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BALTIMORE POLICE MUSEUM IN THE LOBBY OF THE
NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDING
The museum no longer exist, most item were misplaced, broken,
or lost.
A new museum was built in the lobby of the annex building minus
all the excellent artifacts and MEMORIAL PLAQUES OF OUR FALLEN HEROES.
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| BALTIMORE POLICE NEWSLETTER |
They Are Remembered
Baltimore Police News letter Vol. 8 No. 13 June 26, 1974
In Honor of those members whose dedication to duty was exemplified by their supreme sacrifice. The Sacred Memory is Eternal.
These words, inscribed upon the central plaque in the Baltimore Police Department's Memorial Shrine, are a tribute to those
members of the Department who gave their lives in the line of duty.
While the Baltimore Police Department's Headquarters building was still in the design stage Police Commissioner Donald
D. Pomerleau provided for the inclusion of a centrally located monument in which all of those who lost their lives in service
to the community would be recognized.
Dedication ceremonies for that monument culminated years of planning and months of work by members of the Department. On
June 11, 1974 the Police Commissioner, members of the Command Staff, representatives from all Districts and Divisions of the
Department and officials of several important civic and service organizations unveiled the Baltimore Police Department's Memorial
Shrine.
The Memorial area contains 77 markers, each one a tribute to a member of the Baltimore Police Department who has been killed
in the line of duty. The historical record stretches to 1870 and each officer has been remembered.
The Baltimore Police Department was created as a paid law enforcement agency in 1784. Historical data, now available, does
not reflect the names of any officers who were killed prior to 1870. However, as documentation continues, any officer who
lost his life before 1870 will be appropriately recognized as the facts are uncovered.
One of the more distinctive features of the Shrine is the attractive display of National, State, Municipal and Departmental
Colors which frame the Memorial display.
WALL OF HONOR
Memorial plaques Honoring our Police
who died in the line of duty
One of the more distinctive features of the Shrine is the attractive display of National, State, Municipal and
Departmental Colors which frame the Memorial display. The National, State and Municipal Colors were a gift from the Ensign
C. Markland Kelly, Jr. Memorial Post #174 of the American Legion and the Exchange Club of Highlandtown.
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| BALTIMORE POLICE NEWSLETTER |
William J. Schofield Jr. (left), Commander of the American legion Post #174 and William J. Schofield, III (right)
present plaques to Commissioner Donald D. Pomerleau.
Each of the 77 memorial plaques includes an authentic reproduction of a policeman's badge surrounded by a gold
leaf appliqué. Additionally each plaque includes a reproduction of the Medal of Honor. The name, entrance date and the date
of his death in the line of duty is also inscribed.
As one approaches the Memorial Shrine, located in the Baltimore Police Department's Museum, its thoughtful layout
and design create a sense of reverence. The National Emblem, the plaque, colors and the eternal flame create an aura of tribute
to those men who have given themselves in ,the performance of their duties.
For members of the Department and for the thousands of visitors who pass by the Shrine it represents not only a
profound recognition of those heroic deeds of the past but a bright hope for the future. Hope in the knowledge that Officers
of the Baltimore Police Department will not shrink from their sworn duty. That duty is a solemn trust. It will be kept.
Memorial Shrine Handcrafted
The Baltimore Police Department's Memorial Shrine is unique in its design and purpose. Also unique is the
manner in which it came into existence.
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| BALTIMORE POLICE NEWSLETTER |
Lieutenant Thomas F. Hennessey
Deputy Commissioner Thomas J. Keyes is the man responsible for assuring that the concept was translated into a
reality. He directed Lieutenant Thomas F. Hennessey ,to draft the conceptual design and also to advise how much of the work
could be undertaken from within the Baltimore Police Department.
After extensive research and inquiry Lieutenant Hennessey advised Deputy Commissioner Keyes that the entire project
could be done "in-house." Approval was given and nearly a year of intensive preparation made the June 11, 1974 dedication
possible.
Lieutenant Hennessey assisted by Officer John F. McGahagan, Jr. hand crafted the Memorial Shrine. They cut the
seventy-seven plaques from hardwood slabs, shaped them individually, then hand sanded, stained and varnished them. The large
bronze-like plaque which is the focal point of the Shrine was fashioned, by hand, in like manner. The large plaque was constructed
using a combination of plastic, plywood and masonite.
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| BALTIMORE POLICE NEWSLETTER |
According to Major DiStefano who worked with Lieutenant Tom Hennessey in E&T, the wood that was used was poplar,
a secondary, cabinet-grade wood, usually used in furniture construction where the wood wouldn't be seen, such as sofa frames,
and the sides of drawers!
Lieutenant Hennessey selected poplar for two reasons: it was inexpensive when compared to other wood such as walnut,
cherry, mahogany, or oak; second: it is a tight-grained wood that is easily and effectively stained to mimic those more-expensive
hardwoods. The BCPD would not spend the money for the walnut, so Lieutenant Hennessey improvised those "walnut" plaques from
the less-expensive poplar!
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| BALTIMORE POLICE NEWSLETTER |
The reproduced badges are first cast in the hand-made mold, painted, glazed and then mounted an the plaque.
The police badges and medals of honor which are mounted on the plaques were rendered in a ceramic material.
Lieutenant Hennessey first fabricated the molds and then individually each representation of the badge and
medal were hand cast, finished and glazed. These were centered and glued on the plaques.
The gold-leaf appliqué was added next. With the assistance of Officer Clifton F. White of the Laboratory Division
the name of each fallen officer was hand lettered in Old English script. Plexiglas plates were affixed to each plaque to protect
the intricate lettering.
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Major DiStefano remembered Lieutenant Hennessey purchasing the “kiln” seen below to make the
ceramic badges, and he is certain that the kiln was at his personal expense!
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| BALTIMORE POLICE NEWSLETTER |
Every item in the Memorial Shrine from the Baltimore Police Department shield centered at the top to the pedestal
which supports the large memorial plaque was designed and constructed by these members of the Department. Their talent and
dedication to the project is clearly evident to those who pause to review the fine Memorial which was the product of their
efforts.
Antique police equipment and memorabilia provide a nostalgic glimpse into the past
POLICE MODEL CARS
April 1975
How many do you remember? Sergeant Robert F. Fischer, Education and Training Division, who designed
and constructed the scale models, recalls patrolling in a 1957 Ford Patrol Car. This
new addition to the Department's Museum reviews the development of modes of transportation from 1895 to the present. Sergeant
Fischer, who spent over 40 hours of his spare time on each model, constructed many of the vehicles from scratch using sheet
plastic and a lot of patience. Extensive research and attention to detail makes it one of the most impressive displays in
the Museum.
Revolver and photograph, center of top shelf,was a Police
revolver that was struck in the cylinder by a suspects bullet. Striking the gun SAVED
the Officer's life.
Other item were weapons confiscated from the streets of Baltimore
City
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Officer Donald E. Fisher
A true Baltimore Police Hero
Unfortunately not show in any picture here were a set of false teeth on display in the Baltimore City
Police Museum that belonged to Officer Donald E. Fisher who joined the department in 1943. Officer Fisher was struck in the
mouth with a crow bar during an incident on the streets of Baltimore. In 1956 he was shot in the mouth at North and Greenmount
Avenue and the bullet lodged in his plate. He retired from the department on October 17, 1960 after serving in the Traffic
Division, Motorcycle Unit.
He passed away on January 24, 2008 at the age of 89. He was living with his son, James Fisher in Westminster,
Maryland. His son also served the Baltimore Police Department following in his father’s footsteps. James served in the
Southern District and retired . Jim is currently serving with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.
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Badges and uniforms used by the Baltimore Police Department
Below are Photographs, membership roster and awards of the Department's Honor Guard
Trophies and awards won by the
best Honor Guard in the country
The Baltimore City Police
Department
The most visible artifact on display is an antique paddy wagon. This wagon saw service with the Deportment from
the 1890's through the first decades of this century. The officer atop the wagon is dressed in an authentic uniform of the
period
Major DiStefano watched as Lieutenant Hennessey, who had been an art teacher, applied those gilt letters, the wagon
at that time was in the Northern District "stables" at the foot of the yard at the District. He learned about
that process from a "master" of what is a dying art! Lieutenant Hennessey explained as to how those letters were first stenciled
onto the wagon, then a coat of clear varnish was used to fill in the outlined lettering. When the varnish became "tacky",
he then applied gold-foil guilt, very carefully, pushing it into contact with the varnish with a fine brush!
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