was only restored after General Sam Smith, a hero of the War of 1812, took control of the city government and gathered up volunteers who outnumbered the rioters. These riots caused significant damage to the city, leaving many buildings in ruins and instilling fear among its residents. General Sam Smith's swift action and leadership brought a sense of stability back to the city as he implemented strict security measures and ensured that law and order were upheld. The successful capture, prosecution, and imprisonment of the rioters served as a strong deterrent, preventing any further outbreaks of violence for more than 20 years.

07 Aug - Central Records was Initiated

Today in Baltimore Police History 7 Aug 1951 - Central Records was Established. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/434-central-records-bureau #BPDhistory

07 Aug - Purple Heart Day

Today, August 7th, we remember the military’s Purple Heart and honor all those who have received this medal for the sacrifices they made for our country. While we are at it, we should also recognize the men and women in our fire and police departments. These brave individuals put their lives on the line every day to ensure our safety. It is crucial to acknowledge and support the sacrifices made by firefighters, police officers, and other first responders, as they play a vital role in maintaining law, order, and public safety within our communities. While their agencies might not call it a Purple Heart, such as the Baltimore Police Department’s Citation of Valor, all agencies have an award similar to the military’s Purple Heart for injuries incurred in the line of duty.

08 Aug - Baltimore's Birthday 8 August 1729

Today in Baltimore City History 8 Aug 1729, Legislature created Baltimore Town, (Happy Birthday Baltimore) It was the start of a system of preservation for peace of what would later become the start of our police as with the intent to protect people and property, there was a power of arrest for any of the town's offenders. Keeping the peace, with law an order had been a goal of Baltimore residents since the town was formed. To put things into perspective, The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress of the United States of America, on 4 July, 1776, (that was 47, nearly 50 years, after Baltimore Town and its system of policing was established) in 1776 it was announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, regarding ourselves as thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and no longer a part of the British Empire.

An undated facsimile of an original drawing by John Moale.

The above image depicts a very early Baltimore, Maryland, in the year 1752. Baltimore was founded on 8 August, 1729 There are a small number of houses and buildings atop a slight slope, with a larger square building in the background. The large building in the back could have been a representation of St. Paul’s Protestant Episcopal Church. St. Paul’s P.E.C. was Baltimore’s first church of any denomination and was completed in 1739. It was built atop Saratoga Street Hill, which was the highest point in Baltimore Town at that time.

1775 the year before the Declaration of Independence was signed, Baltimore would start what would become 9 years of haphazard policing in this new 'Baltimore Town'. Mistakes were made, but from those mistakes we learned, and in 1784 'Baltimore Town', also known as 'Mob Town,' decided to form the first of its paid 'Watch' (that's right prior to this time, police were not paid, in fact, some were forced to take their turn). Anyway, it was the year 1784, in which the Watchmen could be fired, or otherwise penalized, for any neglect they may have had in their duty. 

The first attempts to form a Night watch had male inhabitant capable of duty sign an agreement, in which they swore to conform to police regulations adopted by the citizens and sanctioned by the Board of Commissioners. In short, the agreed to show up when summoned and to serve as night watchmen for the city. This committee had some of the functions of the 1888 Board of Police Commissioners. (The town was divided into Districts, and in each of these was stationed a company commanded by a Captain of the night watch.

In 1776 the first Captains of Baltimore's police were Captain James Calhoun, he was in charge of the First district; then called the Middle District or what we know of today as the Central District. Captain George Woolsey headed the Second District. Captain Benjamin Griffith, Third District. Captain Barnard Eichelberger, the Fourth District; Captain George Lindenberger, the Fifth District; and Captain William Goodwin, of the Sixth District. At Fell's Point, Captain Isaac Yanbidder, with two assistants, (Lieutenants). Each Captain had under his command a squad of sixteen men, every inhabitant being enrolled, and taking his turn.

The streets were patrolled by Watchmen from 10 pm. until daybreak. As a side note: Baltimore Town and its police department no matter how crudely formed at the time, came 100 years before the 'London Metropolitan Police Department' was founded by Sir Robert Peel in 1829. As a side note, to this side note: Sir Robert Peel aka Bobby Peel is widely believed to be where the nickname of the police helmet 'Bobby Cap' came from, upon founding the London Metropolitan Police Department, officers were quickly called Bobby Cops, or Bobbies, likewise their hats, 'Bobby Caps'

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/396-history-of-baltimore-city #BPDhistory

10 Aug - Marine Unit is Officially Formed

Today in Baltimore Police History 10 Aug 1891 the Marine unit is officially formed. While the department protected the waters from 1860, until the present, it was protected by the Southern, Central and Eastern Districts, using rented rowboats. Southern rented one, Central a second, and Eastern a third and fourth. It wasn't until today 1891 that the department shut down the district's patrols of the harbor and formed our Marine unit. Oddly enough when we were told by State legislation that we had to protect these waters, in 1860, they didn't give us the funds needed for a boat, it would take 31 years when in 1891 we built and launched the Lannan, our first steel boat. This system went on for more than 30 years before we would start our Marine unit which had been running for more than 125 years. Visit this page to learn more https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/76-MARINE-UNIT

10 Aug - Ret. Det Kenny Driscoll was Paralyzed on this day 2001

On this date, 10 August 2001, while working as a detective with the Baltimore Police Department, I fell 40 feet head-first into a ravine. As a result, I was paralyzed. Initially, I was diagnosed with monoplegia, but this was later modified to hemiplegia due to left arm/hand weakness.

In simpler terms, I falled down went boom… ended up with a boo-boo; a fairly significant boo-boo at that. But, if you are going to be hurt, getting hurt while doing something you love might not make it better, but it certainly doesn’t make it worse!  https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/550-driscoll #BPD_History

12 Aug - Retired Officer Mike Cichowicz

14 Aug - Injured - Detective Thomas F. Hogan

Today in Baltimore City Police History 14 Aug 1890 our Brother Detective Thomas F. Hogan was injured in the line of duty. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded #BPD_History

14 Aug - Marshal Carter Appointed on this day in 1914

Today in Baltimore Police History 14 Aug 1914 we got a new Marshal - Robert D Carter was appointed Marshal he would remain the department's Marshal until 1917 when Baltimore Police stopped using Marshals, making Marshal Carter Baltimore's last https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/543-marshal-robert-d-carter-2 #BPD_History

15 Aug - Fallen Officer Milton I. Spell

On this day in Baltimore Police History 15 August 1974, we lost our Brother Police Officer Milton I. Spell in the line of duty based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/239-officer-milton-spell #‎BPDNeverForget

William Bertazon said he was working ED 333 post and Milton was working 332 on the 4x12 shift. He and Officer Spell were talking while working and Federal St. when He [P/O Bertazon] received a 'Holding a shoplifter call at the A&P' on Edison Hwy. he responded to the call and left Milton there. The rest is History, but P/O Bertazon was left to wonder if I had waited just 5 minutes might Milton be alive today. This is something Officer Bertazon should not have to carry; the past is the past no matter how much we sometimes wish we could change it.

17 Aug - Fallen Officer John J. Burns

On this day in Baltimore City Police History, 17 August 1945 - We lost our Brother Police Officer John J. Burns suddenly at the rifle range of the Baltimore Police Department based on the following. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/28-detective-john-j-burns #‎BPDNeverForget

17 Aug - Fallen Lieutenant Richard Chanowith

On this day in Baltimore Police History 17 Aug 1870, we lost our Brother Lieutenant Richard Chanowith in the line of duty based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/359-lieutenant-richard-chanowith #‎BPDNeverForget

18 Aug - Fallen Patrolman John Christopher

On this day in Baltimore Police History 18 August 1872, we lost our brother, Patrolman John Christopher. To gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/341-patrolman-john-christopher #‎BPDNeverForget

19 Aug - Fallen Officer William D. Albers

On this day in Baltimore Police History 19 Aug 1979, we lost our Brother Police Officer William D. Albers to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/42-officer-william-d-albers #‎BPDNeverForget

21 Aug - Shotguns Put in Patrol Cars for First Time on This Day in 1937

1937- 21 Aug 1937 - Shotguns were first put in radio patrol cars in 1937 the shotgun used at the time was the Winchester 1897. They only had 47 radio cars city wide at the time, training for the shotgun was done at Saunders Range in Glen Burnie. If officers couldn't qualify, they would be sent back to foot patrol and someone else would be given a chance. Training for this began on 21 Aug 1937  

http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/The_Evening_Sun_Sat__Aug_14__1937_Mod-97_pg-1.jpg
http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/The_Evening_Sun_Sat__Aug_14__1937_Mod-97_pg-2.jpg

http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/The_Evening_Sun_Fri__Sep_10__1937_range.jpg

21 Aug - Entire Department Forced to Re-Take Oath

Today Baltimore Police History 21 Aug 1902, the entire department was forced to re-take their oath of office, as prior to this day, they had improperly and illegally been sworn, and had been improperly sworn for 35 years http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/The_Baltimore_Sun_Thu_Aug_21_1902.jpg #BPD_History

21 Aug - Fallen Officer John C Williams

On this day in Baltimore police history 21 Aug 1967, we lost our brother police Officer John C Williams in the line of duty. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/18-officer-john-c-williams #‎BPDNeverForget

22 Aug - Fallen Officer Crystal Deneen Sheffield

On this day in Baltimore police history 22 Aug 2002, we lost our Sister Police Officer Crystal Deneen Sheffield in the line of duty. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/244-crystal-d-sheffield #‎BPDNeverForget

23 Aug - BPD - Gun Buyback

1974 - Baltimore ran this country's first Gun Buyback program (then called a “Gun Bounty”) was held on this day 23 August 1974. The idea came to Police Commissioner Pomerleau as he stood graveside to Officer Milton Spell who was shot and killed in the line of duty on 15 August 1974. PC Pomerleau offered $30 for surrendered guns. The surprisingly huge response, more like a metallic flood, to the Commissioner's offer for guns was an indication of how many weapons were and still are at large in the community, each with its crime and possible death potential. Budget considerations rather quickly have required the Police Department to eliminate rifles and shotguns from its bounty program and to limit its offer to city residents. The program would last nearly a month - The city Gun Bounty program (as it was known) was being declared a success by police spokesmen, but criminologists challenge that appraisal because the program has not been in effect long enough to produce solid evidence, and they insisted that only strong federal gun control measures can significantly limit the availability of firearms. There have been a number of gun bounty, buyback programs since, some sponsored by the Baltimore Housing Authority, The Police Department, Area Churches, and the Occasionally Private Individual/Politician. A buyback in West Baltimore once recovered 750 guns in one day, and another in June of 2005 recovered hundreds more along with several high-powered assault weapons.' If only the city would have been more proactive instead of reactive, we might not have had as many police funerals to attend.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/ #BPD_History

For two months in 1974, the Baltimore City Police Department ran what is believed to have been the first gun buyback program in the U.S. Police commissioner Donald Pomerleau, not known as an advocate for strict gun control, reportedly came up with the idea while at a funeral for an officer who was shot in the line of duty. Operation PASS (People Against Senseless Shootings) paid a $50 'bounty' for surrendered guns and $100 for tips leading to the confiscation of illegal guns. Some bounty seekers attempted to game the system by buying cheap, new guns that retailed for $21.95 and then trying to turn them in. In all, the police collected 13,500 firearms - mostly handguns - at a cost of over $660,000. However, the city's already high gun homicide and assault rates actually increased during the program, for which police officials offered no explanation.

24 Aug - Fallen - Honorary Police Officer Simon Fried

On this day in BPD History 24 Aug 1946 our Brother Honorary Police Officer Simon Fried, a tailor from the 100 block Aisquith street, would be shot and seriously wounded by an assailant that resisted the arrest of Patrolman Edwin J. Humphries shooting officer Humphries in the process. In the incident Fried was shot and paralyzed while saving the life of Officer Humphries. It would take 20 years but on 14 February 1966 Mr Fried would succumb to those injuries. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/262-honorary-policeman-simon-fried #BPD_History

25 Aug - Jesse James Once Lived in Baltimore

25 Aug 1929 The Baltimore Sun ran an article about Jesse James Once Living in Baltimore. He stayed here more than once as did other well-known western characters from American history. Doc Holiday for one was trained as a dentist here in Baltimore at the University of Maryland Dental School. Getting back to the James Boys, it seemed when things got hot, they found their way to Baltimore where Jesse stayed under his alias Thomas Howard. Neighbors said he was a calm easy-going man. Approx. 1879 at the end of what was known as the “Serious Seventies” Baltimore was a quiet town. It had cobbled stone streets for which barouches and other such vehicles of the time bumped and clattered their way over. The population at the time was only made up of 330.000 and city government only collected about $4 million a year in taxes. The mayor at the time was Ferdinand Latrobe who began his career as mayor and continued the position for seven terms. The Northern boundary of the city was North Ave. and its intersection with Madison Ave.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/462-jesse-james #BPD_History

26 Aug - Arrest Made in Weitzel Ice Pick Stabbing - Shot with His Own Pistol

On this day 26 Aug 1932 Baltimore Police make an arrest for the ice pick stabbing, and then shooting of Patrolman Edward Weitzel - After a search of more than nine months the arrest of Hubert Austin, 20, in a house in the 900 block of Brevard Street was made. Austin was booked at Central District Police Station on charges of stabbing then shooting Patrolman Edward Weitzel in a backyard in the 1700 block of Charles St., November 20th, 1931.

Patrolman Weitzel and two plainclothes patrolmen went to the house Austin was staying at yesterday afternoon armed with information that the suspect was there after having been away from the city for some time.

On the day of the attack, Weitzel was patrolling and his post when he noticed that the suspect was in the vicinity of Hargrove Alley and Lanvale Street with a large bundle of clothes under his arm. Austin admitted the clothes had been stolen and offered to take the officer to the place from which he obtained them. When they reached the yard the suspect threw the clothes in the officer’s face and attacked him with an ice pick, stabbing him in the side but the ice pick was prevented from going in too deep by a web of ammo on the officers belt. The suspect gained possession of Weitzel’s pistol and fired a shot through the officer’s hand. He backed out of the gate, firing several more shots one of which stuck the officer in his side. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/79-sgt-edward-thomas-weitzel #BPD_History

29 Aug - Fallen Officer Alonzo B. Bishop

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 29 Aug 1899, we lost our brother Police Officer Alonzo B. Bishop to the departments first ever traffic-related death https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/60-officer-alonzo-b-bishop #‎BPDNeverForget

29 Aug - Fallen Officer Forrest 'Dino' Taylor

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 29 Aug 2012, we lost our brother Officer Forrest 'Dino' Taylor due to a traffic accident. Oddly enough also on this day 1899, we lost a brother; Officer Alonzo Bishop, Officer Bishop was our department’s first traffic-related LOD death; https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/226-officer-forrest-dino-taylor #‎BPDNeverForget

30 Aug - Injured Officer David S. Garayoa

Officer David S. Garayoa - P/O Garayoa of the Southern District, was shot on August 30, 1979 https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

30 Aug - Shannon Driscoll-McNey's Birthday

Shannon Driscoll-McNey's Birthday

30 Aug - Our Anniversary

Patty and my anniversary since 1984

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September

05 Sep - Police Docket Books

Today in Baltimore Police History 5 Sept 1951 the department ended its 110-Year-Old practice of using police docket books. This system had been in place since well before the Civil War where vital statistics of Baltimore's lawbreakers were recorded using longhand within the pages of these old books https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/434-central-records-bureau #BPD_History

05 Sep - Fallen - Serge Michael McSweeny

On this day in Baltimore Police History 5 Sept 1934 we lost our Brother Police Serge Michael McSweeny to an on the job illness To learn more please visit the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/368-serge-michael-mcsweeny #‎BPDNeverForget

07 Sep - Sean Mayo, passed away

Sean Mayo, that he passed away on 7 Sept 2022

08 Sep - BPD Announced its plans to Organize an Internal Investigative Squad

On this day in BPD history 8 September 1965 Baltimore Police department announced its plans to Organize an Internal Investigative Squad; Recommendations of Police Chief Unanimously Adopted A comprehensive new system to ensure full and accurate reports on crime will be instituted in the Baltimore Police Department. Furthermore, the department will soon have an Internal Investigative Squad whose full-time duties will be to look into charges of misconduct or dereliction of duty on the part of the Police Department Personnel. These two changes in the department were recommended yesterday by the survey team from the International Association of Chiefs of Police which has been studying the local department since the spring. For more information click here - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/62-internal-investigation-division #BPD-History

09 Sep - Officer James Tolson

On this day, 9 September 2019, in Baltimore history, we take a moment to remember and to pray for our fallen brother, Officer James Tolson, who tragically took his own life on this day in 2019.

Let us take a moment to honor Officer Tolson's memory and reflect on the challenges our officers face daily. It's imperative that we continue to support and care for our police family. The alarming frequency of these tragic events underscores the urgent need for greater mental health resources and support systems within our law enforcement community.

09 Sep - Officer Alphonso Wright - Injured

Officer Alphonso Wright - Traffic Officer Hurt September 9th, 1970, Officer Alphonso Wright on September 9th, 1970, Officer Alphonso Wright, assigned to the Traffic Enforcement Section, suffered extensive injuries while assisting a stalled motorist. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

10 Sep - Fallen Police Officer John B. Bealefeld

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 10 Sep 1945 we lost our Brother Police Officer John B. Bealefeld based on the following. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/54-officer-john-b-bealefeld #‎BPDNeverForget

11 Sep - Fallen Police Officer Walter Patrick Matthys

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 11 Sep 1964, we lost our Brother Police Officer Walter Patrick Matthys based on the following. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/39-officer-walter-p-matthys #‎BPDNeverForget

11 Sep - Capt. Charles Gittings took his life

Today in Baltimore Police history 11 Sept 1916 Ret. Capt. Charles W. Gittings took his life after a long illness. Capt. Gittings retired in December of 1911 - See the following for article https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/captain-charles-w-gittings #‎BPDNeverForget

11 Sep - The Attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City

On this day in Baltimore Police History, 11 September 2001,  like all of America we were in shock of the brutal attacks, on the twin Towers in New York, The Pentagon in Washington DC, and the Pennsylvania field where the Passengers stood up to the hi-jackers, giving their lives to prevent and attack, manny believe would have been into the White House. Members of the baltimore Police department traveld to New York City to take part in the rescue and recovery efforts https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/september-11-2001  #BPDNeverForget  #September11

12 Sep - National Policewoman Day

National Policewoman Day is celebrated each year on 12 September every year. The day acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of female police officers who enforce law and order around the country. Today only roughly 10% of the police force in the United States is made up of women. National Policewoman Day hopes to rectify that by encouraging more women to join the service. Campaigns and events are organized to urge more women to take up law enforcement roles. Along with expressing gratitude to these officers, the day also hopes for a future where law enforcement bodies will have stronger female representation.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL POLICE WOMAN DAY

1912 - The first Women Officers hired under the title of Policewomen were Mary S. Harvey, E.O.D. of 19 June, 1912, her hiring was followed by that of Margaret B. Eagleston 22 July, 1912.
1914 - The first female officer shot in the line of duty was Policewoman Elizabeth Faber. She was shot during an undercover purse snatch decoy case on 17 Oct 1914. As she and her partner, Patrolman George W. Popp were attempting to arrest a pickpocket on the Edmondson Avenue Bridge.
1925 - Oddly enough it would still take until 28 March 1925 before the first two of our female members were given lessons in pistol shooting. 11 years after Policewoman Faber was shot and nearly killed, still it took more than a decade to start training our women. Lieut. James O. Downes, explained the use of pistols to the two policewomen. Mrs. Mary J. Bruff and Miss Margaret B. Eagleston both students appeared at the Central police station for the start of their training.
1973 - 8 June 1973 - Gladys Aye became the first woman officer to enter the academy after the designation Policewoman was dropped and both men and women officers went by the single title of 'Police Officer' this also gave female officers the opportunity to be promoted above the rank of Lieutenant. The change from Policeman and Policewoman was in the works for nearly two weeks before it was officially announced on 11 June 1973
1973 - 12 June 1973 - The Civil Service Commission authorized the single classification of 'Police Officer' to replace the dual designation 'Policeman / Patrolman' and 'Policewoman / Patrolwoman'. This reclassification was a continuation of the department's efforts in the area of equal employment opportunity. (Female 'Police Officers' now had the same prerogatives and responsibilities as their male counterparts. Now only one competitive test for promotions is necessary. Thus, a single career ladder was established for all sworn members.) For more information visit our Baltimore Police history site, Women, and the Baltimore Police Department page at the following Link: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/488-women-and-the-baltimore-police-department

12 Sep - General Assembly Arrested by Union Soldiers

12 Sept. 1861, Severn Teackle Wallis of Baltimore, and other members of General Assembly arrested by Union soldiers at Frederick.

12 Sep - The Battle of Baltimore 1814

Today 12 Sept 1814 kicked off The Battle of Baltimore (September 12–15, 1814) was a sea/land battle fought between British invaders and American defenders in the War of 1812. American forces repulsed sea and land invasions off the busy port city of Baltimore, Maryland, and killed the commander of the invading British forces. The British and Americans first met at the Battle of North Point. Though the Americans retreated, the battle was a successful delaying action that inflicted heavy casualties on the British, halted their advance, and consequently allowed the defenders at Baltimore to prepare for an attack properly.

The resistance of Baltimore's Fort McHenry during bombardment by the Royal Navy inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the poem 'Defense of Fort McHenry,' which later became the lyrics for 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' the national anthem of the United States.

Future US President James Buchanan served as a private in the defense of Baltimore.

Until April 1814, Britain was at war against Napoleonic France, which limited British war aims in America. Meanwhile, the British primarily used a defensive strategy and repelled American invasions of the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. However, the Americans gained naval control over Lake Erie in 1813 and seized parts of western Ontario. In the Mississippi Territory, in an area in modern central Alabama General Andrew Jackson destroyed the military strength of the Creek nation at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814.

Although Great Britain was unwilling to draw military forces from the war with France, it still enjoyed a naval superiority on the ocean, and vessels of North America and West Indies Squadron, based at Bermuda, blockaded American ports on the Atlantic throughout the war, strangling the American economy (initially, the north-eastern ports were spared this blockade as public sentiments in New York and New England were against the war). The Royal Navy and Royal Marines also occupied American coastal islands and landed military forces for raids along the coast, especially around the Chesapeake Bay, encouraging enslaved blacks to defect to the Crown and recruiting them into the Corps of Colonial Marines.

Following the defeat of Napoleon in the spring of 1814, the British adopted a more aggressive strategy, intended to compel the United States to negotiate a peace that restored the pre-war status quo. Thousands of seasoned British soldiers were deployed to British North America. Most went to the Canadas to re-enforce the defenders (the British Army, Canadian militias, and their First Nations allies drove the American invaders back into the United States, but without naval control of the Great Lakes they were unable to receive supplies, resulting in the failure to capture Plattsburgh in the Second Battle of Lake Champlain and the withdrawal from US territory), but a brigade under the command of Major General Robert Ross was sent in early July with several naval vessels to join the forces already operating from Bermuda. The combined forces were to be used for diversionary raids along the Atlantic coast, intended to force the Americans to withdraw forces from Canada. Some historians claim that they were under orders not to carry out any extended operations and were restricted to targets on the coast. However, the British had in fact launched three major operations targeting the three largest ports of America at Baltimore, New York City (via Lake Champlain and the Hudson River), and New Orleans from August 1814 to February 1815 despite the Treaty of Ghent negotiations that started in August 1814. Each of these three expeditions had over 10,000 British Army troops, many of them the best soldiers and officers from the Peninsular War, so they were not just minor diversionary raids. Britain had already captured most of modern-day Maine and re-established the Crown colony of New Ireland in September 1814 and this could have been a blueprint of what they had in mind for New York City, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, West Florida, and the whole Louisiana Territory. Britain and their ally Spain voided all treaties and land deals made by Napoleon after his defeat in 1814, especially the Louisiana Purchase. The original British goal was to annex New Ireland permanently as well as other possible territories from the United States, but they failed to take New York City, Baltimore, and New Orleans. As a result they had to return New Ireland/Maine back to the United States after the ratification of the Treaty of Ghent in February 1815.

An ambitious raid was planned as the result of a letter sent to Bermuda on 2 June by Sir George Prévost, Governor General of The Canadas, who called for retaliation in response to the 'wanton destruction of private property along the north shores of Lake Erie' by American forces under Colonel John Campbell in May, the most notable being the Raid on Port Dover. Prévost argued that,

... in consequence of the late disgraceful conduct of the American troops in the wanton destruction of private property on the north shores of Lake Erie, in order that if the war with the United States continues you may, should you judge it advisable, assist in inflicting that measure of retaliation which shall deter the enemy from a repetition of similar outrages.

The letter was considered by Ross and Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane (who had replaced Sir John Borlase Warren earlier that year as the Commander-in-Chief of the North America and West Indies Station of the Royal Navy, headquartered at Admiralty House in Bermuda) in planning how to use their forces. Cochrane's junior, Rear Admiral George Cockburn, had been commanding ships of the squadron in the operations on the Chesapeake Bay since the previous year. On 25 June he wrote to Cochrane stressing that the defenses there were weak, and he felt that several major cities were vulnerable to attack. Cochrane suggested attacking Baltimore, Washington, and Philadelphia. On 17 July, Cockburn recommended Washington as the target, because of the comparative ease of attacking the national capital and 'the greater political effect likely to result'.

On 18 July, Cochrane ordered Cockburn that to 'deter the enemy from a repetition of similar outrages ...' You are hereby required and directed to 'destroy and lay waste such towns and districts as you may find assailable'. Cochrane instructed, 'You will spare merely the lives of the unarmed inhabitants of the United States'.

In August, the vessels in Bermuda sailed from the Royal Naval Dockyard and St. George's to join those already operating along the American Atlantic coast. After defeating a US Navy gunboat flotilla, a military force totaling 4,370 (composed of British Army, Royal Marines, and Royal Navy detachments for shore service) under Ross was landed in Virginia. After beating off an American force of 1,200 on the 23rd, on the 24th they attacked the prepared defenses of the main American force of roughly 6,400 (US Army soldiers, militiamen, US Marines, and US Navy sailors) in the Battle of Bladensburg. Despite the considerable disadvantage in numbers (standard military logic dictates that a three-to-one advantage is needed in carrying out an attack on prepared defenses) and sustaining heavy casualties, the British force routed the American defenders and cleared the path into the capital (President James Madison and the entire government fled the city, and went North, to the town of Brookeville, Maryland).

On 24 August 1814, British troops led by Rear Admiral George Cockburn and Major General Robert Ross entered Washington and captured the city with a force of 4,500 'battle-hardened' men, during the burning of Washington. British troops, commanded by Ross, set fire to a number of public buildings, including the White House and the United States Capitol. Extensive damage to the interiors and the contents of both were subsequently reported. The British forces subsequently returned to the ships.

The British also sent a fleet up the Potomac to cut off Washington's water access and threaten the prosperous ports of Alexandria, just downstream of Washington, and Georgetown, just upstream. The mere appearance of the fleet cowed American defenders into fleeing from Fort Warburton without firing a shot, and undefended Alexandria surrendered. The British spent several days looting hundreds of tons of merchandise from city merchants and then turned their attention north to Baltimore, where they hoped to strike a powerful blow against the demoralized Americans. Baltimore was a busy port and was thought by the British to harbor many of the privateers who were raiding British shipping. The British planned a combined operation, with Ross launching a land attack at North Point, and Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane laying siege to Fort McHenry, which was the point defensive installation in Baltimore Harbor. Baltimore's defenses had been planned in advance and overseen by the state militia commander, Major General Samuel Smith.

13 Sep - Fallen Police Officer Edward Sherman

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 13 Sept 1975, we lost our Brother Police Officer Edward Sherman based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/242-officer-edward-s-sherman #‎BPDNeverForget

14 Sep - Fallen Detective John H. Richards

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 14 Sept 1871, we lost our Brother Detective John H. Richards based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/253-detective-john-h-richards #‎BPDNeverForget

14 Sep - 'The Gaither' placed in Commission

Today in Baltimore Police History 14 Sept 1940 - 'The CHARLES D. GAITHER' was placed in commission with the Baltimore City Police Department's Marine Unit. Named Commissioner Charles D. Gaither – Known as the General was born in 1860, he was 60 years old when he became the first commissioner of the modern system. Prior to Commissioner Gaither, we had a panel of commissioners, where 3 commissioners would be appointed to the seat. In 1920 Gov Richie appointed the general to the position, a position he would hold for 17 years from 1920 until 1937 https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/76-MARINE-UNIT #BPD_History

14 Sep - The Narcotics Task Force was created

15 Sep - Fallen - Patrolman John T. Tuohy

On this day in BPD History 15 Sept 1910, we lost our Brother Patrolman John T. Tuohy to a Heart Attack. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/4-patrolman-john-t-tuohy #BPDNeverForget

16 Sep - Fallen Sergeant Joseph F Smyth

On this day in Baltimore Police History 16 September 1911, we lost our Brother Sergeant Joseph F Smyth in the line of duty to heart failure based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/world/240-sergeant-joseph-f-smyth #‎BPDNeverForget

16 Sep - National Thank the Police Day

National Thank the Police Day

17 Sep - Baltimore's First Recall Light

Today in BPD History 17 Sept 1922, a program that was initiated in 1921 gets off the ground, going from a trial or introductory program to a full-fledged operational program. - A signal light on top of or nearby call boxes were installed, the location was on the southeast corner of Baltimore and Charles Streets. The signal was made up of an electric light bulb, with a washbasin added to shade the lamp and a Marine lens to protect it. The mechanism to operate the light was located in the old Central District Station House on Saratoga near Charles Street. The device consisted of an alarm clock to make the lamp flash. This method of notifying an officer that he was wanted, proved to be very successful. By 1945 there were 269 recall lights in operation throughout the city, of course, they were much more refined by that time compared to the more primitive design of the makeshift lamps in 1921 by 1945 they had gone to a full-fledged market lamp. The 1945 recall system consisted of one commercial sign flasher in each of the then 8 district station houses, which carried 110V to each of the recall light locations on or near the area Call Boxes, and were operated with a steady, or flashing light by the telephone operator in each district.

Note: These 'Recall Lights' were initially handmade by our maintenance crew. Police of the Central District began operating the new police Recall System. At the time, every uniformed man from the inspector to the patrolman was enthusiastic over the results. The first week of the 'Magic Blinkers' had created a demand from other districts to other jurisdictions and then around the country to other departments... the system would eventually be installed in nearly all police department in the United States at a reasonably fast rate. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/506-recall-light-system #BPDHistory

18 Sep - Air Force Birthday

The Air force was officially founded on September 18, 1947, when President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act.

19 Sep - Fallen Officer Robert K Nelson

On this day in Baltimore Police History 19 Sept 1958, we lost our Brother Police Officer Robert K Nelson based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/334-officer-robert-nelson #‎BPDNeverForget

19 Sep - Kimmy's Birthday

Kimmy's Birthday

20 Sep - Fallen Officer Robert Alexander

On this day in Baltimore Police History 20 Sept 1986, we lost our Brother Police Officer Robert Alexander based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/24-officer-robert-alexander #‎BPDNeverForget

21 Sep - Fallen Patrolman Herbert Bitzel

On this day Baltimore City Police History 21 Sept 1915, we lost our Brother Patrolman Herbert Bitzel in the Line of Duty based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/61-patrolman-herbert-bitzel #‎BPDNeverForget

21 Sep - Fallen Officer Ira Neil Weiner

On this day Baltimore City Police History 21 Sept 1992, we lost our Brother Police Officer Ira Neil Weiner to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/14-officer-ira-neil-weiner #BPDNeverForget

21 Sep - Detective Ernell C. Thornton - Injured

Detective Ernell C. Thornton - Off Duty Detective Shot September 1976, Detective Ernell C. Thornton, Property Crimes Section, was shot four times on September 22, 1976, while off-duty in the 1700 block Pressman Street. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

25 Sep - National Daughters Day

National Daughters Day falls on September 25. There are many similar holidays that fall around the same time, with World Daughters Day on September 28 and some other countries choosing to celebrate National Daughters Day on October 1.

Daughters' Day 2022: Daughters' Day, as the name suggests, is dedicated to the daughters in the family. While different countries celebrate it on different days, it is usually observed on the fourth Sunday of the month of September.

Happy Daughter Day to my girls,

Jamie Lynn
Patricia Lynn

Brittany
Lisa

27 Sep - Fallen Officer James Earl Fowler III

On this day in Baltimore police history 27 Sept 2010, we lost our Brother Police Officer James Earl Fowler III to an auto accident based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/283-officer-james-e-fowler-iii #‎BPDNeverForget

27 Sep - Final Roll Call - P/O Donald R. Chase

Today in Baltimore Police History 27 Sep 2019 our Brother Retired Police Officer Donald R. Chase passed away. Don had a line of duty injury that was serious enough for him to have been awarded PSOB Benefits. These injuries came as he was nearly choked to death by a prisoner during transport. The suspect came up from behind him after having slipped his legs through, with his hands now in front of his body and still cuffed, he reached over the back seat, and began choking Officer Chase as he drove. Officer Chase passed out, thinking he had killed him, the suspect let go of the hold he had, giving Don a chance to fight. But before long Don had found his injuries were too serious and in fact caused Don to have a stroke on scene. With this the suspect fled. The stroke was not the least Don's problems, he would also end up with severe brain damage to a point that he often didn't have control of his own thoughts, or words.

This cost him friends and family over the years. But the majority of his brothers and sisters in blue, were by his side, and while it was a tough road for Don, his wife, and sons they understood Don's sacrifices, so while it wasn't always easy, they too stood by his side with their heads held high. Because they knew what we all know. Retired Officer Don Chase is another of today's Police Officers, that made a sacrifice for our city; and while the city won't recognize his sacrifice, We his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police department will. As our brother, he will not be forgotten, his sacrifice nor he will ever be forgotten. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call

27 Sep - Patty's Birthday

Patty's Birthday

27 Sep - Fallen Patrolman William R Myers

On this day in Baltimore Police history 27 Sept 1933, we lost our Brother Patrolman William R Myers to a heart attack. Based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/world/374-patrolman-william-r-myers #‎BPDNeverForget

27 Sep - Fallen Sergeant Charles E. Gross

On this day in Baltimore Police history 27 Sept 1957, we lost our Brother Sergeant Charles E. Gross who took his life due to fear and intimidation. Based on the following  https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/562-sergeant-charles-e-gross  #‎BPDNeverForget

28 Sep - National Sons Day

National Sons Day is celebrated on September 28. It is a day to show appreciation for the boys in our lives, and for the parents of boys to reflect on how we are raising our sons.
The official National Sons Day is on March 4, but it is also celebrated on September 28

Happy Sons Day

Kennith James
James Patrick

Kyle
Josh

29 Sep - Fallen - Officer John R. Phelan

On this day in Baltimore police history 29 Sept 1956, we lost our Police Officer John R. Phelan based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/260-officer-john-r-phelan #‎BPDNeverForget

29 Sep - Fallen Capt. Benjamin Franklin Kenney

On this day in Baltimore Police History 29 Sept 1883 we lost our Brother Capt. Benjamin Franklin Kenney to heart failure. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/309-capt-benjamin-franklin-kenney #‎BPDNeverForget

29 Sep - Feast Day for St Michael the Archangel  

Today 29 September The Baltimore Police Historical Society would like us to pause in honor of the Feast Day for St Michael the Archangel, Patron Saint of Police Officers. Regardless of our beliefs, we ask that he protect all police, and help the world see them as true warriors that are fighting the evils in this country. “Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” 

 

  Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

 

October

01 Oct - Brass Buttons Seized by War efforts

Brass Buttons Seized by War Efforts
1 Oct 1942 - Brass Buttons Taboo, Policemen's Future Dark - The Evening Sun 1 Oct 1942 page 27 and page 44
Officers Face World Grimly as WPB [War Production Board] Order takes Twinkling Coat easterners From New uniform Coats.
The Baltimore Police Department found itself in a hole today - a BUTTONHOLE… The fortunes of war 'shot' the tradition brass buttons right off the uniform of the Bluecoats. Boy are the police glad their pants buttons are black! A button manufacturer in Waterbury, Connecticut, informed uniform makers here that no more brass buttons will be available for police uniforms, and the uniform manufactures notified Commissioner Robert F. Stanton, who in turn notified Senator George R. Radcliffe. Could Wear Overalls Senator Radcliffe tendered his deepest buttons - beg pardon, sympathies - but said there was nothing he could do to help the police department out of its hole. The restriction on the manufacture of brass buttons is a War Production Board order which became effective 4 Sept 1942, he said. The order prohibits the use of brass buttons for anything except overalls or dungarees, which, if you ask the bluecoat on the beat, sounds a little bit like rubbing it in. What! No Pants? The next class of probationary policemen to be graduated from the police school will be the first members of the department to feel the pinch of the button crisis. But the last class, numbering 30, which was graduated yesterday, had a hint of the hard times ahead. They had to graduate without their pants, that is. The graduation took place in the Police Building on the Fallsway. The graduates had coats, caps, white shirts, and black ties, but no pants - uniform pants. Furthermore, they can't go on the street duty until they get pants - uniform pants. Stanton is Perplexed
http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/The_Evening_Sun_Thu_Oct_1_1942.jpg

02 Oct - Non-emergency 311 introduced 

Today in BPD History 2 Oct 1996 We became the first city in the country to introduce and use the non-emergency 311 -. On 1 March 1985, we put 911 into use http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/Sun_Fri_Aug_30_1996_pg_1-2.jpg #BPD_History

02 Oct - Fallen Patrolman Michael J Egan

On this day in Baltimore Police History 2 Oct 1920, we lost our brother Patrolman Michael J Egan, Southwest District to a heart attack brought back-to-back aggressive calls; based on the following. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/world/281-patrolman-michael-j-egan #‎BPDNeverForget

02 Oct - Henry's Birthday

My grandson Henry's Birthday

03 Oct - Patrolman Joseph B. Hoffman - Injured

Today in Baltimore Police History 3 Oct 1967, our Brother Ret. Patrolman Joseph B. Hoffman would become blind in both eyes due to gunfire based on the following:
Blinded Patrolman Wins Full Pension The Sun (1837-1987); Dec 18, 1970; pg. C22
BLINDED PATROLMAN WINS FULL PENSION
A Central District patrolman who was blinded in a 1967 gun battle has won his flight for a 100% disability pension.
The Board of Trustees of the fire and police pension system awarded Ret Officer Joseph B. Hoffman, 43, a $10,044 a year pension for life Wednesday. It was the first full pay disability award made by the trustees under the new ordinance that was passed primarily because of efforts of patrolman Hoffman.

In November, he picketed City Hall, arousing the sympathy of nearly every politician inside. The pension ordinance, which had been languishing for two years, was quickly resurrected, and passed. It went into effect early this month. Patrolman Hoffman – on full paid medical leave since he was blinded – was scheduled to be pensioned off under the old system that would have given him only about $6000 a year the new pension system will allow him to retire at full pay. “My family is really happy. My family is really happy,” patrolman Hoffman repeated over and over again at his Glen Burnie home yesterday. “That’s why I got out and walked and did what I did to have it the old pension system changed.”
Patrolman Hoffman, the father of three children, said he plans to get trained and find a job. He has yet to decide what job to take. He was wounded in the head October 3, 1967, while trying to capture a burglary suspect. The wound forces the removal of both eyes. His plight prompted a visit and a pair of cufflinks from then Gov. Agnew, and a fund drive by the police wife’s association that collected $21,000. The patrolman’s case gained further prominence in February a year ago when the police wives association charged at six Baltimore restaurant refused to serve him because he was accompanied by his seeing-eye dog Ritchie. The restaurants later apologized when informed of the state law permitting service to blind persons with Seeing Eye dogs. Firefighter Edward had tried, a pension fund board member, set a fireman and a policeman Lieut. also, are being considered for a full disability pension. Full disability under the ordinance is described as brain damage or the loss of two arms hands eyes feet legs or any combination of the two.

Blinded in one eye by a police bullet during an early morning fracas which resulted in the death of a burglary suspect, a Central district patrolman was in danger yesterday of losing all of his eyesight. A spokesman for University Hospital said there were no complications in surgery on Patrolman Joseph B. Huffman, 40, but added that 'prospects for his left eye are poor.' He was listed in 'satisfactory condition.' The policeman lost his right eye, which was hit accidentally by either another policemen's I bullet or a ricocheting bullet or from his own pistol. During the fray at Pratt and Paca Street. Charles E. Dorsey, 20 if the 2900 block West North Avenue, the burglary suspect, was shot and killed by police. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

04 Oct - Maddie's birthday

My cousin's granddaughter Maddie's birthday (Bobby's granddaughter)

04 Oct - Fallen Officer Thomas F Steinacker

On this day in Baltimore Police History 4 Oct 1932, we lost our Brother Officer Thomas F. Steinacker to an auto accident based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/235-officer-thomas-f-stienacker #‎BPDNeverForget

05 Oct - History of the Baltimore Police Espantoon

Beating a Watchman: On this day 5 Oct 1837 The Baltimore Sun reported,  two men, named Samuel Farr and George Crist, were brought up a day earlier at the Central Watchhouse before Wm. A Schaffer, Esq. They were arrested by Lieutenant Delcher and watchman Speaks, charged with taking from the latter his Espantoon and rattle, beating him severely, and setting a bulldog on him. They were both fully committed for trial. This was the first time we could find "Espantoon" used in the Sun

History of Espantoon
Theories are as plentiful in the word Espantoon as they are in just about anything police-related, and there are a lot of theories!

Therefore, we won't present anything in this section as fact, just something to think about. Ideas, suggestions, and theories that have come about from newspaper articles and conversations with guys that have used, collected, and studied them for years Some of this will be covered throughout this page, but we will try to mention it and other ideas about the name(s) for Baltimore's baton in this section.

For many years, there have been suggestions that Espantoon was a spelling error for Espontoon. A 'Spontoon,' also known by the variant in the spelling of 'Espontoon', is a half-pike, a type of European polearm that came into being alongside the pike. The spontoon was in wide use by the mid-17th century, and it continued to be used until the mid- to late-19th century. Others say Espantoon could have derived from the Spanish verb 'espan·tar' which is said to mean, 'Frighten, Terrify, or to chase one off?' This theory has often been used; in fact, many Spanish-speaking researchers have suggested that it could be intentional due to ESPANTO's meaning. So, putting the two together, we would have Espanto and spontoon, which equals Espantoon, a pike weapon made to scare or chase off a potential threat. We will find elsewhere on this page how the Espantoon can end a threat just as the racking of a shotgun or the growl of a K9. I am sure anyone that has ever drawn an Espantoon or Baton from a nightstick ring will tell you that the act of taking out the weapon will often stop a threat or potential threat before ever having to be used.

Mispronunciations in looking at the parts of the Espantoon starting with the striking end: for years, everyone who knew the parts called this the 'Barrel-head.' Old-timers not only said it was the barrel head but pointed out how it is convex and looks like a barrel as a reason for it receiving its name. We are including a photo below of our 'Nomenclature Stick.' In the photo, the barrel head is painted 'Blue.' This looks like and is often mistaken for the handle of our baton; however, for us [Baltimore Police], it is the 'Striking' or 'Jabbing' end. We hold it by the shaft [The section painted 'Black' and labeled 'Grip'], which in other agencies would be the striking end. If we were using the baton to jab, we would put our stronghand on the lower end of the shaft and our weak hand just under the 'Ring-Stop.' With this, we could easily thrust the barrel head forward [generally into the stomach] in a jabbing motion, hopefully ending their attack or threat quickly and with little to no injury to ourselves or the adversary.' ]

Oddly enough, other blunt-end weapons, such as the 'Irish Shillelagh' or the 'African Knobkierrie', both have either a naturally formed or man-made blunt-striking end. The defense end on these weapons is called the 'Burl-head.' Which raises the question: could it be that someone years ago heard, or perhaps even said, 'Burl-head' but was misunderstood and believed to have said, 'Barrel-head?' After all, Baltimore has a mix of Southern and Northern accents that can often be misunderstood.

This mispronunciation brings us to another theory, in that perhaps Espantoon isn't a misspelling of Espontoon but a mispronunciation or misunderstanding of 'A spontoon.' Said fast enough, and with the same Baltimore accent that turned Burl-Head into Barrel-Head, could give us Espantoon out of 'A spontoon'.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/what-makes-an-espantoon-an-espantoon

06 Oct - Fallen - Patrolman Thomas Baldwin

1873 - 6 October 1873 - We lost our Brother Patrolman Thomas Baldwin * https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/37-thomas-marshal-baldwin #‎BPDNeverForget

07 Oct - Eight Point Hat Introduced

1886 - In 1886 Under the direction of Jacob Frey and Commissioner Carr, The Police Helmet, (AKA the Bobby Cap) worn in other cities, was made part of the uniform of the Baltimore Police Officer. It was introduced by Commissioner Alford J. Carr. Taking the place of the derby (Bell Cap) formerly worn by Baltimore police. Commissioner Carr specified that the black helmet was to be worn in the winter, and the pearl gray helmet would be worn during summer months. It was also limited to use by Patrolman and Sergeants

1908 - 7 Nov 1908 the Baltimore Police Hat - After 22 years, The Baltimore Police Department stops using the Police Helmet, (Bobby Cap) and goes to a more modern round, or oval top, police hat. From the Baltimore Sun paper - The Baltimore Police Department will go from the police helmet to the more modern cap and officers donned new uniforms, veteran Captains returned to old Districts, caps will supplant helmets, and Espantoons are in use once again.

The helmet at that time was significant in rank, only patrolman and sergeants wore it. The Marshal and his Deputy Marshal, as well as all Captains and Lieutenants, would continue to wear the regular cap of the period. Similar to that worn by the Fire Department, known today as a Bell cap or hat and on this day Nov 7, 1908, after 22 years of the Bobby cap (Helmet), The Baltimore Police Department stops using said Helmet and goes to a more modern round, or oval top, police hat. (The type is still worn in Chicago and other Cities)

1944 - Then on 7 Oct 1944 The Baltimore police switches from the round, or oval top police caps that were worn for nearly 30 years after the 'Bobby Cap' type police helmet, to the current 'Octagonal' or 'Eight point' hat we seen worn today.

1935 and 1941 Two other historic BPD hat changes were made, 1935 Officers in the traffic section were issued a Pith Hat, and in 1941 officers wearing the round hat took to a style called a crushed hat, after McArthur officers removed the steel reinforcement ring from their hats to create a similar look to that of General McArthur https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/404-hat-and-helmet-history

08 Oct - Fallen Officer Richard J. Lear

On this day in Baltimore Police History 8 Oct 1985, we lost our Brother, Officer Richard J. Lear to an auto accident based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/317-officer-richard-j-lear #‎BPDNeverForget

08 Oct - Fallen Patrolman John R Falconer

On this day in Baltimore Police History 8 Oct 1961 we lost our Brother, Patrolman John R Falconer to an auto accident based on the following:

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/365-patrolman-john-r-falconer #‎BPDNeverForget

08 Oct - Know-Nothing Riots

Election day 8 October 1856 was marked with violence in twenty city wards in Baltimore. Democrats incited a riot in the eighth ward, nicknamed 'The Irish Eighth,' when Democrats tried to drive Know-Nothings out of the eighth ward's polls, and a shootout occurred on Monument Street. 3 Democrats were killed.

08 Oct - Officer Charles Mitchell - Injured

Today in BPD history 8 October 1976, our Brother Officer Charles Mitchell was injured in the line of duty based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded #BPD_History

09 Oct - Fallen Officer Leo Bacon

On this day in Baltimore Police History 9 Oct 1936, we lost our brother Police Officer Leo Bacon to a surgery that came about due to a Line of Duty Injury that had occurred sometime earlier based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/48-officer-leo-bacon #‎BPDNeverForget

09 Oct - Fallen Officer John F. Andrews

On this day in Baltimore Police History 9 Oct 1957 we lost our Brother Police Officer John F. Andrews to an auto accident based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/45-officer-john-f-andrews #‎BPDNeverForget

10 Oct - Fallen Officer William Martin

On this day in Baltimore Police History 10 October 1989, we lost our Brother Police Officer William Martin to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/35-officer-william-martin #‎BPDNeverForget

10 Oct - Officer James L. McFillin - Injured

Officer James L. McFillin along with officer Daniel J. Calhoun were shot within 13 hours of each other in separate incidents https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

10 Oct - John Prine's Birthday

Happy Heavenly Birthday, John Prine. We all miss you but will never forget you. Continued Rest in Peace. Your music touched the hearts of millions, and your lyrics will forever resonate with us. Your legacy as a legendary singer-songwriter will live on, inspiring generations to come.

11 Oct - Maryland State Flag was First Flown 

On 11 Oct 1880 during a parade in Baltimore to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the city the Maryland State flag was first flown. It was also flown on 25 Oct, 1888, at the Gettysburg Battlefield for ceremonies dedicating monuments to Maryland regiments of the Army of the Potomac. Of all the State Flags, Maryland's is the only state flag to be directly based on English heraldry

12 Oct - Dennis Driscoll Jr Birthday

Dennis Driscoll Jr Birthday

13 Oct - Navy's Birthday

In 1972, the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, designated October 13, 1775, as the Navy's official birthday, and directed that it be commemorated so as to “enhance [the] appreciation of our Navy heritage” and reinforce “pride and professionalism in the Naval Service.”

14 Oct - Fallen Sergeant Richard P. Harris

Today in Baltimore Police History 14 Oct 1994 we lost our Brother Sergeant Richard P. Harris to an auto accident on his way home from work and involved in an auto accident while making a U-turn on Pulaski Highway based on the following sun paper report https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/293-sgt-richard-p-harris #‎BPDNeverForget

14 Oct - Fallen Officer Kevin McCarthy

On this day in Baltimore Police History 14 October 2000, we lost our brothers, Sergeant John Platt and Officer Kevin McCarthy who were killed when their patrol car as it was broadsided in that Hamilton intersection by a drunk driver. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/323-officer-kevin-mccarthy #‎BPDNeverForget

14 Oct - Fallen Sergeant John Platt

On this day in Baltimore Police History 14 October 2000, we lost our brothers, Sergeant John Platt and Officer Kevin McCarthy who were killed when their patrol car as it was broadsided in that Hamilton intersection by a drunk driver. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/258-sergeant-john-platt #‎BPDNeverForget

14 Oct - Fallen Sergeant William Jourdan

On this day in Baltimore Police History 14 October 1857, we lost our brother Sergeant William Jourdan to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/305-sergeant-william-jourdan #‎BPDNeverForget

15 Oct - Marshal Jacob Frey was appointed

Today in Baltimore Police History 15 Oct 1885 Marshal Jacob Frey was appointed Marshal he remained Baltimore’s Marshal until 12 July 1897 - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/marshal-jacob-frey

15 Oct - Crash Unit is initiated on this day in 1937

1937 - 15 Oct 1937 - The Baltimore Police Crash Unit begins training was done at Northwestern University. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/pages/units-2/traffic-investigation-services

16 Oct - Fallen Officer Thomas J. O'Neill

On this day in Baltimore Police History 16 Oct 1949, we lost our Brother Police Officer Thomas J. O'Neill based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/337-officer-thomas-j-oneill #BPDNeverForget

16 Oct - Fallen - Detective Brian Stevenson

On 16 Oct 2010 we lost brother police Detective Brian Stevenson, off duty, and not a line of duty, but he was our brother, and he was murdered https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/234-detective-brian-stevenson #BPDNeverForget

16 Oct - Madison's Birthday

My granddaughter Madison's Birthday

16 Oct - Douglas Lee Patterson

Douglas Lee Patterson would be in his late 60's if he was still with us, Doug was living in Rapid City, S.D., previously of Livingston, Texas, when he passed away on October 16, 2010. He was born July 8, 1955, in Greenfield, Iowa, the son of Robert B. Patterson and Eleanor D. Hill Patterson. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor's in economics and retired from the Baltimore City Police Department after 20 years of service. Surviving is one sister, Dianne Kwiatkowski, of Warrenton, Va.; and one brother, David Patterson, of Eldersburg, Md.; two nephews and three nieces; and three aunts. Private service and internment to be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Autism Society, P.O. Box 29364, Richmond, Va. 23242-0364. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel and Crematory, 982-2100. God bless you Brother, I wish you knew while you were alive how much you meant to all of us.

16 Oct - Police Call Box

October 16th – Police Call Box Today in Baltimore Police History, October 16, 1885, marks the date the first Police Call Box went into service. It was established by Marshal Jacob Frey.

Police Call Box On Saturday, October 16, 1885, Box 63 was the first one used. It was located at the corner of Franklin and Charles Streets.

History Based on records, Baltimore got its first Call Box in 1885.

Baltimore's first patrol wagon went into service on October 25, 1885, making Baltimore only the second city in the country to use patrol wagons, after Chicago. While in the gymnasium of Central Station reading an illustrated magazine, Marshal Jacob Frey saw facts about police patrol wagons being used in Chicago. He brought the idea before the Board of Commissioners (BOC), who were mildly interested. Frey didn't give up on ideas he believed in; some weeks later, he called the board’s attention to the matter again. They had forgotten about it but promised to look into it. Wagons and the Police Telegraph Box Systems were, in Frey's eyes, the future of policing. After the BOC failed to act, Marshal Frey took matters into his own hands. He sent one of the department members to Chicago to see how the 'New Fanged' patrol wagons worked. An old record states, 'they were charmed.' While there, they also saw Chicago’s new 'Police Telegraph Box' system (now known as the Call Box). The result of Baltimore's trip was that both of these tools were in Baltimore by the fall of 1885. According to Baltimore Sun reports, Chicago was the first to use the Police Telegraph System, and Baltimore became the second department in the country to use the system. Baltimore continued using these boxes from 1885 until 1985, when they established a 1-800 number for police to use to call back into the station when radio use was inappropriate. All boxes were finally removed from service by 1987.

An 1894 advertisement was for the 'Glasgow Style Police Signal Box System,' sold by the National Telephone Company. The first police telephone was installed in Albany, New York, in 1877, one year after Alexander Graham Bell invented the device. Call boxes for use by both police and members of the public were first installed in Washington, D.C., in 1883; Chicago and Detroit installed police call boxes in 1884, and Boston followed suit in 1885. These were direct line telephones placed on a post, which could often be accessed by a key or by breaking a glass panel. In Chicago, the telephones were restricted to police use, but the boxes also contained a dial mechanism that members of the public could use to signal different types of alarms: there were eleven signals, including 'Police Wagon Required,' 'Thieves,' 'Forgers,' 'Murder,' 'Accident,' 'Fire,' and 'Drunkard.'

The first public police telephones in Britain were introduced in Glasgow in 1891. These tall, hexagonal, cast-iron boxes were painted red and had large gas lanterns fixed to the roof, as well as a mechanism that enabled the central police station to light the lanterns as signals for police officers in the vicinity to call the station for instructions.

Rectangular, wooden police boxes were introduced in Sunderland in 1923 and Newcastle in 1925. The Metropolitan Police (Met) introduced police boxes throughout London between 1928 and 1937, and the design that later became the most well-known was created for the Met by Gilbert MacKenzie Trench in 1929. Although some sources assert that the earliest boxes were made of wood, the original MacKenzie Trench blueprints indicate that the material for the shell of the box was 'concrete' with only the door being made of wood (specifically, 'teak'). Officers complained that the concrete boxes were extremely cold. For use by the officers, the interiors of the boxes normally contained a stool, a table, brushes and dusters, a fire extinguisher, and a small electric heater. Like the 19th-century Glaswegian boxes, the London police boxes contained a light at the top of each box, which would flash as a signal to police officers indicating that they should contact the station; the lights were, by this time, electrically powered.

By 1953, there were 685 police boxes on the streets of London. Police boxes played an important role in police work until 1969-1970, when they were phased out following the introduction of personal radios. As the main function of the boxes was superseded by the rise of portable telecommunications devices like the walkie-talkie, very few police boxes remain in Britain today. Some have been converted into High Street coffee bars. These are common in Edinburgh, though the city also has dozens that remain untouched — most in various states of disrepair.

Edinburgh's boxes are relatively large and are of a rectangular plan, with a design by Ebenezer James MacRae, who was inspired by the city's abundance of neoclassical architecture. At their peak, there were 86 scattered around the city. In 2012, Lothian and Borders Police sold a further 22, leaving them owning 20. One police box situated in the Leicestershire village of Newtown Linford is still used by local police today.

The red police box, as seen at the Glasgow Museum of Transport, was slated for scrapping in 1994 when Strathclyde Police decided to remove the remaining Glasgow police boxes. However, owing to the intervention of the Civil Defense & Emergency Service Preservation Trust and the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, some police boxes were retained and remain today as part of Glasgow's architectural heritage. At least four remain—on Great Western Road (at the corner of Byres Road); Buchanan Street (at the corner of Royal Bank Place); Wilson Street (at the intersection of Glassford Street, recently completely restored); and one near the corner of Cathedral Square (at the corner of Castle Street, also recently restored). There was also a red police box preserved in the Glasgow Museum of Transport, but this was returned to the Civil Defense Trust after Glasgow City Council decided it did not fit in with the new Transport Museum. The police boxes in Glasgow on Great Western Road are leased as a coffee and donut kiosk, Cathedral Square is leased as the 'Tartan Tardis,' selling Scottish memorabilia, and Buchanan Street is currently under license to a Glasgow-based ice cream outlet. As of November 2011, restrictions are enforced by the Civil Defense & Emergency Service Preservation Trust to prevent the exterior of the boxes from being modified beyond the trademarked design.

The Civil Defense & Emergency Service Preservation Trust now manages eleven of the UK's last 'Gilbert Mackenzie Trench' Police Signal Boxes on behalf of a private collector. Another blue police box of this style is preserved at the National Tramway Museum, Crich, Derbyshire. One of the Trust's boxes stands outside the Kent Police Museum in Chatham, Kent, and another at Grampian Transport Museum. An original MacKenzie Trench box exists on the grounds of the Metropolitan Police College (Peel Centre) at Hendon. There is no public access, but it can easily be seen from a Northern Line tube train traveling from Colindale to Hendon Central (on the left-hand side).

In the City of London, there are eight non-functioning police 'call posts' still in place, which are Grade II listed buildings. The City of London Police versions were cast iron rectangular posts, as the streets are too narrow for full-sized boxes. One compartment contained the telephone, and another locked compartment held a first aid kit.

Fifty posts were installed in the 'Square Mile' from 1907; they were in use until 1988.

On Thursday, April 18, 1996, a new police box based on the Mackenzie Trench design was unveiled outside the Earl's Court tube station in London, equipped with CCTV cameras and a telephone to contact police. The telephone ceased to function in April 2000 when London's telephone numbers were changed, but the box remained, despite the fact that funding for its upkeep and maintenance had long since been exhausted. In March 2005, the Metropolitan Police resumed funding the refurbishment and maintenance of the box (which is something of a tourist attraction, thanks to the Doctor Who association — see below). Glasgow introduced a new design of police boxes in 2005. The new boxes are not booths but rather computerized kiosks that connect the caller to a police CCTV control room operator. They stand ten feet in height with a chrome finish and act as 24-hour information points, with three screens providing information on crime prevention, police force recruitment, and even tourist information. Manchester also has 'Help Points' similar to those in Glasgow, which contain a siren that is activated by the emergency button being pressed; this also causes CCTV cameras nearby to focus on the Help Point. Liverpool has structures similar to police boxes, known as police 'Help Points', which are essentially an intercom box with a push button mounted below a CCTV camera on a post with a direct line to the police.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/123-call-box

17 Oct - Fallen Officer John J. Dailey

On this day in Baltimore Police History 17 Oct 1895, we lost our Brother Police Officer John J. Dailey to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/268-officer-john-j-dailey #‎BPDNeverForget

17 Oct - First Female Officer Shot in the Line of Duty

Today in Baltimore Police History 17 October 1914, Policewoman Elizabeth Faber was shot down on the west end of the Edmondson Avenue bridge. She nearly died as a result but survived her injuries. After a year of trying to come back she was forced to leave the agency by the BOC. It was an odd time, as we only started hiring women two years earlier in June of 1912, and even after this, we wouldn't train, and issue firearms to our ladies in blue until 28 March 1925.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/423-policewoman-elizabeth-faber #BaltimorePoliceHistory

18 Oct - Officer Earl Carter - Injured

Officer Earl Carter was injured during a presidential visit when he had a motorcycle accident during the procession on 18 Oct 1978. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

20 Oct - 1st Issue Badge Introduced

Today in Baltimore Police History 20 Oct 1851, the first known metallic badge worn by Baltimore Police Officers is issued https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/425-badges #BPD_History

20 Oct - Fallen Officer Thomas Portz Jr

On this day in Baltimore Police History 20 Oct 2010, we lost our Brother Police Officer Thomas Portz Jr to an auto accident based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/256-officer-thomas-portz-jr #‎BPDNeverForget

22 Oct - Agent Eugene J. Cassidy - Injured

Today in Baltimore Police History 22 Oct 1987, our Brother Eugene Cassidy was shot point-blank in the head. He would go on to survive his injuries, but they left him blind in the process. Thank God Gene is still with us, and for the inspiration, he has become to so many.
On a day like today, we can take a minute to thank God for giving Gene more time with us, while we are reminded of the sacrifices that are made every day by our police in this city and around the country.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/420-agent-gene-cassidy #BPD_Injuried
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

24 Oct - Fallen - Sergeant James J. Purcell

On this day in Baltimore Police History 24 Oct 1955, we lost our brother Sergeant James Purcell to gunfire based on the following; https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/36-sergeant-james-purcell #‎BPDNeverForget

25 Oct - First Paddy Wagon

Today in Baltimore Police History 25 Oct 1885 the first patrol wagon went into service (it was established by Marshal Jacob Frey).

1885 - The first Patrol Wagon went into service on October 25, 1885 - and is believed to make Baltimore the second to use patrol wagons in the country, behind Chicago. The story goes; Deputy-Marshal Jacob Frey was reading an illustrated magazine, while in the gymnasium of Central's Station when he saw facts on Patrol Wagons being used in Chicago. He brought the idea before the board of police commissioners; they were mildly interested. Frey didn't give up on ideas that he believed in, so he called the board’s attention to the matter again some weeks later. They had forgotten about it but promised to look into it.

Wagon's and Police Telegraph Box Systems were the future in Frey's eyes, so after the legislation failed to act, the board 'Marshal Frey' took matters into its own hands. He sent one of the members of the 'Board' and 'Marshal Gray' to Chicago to see how the 'New Fangled' patrols wagons worked. They 'Were Charmed' old record states. And while there they saw Chicago’s new police telegraph box system. (Known as the call-box) the result was both facilities were in Baltimore by the fall of 1885. According to Gamewell’s records, Chicago was the first to use the Police Telegraph System, and Baltimore was the second in this country to use this system.

Info on Baltimore's Wagon to include a detailed description of our first wagons, the officers and the horses that operated them

PADDY WAGON https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/421-patrol-wagon-history

Info on Baltimore's Call-box to include the color of the boxes and where the boxes were first located.

CALL-BOX https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/123-call-box #BaltimorePoliceHistory

25 Oct - Thomas J. Niemiera attack

Today in Baltimore police history 25 Oct 2015 our Brother Retired Thomas J. Niemiera was violently attacked while leaving a get together in the 4500 Blk of Pennington Ave. where he and some friends watched a football game on closed-circuit TV - Retired Officer Niemiera, continued to represent our agency when after being assaulted to a point where he was nearly killed, needed months of in-hospital treatment, therapy, and at home treatment, he got himself ready for a second battle, one in which he would have to go to trial against his attackers, and tell, then retell his story, under both States Attorney questioning and cross-examination. The defense attorneys tried to make Officer Niemiera out to be the bad guy, a tactic that went on just long enough to show the judge what kind of defendants, and defense attorneys she was dealing with. The assault took place on this day 25 Oct 2015, at which time a signal 13 was called, but was then called off by 09 Lt Brian Hance, when he learned it was a retired officer.

We reported Lt Hance to then Commissioner Kevin Davis who not only made several visits to the shock trauma to see Officer Niemiera but assured us that he had a talk with Lieutenant Hance about calling off the signal 13 on Officer Niemiera. Davis said, once a Baltimore Police Officer, always a Baltimore Police Officer, and when a signal 13 is called on one of us, it will always be answered.

With nearly 150 metal braces, screws, pins, and rods, Officer Niemiera's face was reconstructed, as we started to say earlier, he went to several trials a faced his attackers, both sister and brother were convicted. For Officer Niemiera's fight both physically and mentally, to get better from this attack, and then standing up to his attackers and seeing to it that they would not be on the streets of Baltimore anytime soon to treat anyone else like this. Officer Niemiera was named one of 2018’s Baltimore Police Historical Society's Officers of the Year.

27 Oct - Mug shots on our Drivers licenses

On this day 27 Oct 1976 Maryland changed the game when it comes to Driver's licenses/Identification cards, or shall we say MVA mug shots for our law-abiding citizens... by putting our pictures on our Drivers licenses.

The Baltimore Sun Wed 27 Oct 1976 - Just think of all that could have been done before we had pictures on our licenses. My dad used to take people's driving tests for them. He said he was young and made a quick buck doing it, also he said most of the people he tested for could drive, they either had little time, or were just bad testers, the only one he really felt bad about was a guy that might have been legally blind. I am not sure how he would have handled Jane's brother John, but to help Jane get her license he most likely would have slapped on a wig and stood his ground till he got her a license. He made a dollar every time he took the test and in the early 50s that was not bad money.

The Baltimore Sun Wed 27 Oct 1976 photo added to license 72

27 Oct - Fallen Officer Timothy Ridenour

On this day in Baltimore Police History 27 Oct 1975, we lost our Brother Police Officer Timothy Ridenour to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/252-officer-timothy-ridenour ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

27 Oct - Fallen Officer Nelson F. Bell

On this day in Baltimore Police History 27 October 1978, we lost our Brother K9 Officer Nelson F. Bell to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/55-officer-nelson-f-bell #‎BPDNeverForget

28 Oct - Officer Gary Lapchak - Injured

Officer Gary Lapchak - Today in Baltimore Police History 28 Oct 1997 Officer Lapchak was responding to a Sig 13 when he slipped on one of Baltimore's infamous marble steps blowing out his knee. But having heard the call for assistance, and knowing an officer was just inside the house and in need of assistance, Officer Lapchak made his way into the house anyway, providing the much-needed assistance. He was already injured, he wanted to make sure someone else would not be! Gary is a big guy 6'3'- 6'4' so sometimes his presence is enough to calm a room, other times, with his size, comes strength, and he has been forced to use it, in either case, Gary's appearance and strength helped prevent further injuries to a brother officer in need. I wish we had more information on this, but we don't all we have 1st hand knowledge as Ken and Gary have been friends since Gary joined the force and Ken was working when this occurred. Further, in 2008/09 Ken nominated Gary for the Purple Heart from the Police Officers Hall of Fame in Florida, it was an older case, and they were reluctant to hear it, but after reading the events, and hearing Ken's strong feelings on the case, they agreed to take it to the board for a vote; Ken said he believes strongly in the value of awards, and that if given where they were not earned it diminishes the value of that award, in the case of Gary Lapchak, if he were awarded this award, it would not diminish the award at all; in fact it would do quite the opposite, an injured officer continuing on, so that he might help a brother officer in his time of need is about as heroic as one can get. After careful consideration, Officer Lapchak was awarded the Police Officer Hall of Fame's Purple Heart, and a lifetime membership to the Hall of Fame, and we felt it would also be fitting for him to have been awarded the department's equivalent of that Purple Heart and award him the Citation of Valor. The Commissioner agreed and on 3 Feb 2014 Approved the Citation of Valor for injuries sustained on 28 Oct 1997.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded #BPD_LineOfDutyInjuresd

28 Oct - First Responder Appreciation Day

Today in Police, Fire EMT - First responder history, 2017 Congress named the 28th of October First Responder's Appreciation day. SO thanks to all of our first responders... Fire, Police EMT

29 Oct - Fallen Officer Carroll Hanley

On this day in Baltimore Police History 29 Oct 1936, we lost our Brother, Police Officer Carroll Hanley in an auto accident based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/291-officer-carroll-hanley #BPDNeverForget

29 Oct -
Heavenly Birthday to Jim Mitchell

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/390-retired-officer-jim-mitchell

30 Oct - Fallen Officer Harold Jerome Carey

On this day in Baltimore Police History 30 Oct 1998 we lost our Brother Police Officer Harold Jerome Carey to an auto accident based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/347-officer-harold-j-carey ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

31 Oct - Fallen Patrolman Charles W. Robb

On this day in Baltimore Police History, 31 Oct 1926, we lost our brother, Patrolman Charles W Robb after taking his own life, based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/world/354-patrolman-charles-w-robb #‎BPDNeverForget

31 Oct - Officers Alric Moore, Garry Dresser, Glenn D. Hauze, and Joseph E. Hlafka, were all Injured

Four Officers Wounded in Gun Fight October 31, 1974, the streets of West Baltimore were almost deserted as Officer Alric K. Moore, of the Western District began trying-up doors on his post in the early morning hours of Thursday, October 31, 1974. While approaching a bar in the 1600 block of West Baltimore Street he noticed that the side door was ajar. Closer examination revealed fresh pry marks and he immediately called for back-up units. When other officers arrived, they discovered that the juke box and other items had been removed. Further investigation revealed a trail of scuff marks, left by the heavy record player, leading down the alley to the rear porch of a house on Fayette Street. With the front of the building covered Officer Gary W. Dresser and Officer Moore approached the closed door that partly blocked by the stolen juke box. As they got onto the porch of the darkened house rapid-fire gun shots rang out from inside striking Officer Moore in the right shoulder and wounding Officer Dresser in the hand as he dove for cover. Back up officer had arrived just as the shots began to ring out, Officer Glenn D. Hauze was hit in the right shoulder by a burst of gunfire as he rushed to their aid. One of the bursts also struck Officer Joseph E. Hlafka wounding him in the jaw, back, shoulder, and both arms. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

31 Oct - Fallen Officer Arthur H. Malinofski

On this day in Baltimore Police History 31 Oct 1935, we lost our brother Police Officer Arthur H. Malinofski to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/321-officer-arthur-h-malinofski #BPDNeverForget

  Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

 

November

01 Nov - Fallen Officer - Chief Engineer Joseph Edward Keene

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1 November 1938, we lost our Brother Chief Engineer Joseph Edward Keene to a work-related illness based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/308-chief-engineer-joseph-edward-keene ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

01 Nov - Fallen P/O Leroy Mitchell

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1 Nov 1925, we lost our Brother Motorcycle Patrolman Leroy Mitchell to an auto accident based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/329-patrolman-leroy-mitchell ‪ #‎BPDNeverForget

02 Nov - Fallen P/O John A. Stapf

On this day in Baltimore Police History 2 November 1934, we lost our Brother Police Officer John A. Stapf to a trolley accident based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/236-police-officer-john-a-stapf ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

03 Nov - Sergeant John F. Baker, Officer Donna Cooper, and Agent John J. McNamera, - Injured Line of Duty

03 Nov 1984 Sergeant John F. Baker, Officer Donna Cooper, and Agent John J. McNamera all injured in the line of duty please look at the wounded officers drop down tag to find their story. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

04 Nov - Fallen Flight Officer Barry W Wood

On this day in Baltimore Police History 4 Nov 1998, we lost our Brother Flight Officer Barry Winston Wood to a flight accident based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/20-flight-officer-barry-winston-wood #‎BPDNeverForget

04 Nov - Slavery ended in Baltimore

Slavery ended in Baltimore, and the rest of the state when Maryland adopted the New State Constitution on this day 4 November in 1864. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/the-secret-history-of-city-slave-trade

05 Nov - Fallen P/O Robert M. Rigdon

On this day in Baltimore Police History 5 Nov 1858, we lost our Brother Police Officer Robert M. Rigdon in an Assassination by Gunfire based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/251-officer-robert-m-rigdon #‎BPDNeverForget

06 Nov - History Changing our Hat Type

1908 - 6 Nov 1908, The Baltimore Police Hat - After 22 years, The Baltimore Police Department stops using the Police Helmet, (Bobby Cap) and goes to a more modern round, or oval top, police hat. From the Baltimore Sun paper - The Baltimore Police Department will go from the police helmet to the more modern cap and officers donned new uniforms, veteran Captains returned to old Districts, caps will supplant helmets, and Espantoons are in use once again.

The helmet at that time was significant in rank, only patrolman and sergeants wore it. The Marshal and his Deputy Marshal, as well as all Captains and Lieutenants, would continue to wear the regular cap of the period. Similar to that worn by the Fire Department, known today as a Bell cap or hat and on this day Nov 6, 1908, after 22 years of the Bobby cap (Helmet), The Baltimore Police Department stops using said Helmet and goes to a more modern round, or oval top, police hat. (The type is still worn in Chicago and other Cities) https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/404-hat-and-helmet-history

07 Nov - Fallen P/O William S. Knight

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 7 Nov 1943, we lost our Brother Police Officer William S. Knight to gunfire based on the following: - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/311-officer-william-s-knight #‎BPDNeverForget

07 Nov - LOD Injured - Officer John Miller

Today in BPD History 7 Nov 1979, our Brother John Miller suffered two gunshot wounds during a confrontation with a mentally disturbed man on the old Central District parking lot across Fayette St from the main post office entrance. After being shot P/O Miller was able to get into his truck and drive towards Headquarters to seek help. At Fayette and Fallsway he spotted a patrol car - it was officers Carl Broeseker and Billy Anderson also of the Central District's Operations unit who were headed towards the station near the end of their 1700-0100 shift.
When Officer Miller stopped next to them and told them what had happened they quickly transferred him from his vehicle to theirs and rushed him to Mercy Hospital.

These officers saved their Brothers life that night, and while they were never formally recognized for what they did! We will always be grateful to them and to all who participated in the man hunt that led to the arrest of the man who shot our Brother Police Officer John Miller and the recovery of Officer Miller 's weapon.

Tough lessons learned by a very young officer! Thanks Again Billy and Carl!! https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

10 Nov - Fallen - Captain Edward J Carey

On this day in Baltimore Police History 10 Nov 1931, we lost our Brother Police Captain Edward J Carey to a line of duty injury based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/366-captain-edward-j-carey #‎BPDNeverForget

10 Nov - Marine Corps Birthday

The United States Marine Corps was established on November 10, 1775, to augment naval forces in the Revolutionary War. Happy Birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps from The Baltimore Police Historic Society.

11 Nov - Fallen - Patrolman William H Healy

1873 - 11 November 1873 - We lost our Brother Patrolman William H Healy *
Death of Policeman Healy - Policeman William H Healy, who was injured, receiving some blows of the fist, it is alleged, by Thomas Dillen, at the time of the arrest of the latter on the 27th of October 1873, on Hampstead Street, for being drunk and disorderly, died yesterday [11 Nov 1873] https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/296-policeman-william-h-healy #‎BPDNeverForget

11 Nov - Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans, who are people who have served in the United States Armed Forces

11 Nov - The Armistice Day Poppy Flower

The Armistice Day Poppy Flower should be worn on the left, symbolizing that you keep those who died close to your heart. It’s also where military medals are worn. Some follow the rule of the buttonhole, men should wear the poppy on the left and women on the right. Also, the leaf should point towards 11 o'clock.
11/11/11 = The 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour

In 1938, Congress established Armistice Day as a legal holiday to honor those who fought in the “war to end all wars.” However, in the wake of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day in 1954 – a holiday to honor veterans of all wars from the past, present, and future.

12 Nov - Final Roll Call - P/O John I. McAndrew

Today in Baltimore Police History 12 November 2014 we lost our brother John I. McAndrew, Sr. 75, of Eldersburg, died Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at Lorien Nursing Center in Columbia of heart failure. Born April 2, 1939, in Spangler, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Wilfred and Viola McAndrew. He was the husband of Rebecca McAndrew, his wife of 50 years. He was a decorated police officer with Baltimore City Police Department, Western District, for 50 years, where he worked for his entire career. He began his career in 1961 when officers worked foot posts and used call boxes to communicate with the district station. He finished his career in 2011 with computers in police vehicles and hand-held smart radios, thus witnessed and participated in the evolution of modern policing history. He was a member of Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #3, Baltimore Retired Police Benevolent Association and The Maryland Police Emerald Society. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call

13 Nov - Fallen P/O John O’Mayer

On this day in Baltimore Police History 13 Nov 1856, we lost our brother, Patrolman John O’Mayer to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/336-nightwatchman-john-omayer #‎BPDNeverForget

14 Nov - LOD Injured - Agent Andrew Leso

Eastern District Agent Shot November 14, 1977, Agent Andrew Leso Shortly before 9:00 p.m., on November 14, 1977, Police Agent Andrew Leso of the Eastern District was patrolling in the 2000 block of Harford Road. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

15 Nov - LOD Injured - Officer Francis Miller

On November 15, 1975, while off-duty Officer Francis Miller when he heard a shot ring out. Without warning one of the two armed assailants shot Officer Miller in the chest. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

15 Nov - Historical Event - Crosswalks

Today in Baltimore Police History 15 Nov 1914 the Baltimore Sun ran a story about what they called, 'the strange new white lines painted in the streets' it went on to say they continued 'at the corners of nearly every intersection.' Until this point, we didn't cross in crosswalks, borrowing from other big cities like Cleveland and Detroit, Baltimore would hopefully have a safer city where people would learn to 'Walk the Straight and Narrow Path' of these fine white lines, and at the direction of one of City Police Department's Traffic Squad. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/83-walk-the-straight-and-narrow-path

16 Nov - Fallen Det Sean Suiter

Fallen Det. Sean Suiter - 16 November 2017 - We lost our Brother Police Detective Sean M. Suiter - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/world/231-detective-sean-suiter #‎BPDNeverForget

16 Nov - Fallen P/O Warren Eckert

On this day in Baltimore Police History 16 Nov 1960, we lost our Brother Police Officer Warren Eckert based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/276-officer-warren-v-eckert #‎BPDNeverForget

16 Nov - Fallen Patrolman - Charles H. Reid

Patrolman Killed Instantly in Crash on this day 16 November 1943
Detective Patrolman Charles H. Read, 30 years old, of the 3800 block of Yolanda Road, was killed instantly early last night [16 Nov 1943] when his automobile left the East Lane on E. 33rd St., near Ednor Road, ran up onto the parkway and into a tree.

Patrolman Charles M. Michael, 28, of the 2700 block of Maryland Avenue, who was the passenger in the car, received a laceration to the scalp and chin as well as a contusion of he left leg. He was admitted to Union Memorial Hospital.
Both patrolmen were off duty and, on their way, home from working their shifts at the department at the time of their accident. Read, who had been a member of the police department for over three years was married but had no children.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/254-detective-charles-h-reid #‎BPDNeverForget

16 Nov - History - Al Scarface Capone

Today in Baltimore Police History 16 November 1939 Al Scarface Capone moves to Baltimore from 16 November 1939 until his escort out of Baltimore on the night of 20 March 1940 Al Scarface Capone was living in a house at 5708 Pamlico Rd,

Capone's ties to Baltimore could have something to do with Baltimore's need to form a Vice squad in 1938. Baltimore formed the unit saying it was to stop prostitution and oddly enough the spread of STD's more specifically Syphilis. The interesting part of the story here is that while in Baltimore Capone was being treated at Union Memorial Hospital by Dr. Joseph E. Moore for Syphilis.

At the start of our Vice unit it was said to have been formed to stop prostitution, but at the time we had had two nightclub/bar bombings in two different parts of town, both believed to have been mob related. In the end, the fight against Organized crime in Baltimore was successful as is evident from Baltimore's absence from the list of 24 American Cities known for Mafia or organized crime during that time period. The page is just being started and will have updates and corrections coming.

For More Information Click https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/428-vice-squad-and-al-scarface-capone #BPD_History

18 Nov - Fallen - P/O Vincent Adolfo

On this day in Baltimore Police History 18 Nov 1985; we lost our brother, Police Officer Vincent J. Adolfo to Gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/41-officer-vincent-j-adolfo #‎BPDNeverForget

19 Nov - Fallen - Det. Sgt. Joseph F Carroll

On this day in Baltimore Police History 19 Nov 1928, we lost our Brother Detective Sergeant Jose F. Carroll to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/344-detective-sergeant-joseph-f-carroll #‎BPDNeverForget

19 Nov - Fallen - P/O Samuel S. Hicks

FBI Special Agent Samuel S. Hicks a former BPD Officer was killed on this day 19 November 2008, while executing a federal arrest warrant. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/299-special-agent-samuel-hicks BPDNeverForget

20 Nov - Fallen - Elmer A. Noon

On this day in Baltimore Police History 20 Nov 1946, we lost our brother Police Officer Elmer A. Noon, to a heart attack based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/263-police-officer-elmer-a-noon #‎BPDNeverForget

22 Nov - Fallen - P/O Franklin Fullum

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1872 - 22 November 1872 We lost our Brother Patrolman Franklin Fullum of the Southern District to a Line of Duty Illness based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/286-patrolman-franklin-fullum #‎BPDNeverForget

22 Nov - Fallen - Patrolman James P Lennon

On this day in Baltimore Police History 22 Nov 1935, we lost our Brother Patrolman James Lennon to a Heart Attack Illness based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/318-patrolman-james-lennon #‎BPDNeverForget

23 Nov - Fallen Det Thomas Newman

On this day in BPD History, 23 Nov 2002 we lost our Brother Detective Thomas G. Newman to gunfire. Please Visit the following Link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/335-detective-thomas-g-newman #BPDNeverForget

25 Nov - Fallen P/O John McGrain

On this day in Baltimore Police History 25 Nov 1912, we lost our Brother Police Officer John McGrain based on the following: To learn more please visit the following link https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/324-patrolman-john-mcgrain #BPDNeverForget

25 Nov - The Maryland Flag was Formally Adopted on November 25, 1904

The Maryland flag was formally adopted on November 25, 1904. Since, Maryland has maintained the same flag. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/marylands-flag-may-be-more-symbolic-than-you-realize

26 Nov - History Fingerprint

Today in Baltimore Police History 26 Nov 1904, Sgt. John A. Casey becomes the first Police Officer in this country to fingerprint a suspect when he fingerprinted man by the name of John Randles, who was being held on the charge of larceny and by the way he became the first US citizen to be fingerprinted under this system. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/121-fingerprint-identification #BPD_History

26 Nov - Jamie's Anniversary

I married my daughter Jamie on this day in November of 2016. Happy anniversary to her and her husband, Josh Jackson. I was ordained to marry Jamie to Josh, and then nearly two years later, I also married my youngest daughter Tricia to her husband Kyle.

The reason we did this was because I broke my back in the line of duty and was paralyzed in my left leg, with left arm and hand weakness. We knew it would be tough on me going to a wedding and not being able to walk my daughters down the aisle or do a traditional father-daughter dance. So, my daughters instead allowed me the honor of becoming ordained and marrying them to their husbands. With this, their weddings would still be special, even without me walking them down the aisle or having a special dance. After all, not many dads can say they married both of their daughters.

27 Nov - Ken Cappelli

Kenny Cappelli's Birthday

27 Nov - Fallen - Patrolman Robert Wright

On this day in Baltimore Police History 27 Nov 1875, we lost our Brother Patrolman Robert Wright in the line of duty based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/world/363-patrolman-robert-wright #‎BPDNeverForget

28 Nov - History Polygraph

Today in Baltimore Police History 28 Nov 1955 - Baltimore begins use of the State's first polygraph, It was approved by Commissioner Hepbron, and first used by Lieutenant Frank W Grunder, based on the following;

From the Baltimore Sun 29 Nov 1955 - Lie Detector Is Unveiled. Installation Of Cities First Such Device Begins Today. 
November 29, 1955

On 28 November 1955, Commissioner James Hepbron unveils the city’s first Lie-Detector (Polygraph Machine). His idea was to use it in the department’s increased program of scientific crime detection. Installation of the instrument went into effect today (29 Nov 1955) under the direct supervision of Lieutenant Frank W Grunder, Grunder returned to the department yesterday (28 Nov 1955) with the machine after a six-week training course in Chicago. A special examination room is under preparation by the Rackets Division to house the “lie box” in the enforcement section’s sixth-floor offices of the police headquarters building.

To Train Assistants Lieutenant Grunder, a former instructor at the police academy is now assigned to the Rackets Division and will train five or six assistants to operate the polygraph. Results of the lie-detector examination, voluntarily given, cannot be admitted in court, but police claim they are a useful adjunct in the interrogation process. 

Commissioner Hepbron, who approved the purchase of the machine, and the training of Lieutenant Grunder is familiar with the development of the lie detector technique and strongly supported its use by the department. “Aids The Innocent” In the past, out-of-state experts have been called in by Maryland police authorities to conduct polygraph tests in such major criminal investigations as the Carolyn Wasilewski and John Adams murder cases. “The Only thing we want to establish with the machine is the truth,” Lieutenant Grunder said, “and this machine aids the innocent as well as weeding out the guilty.”  “A polygraph operates on the theory that when you tell a lie you think the truth,” the lieutenant explained. “The subconscious knowledge of this fact causes physiological changes in the body which can be measured and interpreted by the operator.” he continued. Three measuring devises are attached to the subject to record reactions. One about the chest for breathing; another around the upper arm for blood pressure, and a third around the palm of the hand to note changes in perspiration.

“Subdued Colors” Needed

In conducting the examination, Lt Grunder said, the examiner must gain the subject’s confidence and impart an “impartial” attitude in his role. The person to be examined is also explained the operation of the machine. Questions requiring only yes or no answers are posed by the interrogator. A complete examination includes an unspecified number of tests each containing eight or twelve questions. 

A series of questions, in which the answers are known, such as name, age, address, sex, etc. are asked to establish a truth pattern. Pertinent questions relative to the investigation at hand are interjected to ascertain any change in the recorded patterns. The examining room should be free of distracting influence, the lieutenant recommended. He said, “The colors of the room should be subdued. The furnishing plain and everyday noises evident to a slight degree.” Only the subject and the examiner are together in the room. But most police agencies construct a one-way mirror and connect a microphone to allow other interested parties to view and hear the proceedings. “Key to the effectiveness of the test is an interpretation of the results.” The lieutenant declared. “There can be only three results,” he said, “Indications of Deception, of the truth, or that it is inconclusive.” During the demonstration yesterday (28 Nov 1955) in the commissioner’s office for high-ranking police officials. Police Commissioner Hepbron remarked that many subjects confess to crimes before an actual test is begun.

Only one in the State

“This reflects on the fine reputation accorded the machine by the public.” He commented. He said one police agency reported that ten percent of the total volunteers for examination confessed before the test could be completed. Lieutenant Grunder, who is also a lawyer, and a graduate of the National Police Academy is enthusiastic about the possibilities of the polygraph. “It’s practically foolproof: he exclaimed. “Even if someone attempts to alter the results by moving yawning, we can detect it”, he said. The Lie Detector, the only one in the state, will be made available to other police departments, Lieutenant Grunder said, it is portable, he concluded and weighs approximately 46 pounds. Lieutenant Grunder would be the first police officer to operate a Polygraph in the state of Maryland. Sadly Lieutenant Frank W. Grunder's Son, Sgt Frank W. Grunder Jr was killed in the line of duty on 1 August 1974 while in the process of apprehending a bank robbery suspect It was approved by Commissioner Hepbron, and first used by Lieutenant Frank W Grunder - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/472-polygraph

29 Nov - Retired Officer Oliver T. Murdock Killed

Police Seeking two Men in Retired Officer's Killing
Victim was Among 3 people Fatally Shot in City Friday
November 29, 1998 By Dan Thanh Dang

Baltimore police were searching yesterday for two unknown men in the fatal shooting of a retired city officer, who was killed in an apparent robbery outside his longtime West Baltimore home.

The victim, Oliver T. Murdock, 73, was pronounced dead just before midnight Friday at Maryland Shock Trauma Center, about two hours after he was shot in the 2500 block of Riggs Ave., city homicide detectives said. Apparently unrelated shootings in the city earlier Friday left two men dead and one wounded, police said. Murdock was returning home with his wife, Katherine, 73, about 9: 50 p.m. when they were confronted by two men demanding money. In a brief scuffle, one of the robbers shot Murdock, who managed to fire one round from the .38-caliber handgun he carried, police said. Katherine Murdock was not injured, and the assailants fled in a dark-colored pickup truck, police said.

The gunfire shattered the quiet of the holiday weekend and left neighbors mourning

'I was watching 'A Miracle on 34th Street' on TV and they had just decided Kriss Kringle was real when I heard the shot,' said Erika McAfee, 16, a close friend and neighbor of the Murdocks. 'I ran outside, and he was lying there on the ground. He was still talking so I thought he was going to be OK. 'He was very well-loved and will be missed,' McAfee said. Murdock was born and raised in Baltimore. He moved to Riggs Avenue 46 years ago and quickly made a name for himself. He was described by longtime friends and family as a gregarious and helpful man who volunteered in the community and played the role of grandfather for many neighborhood children. Assigned to the Southern District, Murdock retired after nearly three decades in the Police Department, then worked as a security officer for the National Security Agency for more than 18 years and, later, as a master plumber. He helped neighbors with plumbing problems, drove senior citizens on daily errands, and also had volunteered at the Central Rosemont Recreation Center to create the 'Sugar and Spice Beauty Pageant' for local children in recent years. 'They weren't just your neighbors,' said McAfee's mother, Vada McAfee, 42. 'They became our family members. Pop was always helping people. It's really, really just a great loss.'

Murdock's death left many concerned for their safety in the normally quiet neighborhood, which has many elderly residents.

'This entire block is mostly people who moved here when my father did,' said Dorolie Murdock Sewell, 52, the retired officer's daughter. 'They're left unprotected. My father would be very worried about that. He tried to look after everybody.' The Fraternal Order of Police and Metro Crime Stoppers offered a combined $4,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the assailants. 'This is a man who put in 27 years in the Police Department and survived the streets,' said homicide Detective Homer Pennington, who is leading the investigation. 'And then he becomes a victim of a robbery. It's a shame.'

In two other shootings Friday

Two men were wounded, one fatally, in the 100 block of N. Poppleton St. about 5: 30 p.m. by a man who walked up to them and opened fire. One victim, Franswan Opi, 27, was released after hospital treatment. Police said they did not know the name of the other man, who was pronounced dead at Shock Trauma. Police found Curtis Lamont Haynes, 38, of the 4200 block of Massachusetts Ave. lying wounded about 10: 15 p.m. in the 200 block of McCurley St. in Southwest Baltimore. He had been shot several times and was pronounced dead at Shock Trauma.

http://baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/The_Baltimore_Sun_Sun__Nov_29__1998_.jpg

http://baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/The_Baltimore_Sun_Fri__Jun_20__2003_.jpg

  Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

 

December

01 Dec - Fallen Det. Wiley M. Owens, Jr

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1 Dec 1973, we lost our Brother Detective Wiley M. Owens, Jr in the line of duty to poisoning based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/264-detective-wiley-m-owens-jr ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

03 Dec - History First African American Police Officer

Today in BPD History 3 Dec 1937 Retired Lt. Violet Hill Whyte became the first African American Officer Hired They said 'She worked in an all-white mostly male institution earning the respect of her peers through hard work and compassion https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/518-afr-amer-police #BPD_History

03 Dec - Fallen Det. Marcellus Ward

On this day in Baltimore Police history 3 Dec 1984, we lost our Brother Police Detective Marcellus Ward to gunfire based on the following; https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/10-detective-marcellus-ward ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

07 Dec - Fallen - Patrolman Harry Sullivan

On this day in BPD History 7 Dec 1927, we lost our Brother Patrolman Harry Sullivan, to a work-related illness. For more information click the following link: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/world/230-patrolman-harry-sullivan #‎BPDNeverForget

07 Dec - History - Fingerprint Identification Section was initiated

Fingerprint Identification Section was initiated

Today in Baltimore Police History 7 Dec 1904 - Fingerprint Identification Section was initiated - Baltimore Police Department becomes the first police agency in the country to use the new Fingerprint System of Identification when on 26 November 1904 they Finger-printed, John Randles to be held over on a charge of theft. Fingerprint Identification was brought to Baltimore by Marshal Farnan, who sent Sgt. John Casey to St. Louis to learn the system, and immediately put the technique into place with hopes that it would complement the Bertillon System, however after a short time, it was found to be a faster, more reliable, and economical system to use, that has not only taken the place of the Bertillon System but after more than 100 years has proven to withstand the test of time. The department would go on to use 7 Dec 1904 as their inauguration date for the Finger Print Identification unit

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/121-fingerprint-identification #BPD_History

07 Dec - National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the memories of the 2,403 service members and civilians whose lives were cut short on that tragic December morning. We reflect on the resilience of America’s Armed Forces, who withstood the attack and built the most capable fighting force the world has ever known. In the wake of tragedy, these brave women, and men — the Greatest Generation — answered the call to defend freedom, justice, and democracy across the Pacific, throughout Europe, and around the globe. Today, we carry forward their spirit of unity and their enduring resolve to protect the United States against those who seek to do us harm.

This commemoration is also a solemn reminder that our country is capable of achieving great triumphs coming out of dark moments. From the death and destruction at Pearl Harbor came victory over the forces of fascism. Fierce battles with the Axis powers gave way to diplomatic partnerships with strong allies. And from the darkness of World War II came the light of liberty and the establishment of a rules-based international order. Today and every day, we remember that the great and defining truth about our Nation and our people is that there is nothing beyond our capacity — we do not break, we never give in, and we will never back down.

The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.” Today, let us commemorate the patriots who were wounded and who perished on December 7, 1941, and continue to fulfill our sacred obligation to care for our service members and veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors.

10 Dec - Fallen Officer Martin J Greiner

On this day in Baltimore Police History 10 Dec 1974, we lost our Brother Police Officer Martin J Greiner to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/289-officer-martin-j-greiner ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

10 Dec - Injured - Lieutenant Joseph Heming

10 Dec 1955 Lieutenant Joseph Heming was shot - When shot he held the rank of sergeant but was prompted while in his hospital bed. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

11 Dec - History - K9 Unit Initiated

Today in Baltimore Police History 11 Dec 1956, the Baltimore Police K9 Unit was initiated - Two dogs, Major Von-Gruntz (BKA Major) and Turk were the first to hit the streets and prove their worth
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/75-K-9-UNIT #BPD_History

11 Dec - Fallen - Sgt. Edward M. Sawyer

On this day in Baltimore Police History, 11 December 1956, we lost our Brother, Police Sgt. Edward M. Sawyer to a heart attack based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/world/372-sgt-edward-m-sawyer #‎BPDNeverForget

13 Dec - National Guard Birthday

We recognize December 13th as the birthday of the National Guard. On this date in 1636, the first militia regiments in North America were organized in Massachusetts.

Happy Birthday to our National Guard

 

13 Dec - Fallen Motors Officer Daoud Mingo

On this day in BPD history, December 13, 2023, we lost our brother, Motors Officer Daoud Mingo, who passed as a result of complications due to an accident on October 27, 2015, while participating in a funeral escort for a recently deceased Baltimore City Police Officer. The Baltimore Police Historical Society will always remember Officer Mingo's dedication and sacrifice. His commitment to serving and protecting the community was evident in his willingness to put himself in harm's way to serve our public and our department. The loss of Officer Mingo serves as a solemn reminder of the risks that law enforcement officers face daily in the line of duty.  

On October 27, 2015; Baltimore City Police Motor Officer Daoud Mingo was involved in a departmental accident while participating in a funeral escort for a recently deceased Baltimore City Police Officer. Officer Mingo suffered serious injuries from this accident and remained hospitalized for a long time while healing and going through rehab. 

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/officer-daoud-mingo

 

13 Dec - Historical Events - Agent Eugene Cassidy Awarded MOH and COV

Today in Baltimore Police History 13 December 1988, our Brother Gene Cassidy was awarded the Medal Of Honor and Citation of Valor for the shooting that occurred on 22 Oct 1987 a shooting which took his eyesight, which injured him to a point in which he could have easily just up and quit, retired and done nothing for the rest of his life, instead he stayed on the job, worked the Academy as an instructor, teaching recruits how to become better police.

The Sun Paper published the following article

Citations for a Hero

The Sun (1837-1989); Dec 13, 1988; pg. 1F

Citations for a Hero

Agent Eugene Cassidy. 28, a Baltimore police officer blinded by a bullet fired by a drug suspect on Oct. 22. 1987, was awarded the Police Department’s Medal of Honor and Citation of Merit during a ceremony yesterday (12 Dec 1988) at the Western District Police Station. He was accompanied by his guide dog. Izzy; his wife. Patty; their 6-month-old daughter, Lauren; and his mother, Mary Cassidy.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/420-agent-gene-cassidy https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded #BPD_History

14 Dec - Fallen Officer Robert W. Peregoy

On this day in Baltimore Police History 14 December 2009, we lost our Brother Officer Robert W. Peregoy in the line of duty based on the following
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/world/373-officer-robert-wayne-peregoy #BPDNeverForget

16 Dec - Dad's Birthday

Dad's Birthday

18 Dec - Historical Event - Start of BPD K9 Unit

Today in Baltimore Police History: The Birth of the K9 Unit

On December 18, 1956, a significant milestone was reached in the history of the Baltimore Police Department: the establishment of the K9 Unit. This groundbreaking initiative, sparked by an article in a local newspaper about the use of police dogs in London, marked the beginning of a legacy that would evolve into one of the world's finest K9 training programs.

The seeds of the K9 Unit were sown when two dogs, Turk and Major Gruntz, along with two experienced handlers, were offered to the department. This experimental program, initiated on December 18, 1956, quickly gained momentum. By mid-January 1957, fourteen dogs and fourteen officers had been selected to form the K9 Corps. These dedicated individuals underwent rigorous daily training until March 1, 1957, when they were deployed to patrol high-crime areas on Friday and Saturday nights.

Recognizing the success of this pilot program, Commissioner Hepbron secured funding from the Mayor and City Council, making the K9 Corps a permanent part of the Baltimore City Police Department on April 17, 1957.

A Rich History of Canine Companionship

While the official establishment of the K9 Unit in 1956 is a pivotal moment, the department's history with canine officers extends further back. In 1914, two Airedale Terriers, Luxe and Morpheus, were privately owned but occasionally assisted the police force. These early canine companions paved the way for future generations of K9 officers.

In 1948, the department experienced a tragic loss when a K9 officer named McGee was struck and killed by a car while on duty. This incident underscores the risks and sacrifices made by these brave animals and their handlers.

A Legacy of Excellence

The Baltimore Police Department's K9 Unit has a well-deserved reputation for excellence. The "Baltimore System" of K9 training, which emphasizes a strong bond between handler and dog, has been adopted by law enforcement agencies worldwide.

As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the K9 Unit, we honor the countless dogs and handlers who have served the city with unwavering loyalty and courage. Their dedication has made Baltimore a safer place for all.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/politics-diplomacy/75-K-9-UNIT

19 Dec - Dog Policeman Killed on Duty - Four Footed Volunteer Struck by Car While on His Beat.

Some may be confused, K9 Dog Policeman Killed in the line of Duty, 19 Dec 1948, as we have all been told of our department not having a K9 unit until 11 Dec 1956. Kind of interesting as I have spoken to several old timers, Jim Mitchell one of my favorite, we became close friends pretty fast, and he once said, I know they say the K9 unit started at 1956, and I remember it being a big deal, I even remember one of the first times I heard a dog chasing a guy down and holding him on a wall until his handler caught up to him, the sound of his paws on the street running is a sound I won't forget, but I seem to remember police dogs before that too, I just don't know too much more about them.' Well, through some research the earliest I found our department associated with K9 dogs, was 1914 where we had use of two dogs, the report named one dog, as 'Luxe' short for Luxenberg… and the second dog as 'Morpheus' the two dogs were privately trained and handled. What follows is some of that information

1914 - 'Luxe' and 'Morpheus' Baltimore’s first recorded K9 dogs -

A little-known fact, while not an official unit, Baltimore had two Police Dogs at their call when two Airedale Terriers from London came to enroll as members of the Police Force. Their owners learned two dogs were already here, privately owned, one belonging to Mr. Jere Wheelright, and the other to Dr. Henry Barton Jacobs. “Luxe”, Mr. Wheelright's dog was a superb example of a highly trained equine aristocrat, big, powerful and intelligent to a degree that was truly remarkable. Morpheus, Dr. Henry Barton Jacobs' dog also a superb example of a highly trained K9. It would be 42 years before we would have an official K9 Unit, but off and on from 1914, until 1956 we had, had Police Dogs used in both a private and official capacity. But not until 1956 did we establish an official unit, with an official methodology that would go on to become world known as the best K9 unit in the country, and then in the world.

By December Marshals Carter and House decided they should have their own K9 unit with-in the Baltimore Police Department, as is found in the following news article dated 18 Sep 1914

TO TRY POLICE DOGS

The Sun (1837-1987); Sep 18, 1914; pg. 12

TO TRY POLICE DOGS

Department Here Will Use Belgian Hounds In Suburbs.

THEIR JOB TO CHASE CROOKS

Success In Other Cities Prompts Experiment Here For Detection and Protection, Four Belgian hounds, trained to attack a burglar or murderer or to assist anyone who needs protection, will soon be doing police duty for the Baltimore Police Department in the suburban districts. At a meeting of the Police Board Wednesday, it was decided to give the police dog a tryout in Baltimore and Marshal Carter and Deputy Marshal House were instructed to create a dog squad as an aid to policemen who work extensive posts. As soon as the dogs are bought, they will be placed in the custody of four-night policemen, who will care for them, being amply repaid for the care by the department.

While the board's action is one of an experiment, it is believed that the dog squad will meet with favor and be an important adjunct of the police force.

The policemen who will have the dogs as aids will take them from their homes directly to their posts. Journeying with the policemen the dogs will work until 5 o'clock in the morning. The dogs will be taught to make detours around houses to detect possible marauders.

The record of police dogs in New York, Brooklyn and cities of the West is said to be a surprising one, many notable captures having been made by the animals. According to Marshal Carter and Deputy Marshal House, the Belgian hounds can be trained in criminal detection as well as in protective work. As a constant colleague of the patrolman and as a detective he is considered by police as invaluable.

'When the dogs are in regular police service,' declared Deputy Marshal House,

“They can be put on guard at the door of a house, and no one will be permitted to pass in or out. If one is rash enough to try it, the dog will knock him down and sit on him. He does this by getting between the legs of the would-be fugitive and causing him to lose his balance and fall.'

Marshal Carter said last night that he would arrange immediately to get at least four dogs in the department within the next two weeks. It is expected that a Belgian hound will cost about $100. Marshal Carter was in Milwaukee several years ago and in looking over the police situation he learned of the work that the Belgian police dogs do there.

This is only one of the many new ideas that the Police Board has to better the police system. It is probable that within the next six months the department will Increase the dog squad.

1914-1916 - 'Luxe' and 'Morpheus' Baltimore’s first K9 dogs - A little-known fact, while not an official unit, Baltimore had two Police Dogs at their call when two Airedale Terriers from London came to enroll as members of the Police Force. Their owners learned two dogs were already here, privately owned, one belonging to Mr. Jere Wheelright, and the other to Dr. Henry Barton Jacobs. “Luxe”, Mr. Wheelright's dog was a superb example of a highly trained equine aristocrat, big, powerful and intelligent to a degree that was truly remarkable. It would be 42 years before we would have an 'Official' K9 Unit, but, off and on, since 1914, we had, had Police Dogs used in both a private and official capacity. Still, it wasn't until 1956 that we establish an official unit, with an official methodology that would go on to become world known as the best K9 unit in the country using a system known as the 'Baltimore System'.

Add to this information a dog we used in 1948 - Socolow McGee - 18 Dec 1948, 'McGee' as this dog was better known, was killed in the line of duty, while patrolling the Central District, he was struck by a car, that car rushed him to an emergency Veterinarian Hospital where he was pronounced dead. This based on a Sun Paper Article dated 19 Dec 1948 - But this my friends, is not to say anything less of our current K9 unit, as with most units, in the department there were some start-up attempts, The Marine unit started in 1861 using rowboats out of the three districts that were on the waterfronts, Southern, Central, and Eastern. The Bicycle Unit had first started in 1917, and then again 1972, and finally 1992. Each of these had prior attempts, one two maybe three tries before they got it right, the odd thing, with the K9 Unit, in the 1917 article, they mentioned the dogs going home with their handlers. Something Baltimore became known for, rather than creating the dogs between shifts… a big part of the Baltimore system was in taking the dogs home to make them people friendly.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/75-K-9-UNIT  #BPD_History

18 Dec - Historical Events - Policeman's Dog Killed in Duty

On this Day in Baltimore Police History 18 Dec 1948 - we lost our four-legged brother, K9 dog 'Socolow McGee' who died in the line of duty to a traffic accident; based on Sun Paper reports
1948 - Dog Policeman Killed in Duty - Four Footed Volunteer Struck by Car While on His Beat.
Some may be confused, a K9 dog killed in the line of Duty, 1948, as we have all been told of our department not having a K9 until 11 Dec 1956. Kind of interesting as I have spoken to several old-timers, Jim Mitchell one of my favorite, as we had become close friends pretty fast, and he once said, I know they say the K9 unit started in 1956, and I remember it being a big deal, I even remember one of the first times I heard a dog chasing a guy down and holding him on a wall until his handler caught up to him, the sound of his paws on the street running is a sound I won't forget, but I seem to remember police dogs before that too, I just don't know too much more about them.'
Well, through some research the earliest we found our department associated with K9 dogs, was 1914 where we had the use of two dogs, the report named one dog, as 'Luxe' short for 'Luxenberg…' and the second dog as 'Morpheus' the two dogs were privately trained, owned, and handled.
What follows is some of that information -1914 - 'Luxe' and 'Morpheus' Baltimore’s first recorded K9 dogs -
A little-known fact, while not an official K9 unit, Baltimore had two Police Dogs at their call when two Airedale Terriers from London came to enroll as members of the Police Force. Their owners learned two dogs were already here, privately owned, one belonging to Mr. Jere Wheelwright, and the other to Dr. Henry Barton Jacobs. “Luxe”, Mr. Wheelwright's dog was a superb example of a highly trained equine aristocrat, big, powerful, and intelligent to a degree that was truly remarkable. Morpheus, Dr. Henry Barton Jacobs' dog also a superb example of a highly trained K9. It would be 42 years before we would have an official K9 Unit, but off and on from 1914, until 1956 we had, had Police Dogs used in both a private and official capacity. But not until 1956 did we establish an official unit, with an official methodology that would go on to become world known as the best K9 unit in the country, and then in the world.
By December Marshals Carter and House decided they should have their own K9 unit with-in the Baltimore Police department, as is found in the following news article dated 18 Sep 1914

TO TRY POLICE DOGS
18 Sep, 1914
Department Here Will Use Belgian Hounds In Suburbs.
THEIR JOB TO CHASE CROOKS
Success In Other Cities Prompts Experiment Here For Detection and Protection,
Four Belgian hounds, trained to attack a burglar or murderer or to assist anyone who needs protection, will soon be doing police duty for the Baltimore Police Department in the suburban districts. At a meeting of the Police Board Wednesday it was decided to give the police dog a tryout in Baltimore and Marshal Carter and Deputy Marshal House were instructed to create a dog squad as an aid to policemen who work extensive posts.
As soon as the dogs are bought they will be placed in the custody of four-night policemen, who will care for them, being amply repaid for the care by the department.
While the board's action is one of an experiment it is believed that the dog squad will meet with favor and be an important adjunct of the police force.
The policemen who will have the dogs as aids will take them from their homes directly to their posts. Journeying with the policemen the dogs will work until 5 o'clock in the morning. The dogs will be taught to make detours around houses to detect possible marauders.
The record of police dogs in New York, Brooklyn and cities of the West is said to be a surprising one, many notable captures having been made by the animals. According to Marshal Carter and Deputy Marshal House, the Belgian hounds can be trained in criminal detection as well as in protective work. As a constant colleague of the patrolman and as a detective he is considered by police as invaluable.

'When the dogs are in regular police service,' declared Deputy Marshal House,
“They can be put on guard at the door of a house, and no one would be permitted to pass in or out. If one is rash enough to try it, the dog will knock him down and sit on him. He does this by getting between the legs of the would-be fugitive and causing him to lose his balance and fall.'
Marshal Carter said last night that he would arrange immediately to get at least four dogs in the department within the next two weeks. It is expected that a Belgian bound will cost about $100. Marshal Carter was in Milwaukee several years ago and in looking over the police situation he learned of the work that the Belgian police dogs do there.
This is only one of the many new ideas that the Police Board has to better the police system. It is probable that within the next six months the department will Increase the dog squad.

Over the years the Police department has had many start-up units fail, due to plan or lack of interest, only to come back later and become some of the strongest, longest-lasting most reliable and productive of such units in the country.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/politics-diplomacy/75-K-9-UNIT #BPD_History

20 Dec - Fallen P/O Henry W Sudmeier

On this day in Baltimore Police History 20 Dec 1934, we lost our Brother Patrolman Henry W Sudmeier to accidental gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/232-patrolman-henry-w-sudmeier ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

20 Dec - Murdered Officer Monica Holliday - NW - killed in Adam's home in Pikesville during a domestic.

20 Dec - Murdered Officer Adam Vasquez - NW - killed in Adam's home in Pikesville during a domestic. 

20 Dec - Baltimore Capital 'Continental Congress'

Today in Baltimore history 20 December 1776 - As British troops closed in on Philadelphia at the end of 1776, the Continental Congress decided to abandon the city and flee south to the safer haven of Baltimore. Bypassing the city’s old courthouse, delegates instead convened on December 20, 1776, inside the spacious house and tavern of Henry Fite. The three-story brick building redubbed “Congress Hall,” was among the largest in Baltimore and outside the possible artillery range of the British navy. Warmed by the two fireplaces inside the house’s long chamber, delegates learned of Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River and his surprise victories at Trenton and Princeton. With the British threat to Philadelphia blunted, the Continental Congress reconvened inside Independence Hall on March 4, 1777. Fire destroyed the Henry Fite House in 1904.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/baltimore-the-second-capital-of-the-united-states

20 Dec - Space Force Birthday

“On December 20, 2019, the United States Space Force (USSF) became the sixth branch of the Armed Forces. The Space Force was established within the Department of the Air Force (DAF) with the enactment of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).”

21 Dec - The Passing of Turk

On this day 21 Dec in 2022 at 3:30 pm we lost our best friend Turk. he was a wonderful dog.

22 Dec - Jonathan Betz Birthday

Today is my godson, Jonathan Betz's 100th Birthday Happy birthday Jonathan has a great day, I love ya,

23 Dec - Injured - Officer Durwood Hood

Officer Hood Wounded December 23, 1980, check out his page in the 'Our Wounded' drop down in the top menu. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

23 Dec - Fallen - Officer Keona Holley

On this day in Baltimore Police History 23 Dec 2021, we lost our Sister Police Officer Keona Holley in the line of duty, based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/world/370-officer-keona-holley ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

23 Dec - Retired Officer James “Sam” Walters

Today in BPD history 23 December 2018, Retired Officer James “Sam” Walters passed away. Sam did a lot for officers through donations, and his help with injured and disabled officers. He will be missed, and always remembered as the owner of The Cop Shop. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/465-final-roll-call

24 Dec - Lisa's Birthday

James' Lisa's Birthday

25 Dec - Fallen - Sergeant Paul Meeks

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 25 Dec 1915, we lost our Brother Sergeant Paul Meeks based on the following:
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/component/content/article/349-sergeant-paul-e-meeks #‎BPDNeverForget

25 Dec – Fallen Hero - Sgt Jack L Cooper

On this day in Baltimore Police History, 25 Dec 1964, we lost our Brother Sgt Jack L Cooper to gunfire based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/265-sgt-jack-l-cooper ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

26 Dec - Injured - Officers Thomas R. Cave

Officers Thomas R. Cave and Charles A. Walker were injured in the line of duty visit the injured. Both officers heard the radio dispatcher announce that a man with a gun had been sighted at Gay and Baltimore Streets. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

26 Dec - Injured - Officers Charles A. Walker

Officers Thomas R. Cave and Charles A. Walker were injured in the line of duty visit the injured. Both officers heard the radio dispatcher announce that a man with a gun had been sighted at Gay and Baltimore Streets. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

27 Dec - Injured - Det Marty Disney

Today in Baltimore Police History 27 Dec 1992, one of our brothers was seriously injured in the line of duty. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/joomla/fallen-hero/our-wounded

While assigned to the Homicide unit Detective Marty Disney was working a shift for another Detective who needed off for the holiday, since Det. Disney didn't celebrate... he was more than willing to help a fellow officer by switching days. In 1992/93 we were getting our heads handed to us in Baltimore with the high number of homicides being committed... Det. Disney had handled a Christmas Eve Homicide and was working the case; he was out dropping an informant off and returning to HQ when a drug dealer traveling more than 80 mph up Eutaw St broadsided the car Det. Disney was operating. He was taken to Shock Trauma where against Doctor's advice he checked himself out and returned to work the next day. He wired a pencil to his broken hand in order to type.

They were handling a lot of murders in those years, many of them solo. That lasted for a couple of weeks until he had the first of three shoulder surgeries. His method of operation was to have surgery, come back in 4 - 6 months, work on old cases and new cases for 6 months and have more surgeries. The surgeries did repair the damage, but because they were so pervasive, shoulder, neck, back and hands, they prohibited him from working the street; and Commissioner at the time “Fraizer” had a rotation policy; even though Det. Disney’s 'date' wasn't for 4 years, he wouldn't let him stay in Homicide and told him he had to retire in 1996.

We hope people will realize the sacrifices made by our brothers and sisters realizing our police are injured every day often disabled, and we need to take the time to thank Retired Detective Disney for his service and sacrifice.

28 Dec - Fallen - P/O John T. King, Jr.

On this day 28 Dec 1936, in Baltimore Police History we lost our brother, Officer John T. King, Jr. to an auto accident https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/310-officer-john-t-king-jr #‎BPDNeverForget

30 Dec - Fallen - P/O John W. Arnold

On this day 30 Dec 1948 in Baltimore Police History, we lost our Brother Patrolman John W. Arnold to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/44-patrolman-john-w-arnold ‪#‎BPDNeverForget

30 Dec - Kim's Birthday

Kim's Birthday

31 Dec - Fallen - P/O Thomas J. Barlow

On this date 31 Dec 1937 in Baltimore Police History, we lost our Brother Patrolman Thomas J. Barlow to an automobile accident based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/component/content/article/52-patrolman-thomas-j-barlow #‎BPDNeverForget

 

BLACK - FALLEN 
RED - INJURED
BLUE - POLICE INFO
GREEN - FINAL ROLL CALL
PINK - BIRTHDAY 
ROSE - INFORMATION
ORANGE - PERSONAL INTEREST
TEAL -  HOLIDAYS
BROWN - SUICIDE

 

 

Baltimore Police Historical Society Memorabilia

The following items are items given as gifts for any donation made to help pay for server costs, URL fees, and any other costs incured to keep the site going. Keep in mind we don't push sales, becasue we run this incorporation at cost, no one earns a paycheck, we are all volunteer, so the only funds we need are funds to cover the costs or running the history site, paying for research to investigate baltimore Police department's history. We do the bulk of our research through Sun paper archives, from time to time we will buy a book on our history, Ken likes books written closer to the time of the event ebing research, for example, when we research the baltimore fire we look for book written around the time of the fire, and by actual witnesses, because too often when we found books written many years later the book was written based on theroy of an incident, and not actual knowledge of an event. So without geting to deep into it, not needing much to run the Baltmore Police Historical Soicety INC, outside the website, and a second server for the larger files, we don't need a lot of Funds. ken pays the DotBlock fees out of hsi own pocket that is around $1400  a year, we also cover most of the URL cots, but thanks to donations paid directly to URL costs, and Sun Papaer archive fees much of that is covered from pledges that lead to our sending a patch, or patches, coin(s) and or other item. On this page we have pics of tiems we send out, other tiems can be purchased through redbubble, items that have ken's designs on them. Also, in order to keep costs down, we don't have an official shopping cart, there was a time when it was a simple matter of adding a mod, but now days to run a safe shopping cart, you are better to use a service, they cost money whether or not sales are generated, and they take a percentage off the top. So instead, we do a simple, make a list, add it up and send check money order or cash, otherwise you cna use PayPal, and we do have Venmo

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This 28 June 1952 article not only gives us info as to when the "rocker patch" was first used, giving us our first shoulder patch, it also mentions plans they had for a separate patch to be used on the shirt sleeves. We made a mock-up of what that patch would have looked like and we may have some sets made of the two patches, for collectors and educational purposes. 

This is the orange/gold and black rocker patch proposed for use on left coat/blouse sleeve only. 

Initially when the colors were ordered for a patch circa 1905, they ordered "Or" and "Sable." The patch maker at the time knew "Sable" was "Black," but mistakenly thought, "Or" was an abbreviation for, "Orange," so they used Orange and Black. Later they learned, "Or" was "Gold" or "Goldenrod" and "Sable" is "Black." 

OR ³  (Ôr) n. Heraldry - Or is English Heraldry for Gold or Goldenrod. In the Maryland the best way to describe it, is to look at our state flag, "Or" is the Yellow/Goldenrod color found along side the Black in the two Calvert quarters of our flag.

Gold, represented in heraldic engraving by a white field sprinkled with small dots.[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin aurum.]

This was initially applied to new officer’s uniforms as part of the uniform; veterans however had to pay 30 cents per patch to bring their issued uniforms up to date, their later uniforms came with the patches at no additional costs. 

While the first thoughts were to put these patches on coats and summer blouses only, and having a Blue/White patch made for the shirts. That plan never came to fruition, and shirts didn’t get patches until much later. Though, we were told about this patch long before we found the article, and the officer that talked about them said he once saw a Baltimore City Police rocker patch where the Black portion of the patch was White and the Gold portion was done in Blue. He said he didn't know a thing about it, he was working headquarters security and saw it and a bunch of other Baltimore Police items, that he thought may have been designing, uniform trials, logos etc. We took note of what he said, but until we found this article we didn't know anything about the Blue/White BPD rocker patches that he described as being White where we normally saw Black and Blue where the Gold is expected to be found. Jim said it was a nice looking patch, and he didn't understand why they never used it. We had researched his claims and couldn't find anything, so like we do with many of these kinds of things, we storied it in our memory banks until we found something that could help us understand what he had been telling us. Then we found this article, that introduced the 1952 Shoulder Patch, and during the interview, someone told the reporter about the Blue/White patch and what it would have been used for.  

Proposed white and blue to have been used on left shirt sleeve. When the rocker was devised it was to set us apart from the county police and from special police that used to design uniforms to look like us. Pomerleau put an end to that, he used an old 1907 law that allowed the BPD to approve or deny uniforms of “Special Police,” security guards etc. His first rule was no left sleeve patches, no collar pin rank, or Md insignia, and a 1" red seam down the pant legs etc. He was tired of not just having them try to look like us, but us having to answer for their errors from a public that was mistaking them for us..

This 1 Oct 1952 article not only talks about the "rocker patch" but also tells when why they did away with the "brass wheel and horse" used by traffic police and replaced it with a similar patch done in a cloth material.

 

Baltimore Police Motto large

Baltimore Police Motto Small

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Small

Baltimore Police Retired Large

Baltimore Police Retired Small

Garrett Morgan
Inventor of the Three-Position Traffic Signal

Some things in life are so routine that we scarcely give their origins any thought. The story of the common traffic light is as follows: The son of two emancipated slaves in Cleveland, Ohio, is credited with creating the modern traffic signal. Garrett Morgan invented various innovations that would alter civilization with nothing more than a basic education and a natural curiosity about how things work.

In 1877, Morgan was born in Kentucky. He left home when he was still a teenager and moved to Ohio in search of employment. Before moving to Cleveland, he first worked as a handyman in Cincinnati.

Cleveland had the second-largest garment industry in the nation at this time in American history, at the start of the 20th century. A clothing manufacturer hired Morgan to sweep the floors. He became fascinated by the sewing machines' mechanisms and taught himself how to repair them (they broke quite often). Before starting his own repair business, he was eventually hired as a repairman.

Morgan came up with his first significant idea by chance while working at his store. He was testing a chemical compound that kept sewing machine needles from heating up too much and scorching the fabric. Morgan cleaned his hands before heading to lunch, so the tale goes. The hair on the cloth was completely straight when he came back.

Next, Morgan tested the chemical on a neighbor's dog and then on himself. The same amazing outcomes happen every time. Whatever oils were there were able to relax and disintegrate hair filaments. G.A. Morgan's Hair Refiner was created when Morgan put the chemical in a container. With remarkable success, he distributed it to African American neighborhoods around the nation.

Morgan was free to pursue other opportunities because of his sudden financial security. The idea for a safety hood came to the inventor after he saw firefighters struggle to breathe because of smoke inhalation. The apparatus, which was granted a patent in 1914, was made up of a hood that was worn over the user's head and a long tube that extended all the way to the ground. Since hot air and smoke rise, the person would receive fresh air from the tube on the ground.

Cleveland began excavating a new tunnel beneath Lake Erie in 1916. As construction workers struck a pocket of natural gas, an explosion occurred, trapping them underneath. After learning what had occurred, Morgan and his brother put on the safety hoods and went into the tunnel. Two lives were saved because of them.

Many people believe that Morgan's safety hood served as the forerunner to the gas mask. Morgan obtained a contract with the U.S. Navy following the start of World War I and the use of toxic gas. Throughout the conflict, the hood was a required piece of gear for the American Army.

Because of his achievements, Morgan was able to acquire an automobile, which was unusual at the time (he was reportedly the first African American in Cleveland to have a car). But in the early 1900s, American streets were a mess. Navigating the roadways might be chaotic and dangerous with a mix of cars, carriages, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Morgan once again switched into problem-solving mode after seeing a tragic collision at a Cleveland junction. There were already traffic signals, but they only had two signals. Drivers had an issue in that they were unable to predict when the "go" light would change to the "stop" signal. Drivers were forced to quickly halt or remain at the junction as cars moving in the opposite direction started to move.

Morgan created a T-shaped traffic light with a third "caution" signal to address this problem. Traffic stopped moving in all directions, and intersections cleared when this signal was on. Also, it would permit pedestrians to cross before the flow of automobiles resumed.

(Photo: Western Reserve History Society, courtesy)

Morgan received a patent for a three-position traffic light on November 20, 1923. He had essentially created the yellow light. The original traffic signal prototype that Morgan created is on display at the Smithsonian Institute.

In addition to his technical advancements, Morgan played a significant role in Cleveland's African American community. He was a key figure in the Cleveland NAACP branch and started the Cleveland Call, one of the most significant African American newspapers in the nation.

Garrett Morgan passed away in 1963, the year before the Civil Rights Act was passed.

Detective Sergeant  Roger Nolan
OLD-SCHOOL OFFICER LEAVING QUIETLY

By PETER HERMANN Baltimore Sun

25 Oct, 2009

Roger Nolan promised to share his life story with me and promised to "start at the beginning." He started with 1968, the year he turned 29 and had recently left Baltimore's police academy.

He resisted sharing details about being a Marine (he served in Vietnam), his wife (his closest colleagues had never met her), his son (who joined the city police after him), policing the streets where he grew up, or even his commitment to the Boy Scouts until later when prodded.

Family business remained with the family, and Nolan made a concerted effort to keep police and family affairs apart. He only shared information with those who had a genuine need to know it; outsiders to the small-but-close-knit law enforcement community needed to know very little. Nolan's longtime partner and retired investigator Donald Worden remarked, "He just didn't want to take a chance at getting too close to the outside world." Sgt. Roger Nolan will retire on Monday with a brief ceremony in the commissioner's boardroom at 9:30 a.m. precise, followed by lunch at 11 a.m. fast in the atrium. He sternly corrected me when I dubbed it "a party."

One day before turning 70, he is departing a department he holds in high regard. His departure was scheduled with military-like precision to follow a long-gone rule that compels sergeants to retire by that age. He served on the force for 42 years and never once took a sick day. I enquired as to his plans for the next day. Nolan deadpanned, "Same thing I do every morning." I hope to be awake the next morning. In Baltimore's stale police jargon, Roger Nolan worked as "a murder police" for close to 25 years. He was a homicide detective, a position that called for deference and respect.

"We work for God," reads their motto. He conducted shooting investigations, managed detectives, and founded the cold-case team, which he oversaw beginning in 1995. In response to a call from a victim's mother, he replied, "I spent the last 14 years doing what I could for them. Nolan could come out as stern, bitter, and abrasive to outsiders. But he is sympathetic, helpful, and kind to coworkers, friends, family, and, most importantly, to people grieving the loss of their murdered children. Roger will spend a considerable amount of time on the phone with the children and parents of the deceased, and we receive calls from persons engaged in cases that are still open, but usually ones that are closed, especially around the holidays, according to Maj. Terrence McLarney, the homicide division's chief. "The true Roger appears at that point. You have to see him converse with a bereaved family member as you sit and listen. Don't be misled by his stern appearance." Even though it seemed like there would never be an arrest and that the victims' families would never find the solace they wanted, Nolan claimed he delivered them the unvarnished truth. He refused to discourage them, mislead them, or give them false hope. He kept faded newspaper clippings fastened to his wall to serve as a constant reminder that headlines about killings used to be commonplace.

However, this veteran officer, who up to his final case continued to bring a magnifying glass to crime scenes, also welcomed modern technologies, such as DNA, which changed the investigation of cold cases and helped catch criminals who might otherwise have gotten away with their crimes. Nolan was born in Baltimore and spent his early years in a rowhouse on Pennsylvania Avenue before relocating with his family to an apartment on Arlington Avenue on the west side of the city. He attended city schools and joined the Marines in 1960. He was deployed to Okinawa and Vietnam. He is the son of a longshoreman. In 1964, he left his job as a corporal. When he got back to Baltimore, he saw that his childhood area had been overwhelmed by violence and drug use. He remarked, "It was another world.”

Nolan obtained employment at Sparrows Point, got hitched, and eventually bore three kids. In 1967, he enrolled in the police academy. His work ethic would be determined by his freshman year. Nolan called in ill a few weeks after graduation because he was experiencing hives. Within an hour, two lieutenants and a sergeant were at his home to inform him that taking the day off could result in his termination and to suggest using vacation time in its place. I vowed to God that I would never miss work again. When Nolan was unable to work due to illness, he took his vacation days, he explained. "I think I went too far with it,"

When three Black Panther Party members shot and seriously injured a police officer in 1970 while they were both seated in their patrol car, Nolan was a patrolman. Along Myrtle Avenue, he avoided gunshots while pursuing one of the shooters. One of the shooters asked the judge three months ago for an early release so he could pass away outside of jail. Nolan wasn't offended by the request; he told me, "I can live with it," but it was obvious that the development was challenging to accept. He said, "It's a sad thing today. "So many people are working to undermine the foundation of what has already been put in place.

There are many who feel that no one should ever go to jail and those who think that no one is accountable for anything they did. The lack of gray in Nolan's surroundings made what he went through in 1979 more challenging. A colonel in head of the Stop Squad drug squad was accused of accepting a $15,000 payment in exchange for ignoring a drug dealer. Nolan testified that the colonel didn't show the dealer any favors, and the commander was exonerated. Nolan was thrust into a bitter political conflict for the first time when prosecutors pushed him into betraying his boss. He adamantly declined. It wasn't a pleasant period,

Nolan informed me. "With only $600 in my bank account, I was being forced to say what others wanted me to say. I only expressed what I thought to be accurate." His squad's fast arrest in the 1993 killing of a nun in her convent, which rocked a city in its deadliest year on record, makes him probably best known for his work in homicide, where he was promoted to sergeant in 1983 and transferred to in 1985. Nolan noticed a box of Russell Stover chocolates that appeared to have been lifted up and placed awkwardly on a shelf.

He had the box dusted for prints, and it took a thumbprint off the cellophane wrapping for the defendant to be given a life sentence. Before there was a "CSI," it was a "CSI" moment. Former murder investigator Steve Garvey regarded Nolan as a "casual viewer" of office pranks, but described him as a "fair supervisor" who shared his soldiers' enthusiasm for their work. He pursued anyone who ever mistreated a member of his staff. Even when we were in the wrong, he vehemently defended us." Nolan is proud of the lengthy list of "no comments" that appeared after his name in print and makes no apologies for his temperament or for staying out of the spotlight.

He said, "I don't need to be seen by many people. "I'm serious when I'm at work. Numerous times, being serious has saved my life. I take pride in attempting to produce a good job, and if I succeed, I don't care who finds out. I'm content. That is all I require."

 

 

Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll
Semper Paratus; Semper Fidelis, Ever on the Watch
Ever Ready,  Ever Faithful,  Ever on the Watch
Service with Hope of Honor as Reward-
 

TIMELINE
Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll
Timeline of Career and Achievements 

Ken was sworn into the Baltimore Police Department in June of 1987 after graduating from both the Auxiliary Police Course and the Academy. Early on, his dedication was recognized by both the Baltimore County and City Police Departments. Over the course of his career, Ken earned three Bronze Stars (1990, 1992, 1993), seven Officer of the Year Awards (1991 through 2016), two Citations of Valor, and multiple Commendation Ribbons. He was also honored with three Unit Citations, two Gold Records from the RIAA, and achievements from the Secret Service, the Mayor’s Office, and the Motion Picture Association. He rose to the role of Field Training Officer in 1992 and specialized in interviewing and interrogation, completing LSI’s SCAN training multiple times, including the advanced course. His skill in eliciting confessions led to a remarkable 98% success rate across more than 4,000 interviews and over 2,500 arrests.

He was involved in two line-of-duty shootings (1990 and 1992) and was awarded the Purple Heart and Legend of Merit following a career-ending injury in 2001, which resulted in paralysis. He officially retired in 2003, having received more than 100 commendation letters from citizens and supervisors. That same year, he became a Lifetime Member of the Police Officers Hall of Fame. In 2007, Ken became the first BPD officer to receive Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) for a line-of-duty injury. Beyond his service, Ken continued to honor the department’s legacy—rebuilding the Baltimore Police History website, serving as President of the Baltimore Police Historical Society, overseeing the Police Gallery and Museum, and helping to reopen the Baltimore Police Museum. In 2018, his badge number, 550, was officially retired in his name. Throughout it all, he also found time to become an ordained minister, marrying both his daughters.

Further accomplishments and milestones are detailed in the timeline, photos and articles below.

1987 - 17 Jun 1987 - Sworn into the Baltimore Police Department 
1987 - 20 Jun 1987 - Graduated Baltimore County Auxillary Police Course 
1987 - 11 Dec 1987 - Graduated the Academy (Assigned to Central District Patrol)
1989 - Baltimore County Police Awarded Ken with a Commendation Ribbon  
1989 - The City matched the County Ribbon for Ken's working to help the county while off-duty
1990 - Bronze Star - 1st
1990 - Mason Alley - Line of Duty Shooting (Revolver .38 cal. S&W - Model 64)
1991 - Officer of the Year - 1st
1992 - Became an FTO (Field Training Officer) 
1992 - LSI - SCAN Course First Time
1992 - North Ave - Line of Duty Shooting  (Semi Auto 9mm Glock - Model 17)
1992 - Bronze Star - 2nd
1992 - Citation of Valor - 1st
1992 - Commendation Ribbon - 2nd
1992 - Five-year safe driving
1992 - August 1992 - Central District Officer of the Month 
1992 - Injured - Broken/Separated Right Shoulder/Clavicle
1993 - Officer of the Year Award - 2nd
1993 - Bronze Star - 3rd
1994 - SCAN technique used for the 1st time (It was used to clear a carjack suspect)
1994 - Transferred from Patrol to Major Crimes Investigative Unit
1994 - LSI - SCAN Course Second Time
1995 - Mayor's Citation
1995 - Unit Citation (Critical Incident Team) 1st
1995 - Motion Picture Association - Certificate of Achievement
1996 - Officer of the Year Award - 3rd
1996 - Unit Citation (Central MCU-DDU) 2nd
1996 - LSI - SCAN Advanced Course 
1996 - Officer of the Year Award - 4th
1996 - Gold Record - RIAA - 1st
1997 - Ten-year safe driving
1998 - Officer of the Year Award - 5th
1998 - Officer of the Year Award - 6th
1999 - Secret Service - Certificate of Achievement
2000 - Gold Record - RIAA-  2nd 
2000 - Unit Citation (Central MCU-DDU) 3rd
2000 - Commissioners Special Commendation
2001 - Injured - Fractured vertebra, and Femoral neck, leading to paralysis 
2001 - Citation of Valor - 2nd
2002 - Fifteen Year Safe Driving
2003 - Purple Heart / Legend of Merit - Police Officers Hall of Fame
2003 - Lifetime Member of the Police Officer's Hall of Fame 
2003 - 29 May 2003 - Retired Line of Duty - Due to Line of Duty Injury / Paralysis
2003 - More than 100 letters of commendation from citizens and supervisors between 1987 to 2003
2003 - During his nearly 16 years of dedicated service, he was instrumental in over 2500 arrests and conducted more than 4000 interviews and interrogations. His exceptional style of eliciting confessions was evident in his 98% success rate. Ken had a unique approach that encouraged people to confide in him and share their stories.
2007 - Awarded PSOB Benefits for 2001 Injuries first BPD Officer to receive these benefits for a LODI
2012 - Rebuilt the Baltimore Police History Website
2014 - Elected President of Baltimore Police Historical Society 
2015 - Wrote contract and holds lease to the Lobby of the Headquarters (Gallery/Museum)
2016 - 27 April 2016 - Ken became an ordained minister so that he could marry our oldest daughter. In 2017 he also married our youngest.
2016 - Officer of the Year - 7th
2017 - Assisted in the re-opening of the Baltimore Police Museum
2018 - Ken's Detective Badge Number 550, was retired in his Name/Honor
2018 - Governor's Citation
2018 - Distinguished Service Award - Police Officer's Hall of Fame 

Ken believes that any police officer who has had the privilege of patrolling the streets of Baltimore City would have a similar list of accomplishments, provided someone was there to document them. He has requested that the following information be included in any narrative about him: 

Through his research, Ken has discovered that the Baltimore Police Department is celebrated for its remarkable achievements, prompt response to calls for assistance, and steadfast commitment to the oaths of service and protection sworn by all Baltimore police officers.

Ken emphasizes that anyone would appear impressive if they only highlighted their positive achievements. Consequently, he takes pleasure in sharing not only his successes but also the occasional blunders he has made over the years, which I have personally witnessed or heard about.

I have been documenting his extraordinary, and sometimes less than extraordinary, exploits on a personal page. When the time feels right, I plan to compile these stories into a book. This will allow those interested in the work he and his fellow officers have done to share in these experiences. The notes you see here are a part of that collection.

Many of these stories shed light on the transformative impact of a breakthrough introduced to the Baltimore Police Department around 1993 by then Police Officer, Kenny Driscoll. We’ll revisit how he staunchly believed in the potential of linguistic analysis as a tool for law enforcement, despite facing skepticism from his agency and colleagues. The success of one particular case not only validated his ideas but also paved the way for further exploration, which we’ll delve into later in these writings.

As news of this case spread within the department, other officers became intrigued by the possibilities offered by this innovative technique. The ‘linguistic polygraph’, as Ken coined it, provided valuable insights into suspects’ statements and helped uncover hidden motives and inconsistencies in the accounts of victims and witnesses. Its effectiveness was undeniable, leading to a surge in its adoption across various districts, units, jurisdictions, and agencies.

Driscoll couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride for being part of this transformative change in investigative methods. Reflecting on his career, it’s clear that he was grateful for the opportunity to witness such progress and harbored hopes that it would continue to revolutionize law enforcement practices in the years to come.

Ken ascended to the role of a detective and was transferred to the major crimes unit, where he quickly distinguished himself as a skilled investigator in interviews and interrogations. His keen eye for detail and ability to connect seemingly unrelated pieces of evidence earned him the respect of his colleagues and the admiration of his superiors. Ken’s unwavering dedication to justice saw him tirelessly working long hours to solve even the most complex cases.

Ken was so engrossed in his cases that he once woke up from a dream with the answers that helped solve a case. He humorously recounts telling his sergeant that he solved the case in a dream and asked if he could put in an overtime slip; his sergeant responded, “Sure, the same way you solved the case, ‘in your dreams!’”

His reputation grew, and he soon found himself leading high-profile investigative task forces that captured the attention of both the media and the public. Ken’s success was not without its challenges, but his determination never wavered, and he always managed to stay one step ahead.

Throughout his career, Ken witnessed firsthand how technology transformed the field of criminal investigation. From advanced forensic techniques to sophisticated data analysis tools, these innovations, combined with traditional boots-on-the-ground police work, revolutionized the way cases were solved. Ken embraced these advancements wholeheartedly, recognizing their potential to bring justice to more victims and ensure that no criminal could escape a reasonable and justified punishment.

P/O Kenny Driscoll
Rookie Photo
17 June 1987

Detective Kenny Driscoll
Retirement Photo
29 May 2003

1987 - 2003
Hired Picture and Retired Picture Combined

Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll  
Retired my Badge
6 May 2018

Digital BPD Art

 Ken's favorite model BPD car was this 90's Chevy Caprice
Ken says obviously it was not like this, but at times with that V8 engine it felt like it looked like this

 Historical Society First Coin

 Espantoon
History and Collection

Baltimore Police Espantoon History
Click above picture for History

Pics

The Following is the Speech Written and Read by Mike May
Pictured above, is Jamie Jackson, Ken and Zachariah Jackson
our daughter and grandson

The Baltimore Retired Police Benevolence Association

"Semper Paratus; Semper Fidelis - Ever - Ready / Ever - Faithful. 
Ever on the Watch

Service with Hope of Honor as Reward

2015 - The December 2015 BPD news article about Ken concluded by saying he tries to live up to that motto. He doesn't merely try; he does.

After an extraordinary career, ended all too soon by excruciating and debilitating injuries, Ken, along with his wife, Patty, to this day, keeps the faith by maintaining a chronicle of the routine heroism and sacrifice that are part of the lives of all police. He keeps the faith by financially and emotionally supporting those police who have fallen on hard times. He keeps the faith by helping police, injured years before, receive well-deserved recognition for their valor. He keeps the faith through his service to all of us--and through the example, he sets by the way he lives his life. 

Our identification card says "Served with Honor." Ken surely embodies not only that but more as well. He serves with honor too. For that we recognize him.

A superb investigator and interrogator, he spent his own money to learn the SCAN technique, analyzing speech patterns, manners of expression and inconsistencies

Not immediately apparent to ferret out the truth while building a rapport with criminal suspects. He taught it to fellow police. He improved all of them.

During his lifetime and a sterling career, he received no less than 7 officer of the year awards, in addition to 3 Unit Citations, over 100 letters of commendation, 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Commendation Ribbons, a Police Commissioner's Special Service Ribbon, 3 Safe Driving awards (a significant achievement to someone who tried to set a demolition derby like record) and 2 Citations of Valor. He also amassed 2 Gold Records from the Recording Industry Association of America for success in counterfeiting/bootleg/pirate recording investigations, a Special Certificate from the Secret Service, Awards from the Motion Picture Industry, a Mayor's Citation, Governor's Citation, the Purple Heart and the Legion of Merit from the Police Officer's Hall of Fame or which he is a member. And I've probably forgotten some.

Most important, he earned and continues to earn, the undying respect and gratitude, he along with Patty, for what he now does. When his career ended at the beginning of the millennium, his injuries, agonizingly painful, left him with severe physical limitations, without the ability to walk or to fully use his left arm/hand. At the end of the day, his body failed. His Spirit and Loyalty to all of us did not. It got stronger.

When Bill Hackley immigrated to Heaven, Ken took over the Baltimore Police History website. It's become a labor of love. At a time when police endure the most vitriolic and demeaning of attacks, when police face criminal indictments and prison for merely doing their jobs -- Jobs they took a sacred oath to do, Ken Driscoll, sometimes a voice calling out in the wilderness, undaunted and unafraid, every day brings public attention to the courage and compassion that are the hallmark of the law enforcement profession, every day.

Unsatisfied with all that, he went to Facebook. He began "This day in police history." he reverently remembers our dead, those who made the ultimate sacrifice because he memorializes them, and us, for what they were and we are, not, as some would denigrate us, badge wearing hooligans, but as what we really are, heroes, although all of us, especially Ken, would eschew that description.

Ken, along with Patty, is among our most heroic. Despite a broken back and partial paralysis, confined to his wheelchair, he inaugurated the retroactive Citation of Valor program. Not satisfied with that, the website, Facebook and the Museum, he also helps seriously injured law enforcement officers deserving of the benefits file for and obtain PSOB Benefits.

The IACP Police Officer's Oath says, "On My Honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions." Ken Driscoll, throughout his life and continuing career, lives and embodies that oath.

Tonight (15 June 2016) we honor an individual who, merely by being among us, honors all of us. Please rise for a true hero of the Baltimore Police, Detective Kenny Driscoll."

MIKE MAY

 

Artwork Courtesy Cameron Jackson
Our grandson drew this picture of his grandfather, Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll and Turk

12 Aug 1992 BPD Newsletter 
Officer of the Month 

Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll

The Golden Rule -- 
Ken lives by the Golden Rule, a life philosophy that advocates for treating individuals equally and with respect. Essentially, it’s about treating others as you would like to be treated. This principle has guided Ken and me towards leading better lives.

Ken comes from a large family, with two uncles on his mother’s side and, I believe, six or seven on his father’s. Interestingly, all but two or possibly three of his uncles have served jail time, including Ken’s father who spent time at the Maryland Correctional Institution in Hagerstown. Among his relatives who did not serve jail time, two became Baltimore Police officers. This family dynamic taught Ken not to view criminals as lesser than himself.

During family gatherings in his childhood, Ken would interact with both police officers and those who had been to jail. To him, they were all family. He often mentioned that he could see the mannerisms and gestures of his uncles in the people he interacted with during his investigations. This helped him establish a connection and extract necessary information or confessions during his interviews.

People who were arrested often requested to speak with Ken, and even after Ken was injured, they asked for him to conduct their interviews. When informed of Ken’s injury, some asked the officer to call Ken so they could personally wish him a speedy recovery. Others wrote brief notes, which were passed on to Ken.

Over the years, some of the people Ken has detained or questioned have tried to connect with him on Facebook. Understanding why that wouldn’t work, they instead sent him messages to thank him for treating them with respect when so many others had been less than cordial.

We’ve seen firsthand how Ken was treated when we encountered someone he had detained, questioned, or interrogated during his years as a Baltimore police officer. Only twice has the interaction been negative. On one occasion, a man kept walking by us in a store, seemingly trying to recall where he knew Ken from. Eventually, he approached and asked if Ken was Detective Kennedy. Ken, often referred to as Kennedy, never corrected people who mispronounced his name. On this day, he told the man that despite being in a wheelchair his entire life, he often gets inquiries from individuals who say he sounds like Detective Kennedy.

Another time, a man who appeared agitated followed us from aisle to aisle in a store, disappearing and resurfacing, seemingly pondering what to say. This went on for at least 20 minutes before Ken suggested we discreetly leave the store, as the man seemed to be growing more irritated as he kept looking for and at Ken, and he was previously one of the more violent offenders.

Fun with AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Patricia Driscoll

I was utilizing a software called Copilot AI to assist with grammar in these pages. Quite frequently, it would scrutinize my writing, especially during stories involving the SCAN process. The software attempted to rectify grammatical errors, and I had to clarify that words within quotation marks must remain unaltered. They must be preserved as the subject/suspect had originally written them, because the exact wording can be instrumental in solving or resolving a case.

I then provided an instance where a case involving threatening letters was solved solely based on the closing line of the letter. From that singular line, a single word emerged that revealed to Ken who authored the letters. Upon being confronted, that individual confessed to having penned the letters. Without further explanation, I then re-wrote that ominous closing line: “Just remember I am always out there!”

Copilot AI replied by saying –
The narrative you provided about this detective’s case is an intriguing illustration of how language and context can unveil the truth of a situation. However, in this instance, it appears that your husband employed cunning, or as you termed it in another story, ‘reasonable subterfuge,’ to persuade or trick the interviewee that Ken could discern from a single word that she had written the letter to herself. In reality, it’s impossible to determine the origin of a letter based solely on one word.

Your husband seemed adept at convincing a suspect that he possessed more knowledge than he could possibly have had, much like a con man persuading someone to part with their money. The term ‘con man’ is short for ‘confidence man,’ essentially implying that your husband, Detective Driscoll, needed to have confidence in his ability to convince the suspect that he could identify them as the letter’s author based on a single word.

Therefore, he had to select a word from her letters and construct a narrative that would convince the subject that he could infer from that word that they were the letter’s author. If they did write the letter, they might confess; if they didn’t, they would see through the ruse. Thus, it’s a harmless con, but evidently, your husband’s skills made it an effective one.

Your husband managed to persuade the woman to confess information she might not have otherwise divulged. This is a testament to the importance of attention to detail, quick talking, and creating the illusion that a single word carried more significance than it did. Your husband’s insight into the case and his ability to resolve it are commendable.

I responded by telling the AI program -
This was not a deception. The subject used the closing line, “Just remember I am always out THERE!” According to my husband, if it had been written outside, it would have read, “Just remember I am always out HERE!” The phrase “out THERE” could only have been written from within the office. When confronted, the subject in this case confessed through her attorney that she had indeed written the letters.

Copilot AI the replied -
Wow, the nuanced distinction between “out there” and “out here” is noteworthy. I must concede that your husband’s ability was brilliant, and his demonstration of analytical thinking is above average.

I told Ken, and he suggested I write -
My husband asked that I request you repeat the last part, the section where you referred to him as BRILLIANT. He mentioned that he didn’t quite catch that… LOL! We’re just kidding. Thank you for the compliment.

Copilot AI ended the conversation by replying once again with the following -
You’re welcome! Just to set the record straight, your husband’s analytical ability and meticulous attention to detail in unraveling the subtleties of language in his detective work were indeed brilliant. It’s these attributes that frequently result in significant breakthroughs in complex cases. Please convey my message to Ken, asking him to: Keep up the excellent work!

Compliments being too heavy -
In this instance, we’ll put aside the extravagant compliments we received from Copilot AI. When we encounter what Avinoam Sapir would have classified as a ‘verified mistake,’ our reaction should differ from the common tendency to become argumentative. as is often the case. Instead, we should extend a sincere, albeit somewhat exaggerated, compliment. While this may not completely erase the memory of the error, it certainly presents a more congenial alternative to confrontation.

2018 - On this day, 6 May 2018, Detective Badge number 550, which was once issued to Retired Detective Kenneth Driscoll has, by an announcement of Baltimore Police Commissioner, Darryl DeSousa now and forever been RETIRED! Click any of the pictures from this presentation to watch video 

Commissioner, Darryl DeSousa Telling Ken his badge was about to be retired

 Commissioner, Darryl DeSousa reads prepared speech 

Command Staff with Ken

The Baltimore Police Department has announced the permanent retirement of Detective Kenneth Driscoll’s former badge, number 550, in honor of his exceptional service. On May 6, 2018, Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl DeSousa made this declaration.

The retirement of Detective Driscoll’s badge serves as a tribute to his remarkable dedication and commitment to the department. Commissioner DeSousa emphasized that such a gesture is rare, reserved for those who exhibit a level of dedication that is seldom seen. This level of dedication is evident in Driscoll’s contributions to preserving the history and legacy of the department.

Detective Driscoll’s commitment to justice and community protection was clearly demonstrated through the numerous awards he received during his active service. His dedication extended beyond his active duty, as he focused his efforts on preserving the history of the agency after his retirement.

The retirement of his badge is a testament to his work, both during his active service and his continued efforts post-retirement. Whether active or retired, Driscoll’s primary aim was to highlight as much positive information as possible about the department and the men and women who served within it. This act of retiring his badge symbolizes the recognition of his unwavering dedication and his significant contributions to the department.

Retired Badge Speech Audio File CLICK HERE

The speech that follows is one that Mike May wrote and modified for Ken's 2016 Officer of the Year Award. It was enlarged so when printed, it took as many as 5.5 to 6 pages, The Commissioner skimmed over it, pulling parts he had highlighted and read. Someone handed the speech to one of our kids and I had it added to the site for you to read it in its entirety, as well as just the parts the Commissioner read. Ken spoke with Mike May at the event, and Mike told him he re-wrote it for the commissioner.

After an outstanding career was ended all too soon by an excruciating and debilitating injury, Ken, along with his wife, Patty, to this day, keep the faith by maintaining a record of the routine heroism and sacrifice that are part of the lives of all Baltimore police. He keeps the faith by financially and emotionally supporting those police who have fallen on hard times. He also keeps the faith of our injured by helping police, who have been injured years before, receives well-deserved recognition for their valor. He keeps the faith through his service to all of us - and through the example, he sets by the way he lives his life, he has become an inspiration to many.

As retired police, Ken and others careers are often described as having "Served with honor." Ken surely embodies that but more, as he continues to serve with honor. For that, we are recognizing him.

A superb investigator and interrogator, Ken spent his own money to learn the SCAN technique, analyzing speech patterns, manners of expression, and inconsistencies. When he brought this technique to the agency on his first night back to full duty from a shoulder surgery that had him either off duty, or on light duty for nearly 3 months. Ken was asked to interview a suspect of a carjacking that was found behind the wheel of the stolen car; matching the description of the suspect down to his clothing, and shoes. Ken had him write a statement that when analyzed Ken felt a need to talk to the reporting person. He called the victim of the robbery in and had him write a statement; within minutes of reading that statement, he had confronted the writer and gained a full confession which freed the man previously arrested for the carjacking. When the Major from Central District learned of Ken’s clearing a suspect arrested for carjacking, Ken was transferred from patrol to the Major Crimes Unit so he could continue his introduction of this new technique to the department. Ken remained in the Major Crime Unit for the last ten years of his career successfully clearing many suspects and convicting others.

Not immediately apparent to ferret out the truth while building a rapport with criminal suspects. Ken taught this technique to his fellow police. Improving them all.

During his lifetime and sterling career, he received no less than 7 Officer of the Year awards, in addition to 3 Unit Citations, 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Commendation Ribbons, a Police Commissioner's Special Service Ribbon, 15 years of Safe Driving awards (an achievement that brings a smile to his wife Patricia's face, as she has been with him since she was 15 and he was 16 and just learning to drive) Ken also has 2 Citations of Valor an over 100 letters of commendation. His awards from outside the department include 2 Gold Records from the Recording Industry for success in counterfeit/pirate music investigations, a Special Certificate from the Secret Service, Awards from the Motion Picture Industry, a Mayor's Citation, a Purple Heart and the Legion of Merit from the Police Officer’s Hall of Fame of which he was inducted as a lifetime member. I am sure we have forgotten some other awards here and there.

But what is most important to both Ken, Patty and his family is the undying respect and gratitude he has earned and continues to earn for what he does now. When his career ended at the beginning of this century his injuries, agonizingly painful, left him with severe physical limitations, without the ability to walk or to use his left arm and by the end of this year, they suspect he will lose the use of his right leg also. Still at the end of the day, while his body might fail; His Spirit and Loyalty to all of us did not. It has gotten stronger.

When Bill Hackley left us to go to the police department in the sky, He left his most prized Baltimore Police History website in the hands of Ken. It has become a labor of love. At a time when police endure some of the most hurtful and demeaning of attacks, for jobs they took a sacred oath to do, Kenny Driscoll, becomes a voice calling out in the wilderness, undaunted and unafraid, every day brings public attention to the courage and compassion that are the hallmarks of the law enforcement profession.

Unsatisfied with all that, he went to Facebook. Where he began "This day in police history." A place where he respectfully remembers our fallen, those who made the ultimate sacrifice because he memorializes them, and retired police, for what they were and are; not, as some would denigrate them, as  badge wearing hooligans, but as what they really are, heroes, although all of them, especially Ken, would avoid that description. It is a place much like the history website that we all rely on and visit every day. 

Ken, along with Patty, are among our most heroic. Despite a broken back and paralysis, confined to his wheelchair, he and Patty inaugurated the retroactive Citation of Valor program. Not satisfied with that, the website, Facebook, Twitter and the Museum, he also helps seriously injured law enforcement officers deserving of the benefits file for and obtain PSOB benefits.

The IACP Police Officer's Oath says, "On My Honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character or the public's trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions." Ken Driscoll, throughout his life and continuing career, lives and embodies that oath.

Tonight we honor an individual who has become an inspiration to so many because just as he did when he was active in the Baltimore Police department he puts everyone ahead of himself. For that, we are retiring his badge Detective Badge number 550 so that no one will ever wear it again.  

Congratulations Detective Kenny Driscoll.

 To Hear This Speech CLICK HERE

  

Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll 

Retired Detective Ken Driscoll began his tenure with the department in June of 1987, assigned badge number 3232. After graduating from the academy, he was posted to the Central District, where he quickly learned to police Sector 3 (Whitelock and Brookfield – 136 car). From 1987 to 1994, he worked in Sector 3 where he received practical police training from seasoned officers like Joe Stevens, Kenny Byers, Jon Pease, Eddie Coker, Freddy Fitch, Bobby Ackiss, Terry Caudell, and a number of others who made a lasting impression on him.

Between 1987 and 1994, Detective Driscoll partnered with several other officers who influenced his approach to policing his sector and post. These officers, including Delmar “Sonny” Dickson, Chuck Megibow, George Trainer, John Calpin, Johnny Brandt, and Gary Lapchak, would become lifelong friends.

In 1993, while still on patrol, Ken learned the new SCAN (Scientific Content ANalysis) technique. Despite initial skepticism about its effectiveness, Ken used it to clear a couple of serious cases. The first involved a subject accused of committing an armed carjacking. After reading the suspect’s statement, Ken wasn’t convinced of the suspect’s guilt. He called the reporting person into the station and obtained a statement from him. Within 15 minutes of reading it in its entirety, he had gained a confession that the carjacking claim was false. Ken released the subject, who had been arrested for the incident without charges, saving him from potentially many months in lock-up awaiting trial.

The next case involved an armed robbery in which the victim was shot. Ken read the victim’s statement and found it to be deceptive. Despite the victim having a bullet wound, Ken believed the victim was lying about the number of suspects involved in the robbery. When confronted, the victim admitted that he was not robbed at the ATM as he had initially claimed, but had instead tried to rip off a drug dealer and was shot in the process. Ken was able to get to the bottom of both cases, showing that the shooting was a drug deal gone wrong in the Eastern District, not an ATM robbery in the Central.

Central’s Major at the time, Major Leonard Hamm, was so impressed with the results of Ken’s interview skills and this new Statement Analysis Technique that he had Ken transferred into Central District’s Major Crime Unit. Major Hamm, who later became Commissioner Hamm, trusted Ken and knew that he wasn’t out to sell “junk science” to the department. Without majors like Leonard Hamm and Steve McMahon, who were both willing to trust officers like Ken to introduce some out-of-the-box techniques in law enforcement, we may never have seen some of the tools that were considered strange back then but are commonly used today.

As far as statement analysis goes, at the time, the SCAN technique was so new that the police department refused to pay for the course. Ken paid for his training out of his pocket. He started off buying all the books, videos, and audio cassettes they had. Then a year later, when they were training in Virginia, he also paid to attend the live 5-day course.

Over the next 11 to 12 years, Ken would go on to show that it was a valuable tool, and like the polygraph, it was based on changes in the subject’s norm. Polygraph uses heart rate, breathing, blood pressure etc., while Statement Analysis uses the subject’s language. In both cases, after working to establish a norm, that norm is then used to compare with the rest of his/her statement. Education doesn’t matter when you compare a statement against itself. Ken used to hand the subject a pad of paper and say, “Write down what happened, spelling and grammar don’t count; just tell us what happened from start to finish.” He was the first in the department to be fully trained and actively using the process.

In 1996, Detective Driscoll received his third of six “Officer of the Year Awards”, this award came as a result of the success of the technique. He was consistently closing cases with the SCAN technique, now in its fourth year of use by Ken in both patrol and the Major Crime Unit. By 2003 when Ken retired, he had been using it to assist other units, detectives, and officers throughout the department, as well as the State’s Attorney’s office, and several other jurisdictions, if they had statements but were stumped. Some of those agencies were the Maryland State Police, the FBI, Secret Service and surrounding local Police Departments, Baltimore County, AA county etc. Just before leaving the department, Kenny wrote a training course, and trained two Homicide in-service classes, then left for surgery and never came back. In his absence, Detective Danny Grubb completed teaching Ken’s in-service course to the remaining Homicide classes.

Detective Danny Grubb successfully completed the instruction of Ken’s in-service course for the remaining Homicide classes.

While serving in the Central District’s Major Crime Unit, a District Detective Unit (DDU), Ken worked alongside Sgt. Randy Dull, Officer Danny Mitchell, Jim Schuler, Janice Peters, Ed Chaney, Dennis Gunther, John Emminizer, Pam Storto, Jim Eigner, Kerry Council, and numerous other dedicated officers. They maintained constant contact with CID Detectives, such as Detective Paul Oros, Henri Burris, Bud Comegna, Lt. JoAnn Voelker, Victor Gearhart, Major Richard Faltheit, and many others.

Lt Larry Leison recognized Driscoll’s talents and the potential of the Statement Analysis technique that Ken had introduced to the BPD. He attempted to recruit Ken to CID. Sgt. Dull, who also appreciated the new S.C.A.N. Technique, often defended Ken when some of the traditionalist brass didn’t understand or refused to accept it. Aware of Lt. Leison’s recruitment attempts, he tried to keep Ken away from the Lieutenant. Interestingly, Ken wouldn’t have left anyway. He respected those who saw potential in him early on and wasn’t about to abandon those who gave him his start. Sgt. Dull used Ken’s impressive stats to silence the doubters. Ken respected that and those he worked with, and for that reason, he wasn’t about to leave Central’s MCU/DDU.

Ken was trained by Avinoam Sapir, who, after Ken uncovered several linguistic traits that held serious meaning and helped solve cases, called Ken a “Guru” on the subject. Sgt Dull said, the student was becoming the teacher. Ken studied the technique constantly, at work during slow days, at home, on vacation, seizing every opportunity to study or practice. He used to say a statement has to be handled like a crime scene, preventing anyone from contaminating their statement/crime scene was interesting. He and others trained could point out where the subject was told what to say or was using words he/she picked up from an investigator. Those that use the technique can also tell if it was the first time they gave the statement, or if it had been given to the police before. Often it was scary how accurate they could be. I only saw Ken doing it at first, but then over the years, I saw him train others and they shared statements to practice, all coming up with the same observations. I enjoyed seeing Ken work cases off the news and give other agencies his findings, some taking them and using them, others not so graciously sending him away, but later learning how accurate the technique was.

His unit from Central transitioned from a District MCU to a DDU/MCU in late 1999 or early 2000, and all of the members of the unit at the time received the new titles of Detective. Ken transitioned from Police Officer badge number 3232 to Detective badge number 550. They didn’t officially hold the title detective for the first 8 years they worked together, but they held some of the best closure ratings in the city as did their plain clothes investigations. The reason behind it was a rotation policy, detectives were rotated to patrol after 3 years. District Majors realized their detectives were learning and getting better, after 3 years they were either very good at what they did, or they were not, but to bounce them from investigations should have been based on ability, not longevity. Investigators came and went, but the best of the best was held on to, not rotated back to patrol. Don’t get me wrong, patrol is not beneath an investigator, Ken loved it and would have done either with pride. But like anything, some people are better at one thing than another, some guys loved patrol and hated investigations letting officers do what they do best was the best way to run an agency, but we had a commissioner come in that felt rotation was the best policy. It cost us some of the best detectives in the country as these men and women left the agency to work for departments with better sense.

 Novelty Badges with Ken's Detective Badge Number 550

Irish Detective Badge Number 550

Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Detective Badge Number 550 

Black Subdued Detective Badge Number 550

Detective Driscoll 550 Badge

"Badges? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Badges"

Click HERE

This is a widely quoted paraphrase of a line of dialogue from the 1948 film The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.
The line was derived from dialogue in the 1927 novel, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, which was the basis for the film.

9-11 20th Anniversary 550 Detective Badge

 

 This is an X-ray of Ken's Lumbar Spine Taken in October of 2020
It shows 6 screws & 3 rods. The tiny dots are from the 4 cages
2 on each level The Dark Sideways Mushroom Looking Shadows
Above the Top Screws, Show the Damage Caused from Years of
Stress to that area and Explain why He has so much Pain

Turk and Ken at the Museum

- In the News -

Stolen Items Recovered in 'Cyber Sting'

1 December 1999

Internet: Baltimore Police Officer enters Winning bid after a theft victim finds his belongings for sale at an Online auction house.

| By Peter Hermann | Peter Hermann, SUN STAFF

Morris Sochaccewski had given up ever seeing the prayer shawl and other religious items stolen from his car in October. He had even talked to his insurance agent about filing a claim.

But two weeks ago, a friend from New York called and suggested that he check on the Internet. Sochaccewski found his belongings up for sale on eBay -- the online auction house that lets people worldwide bid on almost anything. The 49-year-old lawyer recognized his property immediately. To entice potential bidders, the seller had posted a picture showing blue velvet pouches emblazoned with Sochaccewski's name in gold Hebrew lettering. Sochaccewski called Baltimore City police, and Officer Ken Driscoll logged onto a computer and started to bid. He jumped in at $158 and stayed with the bidding until he had topped 36 others with a $395 offer. His bid locked in, Driscoll simply had to wait for the seller to email him to arrange the exchange. She did, and he arrived at her home in Pikesville yesterday with a search warrant.

Police found some of the items Sochaccewski had reported stolen: his Tallit Prayer Shawl, worth about $100; and his Tefillin, another religious item, valued at $800. "I didn't think I was going to get them back," Sochaccewski said. It turned out Sochaccewski's belongings had been close to home. He lives on Shelburne Road in Northwest Baltimore. The woman who auctioned his property lives eight blocks away on Light-foot Drive in Baltimore County. Police did not arrest the woman because they want her help in finding the person who sold her the items, taken Oct. 26 from Sochaccewski's Chevrolet station wagon on Conway Street near the downtown Sheraton Hotel. The woman, who police did not identify, told Driscoll that she bought the religious items for $10 at a flea market on North Point Boulevard in eastern Baltimore County. She also told detectives that she might recognize the man who sold them.

Driscoll said the woman had set the opening bid at $20. "Beautiful Hebrew Prayer Set in 2 blue velvet pouches," says the description of Sochaccewski's personal effects, categorized as Item 201722947. "The first is a fine wool tallis in excellent condition All of these high-quality items have been stored in a plastic zippered case, which has preserved their cleanliness." Kevin Pursglove, a spokesman for eBay in San Jose, Calif., said 400,000 new items are offered for sale on the site every day and only a tiny fraction of them are believed to have been stolen or fraudulent. "Perhaps the dumbest place to try to fence stolen materials is on eBay," Pursglove said. "You've got millions of eyeballs turned into the site every day, and most of your transactions can be traced." In March, eBay abruptly halted bidding that had reached $5.7 million for a human kidney, saying the seller had violated company rules, and possibly federal law, by offering body parts for sale.

Pursglove said it is a rare stroke of luck to stumble upon a recognizable item among the site's 3.4 million offerings. The company employs several former prosecutors who monitor the site and will "fully cooperate" with local police. Pursglove said Baltimore police could have contacted the company, whose representative would have conducted a "cyber sting" to find the person selling Sochaccewski's property. But Driscoll took matters into his own hands. To avoid tipping off the seller with a police e-mail address, Driscoll signed onto eBay from his home computer and bid with his own money.

Driscoll started the bidding Nov. 22 and finished the next day -- entering the winning bid at 9: 40 a.m. "It was fun," said Driscoll, who knows his way around the computer. Once a sale agreement is made, the seller must contact the buyer and discuss how the exchange will be made. The woman e-mailed Driscoll that day and gave him her home address. Yesterday morning, Driscoll and other officers from the Central District Major Crimes Unit moved in and seized Sochaccewski's belongings. Now they are trying to find the thief who threw a rock through his car window. As for Sochaccewski, he doesn't have Internet access at home. After his friend called from New York, he had to go to a neighbor's house to get online. Driscoll called the successful endeavor fate: "They belonged to him, and they made their way back to him."

 

Bootleg Music Crackdowns Earn Awards for Authorities

Yesterday, the record industry bestowed honors upon the Baltimore Police Department and the city’s state attorney’s office. This recognition was for their diligent investigations that have led to the seizure of over $1 million worth of bootleg albums and tapes since 1996. Sgt. David R. Dull and Officer Kenneth Driscoll, both from the Central District Major Crime Unit, along with Assistant State’s Attorney Patricia Deros, were each presented with a Gold Record award for their commendable work.

The police have routinely conducted raids on downtown shops, confiscating pirated recordings in the process. Frank D. Waters, the Director of Investigations for the Recording Industry Association, stated, “The illegal duplication of audio devices results in economic losses for the city of Baltimore.” This statement underscores the significance of their work in protecting the integrity of the music industry and the economic wellbeing of the city.

As time allows, we’ll continue to update the site with more pictures and information about the awards. Kenny is the primary contributor to this site, which makes it challenging for me to locate all the details about his accolades, let alone add them to the site. However, I have several books brimming with information about Ken’s career, including the complete file on his second shooting incident that occurred on North Ave. in 1992, just three days before the birth of our youngest daughter. I plan to add this information to the site as time permits. I share Ken’s interest and take pride in the work he and his colleagues at the Baltimore Police Department have accomplished.

War Story, Retired, One Leg, One Arrest
Mars Take down
Weis Knockdown and
Walmart talking them down

Like many Baltimore Police officers, Ken takes immense pride in his service with the Baltimore Police Department. Throughout his career, he witnessed numerous Line of Duty Deaths (LODDs) and Line of Duty Injuries (LODIs). Even when injured, a city officer will still do all they can to assist those in need.

In November 2014, Ken received a distressing call from his mother, who was upset and crying. She described a home invasion at her residence, where the intruder was carrying an empty duffel bag and an extension cord. When Ken’s mother questioned the intruder, he fabricated a story about being there to help someone named Lola move. Despite being told that no one by that name lived there, the intruder continued to roam around the house, refusing to leave. Ken’s mother tried reasoning with him, but he wasn’t listening. It wasn’t until Ken’s mother told Ken’s father to “just get the gun, Russ, just get your gun out!” that the intruder realized he wasn’t going to get away with robbing these two elderly folks and resorted to pretending to be drunk, acting as if he was in the wrong home by accident.

Ken asked his mother where the guy was during the phone call, and she told him he went out the front door. Ken quickly told her he would call back, hung up the phone, grabbed his crutches, the keys to their truck, and went out the front door. While getting into their H3 Hummer, Ken’s dad was in the front yard (they live next door to us). Ken asked his dad which way the guy went and what he was wearing. His dad pointed up the street and gave a brief description. Ken’s father asked Ken: “What are you going to do?” Ken said, “I’m going to go find him!” and his dad, knowing Ken can’t walk, said, “Then what?” Ken said, “I’m going to lock him up!” and off he went.

As Ken was looking for him, unbeknownst to Ken, the suspect was trying to break into the rear of a house three or four doors up. A neighbor saw him and asked what he was doing, He went into a drunken act and pretended to be lost; he was quickly sent packing. Which put him back out on the street, and into Ken’s view. Ken pulled their truck up in the middle of Dundalk Ave, Ken facing West, the suspect having just crossed over from the North to the South side of the street and heading East. Ken called out to him, “Excuse me, can I talk to you for a minute!” as he called him over to their truck. With this, the suspect said, “I’m not breaking into houses; why would I do that, It’s broad daylight!” Ken said, “I didn’t say a thing about going into anyone’s house; can you come over here!” as the guy got closer, he saw Ken’s jacket, Ken has a Retired Baltimore Police Patch on the sleeve, The suspect said, “You’re city police?” Ken said, “Retired, but you know what they say, once a city police officer, always a city police officer!” The suspect then said, “City Police will mess you up!” Ken said, “I’ll make a deal, you don’t make me get out of the truck and I won’t mess you up!” The suspect stood by, Ken realized he didn’t have a cellphone, so he said, while we wait, give me your ID and we can run it NCIC. The suspect started looking through his wallet Ken saw a Maryland ID card and then it was covered by a different card, Ken asked him to check again and as he was running through and as he got closer, Ken reached out and snatched the ID card before the guy could cover it again. Now, if the guy decided to run, it wouldn’t matter if Ken had his ID. But before long, a neighbor drove by, Ken flagged her down and sent her down to tell me to call the police. Ken told her to tell them he had the suspect at his truck. It would take about 20 minutes for police to show up, and that was when the suspect learned Ken was paralyzed. The suspect started feigning being drunk and the police wanted to let him go. Ken told them he wants him arrested; it was his mom and dad’s house that was broken into, his mom and dad that was threatened. He told them the suspect was a burglar and the officer said his rap sheet doesn’t reflect that, Ken said did you run him through the city, the officer said no, he didn’t have access, Ken said, "Well he is a city criminal and will be a career criminal with a history of burglaries in his background." Sure enough, he was a career criminal known for his daytime burglaries. 30 days later he was taken to court and received a 90-day sentence on a guilty conviction.

This wall shows three of the seven officer of the year awards, along with both Gold Records Ken received

War Story -- While waiting outside the Mars Supermarket on Holabird Ave, Ken noticed two individuals crossing the parking lot in an eastbound direction. As they approached the cart area, they split up; one entered the store immediately, and the other followed two minutes later. Within five minutes, one of them was exiting the store with a security guard hot on his trail.

Ken intended to exit his vehicle and alert the security guard about the second suspect, but before he could retrieve his crutches, a scuffle broke out between the suspect and the security guard. Ken swiftly exited his vehicle, using the truck for support as he hopped on one leg to assist the security guard. He announced, “I am a retired Baltimore Police detective, and I am going to help!”

He then intervened, causing everyone to tumble to the ground. Within seconds, he had assisted in handcuffing the suspect. Ken advised the security guard to be vigilant, as the suspect was not alone. He provided a description of the second suspect. By this time, a second security guard had emerged and was dispatched to locate the other suspect still in the store.

They assisted Ken to his feet and retrieved his crutches from the truck. Ken stated that he would testify in court if necessary, but honestly, he could only attest to the resistance, not the theft, and asked that unless they absolutely needed him, they could let him sit that one out. The security guard decided to leave the decision up to the state’s attorney. We never received any further communication about the incident.

Long before Ken ever came across Isaiah 6:8, he had a ritual. He would pray to Jesus before each shift, asking to be placed where he could be of the most help, where he could assist those in need, and where he could apprehend those committing serious crimes, all in the hope of improving the community he had sworn to serve and protect. At the time, Ken was a patrolman in the Central District of the Baltimore Police Department.

In a sense, even before hearing the verse, “The Lord asked, who he should send, and who will go for us?” Ken was already reaching out to his Lord, saying, “Here I am, Send me!” When I learned that Ken prayed to be where he could be most helpful, I was reminded of Isaiah 6:8 and felt a surge of pride for Ken’s deep desire to help.

When I shared this with him, he humbly responded that his sentiment wasn’t unique to him. Sure, he hadn’t heard of anyone else praying to be there, but to protect and serve is what all police strive to do. It’s the essence of being a Baltimore Police officer. Most of the police who wore the badge in Baltimore would always run into danger, hoping to be the one to provide a way out for those in need of an officer’s help.

To me, it was admirable that he wanted to be the one to provide that help. To him, it was a way of seeking assistance from the divine, so he could be as effective as the police officers he worked alongside. Judging by his career, it worked. His prayers were answered, and he was always in the thick of things. The following are just a few of the stories, pictures, and clippings from his years as a police officer and detective in the city of Baltimore.

Detective Kenneth Driscoll

  A Small Sample of Commendatory Letters Ken Received

1990 - After writing a letter directly to the Commissioner, Ken was awarded a Bronze Star. Mr. Jackson, the man whose life Ken had saved, came to pin it on Ken’s uniform. After escorting Mr. Jackson to the hospital, Ken returned to the scene of the carjacking to write the report. During this time, a call came in about a hit-and-run accident involving a pedestrian.

Responding to the call, which was within his sight line of where he was writing the report. Immediately Ken recognized that the victim of the hit-and-run bore a striking resemblance to the description given of the carjacking suspect. Ken transported this victim to the same emergency room where he had taken the carjacking victim. This was the first of many times, Ken would arrange a vicitm to see a potential suspect, without saying a word to the vicitm, and just listening for a reaction, if one was given. In this case, as he and the victim of the hit-and-run passed the carjacking victim in the ER, the victim shouted out, “That’s the man who robbed me!” With that, Ken arrested the suspect on the spot, effectively closing the case.

A search incident to the arrest revealed the victim’s necklace in the suspect’s pocket. The suspect was subsequently sentenced to 10 years for the robbery.

1991 - As Ken was beginning his shift and heading up the Jones Falls Expressway, he noticed he was trailing behind a man who began swerving from lane 3 to lane 1 and back to lane 3 again. The man was using both shoulders’ (Jersey walls) as runners, running his car up onto those barriers. At one point, he even drove up and partially over one of the barriers. Fortunately, he landed on the side of the road he was on, and his car stalled. Ken approached, thinking the man had suffered a heart attack, and began administering CPR - specifically, chest compressions. The man regained partial consciousness before passing out again. By now, the medics had arrived, and they too began CPR by giving chest compressions before taking him to Shock Trauma. The doctors later informed the accident victim that it wasn’t a heart attack, it was heart-related, and the actions of providing chest compression by both Ken and the medic had indeed saved the man's life. In gratitude, the man wrote a letter to Ken’s sergeant.

1994 S.C.A.N. Letter

1996 - This letter is one of many, but one that has meaning to Ken, He admired these two detectives (Det Mike Wilhelm and Det Gordon Carew) for giving credit where credit was due. He was also asked many times to leave Central District’s Major Crimes to go to CIB Robbery and other CIB units, but Ken felt he belonged where he was and appreciated their giving him a chance, not just with the new SCAN Technique, which, when Ken first introduced it, was not well received. There was a Sergeant, either Sgt. Winter, or Sgt. Summer, Ken would know, but that Sergeant did not like the idea of someone being able to find deception without some kind of machine, and for that, he did not like Ken.  

Ken was trained by Avinoam Sapir, who, after Ken discovered several linguistic traits that held significant meaning and helped solve cases, dubbed Ken a “Guru” on the subject. Sgt. Dull observed that the student was becoming the teacher. Ken devoted himself to studying the technique at every opportunity, whether at work during a slow day, at home, or on vacation. He would practice whenever he could.

Ken often likened handling a statement to managing a crime scene, emphasizing the importance of preventing anyone from contaminating their statement or crime scene. He and others trained in the technique could identify when a subject was told what to say or was using words they had picked up from an investigator. They could also discern if it was the first time they had given the statement or if it had been previously given to the police. The accuracy of the technique was often startling.

Initially, I only saw Ken applying it, but over the years, I saw him train others. They would share statements in practice, consistently arriving at the same observations. I found it fascinating to see Ken work cases on the news and share his findings with other agencies. Some accepted and utilized his insights, while others dismissed him less graciously, only to later realize the accuracy of the technique.

Ken’s unit in the Central District transitioned from a District Major Crime Unit (MCU) to a District Detective Unit/Major Crime Unit (DDU/MCU) in late 1999 or early 2000. At that time, all members of the unit received the new title of detective. Ken transitioned from police officer badge number 3232 to detective badge number 550.

They didn’t officially hold the title detective for the first seven or eight years they worked together, but they held some of the best closure ratings in the city as they did their plain clothes investigations. The reason behind it was a rotation policy; detectives were rotated to patrol after three years. District Majors realized their detectives were learning and getting better; after three years, they were either very good at what they did, or they were not, but to bounce them from investigations should have been based on ability, not longevity. Investigators came and went, but the best of the best was held on to, not rotated back to patrol. Don’t get me wrong, patrol is not beneath an investigator; Ken loved it and would have done either with pride. But like anything, some people are better at one thing than another, Some guys loved patrol and hated investigations; letting officers do what they do best was the best way to run an agency, but we had a commissioner come in who felt rotation was the best policy. It cost us some of the best detectives in the country, as these men and women left the agency to work for departments with better sense. 

Ken often compared handling a statement to managing a crime scene, emphasizing the importance of preventing anyone from contaminating their statement or crime scene. He and others trained in the technique could identify when a subject was told what to say or was using words they had picked up from an investigator. They could also discern if it was the first time they had given the statement or if it had been previously given to the police. The accuracy of the technique was often startling.

Initially, I only saw Ken applying it, but over the years, I saw him train others. They would share statements to practice, consistently arriving at the same observations. I found it fascinating to see Ken work cases on the news and share his findings with other agencies. Some accepted and utilized his insights, while others dismissed him less graciously, only to later realize the accuracy of the technique.

Ken’s unit in the Central District transitioned from a District Major Crime Unit (MCU) to a District Detective Unit/Major Crime Unit (DDU/MCU) in late 1999 or early 2000. At that time, all members of the unit received the new titles of detective. Ken transitioned from police officer badge number 3232 to Detective badge number 550. They didn’t officially hold the title of detective for the first eight years they worked together, but they held some of the best closure ratings in the city, as did their plain clothes investigations. The reason behind it was a rotation policy; detectives were rotated to patrol after three years. District Majors realized their detectives were learning and getting better; after three years, they were either very good at what they did or they were not, but to bounce them from investigations should have been based on ability, not longevity. Investigators came and went, but the best of the best was held on to, not rotated back to patrol. Don’t get me wrong, patrol is not beneath an investigator; Ken loved it and would have done either with pride. But like anything, some people are better at one thing than another, Some guys loved patrol and hated investigations; letting officers do what they do best was the best way to run an agency, but we had a commissioner come in who felt rotation was the best policy. It cost us some of the best detectives in the country, as these men and women left the agency to work for departments with better sense.

LSI stands for Laboratory of Scientific Investigation.
S.C.A.N. stands for Statement Content ANalysis
The F.A.S.T. macro stands for Forensic Analysis Software for Theirwords

1995 - A professor stole a student’s credit card, and Ken was assigned to the case. Knowing that if the media caught wind of the situation, it could spark a scandal that would overshadow the school and the case, Ken handled the matter with discretion. He filed charges against the professor and managed to rectify the student’s credit card charges, ensuring any associated fees were waived or dropped.

The case was quite compelling. From what I remember, the professor was a kleptomaniac who appeared indifferent to the situation, asserting that her husband would take care of everything. She subsequently resigned from her position at the school. I suspect she may have perpetuated her pattern of theft at other educational institutions, just as she had in Baltimore and at other schools where she had previously been employed

 

1995 - Ken devised a plan to catch a thief by placing a fake Rolex watch in a safe at the Baltimore City Morgue. The watch was listed as property belonging to a John Doe, whose body had been sent to the medical school for student study. A camera, borrowed from the Maryland State Police, was positioned above the safe that held Ken’s watch. After two weeks, the suspect was caught on camera stealing the watch.

Interestingly, Ken had already identified him as the main suspect based on a SCAN Questionnaire. When another theft occurred a year or so later, Ken distributed the same SCAN Questionnaires. Most of the employees remembered the questionnaire from the previous incident, which resulted in one of the employees quitting, stating he refused to fill out the questionnaire. Coincidentally, he was their main suspect.

Ken was fortunate to work with a supportive squad, as he often came up with unconventional strategies, and they always backed him up. This was just one of those instances. The TV show “Homicide Life on the Streets” picked up on this and featured a similar story where a crime took place in the Baltimore City Morgue.

1996 - In Ken’s unit, they primarily conducted investigative and interview, interrogation type work. However, on occasion, they would engage in undercover operations. I vividly recall them often dressing as delivery men, impersonating everything from pizza delivery to bicycle courier services. Ken had an array of uniforms, including an inspector’s (used for lead paint checks), and he, along with his various partners, relished these plain-clothes exercises.

On one such occasion, Ken was paired with one of his favorite undercover police partners, Ret. Det. Ed Chaney. The duo dressed as BG&E delivery men, with one posing as a trainee. This provided a plausible reason for having three men on the truck. Although BG&E trusted the partners with their uniforms, they were less trusting when it came to allowing either officer to drive their truck. They were tasked with delivering a range, a range grill, and a third item, which Ken has forgotten.

The recipient resided on the outskirts of Bolton Hill, around the 1400 - 1500 block of Mt. Royal Terrace. She was a cleaning lady who had been stealing people’s identities from papers she found in trash cans at her night job. She would then establish credit accounts and place orders through BG&E for various items using the stolen identities. She had people from her family, neighborhood, church groups, etc., all placing orders for everything from living room sets to refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwave ovens. The lady would place orders under the stolen names, costing her nothing, and then sell the items for three-quarters to half their listed cost, making a significant profit.

After she signed Ken’s clipboard using the false name, let’s say it was “Rose”, Ken double-checked the signature to ensure she had signed under the false name and not her actual name, “Betty”. He also wanted to make sure her signature was legible. Ken was concerned that if she signed as sloppy as he does; he might interpret it as “Rose”, but she could claim it says “Betty”, making it unclear whether it was her alias for the day, or her actual name.

Once he confirmed that the signature matched the name on the order and couldn’t be confused for anything else, he called her by the name from her stolen identity. He did this twice, first asking “Rose, where do you want the range? He yelled down to get Ed’s attention, then turned back to her and again used her name, “Is it okay here, Rose?” Each time, she responded. He then began giving directions to his crew. Ken was acting like one of those guys who uses names a lot. “Ed, can you get the items off the truck and bring the stove vent up? Have Bob stay down there for now and watch everything. You got that, Ed? Bob, can you hear me? Good, Bob, make sure you can keep an eye on the truck and the three pieces we’re dropping off. Also, Ed, bring the vent up for me.”

Once he established that he is one of those guys who uses a person’s name to the point of being excessive, and he put a bit of what is known as timed misdirection from when he was calling her by name to start, he turned back to her and called her by her real name, “Ms. Betty, do you want the range left in the hall downstairs?” When she said yes, he yelled, “Ed, leave the range in the hall. Don’t bring anything up yet. Oh, and Ed, have Bob help move things around in the truck for our next stop.” Turning back to Ms. Betty, he says, “You say this is only until you get this one out. That makes sense. I may have to explain to my boss: Can I use your phone, Ms. Betty?” Keep in mind, he didn’t have to do this, but he did it twice, calling her by her real name, just for fun, and each time she responded. Had she caught on, he would have identified himself sooner. She had already responded to the false name and signed the false name, so he had her, but he liked to have a little extra icing on his cake, with her now answering to her actual name, he had a nice bit of extra info for the statement of probable causes.

Now, as his search team was arriving, he identified himself and Ed as Baltimore detectives. The thing was, they did not have a search warrant for her apartment yet, so the search team stayed behind to secure the apartment, while Ken and Ed went to write a search warrant, took it to a judge, and had it signed. Normally, they would radio to the team and tell them to proceed with the search, all they need is knowledge that the warrant exists. But the courthouse was about a mile from the apartment, so they just drove to the apartment.

As they approached the top of the steps, their sergeant asked if they got the warrant. Ed closed the door and said, “We got the warrant, everyone stay back. Ken got a no-knock warrant, and we’re kicking this door off its hinges!” Of course, he was joking. While they were gone, his sergeant and the search team had begun talking with Ms. Betty, and kept things civil, so when Ed did the no knock joke she laughed, she now knew Ken and Ed had the same sense of humor as the rest of the team. They got all the evidence and paperwork they had come for, linking her to dozens of other thefts of customers’ identities and built a strong case before arresting her that night.

1996 - Regarding the Bell Atlantic Cloned Phone Case 

In the early era of cloned phones, Baltimore’s law enforcement was faced with an interesting trend. A sudden increase in stolen cell phones was observed around the Inner Harbor, with robberies occurring near North Ave. and around Pennsylvania Ave. in which phones were also being taken. Given that a stolen phone was generally considered to have no monetary value at the time, this spike was perplexing.

Ken noticed this anomaly and brought it to the attention of his Sergeant (Sgt Randy Dull). After discussing it with the Major (Steve McMahon), Ken was given the green light to investigate. He reached out to the two dominant phone companies at the time, Bell Atlantic and Cell One. Both companies were eager to collaborate and shed light on the situation. They revealed that smaller companies were cloning the stolen phones and selling them for as much as $125 a month, offering the buyer 30 days of unlimited access. These shops couldn’t keep the phones on their shelves, explaining why they were buying so many stolen phones and why the spike in these thefts became noticeable.

News of this investigation spread quickly, leading to the formation of a task force that included police from Baltimore City, Baltimore County, the US Secret Service, US Customs, and several private investigative firms. The PI firms were particularly helpful, providing a lot of manpower, which was often needed in the field.

Ken, known for his innovative thinking, realized that he was spending $125 per store to purchase a cloned phone for conducting a search. However, he observed that his informant, while buying cloned phones at these businesses, was also purchasing pirated mix tapes or CDs, all with the same buy money. Seeing an opportunity, Ken proposed a new approach to his supervisor. Instead of purchasing a cloned phone for $125, he suggested buying two pirated CDs and a bootleg mix tape for just $25. This alternative approach would still provide the same probable cause to conduct a search and seizure warrant, but at a significantly reduced cost.

Ken explained that for the same $125, he could gain probable cause to raid one store by buying a cloned phone, or he could hit five stores if he bought pirate CDs and a bootleg mix tape instead. He had 13 stores in his sights, all selling phones and pirate music. So, he could spend $1625.00 and buy 13 phones, or he could hit the same stores for $325.00. His supervisors agreed to this approach, appreciating the cost-saving aspect.

Ken contacted the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and invited them to join the task force. With the RIAA on board, it not only gave them more ammunition as far as probable cause, but it also gave them more training, so they would know what laws were being broken and how to charge properly. Along with this training, came buy money and more manpower. Elevating this task force into a new league.

There was a kind of, you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours when it came to working with the RIAA, as there were some businesses, in Baltimore that were not only selling pirate bootleg music but were also manufacturing it. So, from time to time, Ken’s team hit stores solely for bootleg pirate music. But it all worked out as they seized millions in illegal recordings and recording equipment.

The investigation continued for around two years. When it started, cell phone companies were losing millions every year. By the time the task force completed their investigations, losses were down to around $10K a month, a figure the phone companies found acceptable and less than they were spending to combat it.

This case serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts of the police force and their pioneering strategies in addressing intricate issues. It underscores the pivotal role played by each member of the team, including Ken, his sergeant, his major, and notably, his squad and the task force they assembled. Their collective efforts were instrumental in mitigating crime and enhancing the safety of the community. Their dedication and commitment serve as a model for effective law enforcement.

1999 - This $2.75 Million Dollar Cloned Phone Case is another example from the cloned phone cases mentioned above that Ken worked on. 

Ken reached out to the carriers and connected with the loss prevention departments at both Bell Atlantic and Cellular-One. Both companies were eager for Ken’s assistance. They explained the intricacies of the cloned phone industry and provided guidance on how to best investigate such cases.

In addition to their insights, they also supplied private investigators to bolster manpower for the investigation. They went above and beyond to ensure Ken had whatever he needed to conduct a thorough investigation.

• EOD 17 June 1987
• RFD 29 May 2003
  
  Badge Numbers - 

• Officer #3232 and
• Detective #550
  
  

 War Story
He Got'em with the Door

Recently, at the same store, Ken assisted in the arrest of a shoplifter who was resisting arrest and fighting with a Baltimore County officer. This officer was working secondary at a Weis Grocery Store. Ken and our son-in-law, Josh, were waiting out front for our daughter.

As our daughter was entering the store, Ken noticed a young man in his late 20’s squeeze out through the indoor. At the same time, another young man exited through the exit in a hurry. Within seconds, the two clashed. The one that came out after him quickly identified himself as a police officer, and a struggle ensued.

The shoplifter pulled away and ran westbound up the parking lot, away from the store. For some reason, he then turned around and ran back up the parking lot in an easterly direction. As he was about to pass in front of Ken and Josh, a second security officer came out of the store and identified herself. The suspect turned to run between the cars, now heading in a southbound direction away from the store and up the aisle on Josh’s side of the truck.

With a row of cars in front of them, there was still time for God to answer Ken’s prayers, and He did. The suspect turned between the car in front of them to run east again, and then as he passed that one car, he made Ken’s day by turning to his right, now heading south again, and about to pass Ken’s door.

Ken said he had a million things running through his head. To put the window down and reach out would potentially damage the car/truck if he were to struggle against the paint. If he were to open the door too soon, the guy could buckle the door panel. So, he had to wait until the guy was further alongside the truck, so Ken would get him with the back edge of the door, just under the handle and toward the back edge of the door.

So, Ken waited until he felt it was right, and then quickly opened the door. This action slammed the suspect into his right side, knocking him off balance and into the car parked next to them. This also made him drop the items he had stolen and kept him stumbling to regain balance long enough to allow the police officers chasing him time to catch up.

He was cuffed and marched back into the store, where he was processed before being taken to booking.

Retired Detective Ken Driscoll's

  War Story
Wheelchair OC

Several years ago, after Ken had sustained an injury, we found ourselves in a Walmart in Ocean City. From his position in a store’s power chair, Ken overheard an argument. Two men were engaged in a heated dispute. Ken maneuvered his way to the arguing pair and positioned himself right between them. He urged them both to calm down and listen.

Ken pointed out that one of the men had been drinking. When the man started yelling at Ken, Ken responded, “Hold on and just listen. I’m not passing judgment. I’m just trying to say, this is not the place. The police are on their way, and when they get here, they won’t care about your story. They will just take you in.”

Both men listened. Ken then offered some friendly advice. “If I were you,” he said, “I would separate in different directions and take this up sometime later. You, when you have not been drinking, and you, when you have had more time to think out your argument. Now let’s separate before the police get here and someone ends up in jail.”

The two men left. Len noticed three guys standing by, all wearing khaki pants and black golf shirts. One of them approached Ken and asked where he was a police officer. Ken told him he was with the Baltimore Police, and they reacted as if they had met a rock star. Baltimore police are highly respected in the police community.

Ken was using words to calm the two guys—words that subconsciously partnered the men up with him and didn’t make it seem like he had taken sides or that it was him against them. He used words like “we”, “let’s”, and “they”. He wanted to make it seem like a partnership, so he used “we” and “us”, “let’s” which is short for “let us”, and “they” to refer to the police. So now the suspects saw Ken as one of them and the police as the “they” that was not Ken or either of the suspects. He also limited their time to think because “they are on their way”.

The guys in khakis were security and let Ken run the show because it was working. The main security guard said he didn’t want to interfere with what was obviously working because it would have just started things over. They thanked Ken for solving a problem.

The point is, with the right words and the right attitude, even heated, angry drunks can be calmed down. It also goes to show that Baltimore Police are Baltimore Police for the rest of their lives. They never stop caring, and their training doesn’t go away

War Stories
Winner Winner

When Ken was in Major Crimes, they had a few warrants they wanted to serve. Borrowing from the old baseball ticket raffle winner ruse to trick wanted persons into coming to the police, they sent out letters stating that during their last arrest, money and/or property were not picked up. If not picked up by a certain date and time, the money/property would be forfeited to the police.

Some people, even knowing they had no money at the time of their arrest, couldn’t resist a chance to get something, even if they knew it wasn’t theirs. So, out of 30 letters, 15 wanted people came in to claim their property/money and were arrested. After that, they simply sent letters stating that the person was wanted. With that, they had about the same response of 50/50 turning themselves in or continuing to run.

One individual actually sent a letter back saying, “F-you, catch me if you can!” When he was later caught, he told the officers who sent the letter that he didn’t write that response; his sister did. These types of schemes were common in these type units.

One scheme I remember Ken talking about involved a suspect’s phone number. They had the number but didn’t have his address, and it wasn’t in the criss/cross. So, Ken called the number and told the person on the other end of the line that he was with BG&E. He said they had a guy on the pole out front of the person’s house who wasn’t answering his radio and that his wife was going into labor. If they would go out front and tell him to call the office, and he did, they would give them half off on their BG&E bill.

The person was excited, put the phone down, and went out front. A short time later, they came back and said no one was on the pole. Ken asked if they were sure and if they saw his truck. They said they did not. Ken asked, “This is 602 W Lanvale?” The caller said no; this was 2238 Callow Ave. Ken said, “Well, that explains why he is not out front. Okay, well thank you anyway, and don’t worry, we’ll make sure you get your discount. Is there an apartment number or is it a whole house?” They told him it was a whole house, and with that, they knew where to get their suspect.

The tricks they used were sometimes things you would think you would only see in movies, like wearing delivery man uniforms and delivering packages, then arresting the suspect that signed for the package. Dress-ups were a norm for these guys, thinking fast to almost con a suspect into a confession.

Speaking of cons, Ken once had a Flim-Flam artist act out his game to pull someone in on a pigeon drop. After doing so, he told Ken’s sergeant, “Ken was good, and the department was lucky he was on their side, because if he was in the game, he would be one of the best, as he just conned a con into allowing him to be filmed acting out the game.” Something he said he had no idea he would ever do, but Ken made him feel like it was all his choice and that is the main rule in a con, having the stooge think they are in control. I will have to con Ken into telling me more of his stories.

War Story
Tech 9 - 22

As a rookie police officer, Ken was assigned to Central District’s Sector 3 in car 136, which covered Reservoir Hill at the time. This was back in the late 1980s when Whitelock and Brookfield were hotspots for crime, including drug dealing, gunfights, murder, burglary, theft, and more.

One night on a midnight shift, Ken received a call for a purse-snatching. En route to the call, he spotted a suspect carrying a purse and matching the description given by KGA. Ken stopped the suspect and requested that someone pick up the victim and drive her past his location where he had the suspect and two or three volunteers standing around his car. As she was driven by, she identified the suspect Ken had stopped as the person who had knocked her down and taken her purse. She also described her purse, which not only matched the purse the suspect was carrying, but her identification was still inside. The suspect was taken to men’s detention, which at the time was still in Central Police Station.

While filling out the charging papers, which were handwritten since this was before computers, the suspect had to use the bathroom. This required Ken to take off his gun and put it in the drawer next to the Desk Sergeant. The suspect had been drinking and had to relieve himself a few times, each time requiring Ken to secure his gun next to the Desk Sergeant. He also had drugs in his pocket. Ken didn’t bother to charge him with the drugs, but he still had to submit them. By the time he was wrapping things up, it was nearing 2:00 am and Ken was on his way through the garage toward men’s detention to take the reports down to his Sergeant.

Officer Dave Robertson stopped a car in the 1600 block of Pennsylvania Ave. No one called to back him up, so Ken, who was walking past his car on Frederick St. at the time, hopped in and took off from the headquarters building, and up the Jones Falls. Before long, he was pulling up on Dave. You would have to know Dave to understand why someone would drive like a nut cutting across one-way streets, hopping curbs, etc. Dave fell into more trouble (as Ken puts it) than the guy that empties outhouses at a state fair. Plus, Ken had a weird feeling just from the tone in Dave’s voice. Police tend to hear changes in the voice of their squad members and know when something isn’t right.

So, Ken pulled past the stopped car and backed up on its front bumper, got out, and walked past the car to meet Dave at the back, driver side bumper of the suspect vehicle. On the way by, Ken recognized the driver, whose last name was Smith. It has been nearly 30 years, so neither Ken nor I can remember his first name, but I know Ken arrested him for drug dealing in the past. He had told me how when Smith was clean, he was sarcastic and just the type you wished you could knock on his butt, but Ken respected the job and his family too much to throw it all away over his ego. So, Ken would just wait until the next time. Statistically with this suspect, if he was clean today, he would be dirty tomorrow and the rest of the week. Whenever Smith was dirty, he lost his wit. One time Ken asked his name, he told him let’s say, William Smith; Ken asked him to spell it, he spelled his first name fine, but when he got to his last name, he said S – M– I – and froze, he got to the “TH” and stopped. It was no use, he couldn’t sound out the “TH” sound. That time he had a nice little knot of dope and gave Ken a reason to knock him on his bottom. It seemed when he was dirty, he lost his train of thought and grew a set of whatever it was that makes someone think it is a promising idea to fight a police officer that weighed about 225 pounds compared to his 155 pound frame.

By the way, Ken never gave a suspect more than was needed to get them into cuffs. So now Ken was standing with Dave at the rear bumper, Dave tells Ken he thought the driver was drinking because he was driving without headlights. Ken asked if Dave searched the car, gave Smith a roadside sobriety test, or if he even knew who Smith was? Dave didn’t… didn’t and didn’t… and to make matters worse, he had lost interest, so he told Ken he was about to just cut them loose and Ken could take over on the case if he wanted. Ken called the driver (Smith) to the back of the car and asked if he could search his car, Smith gets frantic, started to open the hatchback on the car while saying, “I don’t know what you’re looking for, other than the baby I locked in here earlier, but you can…” and before he could say, “search the car!” Ken closed the hatchback and had Dave hold onto Mr Smith. Ken clarified again, it was OK to look in the car, and Smith agreed that he could. But again, he was talking in a nervous way that from experience Ken knew he was dirty, somehow and it seemed he was trying to send a message to the passengers in that car. Ken opened the back passenger side door and pulled the guy from the back seat out as he did he ran his hand around the guy’s waistband and came up with an 8 shot .22 caliber revolver. Ken quickly cuffed him and leaned him in the street, with his knees in the gutter, his feet were crossed and up on the sidewalk, his head leaning on the car and of course his hands were behind his back and in cuffs. Ken had Dave watch of the two prisoners while Ken opened the front passenger door and immediately saw a Tech-9 in plain view sitting on the floor between the suspect’s knees. Simultaneously, Ken pulled the passenger and the Tech-9 out of the car. But unlike the guy in the back seat, when Ken went to cuff this guy he started to put up a little struggle, he wouldn’t say it was a full-fledged fight, but for a split second, it was headed that way and because Ken’s hands were filled with the suspect in one and the suspect’s gun in the other, Ken had little choice other than to put the muzzle of the Tech-9 to the suspect’s temple while ordering him to, “stop resisting”. The suspect said, “OK… OK… I am not going to fight!” he stopped struggling and continued, “it has a hair trigger! be careful!” Seconds later, with everyone secure, and a wagon on its way, Ken called for EVU (Emergency Vehicle Unit) to come clear the weapon. I mean, after all, Ken said it felt as if the slide was stuck and the suspect just told him it had a hair trigger. The last thing Ken wanted to do after making a pretty good arrest was to let a round go off, down Pennsylvania Ave. at 2:30–3 o’clock in the morning.

While Ken was waiting for the Emergency Vehicle Unit (EVU), a man approached him to report that he had just been robbed by the three individuals Ken had arrested. The man explained that he was exiting the Golden Sun carry-out when two of the individuals got out of the car, took his food (a cold cut sub), his Pepsi, a $20 bill, and a gold pinky ring with his initial on it.

Everything the man claimed was taken was indeed recovered in the car. The individual with the 8-shot revolver had a $20 bill, and the individual with the Tech-9 was wearing the pinky ring. The initial on the ring matched that of the victim, not the person wearing it. Furthermore, the victim described the guns used, and at the time, the guns were locked in the trunk of Ken’s car, making it impossible for him to have seen them.

Given these circumstances, Ken was convinced that the man was telling the truth. Not only had he been robbed, but it was indeed done by the three individuals Ken had in his custody.

With the description of a Tech-9 going out over the air, along with a wagon call for three arrests, the curiosity of their squad was AWAKEN and everyone came to have a look see at what these two had gotten themselves into. The first guy on the scene was Officer Kelvin Vincent; Kelvin said, “Good case, Driscoll, two guns, three arrests, a victim reporting he had been robbed by the three a few minutes earlier; good stuff. But I have to ask you; where’s your gun?” Ken looked down on his hip as he reached for an empty holster and sure enough, he was unarmed. So, he calmly told Officer Vincent that his gun was down the cell block. That quick, Ken remembered that he was on his way back to get his gun and drop off the reports from the purse-snatching arrest when Dave’s call came out, So Ken left with no gun.

Later that morning, Ken received acclamations from nearly everyone at the station. The Major’s driver approached Ken to relay a message from the Major. He commended Ken for his excellent police work, first with the purse-snatching case, then with the armed robbery. As the driver turned to leave, he paused and turned back to Ken, saying, "Oh yeah, the Major also said to remind you to take your F-ing gun with you next time…” The Major emphasized that he had attended enough police funerals of officers who were doing outstanding work with all their equipment. He advised, “Don’t give the bad guys an advantage,"  and encouraged Ken to otherwise keep up the good work.

A friend of Ken’s composed a rap about himself. While Ken will be the first to admit that his friend’s ‘Wody Rap’ is far superior to his own, Ken still managed to create a humorous little rap about the incident. Despite the incident being scary for us at home, Ken knew how to lighten the mood and make it less frightening with a rap that went something like this:

"Well I'm Big Ken Driscoll and I made an arrest,
I didn't have my gun but I wore my vest.
I took away an Uzi and a 22,
Dave Robertson didn't know what to do.
So I put them in cuffs, and I took them to jail,
now they got themselves a hundred thousand bail!"
HERE  

For myself and the kids, it did make a difficult situation into something less scary and something that seemed, as if Ken had more control. Sometimes I think the way he carried himself, and talked to people helped, I remember another time Ken had a broken arm, and not only arrested two people while out to lunch but had to wait for someone to bring him flex cuffs, he was light duty and only going out for lunch. When he got back into the station, the suspects asked when he broke his arm, Ken told them weeks ago, and they said you weren't wearing a cast up on Howard St. If you were, we wouldn't have just stood there. Ken said this is why I kept you from seeing my arm. From that and the unarmed arrest, I assume he just knew how to carry himself,, and control a situation.

Ken Driscoll is in the wheelchair, with John kneeling beside him. These two were partners on a midnight shift for four or five years
back in the early 1990s and made some great cases. They took a lot of guns and drugs off the street, and made a lot of arrests doing it. There's a movie called Next of Kin, and in the movie, two brothers fight together to catch a guy that killed their youngest brother. When they decide to work together, they start talking about the old days, and one says, "Together we made a mean pair too!" John knew this line, but Ken misheard the line to be "Together we made a mean pair of two!" which Ken found to be funny and true all at the same time. So for more than 35 years the two have been friends, and their motto has always been "Together we made a mean pair of two!"  The names Calpin and Driscoll were legendary from those days. 

 

Apparently upset that they "rolled" Ken into the pention trial, during the 2012 testimony of Mayor Blake, Judge Garvis said, "You rolled your disabled Sally, poster child in, we get it, now can we move on?" Ken wouldn't let me say anything at the time, fearing that if the case was lost, it would have been his fault because I yelled at the judge for calling Ken a sally poster child that was rolled in. I have since learned that a sally is a military surprise attack. Still wrong, but Ken was right; it was best to remain quiet and let the judge be the only one lacking class that day. We have since obtained the transcripts, and where the judge made these comments, they put inaudible. 

John Calpin - Kenny Driscoll 
Shortly After a Departmental Shooting 400 E. North Ave.

3 May 1992

Shoot Out in the Odell's Crowd

On the night of May 3rd, 1992, Ken was working a graveyard tour. He had a permanent assignment on the midnight shift in the Central District at the time. I was pregnant with our youngest child, due to give birth on May 6th. That night, Ken and his partner, Officer John Calpin, who was my favorite among his partners, were tasked with crowd control at Odell’s nightclub on North Ave.

A call came in regarding an armed suspect heading east on North Ave., near the Board of Education building. Ken and John responded immediately, hopping into John’s car and heading east. When they arrived at the school board's headquarters, no one there matched the description KGA had given. Although they crossed into the Eastern District from Central, they decided to continue east on North Avenue until they could get to a safe place to turn around.

They came across someone who matched the suspect's description a couple of blocks later. He was with a girl who was wearing a long brown leather coat, and he himself was wearing a light blue velour sweatsuit with white tennis shoes. Reports indicated that the suspect was armed with a black semi-automatic pistol, which he waved around before firing a couple of rounds into the air.

Ken and John noticed that a second male had joined the suspect and the girl. The second man was dressed in an all-black velour sweatsuit. The suspect, who was reported to be carrying the 9mm handgun, was standing between the female and the man who had just joined them.

Another police vehicle, driven by an officer I only knew as Brian (possibly Brian Curran), was following Ken and John’s vehicle. Brian stopped his car on the corner, behind the suspects, blocking any potential escape to the west. Ken radioed in to say that they had a suspect who fit the earlier KGA description and that they were going to try to make a stop on the north side of the street in the 400 block of E. North Ave.

To prevent any attempts to flee, Ken and John pulled their car up approximately 25 to 30 feet east of the suspects. Ken got out of the passenger door and ordered the suspects to freeze and stop where they were. At this point, the armed suspect, dressed in light blue, started turning counterclockwise. With his right hand, he drew a semi-automatic pistol from under his shirt and with his left hand he grabbed the black-clad individual as he continued to turn in the same counterclockwise direction.

At the start of the suspect’s turn, he was facing Ken. However, when he came face-to-face with Officer Calpin, he stopped turning and began raising his pistol around the right side of his hostage/human shield. We don't know if he thought he had turned a full 360 degrees and was facing Ken again, or if he just stopped at the first officer he saw. Now hiding behind the hostage and using him as a human shield, he continued to raise his firearm around the hostage, as if he were trying to aim his gun at John.

The woman who was with him fled southward toward the street, out of the line of any potential gunfire. She was aware of the shooter's propensity to fire at police. Now the suspect was hiding behind his human shield, posing a threat to Ken’s partner with a firearm he had reportedly been firing into the air.

Ken said that everything seemed to be moving slowly, but he understood from his training that this was just his adrenaline making him think faster than what was actually happening. All of this transpired quickly, possibly within seconds of the confrontation, certainly in under a minute.

He stated that he was aware that he needed to fire only a single shot, that he was outside of his shooting comfort zone (it was later determined the shot he took was 27 to 30 feet), and that his partner was a wide-open target with nowhere to take cover, standing no more than 8 to possibly 10 feet directly in front of the suspect. He also contended that the suspect was holding someone between himself and John, preventing John from firing a round to defend himself.

Ken inhaled deeply, took aim, and then gently squeezed off a single round after carefully aiming. He was taught to double tap, but he was aware that he could not get a second round off without risking injury to the hostage. Ken told me he fired as far back as he could, splitting his target in half and aiming for the back half, so his round would be as far from the hostage as possible. He said he felt if he hit where he was aiming, it could end the threat; if he grazed his back or missed shooting behind the suspect, he might draw the suspect’s fire, giving John time to take cover and possibly fire on the suspect from his new position.

Meanwhile, Ken felt he had the advantage of distance; he estimated 30 feet, and if need be, he could have taken cover behind the hood and engine block of the patrol car. He had faith in his partner’s ability to bail him out should he miss, but he knew he had to take the shot in order to avoid seeing his partner shot. Ken always said the shot he made was better than his shooting ability; he knew he could shoot well, but this shot was at a subject that was hiding behind a hostage at a great distance, so the target was small. Ken believes the shot was only made because he prayed before his shifts and had God on his side. The bullet entered the suspect’s body through his left side at his chest line and traveled through his body in a downward trajectory, nearly exiting the suspect’s body near his lower right hip around the area some might call the love handle. With just one shot, the threat to Ken and his partners was over.

The two partners advanced on the suspect, while Officer Curran, the third officer, caught the hostage as he was attempting to run away. As Ken approached the suspect, he took control of the suspect’s firearm, first handing it to Calpin before putting the guy in handcuffs. With the suspect secured, John handed the firearm back to Ken. Ken secured the pistol in his dip, then provided first aid for what he referred to as a sucking chest wound. John had already called for a medic and notified communications that a police-involved shooting had just taken place.

Ken stated that the solution for the sucking chest wound was as simple as covering it with a piece of plastic potato chip baggie he had found on the ground, not far from where the suspect was lying. He looked to see where the round had exited and discovered that it was just under the flesh on his right side, as described previously above the right hip. Once the chip bag covered the entry wound on the suspect’s chest, the sucking sound stopped, and the suspect was breathing more comfortably, or at least less labored.

After arriving on the scene, a sergeant took charge of the first aid and ordered Ken to be transported to the back seat of his car until the crowd calmed down. Ken was transported shortly afterward to Homicide to start the inquiry. They transported Ken, John, and Brian in separate vehicles and kept them apart until they obtained their statements.

The second male, initially perceived as a hostage and used as a human shield, was later identified as the suspect’s brother. The woman who had been with the armed suspect throughout the incident was found to have been his mother. She was present when he brandished and discharged his pistol into the air. Interestingly, while she was at the hospital receiving treatment for chest pains, she was overheard telling a family member of Her’s that she had told her son to put the gun away so as not to attract any unwanted police attention. That said, at the time of the incident, the police were unaware of these details. They believed they were confronting an armed subject and ensuring the safety of an innocent hostage.

The defendant survived the shooting and was able to appear at trial thanks to John and Ken’s rapid response in providing first aid and their sergeant taking over that medical treatment until an ambulance arrived to take him to the hospital, where he was taken into surgery and treated for the gunshot wound. He later accepted a plea deal of three years in prison for a handgun infraction, as well as three charges of assault on police for brandishing the gun in the direction of the three officers.

Three days later, our youngest daughter, Patricia Lynn Driscoll, was born. We affectionately called her Tricia, or Tink. She grew up to become a doctor, specializing in the treatment of children with autism.

All three officers, including Ken, received "commendatory ribbons" in recognition of their actions that day. In the same week, Ken received a bronze star for assisting a fireman in rescuing a man from an apartment fire. Interestingly, the man they saved from the fire was a career criminal. This led to some officers questioning why preventing a police officer from being shot earns a commendatory ribbon, but while saving a career criminal from a fire merits a bronze star.

The police commissioner and the meritorious conduct board upgraded Ken's commendatory ribbon to a bronze star after reevaluating his actions. This recognition served as a testament to all three officers' bravery and commitment to their duty.

Driscoll and Caplin
One Mean Pair of Two

The Badge of Honor: A Tribute to the Retired Badges of the Police Department

In the history of any police department, the retirement of a badge number is a profound honor. It is a tribute that speaks volumes about the character and contributions of the officer who wore that badge. This honor is typically bestowed posthumously as a final salute to fallen officers. However, in rare and extraordinary circumstances, it is granted to living officers.

Since 1785, only five living officers in the Baltimore Police Department have received this distinct honor, and among them, only two are detectives. This rarity underscores the magnitude of their contributions and the deep respect they’ve earned within the agency.

The Retired Badges

From what we have found in reports and have heard from other historian, only five badges have been retired: three to officers and two to detectives. In addition, there is a sixth badge retired posthumously to a six-year-old honorary police officer. The officers and detectives whose badges were retired are:

Honorary Police Officer 6-Year-Old Vincent Felicebus, Jr - 30 Jan 1957 - P/O Badge #390 - Commissioner James Hepbron

1. P/O Edward A. Panowitz Sr, - 1968 - P/O Badge #23 - Commissioner Bishop Robinson
2. P/O Gerard Heid - 2009 - P/O Badge #2407 – Commissioner Fred Bealefeld III
3. P/O John McAndrew - 30 June 2011 - P/O Badge #1122 - Commissioner Fred Bealefeld III
4. Al Marcus - 5 March 2016 - Detective Badge #12 - Commissioner Kevin Davis
5. Kenneth Driscoll - 6 May 2018 - Detective Badge #550 - Commissioner Darryl DeSousa 

The Legacy of Badge #550

Retiring a badge number ensures that it is forever associated with the officer who wore it. Detective Badge #550 will forever be synonymous with Detective Driscoll, a symbol of his resilience, his pursuit of justice, and his unwavering commitment to the oath he took as a law enforcement officer.

It’s a legacy that will hopefully inspire future generations of law enforcement officers, reminding them of the profound impact one person can have on their department and their community. In essence, the retirement of Detective Driscoll’s badge number is not just an honor but a lasting tribute to a remarkable career and an extraordinary individual.

It’s a testament to the kind of officer Detective Driscoll was and the enduring legacy he leaves behind. His badge, now retired, will continue to serve as a beacon of dedication, resilience, and commitment for all those who choose to wear the uniform of a Baltimore Police officer.

 

30 Jan 1957

Police badge 390 Retired; Vincent, Aged 6, Buried - Commissioner James M. Hepbron

Baltimore Police badge Number 390 was officially retired today 30 Jan 1957. The shiny symbol of law and order was one of the last proud possessions of 6-year-old Vincent Felicebus, Jr., who wanted more than anything else to be a policeman. It was given to the boy at his home, 2603 Kentucky Ave. by Commissioner James M. Hepbron, who realized Vincent would not live to fulfill his ambition. Vincent was a victim of Leukemia. On Sunday he died. Today he was buried, after angel’s mass at the Shrine of the Little Flower Church. The police Commissioner attended the services, as did City Councilman C. Lyman Schueler. Four policemen served as Vincent’s pallbearers.

 

 

1. Retired P/O Edward A. Panowitz Sr, 1968 - P/O Badge # 23 - Commissioner Bishop Robinson

2. Retired P/O Gerard Heid 2009 - P/O Badge # 2407 - Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III 

3. Retired Officer John McAndrew - 30 June 2011- P/O Badge # 1122 - Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III

5 March 2016

4. Retired Detective Al "Mad-Dog" Marcus - 5 March 2016 - Det. Badge # 12 - Commissioner Kevin Davis 

6 May 2018

5. Retired Detective Kenneth Driscoll - 6 May 2018 - Det. Badge # 550 - Commissioner Darryl DeSousa. Issued to Retired Detective Kenneth Driscoll, by an announcement of Baltimore Police Commissioner, Darryl DeSousa on 6 May 2018 said, now and forever Ken's badge and number have been RETIRED! and Detective Badge #550 will never be issued again - Click any of the pics from this presentation to watch/listen to the video 

 

 

Planned Parenthood Detail

As a father of four, Ken was always pro-life, but his job was to keep the peace. So he had to set his personal feelings aside, and do his job to prevent riots at a planned parenthood office.

This was their first Gold Record 1996

2nd RIAA Gold Record
This was in 2000 and was
Awarded to Sergeant Dull, Assistant States Attorney Patricia Deros SP?

This was Ken's first Bronze Star
It has has James and Ken Jr in he pic, 
The award was presented by Commissioner Woods

This is Ken and Ed Chaney

This has George Trainer, John Calpin and Kenny
George called them The Good The Bad and The Ugly

Kenny, Karin Sullivan Lipski, and John Calpin

These three never worked together, but Ken was partnered up with both of them. 
Left to Right, this is John Calpin, Ed Chaney and Ken

This is Kenny looking under the car to make sure no-one or nothing is under the car before it is towed.
Ken was told it looks like he is falling out of the car, So they took the pic for the joke. BTW It is
John Calpin that is toward the front of the car, he is acting as if he is directing Ken into the parking place.

1992 - On May 3rd 1992 a guy pulled a hostage between he and Officers Calpin, Curran and Driscoll With a human shield protecting him, he could have tried to walk or run away, but he wanted to use his gun. So he raised it around his hostage in the direction of Officer Calpin. Ken was 30ft to the suspect's east, and the target was small, but Ken didn't have a lot of time, he knew he had one shot, so the adrenaline took over Ken quickly aimed for the center-mass area furthest from the hostage, squeezed the trigger slowly until the gun went off. the round traveled the 30 feet, quickly striking the target ending the threat. Freeing the hostage. Ken and John advanced toward the suspect, while Officer Curran stopped and held the hostage. 

As Ken approached the suspect, he first seized and controlled the suspect's weapon, he then cuffed him up, and started the first-aid that doctors said most likely saved the gunman's life. Before everything was said and done they learned the woman walking with the suspect was his mother, she was quoted in the hospital as having said to her sister, that she told her son [the suspect] "to put his gun away before someone reports him to the police!" Earlier in the year the same suspect saw someone he had been looking for in a car with three others, not wanting to miss his chance, he shot the car with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, until the gun reached lock-back, and everyone in the car had been shot multiple times. Ken spoke with the mother of one of those shot in that car, and she told him her son was paid $500 not to testify, and that he could use the money, so he and the others would not be testifying against the suspect.

John Calpin, Ken and Officer Scott Bradshaw

This is Ken and Ed Chaney

Ken with Agent Greg Tate Secret Service
The Award being presented to Agent Tate was a Central District Parking Permit

Ken working at his desk, while Jimmy stands next to him working a case
There was a sticker under this picture that said, 
Jim yelling at Kenny again - Kenny ignoring Jim AGAIN!!!
There was an age difference that caused tension between these two.
But nothing stopped either of them from working as hard as they could to solve crime

John Brandt with Ken

Ken working Sector 3 - 10 Oct 1989
This is the back of the crime scene in the 1500 Blk. of Pennsylvania Ave

This pic was the day Ken and John seized a safe containing 2 keys of cocaine. They tripped over it, while chasing a suspect that bailed out of a stolen car and ran into an apartment. Since he was running from the police, when they knocked on the door and a lady answered telling the officers she was alone, and no one should be in the apartment with her. They went in and found him hiding in a closet in a near empty room, The lady obviously living there said she wanted the suspect removed, and she told them to take the safe out too. Long story short, her boyfriend rented the apartment, but only furnished one room for her. The other rooms were for his stash house. So, the suspect that was running in and out, ended up getting a ten year sentence for the drugs.

During his early years, he arrested these two, one a John, the other a John's paid entertainment
even then he made it known it was nothing personal, had the two rented a room no one would care.

Ken

Ken

This was after Ken lost weight

Jim Eigner was one of the guys Ken worked with. There is a joke behind this, Jim got a print hit for a burglary, so he wrote a warrant, the court commissioner downgraded it to a criminal summons. later when it was served, it turned out to be one of the midnight officers. He wasn't a burglar, he was one of the first on the scene, and he was both and Officer and a gentleman, as he cleared the glass out so he could help a female officer enter and secure the building. Ken used to bust on Jim for the mistake, and when he saw the chance he closed a cell door and took this picture as part of the joke 

John Calpin, and Ken
"Together they made a pretty mean pair of two."

Sgt. David Dull

They had a block sale where an entire block had a yard sale. Ken's partner and he walked the block and stayed close to the area so as to prevent any problems. As they walked the area they saw a 35mm camera that was filled with a roll of film. When they got back to patrol, they found this officer, he was doing surveillance earlier, and Ken having the camera, asked him to show them how he watches a drug corner, or other area he wants to watch while in uniform and a marked car without them moving away to do their crimes elsewhere. BTW they always worked areas that had complaints, so as to appease the neighborhood by catching drug dealers, car poppers, stick up guys etc. The Officer in the car claimed to have pretended to read a newspaper, this allows him to keep an eye on a crowd until he has an idea of who the caller was complaining about. Before long he would act as if he was sleeping. It was as if reading the paper in a nice warm, or air conditioned car, took its toll, and the officer fell asleep.

So, Ken had him show them how far he can close his eyes and still see, he was able to tell Ken's partner how many fingers he was holding up as Ken's partner stood in front of the car closer to the driver-side. While the officer was busy showing them his trick, and had his attention diverted to counting Ken's partners fingers, Ken was able to pull the camera up and snap the shot. Then for the last 20+ years tease him about the picture saying, we were the only ones that knew the truth, and that from now on, he may have to pull the trick in the Majors office, or at a Trial Board, where he appears to have been sleeping, and then fill them in on everything he heard them say while he appeared to be sleeping. It was either that or he would buy Ken lunch for the rest of his career... which if Ken was really blackmailing him, his career would have lasted about one meal... LOL

Here they are again, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
According the George, The Ugly is in the middle. 
George was The Good, John was The Bad, and Ken was The Ugly
I guess it's better than in the old days when he had a shirt that said, Ugly Mean and Nasty... 
At least he isn't Mean and Nasty anymore LOL

Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll with his uncle, and Hero Ret. Det. Leo Smith

Artwork Courtesy Cameron Jackson

Ken's grandson drew this picture of his grandfather Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll and his old partner John Calpin. It is from an old picture John was on the left side holding a cup of coffee, Ken is to the right. In the day, Ken never drank coffee, so he partner would tease and say, Kenny only drinks Hot Cocoa... Because Ken's father didn't give him permission to drink coffee. LOL... Great artwork by Cameron Jackson

Statement Analysis

SCAN was developed and refined by Avinoam Sapir and has become one of the most effective techniques available for obtaining information and detecting deception from statements of victims, witnesses or suspects.  SCAN (analysis of statements) is an essential tool for law enforcement personnel, investigators, social service personnel, and anyone else who needs to obtain information from written material. Initially, it is best with a written statement, but once one has enough training, and experience they can just as easily do this with spoken words, which can be used in real time during an interview or interrogation. LSI provides SCAN training throughout the US and Canada, and also in Mexico, the UK, Israel, Australia, and other countries. More information can be found at a link on the bottom of this page 

1992: SCAN (Scientific Content Analysis) was brought to the Central District's Major Crime Unit. SCAN was a Linguistic Polygraph technique that, at the time, was so new that the department had never heard of it, and as such, they refused to pay for the course. Officer Driscoll was coming back from a line of duty injury and had received a Workers Compensation payout. Ken used a large portion of that to pay for the training. Within a few months of Driscoll showing, it to different units throughout the department, he was invited to help with various cases, analyzing statements in just about every unit or division within the department, everything from Homicide to Sex offenses to Robbery, Missing persons, and all of the robbery and burglary units in CID and the district's MCU (Major Crime Units) or DDU (District Detective Units). He started out being limited to "Area 1," and before long they added Area 2, but of course if someone came to him from Area 3, he wasn't turning them down. Ken couldn't resist helping out in any and all cases. He also did statements for the State’s Attorney’s Office and various outside agencies like Baltimore County, Ann Arundel County, and Maryland State Police anyone that came to him for help with cases, he took their statement's and trust me, he was loving it. I know he used to come home and tell me and the kids about various cases which taught us how to use the technique. Our youngest daughter was born in 1993, so she grew up learning this technique, while learning to talk, she was learning to detect deception, often while she and her father got to talking, it seemed they both use the technique as if it were second nature to them. I know what it did for Ken's career and am seeing what it is doing for hers. One was a detective, the other a student psychologist. Let's face it, the truth is the truth, and knowing where the truth ends and deceptions begin will help anyone on any career path.  Before leaving the department in 2001 for surgery due to a LOD injury, Det. Driscoll was asked to teach his introductory course to Baltimore's Homicide Unit. BTW His course was authorized by Avinoam Sapir from LSI. Avinoam Sapir developed and refined Statement Analysis, and because Det. Driscoll took it so seriously that he found several observations that had not yet been discovered, Avinoam called Ken a Guru on the subject. "Point of Perspective, "Here vs. There" was just one of Kenny's many observations that were eventually included in LSI's training after Ken brought it to Mr. Sapir’s attention.

Ken still uses the technique and practices reading statements, even though he has been retired since 2003. One of the more well-known cases he was involved in was the Laci Peterson case, in which he contacted the Modesto, California, Police and offered his assistance, providing an observation of Scott Peterson's words. These observations came within five days of Laci’s going missing. Based on something Scott said to the media about his wife's disappearance, Kenny knew she was dead and not missing, as Scott was trying to report. To Ken, it came easy: if Scott Peterson knew she was dead when everyone else only suspected her as missing, then he must have killed her. At the time, The Modesto, California, Police said it was too early; they didn’t want to accuse him of anything too soon. But within the year, they asked Ret. Det. Driscoll for a complete write-up of his observations. BTW, I should point out that at first, he wasn't welcomed with open arms; initially they said something to the effect of, "If she is dead, and he knows it, as you said, he isn't the only one, because you also said she is dead, so how do we know you didn't do it?" Ken said, "Well, I am maybe 3000 miles away, give or take, and I am in a wheelchair, so good luck with that theory. When you find out she is dead, I can tell you about when and where she got dead. Feel free to contact me." Kenny was able to tell them what room she was killed in and the approximate time that she was killed, all based on Scott Peterson’s words. Within a year, Laci’s Body was recovered, and Scott Peterson was arrested, tried, and convicted of her murder. Other cases he assisted with included Haleigh Cummings, in which police were told to look more closely at the girlfriend; Ken was told she passed her polygraph. Ken said, "No offense, but the polygraph is only as good as the examiner and the questions asked. I know from the words used; the girlfriend knows more than she is telling." A few years later, it was determined the girl may have been taken from the girlfriend over money she owed for drugs. 

The technique is very strong in the right hands and has been used to solve many cases throughout this country and internationally.  The first time it was actually used in a case for Baltimore police was about 6 to 8 months after Ken had started using it; he had come back to work after a surgery that nearly ended his career in 1993. He had been telling everyone about the course and how it worked. One night a call came out for a carjacking, and within 45 minutes of the report, some officers in Sector 4 of the Central District found the car with a driver that matched the description given in the BOLO. The officers thought it would be an easy case for Ken, and at the same time, he could get them a quick confession, making the court part easy for everyone. Ken sat down and had the suspect write a statement. Ken began to read and analyze the statement. After the first read over, he found nothing, so he read it again and again, but he couldn't find the deception. Confused for a few minutes, he began to doubt his ability with a technique that during training he never had trouble with; he was 100% in training statements. Then it hit him: during training he never had a truthful statement, so he called the reporting person in, and in order to get what is called a pure original statement, he explained he was just handed the case and knows nothing at all about it, so if he could, would he write down what happened? This was important because if you ask someone to tell you what happened and they tell you, then ask them to write it down, the words in the written statement will be different from the spoken statement, and those changes could be important. So, Ken always had it written before they talked. Not that if they weren't there, there wouldn't be other words to use, but the life of an analyst is much easier if everything is pure. As the victim of this carjacking finished his statement and started to turn it 180 degrees from his seat to Ken's across the table from him, Ken had glanced down and already seen deception on the page. Even more was found when he read the entire statement. After being confronted by Ken and before leaving, the reporting person gave a new statement, one with no deception, that nearly matched word for word with the statement given by the suspect arrested in that car. This was important as it cleared a man of false charges made against him—charges that could have kept him locked up for anywhere from 6 months to a year before a trial may have set him free, and even then, it would have been up to the reporting person to have come clean. Ken letting the carjack suspect go didn't go off without a hitch; the arresting officer and his sergeant wanted Ken's butt. But once they learned, Ken didn't just let a guy go because the guy fooled him or refused to confess; he had the reporting person confess, and better yet, without knowing what the arrested man said, the reporting person gave a similar version of events. So, this started off big, and when the Major learned of this newfound technique, it led to Ken's being transferred to the major crimes unit, where he would work the last 10 years of his career and receive 4 of his 6 Officer of the Year Awards. Now, after being retired for 15 years, Ken received the 7th Officer of the Year Award, which was written more like a lifetime achievement award 

"It does not take many words to tell the truth." Sitting Bull
This is very true; in fact, "Just as it takes few words to tell the truth, often it takes many words to bury a lie."

In 1993 the following statement was written by a citizen who had earlier in the night reported he was the victim of a carjacking. This statement was not written until after he filed his report with Southern District Patrol and a suspect was arrested within 45 minutes by Central District Officers while he was still in the car. The suspect in that arrest gave a statement, to a Central District Patrolman that had studied and learned a new technique that provided a kind of linguistic polygraph. It is interesting that after a year of trying to get this technique seriously looked at by the department, it took this case to change things.

Using the SCAN technique, the officer found the statement provided by the suspect in this case to have been credible. With this the officer called the reporting person into the district to tell him he had taken over his case, and that he wanted him to write a statement as to what happened, while the officer pulled reports. Within 15 minutes of reading the statement, the officer had a confession from the victim, stating that he had lied, and that he was not carjacked. He gave an account of the night’s events that matched more closely those given by the suspect they had in holding. As promised the guy they had in lock-up was released without charges. Making the first time this technique was used, in our agency, it was used to clear an innocent man from being charged with a very serious crime. The Officer was transferred to the District’s Major Crime Unit where he remained for the next 10 years, clearing the innocent, and gaining confessions from the guilty. He also trained and will still train any Baltimore City Officer interested in learning the technique for FREE.

Voice stress analysis (VSA) and computer voice stress analysis (CVSA) are collectively a pseudoscientific technology that aims to infer deception from stress measured in the voice. The CVSA records the human voice using a microphone, and the technology is based on the tenet that the non-verbal, low-frequency content of the voice conveys information about the physiological and psychological state of the speaker. Typically utilized in investigative settings, the technology aims to differentiate between stressed and non-stressed outputs in response to stimuli (e.g., questions posed), with high stress seen as an indication of deception.

The use of voice stress analysis (VSA) for the detection of deception is controversial. Discussions about the application of VSA have focused on whether this technology can indeed reliably detect stress, and, if so, whether deception can be inferred from this stress. Critics have argued that—even if stress could reliably be measured from the voice—this would be highly similar to measuring stress with the polygraph, for example, and that all critiques centered on polygraph testing apply to VSA as well. A 2002 review of the state of the art conducted for the United States Department of Justice found several technical challenges to the technology, including the same problem of determining deception. When reviewing the literature on the effectiveness of VSA in 2003, the National Research Council concluded, “Overall, this research and the few controlled tests conducted over the past decade offer little or no scientific basis for the use of the computer voice stress analyzer or similar voice measurement instruments”.^:168 A 2013 paper published in Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics reviewed the "scientific implausibility" of its principles and "ungrounded claims of the aggressive propaganda from sellers of voice stress analysis gadgets".

Confession made following a voice stress examination was allowed to be used as evidence in a case in Wisconsin in 2014. In the case of the murder of 12-year-old Stephanie Crowe confessions were made while three suspects were undergoing VSA which were later found to be false by a judge; the manufacturer of the VSA equipment later settled a lawsuit that alleged that it was liable for the harm the three suspects suffered. In a similar case, Donovan Allen falsely confessed to killing his mother after failing a VSA test. He was acquitted 15 years later based on exonerating DNA evidence. George Zimmerman was given a VSA after he fatally shot Florida teenager Trayvon Martin in 2012.

False Confessions

The Major Crime Unit rarely encountered false confessions, but one case stood out. A suspect claimed to have passed a polygraph test, clearing him of theft. However, Ken was skeptical, as the test's validity relied on the questions and examiner. He insisted on retesting the suspect using standardized questions or having the department's examiner retest him. The suspect eventually admitted to writing questions about a different theft, trying to deceive the polygraph examiner. Ken emphasized the importance of accurate questioning techniques and a qualified examiner to minimize false results.

The suspect had stolen from his company and was trying to avoid charges. Ken's instincts and attention to detail uncovered the truth, and the suspect eventually confessed again. Ken's approach to interrogation prioritized gathering information and avoiding giving away too much. He believed that a false confession was less likely if the suspect provided specific details only the perpetrator would know.

In the end, the company just wanted the suspect to find a new job. Ken's dedication to uncovering the truth and promoting accountability earned him respect and reinforced the importance of trust and integrity in law enforcement.

NOTE: Technically, he could have opted for an “Alford Plea.” Nearly 50 years ago, the US Supreme Court recognized this plea, which enables a sentencing judge to accept a plea from someone who maintains their innocence—in effect, a de facto plea of guilty. In this case, Alford pleaded guilty to second-degree murder to avoid a potential death sentence.

Ordinarily, a guilty plea must include a knowing and intelligent waiver of trial and an admission of guilt. In fact, a trial judge must generally conduct a searching inquiry into whether there is a factual basis that a crime occurred, that the defendant committed it, and that this is the conduct to which the defendant is admitting. As a detective, Ken used the same standards; he wouldn’t take a confession on a crime he didn’t think the subject committed. In Alford, the Supreme Court determined that an admission of guilt was not constitutionally required.

Ken was aware of Alford pleas but sought cases where he not only knew he had the right person but also ensured that the person knew they weren’t fooling anyone. Well, maybe their girlfriend. Ken wasn’t their couples counselor, and often when he broke someone for falsely claiming they were abducted, it was reported as a kind of late note to explain to a wife, husband, mother, etc., why they were not somewhere they should have been.

Once broken, Ken used to tell them, “You can lie to your wife, your mother, or your priest, but don’t lie to the Baltimore Police!” Ken took pride in his ability to not only uncover the truth but also instill a sense of accountability in those he interrogated. His stern warning served as a reminder that honesty is crucial when dealing with law enforcement.

Ken’s dedication to his job earned him the respect of his colleagues and reinforced the importance of trust and integrity within the community.

1983 Newspaper article

Ken won a $3850 Scholarship to the technical Institute, where he was learning small engine repair, and machine shop work. He ended up being hired as their welding instructor, as Ken had already gotten his Welders Certification after training in night school at Airco technical Institute while in the 11th grade. He had perfect attendance all through High School, grades 9 thru 12, and was also on the Honor Roll all four years. 

Retirement Speech
Audio of Speech

Retirement Speech 
"I can proudly state that during my tenure of service as both a patrolman, and detective within Baltimore City's Police Department that I have always endeavored to discharge my duty, without fear, favor, or partiality, so as to meet with the praise and or approval of Baltimore's law-abiding citizens. As well as the support and respect of the men, women, and supervisors I have served alongside of within this agency. As such, I feel a certain degree of pride in knowing that I have, in great measure, been successful in having always kept my posts, and or assignments in order. I used to pray before my shifts that I would be where I could be of the most assistance to those needing our help. From the encounters I have had, I would say, God has always answered my prayers. To me, this was more than a job; it was what I was meant to do, and I was lucky enough to have been able to do it while wearing the uniform and badge of the Baltimore City Police Department."

                                                                                                                               By Kenny Driscoll - Inspired in part by Capt. Benjamin Auld

circa 1898

LEO Legends Baltimore PD 
A Look Behind the Badge
Click HERE or on the book to buy the book

Dick Ellwood, a retired Police Officer/Detective/Sergeant, has written several books since his retirement from the Baltimore City Police Department. As a police officer for over twenty-five years, he brings many stories of LEO (Law Enforcement Officers) Legends to this book. Dick was a police officer that worked in several high-profile units in one of the most dangerous city in the nation, Baltimore. In this book he will share stories of some of the true legends that he knew during his career. The author details the reasons he has chosen these men that he served with as legends. The definition of a legend is a person who stands out above others; a person who by his actions leaves an indelible mark on those he worked with and the community he served.

The author realizes that by singling out law enforcement officers that he has firsthand knowledge of, he may be leaving out many that are legends in the eyes of others. He does not want to offend anyone who feels a certain law enforcement officer should be included in the book. Maybe by writing the book, he will have readers think about their legends when they served in law enforcement.

The author was born and raised in Baltimore City’s 10^th ward. Ken's father was also raised in the 10^th ward, Ken once had to make an arrest on a street called Albemarle St. it was out of Ken’s district, but just outside the line, somehow the topic came up while Ken was talking to his father, he may have asked for directions, Ken’s dad was a cab driver and knew all the streets. Anyway, during the conversation, Ken’s father told him he grew up on Albemarle and added that it was part of the 10th ward.  The neighborhood was made up mostly of Irish descents. Many of the legends he writes about in this book are from that neighborhood. Dick Ellwood served four years in the Marine Corps. He comes from a family which includes four generations who served with the Baltimore City Police Department. He retired from the police department with the rank of detective sergeant. While with the department, he earned a degree in criminal justice. He resides in Baltimore, Maryland with his wife, a retired educator.

The names selected by Detective Sergeant Dick Ellwood Jr. were as follows

1.   Dick Ellwood Sr.
2.   Jim Cadden **
3.   Steve Tabeling **
4.   Leon Tomlin
5.   Donald “Skippy’ Shanahan
6.   Bishop Robinson *
7.   Joe Bolesta
8.   Furrie Cousins
9.   Jules Neveker **
10. Leander “Bunny” Nevin **
11. Donald Pomerleau *
12. Jimmy Cabezas
13. Darrell Duggins *
14. Mike Dunn *
15. Pete Bailey
16. Gene Cassidy *
17. Owen Sweeney **
18. Pete Barnes
19. Kenny Driscoll
20. Ed Boston
21. Bobby Berger
22. Ed Blaney
23. Ed Mattson **
24. Dick Frazier
25. John Ellwood
26. Ed Dunn
27. Steve Ellwood
28. Tom Ellwood
29. Dave Ellwood

I can’t give the reason these names were selected, but highly suggest getting your hands on a copy, it is in paperback available through Amazon and only cost $6.00 aside from names of some true legends in the Baltimore Police Department, you’ll read some great stories as to why these men were selected.

*   Are also on the Baltimore Historical Society’s Hall of Fame page.
** These are guys Ken recognized and admired, guys he modeled his policing style on, or who style he later learned of and admired.

Some were both on the Hall of Fame page, and among those Ken admired. I just didn’t know how to put but symbols on those names. I thought of putting * ** but it just didn’t look right.

I talked to Ken about this list, he said, it is always an honor to be recognized by your peers, or peers in your field, but he felt the names on the list far outweighed his contributions to police work, and had he compiled the list, it would have had several additional names added, Albert Marcus, Leonard Hamm, Joe Hlafka, Steve McMahon, Jeff Rosen and Danny Mitchell, just to name a few. I am sure there are more, but I kind of put him on the spot and these were names he rattled off the top of his head. 

Other books, Ken can be found in are, Lt. Bob Wilson's Book - The Baltimore Police Department - Those Were the Days found HERE 

Major Wesley Wise's Book - A Blue & White Life: Real Life Stories - Policing Baltimore in the '70s and '80s found HERE 

A few remarks about this book: the events described are mainly true, with only a few minor but significant differences. Ken wrote his stories and sent them to the author, who edited them and changed "police officer" to "cop." Anyone who knows Ken will tell you that he strongly dislikes the word "cop" and only uses it on rare occasions, mostly to describe corrupt or incompetent police. Similarly, Ken dislikes the word "interrogation." Ken preferred the term "interview." He used to say that interviews were "kinder, gentler interrogations!" Ken was alleged to have phoned to brag or insult the detectives who had apprehended Spiderman at one point in the Spiderman narrative. I am certain that the major misunderstood or misinterpreted this. I am confident of this for two reasons. First, Spiderman was apprehended by Ken's Major and Sergeant, so there would have been no detectives to gloat to, and second, it wasn't in Ken's character to mock or make fun of his ability to break someone that others couldn't; there were people that he couldn't break who were eventually broken, and not by him. As I previously said, various components in the stories did not fit together. Ken said he stopped reading when he saw the term "cop" being used and misapplied. I recall all of these situations because I have read and reread Ken's writings, and I remember what Ken wrote to the Major. It's possible Ken was making a joke about the Crimestat Brass and their request that Ken call conduit manufacturers regarding tensile strength so they could calculate out the weight of the suspect, as if knowing the weight was all that was needed to apprehend the guilty guy, girl juvenile or adult; just gather up everyone weighing around 145 pounds. Ken often likened his position to that of a car salesman who had to deal with the sales manager and blamed everything wrong on the sales manager. Ken needed to blame the brass, his sergeant, the state's attorney, and others above his rank in order to distance himself from the system and create a bond that would bring him and the suspect closer together. Major Wise seems to have read and revised Ken's remarks to represent what he believed Ken meant, then amended them to include his misconceptions. The major may have accidentally included the incorrect versions of what he wrote in the book rather than Ken's corrected editions.

When Ken received it for review, he rejected it, amended what the major had written, and returned it. Another crucial issue for Ken was that there were three officers there at the North Avenue shooting, not just two, and Ken has never omitted the third officer (Brian Curran) from his description of that events that took place. I had forgotten Brian's surname, so I guessed at Curran and was correct: I'm going to leave my earlier writings alone. I only wanted to underline that in any of his police war stories, Ken never left anybody out of the events that had occurred. Ken has always maintained that the North Avenue shooting went as well as it did only because the three officers had worked so well together. The Major's book is good; nevertheless, I just regret the inaccuracies in Ken's writings, which make Ken sound arrogant while, in fact, Ken is more humble and quiet until he is backed into a corner. As a result, I'm hoping that these pages may aid in properly explaining the tales. I used my recollections of these occurrences as well as notes provided by Ken to fellow officers as they swapped so-called police war stories, as well as actual police reports. I have a ton of Ken's photographs, reports, and other keepsakes from his time on the job, such as his personnel jacket, medical records, and my personal scrapbooks/boxes, all of which provide information about his many years with this agency. I retold a few of the stories Ken told Wes for his book, but I delivered them more closely to the way they happened. I should also point out this is in no way to say anything negative about Mayor Wise, I honestly believe it was just a mix up, and only retell Ken's stories in this book to help people understand how Kenny really is and to hopefully teach some young officer some of the secrets he used, whether they want to learn from them what to do, or what not to do, I felt an honest representation of the way he worked should be told. 

Also, Ken had his own book not about him, in fact, I don't think it has one story about him, this is more a timeline on Baltimore's Police Department

Click here to find the book Baltimore City Police History: A Historical Timeline Compiled by Ken, and edited by Wesley Wise You can find it HERE or by clicking the cover.

 

This was sent in from a student who wrote it as part of a school essey, on local first responders. Her and her parents were proud and wanted it posted, but because of her age didn't want her named. When she become older we can add it whenver she is ready, for now we thank got for her research and fine writing.

The Enduring Legacy of Detective Kenny Driscoll: A Study in Service, Achievement, and Post-Retirement Advocacy

Detective Kenneth Driscoll, a retired member of the Baltimore City Police Department, exemplifies a career marked by exceptional service, distinguished achievement, and enduring commitment to the law enforcement community. Spanning from his initial appointment in 1987 to his retirement in 2003 and beyond, Driscoll’s career is a compelling case study in police excellence and post-retirement advocacy. This essay will examine the key facets of Driscoll's career, including his service timeline, achievement awards, line-of-duty injuries, and the overall quality of his service, ultimately demonstrating how he left an indelible mark on the Baltimore Police Department and the broader law enforcement landscape.

Driscoll's career with the Baltimore City Police Department began on June 17, 1987. Following graduation from the Police Academy on December 11, 1987, he was assigned to Central District Patrol. These early years provided the foundational experience necessary for his later specialization. A pivotal moment occurred in 1993 when he learned the SCAN (Scientific Content Analysis) technique, a linguistic analysis approach to interrogation. This marked a shift from routine patrol to specialized investigation. Despite initial skepticism from colleagues, Driscoll’s success using SCAN to exonerate an innocent carjacking suspect and close difficult cases led to his transfer to the Major Crimes Investigative Unit in 1994. He remained in this unit until his retirement in 2003, focusing on more complex criminal investigations. His career concluded on May 29, 2003, due to a line-of-duty injury that resulted in paralysis. This timeline reveals a career trajectory marked by continuous growth, specialization, and a dedication to mastering advanced investigative techniques.

Throughout his career, Detective Driscoll received numerous awards and commendations recognizing his exceptional service. He was awarded seven Officer of the Year awards between 1990 and 2016. The fact that one of these awards was received thirteen years after his retirement speaks volumes about his lasting impact and dedication to the department. These awards recognize not only arrest statistics but also qualitative factors such as conduct, community relations, compassion and innovation. Driscoll also received three Bronze Stars, awarded for heroic action in dangerous circumstances, between 1990 and 1993. Furthermore, he received two Citations of Valor, one in 1992 and another in 2001, awarded to officers sustaining serious injuries in hostile circumstances. Beyond these prestigious awards, Driscoll received three unit citations, and two comendatory ribbons, as well as several other comendatory ribbons. Driscoll also recived over one hundred letters of commendation from local businesses, citizens and supervisors. He received two Gold Records from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for his work in counterfeit music investigations. Finally, he was awarded a purple heart, and Distinguished Service Award along with his induction as a Lifetime Member into the Police Officer's Hall of Fame in 2003. These accolades demonstrate a career characterized by bravery, dedication, and a commitment to excellence in various facets of law enforcement.

Detective Driscoll sustained significant physical injuries in the line of duty, highlighting the inherent risks of police work. In 1992, he suffered a broken and separated right shoulder and clavicle. However, the most consequential injury occurred in 2001, when he sustained a fractured vertebra and fractured femoral neck, resulting in permanent left side paralysis. This injury led to his medical retirement in 2003. Notably, Driscoll became the first Baltimore Police Officer/Detective to receive Public Safety Officer Benefit (PSOB) benefits for a line-of-duty disability in 2007. This achievement not only provided him with crucial support but also paved the way for other injured officers to access these benefits. These injuries underscore the personal sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and the importance of providing adequate support to those injured in the line of duty.

The quality of Detective Driscoll's service is evident in both quantitative performance metrics and his innovative contributions to investigative practices. Over his career, he was instrumental in over 2,500 arrests. He also conducted more than 4,000 interviews and interrogations. Perhaps most remarkably, he is reported to have had a 98 percent confession success rate during interviews and interrogations. While this figure warrants careful academic interpretation, it suggests exceptional skill in interrogation techniques. His adoption and promotion of the SCAN technique further highlight his commitment to improving investigative methods. He spent his own money to learn the technique and then taught it to fellow officers. His success with SCAN, particularly in exonerating an innocent carjacking suspect, led to its wider adoption within the department. While some modern forensic psychology research has raised concerns about interrogation ethics and false confessions, Driscoll's emphasis on accurate questioning techniques and qualified examiners suggests a responsible approach to the use of SCAN.

Beyond his active service, Driscoll continued to contribute to the law enforcement community through advocacy and institutional change. He and his wife, Patricia, initiated and championed the Retroactive Citation of Valor Program, which allows officers injured in the line of duty to receive formal recognition even years after their injuries. He also advocated for and assisted other injured officers in obtaining PSOB Benefits. In 2012, he rebuilt the Baltimore Police History website, preserving institutional memory and honoring fallen officers. In 2014, he was elected President of the Baltimore Police Historical Society. These post-retirement activities demonstrate a sustained commitment to serving the law enforcement community and ensuring that the sacrifices of police officers are recognized and remembered.

In conclusion, Detective Kenneth Driscoll's career exemplifies the highest standards of service, achievement, and dedication in law enforcement. From his early years in patrol to his specialization in major crimes investigation, he consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence. His numerous awards and commendations, his innovative use of the SCAN technique, and his post-retirement advocacy work all contribute to a lasting legacy. Detective Driscoll's story serves as an inspiration to aspiring law enforcement officers and a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve and protect our communities. His contributions to the Baltimore Police Department and the broader law enforcement community will continue to be felt for years to come.

 

Various Newspaper Articles

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Court 2012 HERE  3 Feb 2012 

To See Ken's Copyright Artwork Click HERE or on the Logo Below
  https://goo.gl/VUwNsz

 HERE