Our Fallen Heroes, have come to resemble
the Lord Jesus Christ, when they give their lives for others, as He did.
I imagine God can
appreciate a tough, street smart Baltimore Policeman
Remember in your prayers
those fellow officers
who
have made the ultimate sacrifice
Their badges have turned into stars when their shifts ended here, thanks for
lighting up the sky just a little bit more for us
May God Bless all our fellow Brothers and Sisters and watch over them as they keep
us safe
Jeannie Baumgart, sister of Fallen Hero Norman
“Fred” Buchman during a ceremony at the Baltimore Police Memorial.
The new Baltimore Police Annex building attached to the Headquarters building in the background 
Together
We
Are The Thin Blue Line
B ALTIMORE POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Throughout our City’s History,
the brave men and women of The Baltimore City Police Department have preserved to protect the citizens of Baltimore from the
street battles, the drugs wars, the robberies, the shootings and the murders. Through the challenging peacekeeping, our men
and women in uniform have stood proudly in defense of the City of Baltimore. In the two centuries since our City's birth,
more than 100 have paid the price of that challenge with their lives.
Joining the ranks of these heroes are the thousands
of family members and fellow officers that were left behind. Many have been lost in the chaos of grief from the loss of a
spouse, a mother or a father, a son or daughter, a brother or a sister, a child, a friend, a partner. No greater love to have,
than to give of one’s life for another. Our Fallen Heroes will never be forgotten.
Enter content here
A Baltimore Police Officer being
laid to Eternal Rest
"They
are ours forever, their deeds woven into our lives forever. Their deaths were part of the life of this state... What they
did was profound. It is part of us now, part of the record of a community, part of the history of this small place on earth
we call our home."
Dan
Rodricks, keynote address, Fallen Heroes Day 1986.
 |
|
|
|
Baltimore City Police Department
Baltimore, MD
ROLL
CALL OF HEROES
|
|
 |
Night Watchman John Omayer
Baltimore City Police Department, MD
EOW: Saturday, November 15, 1856
Cause of
Death: Gunfire (Accidental) | |
|
Sergeant George M. J. May
Baltimore City Police Department, MD
EOW: Sunday, February 12, 1928
Cause of Death: Automobile
accident |
|
Sergeant John David Platt
Baltimore City Police Department, MD
EOW: Saturday, October 14, 2000
Cause of Death: Vehicular
assault |
|
.
Northeast District Fallen Heroes
Memorial
Sergeant Jack Cooper..............EOW: 12/25/1964
Lieutenant Owen Sweeney......EOW: 05/07/1997
Sergeant John D. Platt..............EOW: 10/14/2000
Officer Kevin J. McCarthy.........EOW: 10/14/2000
Agent Michael Cowdery............EOW: 03/12/2003
Northeast District Fallen Heroes Memorial
October 2004
In Memory of
Our Fallen Heroes
Like falling leaves the
Years drift by, but our
Fond memories of you
Will never die.
In our hearts you will
Always stay, loved and
Remembered every day.
Unseen, unheard, you are
Always near, still loved,
Still missed, still very dear.
St. Michael,God's First Police Officer,
taking a Fallen Hero Home
Police Memorial Prayer
My Brothers and Sisters, we have all sworn to perform our duties, impartially and
without hesitation or fear. Our present duty, and though it be painful, is to pay a just and deserving tribute of honor to
a Brother or Sister who has embarked upon that lone journey which leads through the valley of the great shadow into the sunlight
of perpetual day and lasting tranquility.
These feeble but heart-felt words can do little more than remind us of the duty
which we owe to our departed friend and colleague.
As he was ever faithful to us in the full performance of his task and the protection
of those who slept, so let us be, my Brothers, faithful to him, ever zealous to protect and cherish the memory of his good
deeds, forgetting his imperfections, and emblazoning his accomplishments.
As time runs on, in sun and shade, may we bear with us ever-pleasant memories of
a hallowed friendship, a kindly feeling, and a deep respect for all our Brother stood for. As an indication of our regard
and affection, let us pause and, in silent meditation, typify what mere words cannot express.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, be with us on this occasion. Strengthen us in a firm resolve to do
right, to serve well, to be faithful to our tasks, to our community, and to our Brothers. Make us appreciative of the opportunities
to do good and to lend a helping hand. Inspire us with a new devotion to fulfill the duties, which are entrusted to our keeping.
May those who mourn be comforted in this sad hour, and may they be strengthened by the knowledge of Thy presence and Thy omnipotence.
May we be constantly reminded in the hours of the night, as well as in the brightness
of the day, of Thy everlasting love and kindness, and may Thou guide us through this uncharted valley and bring us at last
to the shore of the eternal stream, our ranks unbroken, to dwell with Thee forever more. We ask this humbly through Thy redeeming
grace and power. Amen.
We gather today to remember,
the sacrifices our loved ones have made.
We will never forget those loved ones,
and the terrible price they have paid.
Their courage, dedication and professionalism
will forever be alive in our hearts.
May God, in His infinite power,
help to mend those broken parts.
There is no greater pain,
then the loss of those we love,
But we pray you will find inner strength,
with guidance from the Lord above.
It's a very tough journey you are faced with,
but together we can all make it through.
So, we gather today to remember, and share
the love for "Our Heroes in Blue.
"We know they are watching us now,
and so proud that you're all here.
They would like to see smiles not sadness;
see hope in your eyes not fear.
They are at peace with the Lord up in heaven,
and they would like us to be at peace too.
They know in their hearts how we miss them,
and they want you to know they miss you.
May you all find some solace in knowing,
that in God's eyes, they did not die in vain.
They gave their lives doing a job they believe in,
and it hurts them to see you in pain.
So as we pray for those loved ones we lost,
They would like us to pray too;
For the brave men and women still out there,
their Brothers and Sisters in Blue.
Prayer for the
Police Family
O God,
you have created us in love
and saved us in mercy,
and through
the bond of brotherhood
you have established the Police family
and willed that it should become a sign
of Christ's
love for his Church.
Shower your blessings on this family
gathered here in your name.
Enable those
who are joined by one love
to support one another
by their fervor of spirit and devotion to prayer.
Make them responsive
to the needs of others
and witnesses to the faith in all they say and do.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A letter from Heaven
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm
writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please
do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That
day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's
good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I
need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave
me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when
you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight,
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When
you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But
do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I
wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one
thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are
many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It
was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If
you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And
now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So
if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're
walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And
when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
An Angel In The Sky
An Angel In The Sky Must Leave His Place Of Rest,
Gently Tucking His Wings Beneath His Armored Vest.
For Duty Has Called, There Is Much Work To Do
Little Did He Know, This One Is Dressed In Blue.
Arriving On The Scene, He Knows Just What To Say,
"Follow Me, Fallen Brother, I'll Show You The Way."
"Your Duty Has Ended, Your Work Is Now Through."
"Come Hang Your Hat Beside Mine, I'm A Cop, Too."
National Police Prayer
Almighty God, we ask Thy Blessings and guidance upon all Law Enforcement Officers
engaged in the protection of our citizens. Be with them in their lonely tours of duty while patrolling the busy streets of
our cities and remote areas of our country. Give them the blessings of your wisdom, to know and do what is right. Temper their
actions with mercy and justice. When their tours are complete and the day is over, guide them safely home to their loved ones.
We also ask Thy Blessings and eternal rest to all our Brothers who have sacrificed their lives
in the performance of their duties. Give to their loved ones the peace and strength to bear the anguish of their lose. Remove
all resentment from their hearts; knowing that eternal peace and rest will abide over their departed loved ones forever. This
we beg in Thy name forever and ever, Amen
Police Officer's Prayer to St. Michael
Saint Michael, heaven's glorious commissioner of police,
who once so neatly
and successfully cleared God's premises
of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional
eyes on your earthly
force.
Give us cool heads, stout hearts, and uncanny flair for
investigation and wise
judgment.
Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and
law-abiding citizens,
kind to strangers, polite to bores,
strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.
You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences
with the devil that the police
officer's lot on earth is not
always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so
pleased God, your hard knocks that
so surprised the
devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.
And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your
heavenly force, where
we will be as proud to guard the
throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all
the people. Amen.
POLICEMAN'S 23rd PSALM
The Lord is my Shepherd,
I shall not want,
His comforting hand reduces fear to naught;
He makes me walk through streets of crime,
But He gives
me courage and peace of mind.
He leads me by still waters in the path I trod,
And He says in Romans I'm a "minister
of God,"
He leads me in righteousness as He restores my soul,
For His name's sake He keeps me whole.
When I walk
through death's valley, right up to the door,
I will fear no evil, for He comforts me more;
For Thou art with me every
step of the way,
As thy rod and thy staff protect me each day.
He prepares a table, especially for me,
As I work
daily among life's enemies;
He gives me authority to uphold the law,
And He anoints my position in the midst of it all.
Surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me,
Each day of my life through eternity;
As I long to hear Him say, "Well done . .
. ,"
When I lay down my life, my badge, and my gun.
 
THE ROLL CALL
DEDICATED TO THE FALLEN Today
we read the roll, the names will all be called.
An anthem that brings pride and dignity to us all. We gather as a family,
a
devoted family of blue, to honor those that have fallen,
memories both old and new. The names are different,
but all
the same each with a heritage of courage that will always remain.
4 score and 10 years the first name was read,
dedicated,
selfless effort, and sacrifice was the words the monument said.
But it is not their sacrifice that we should remember
this day.
If we could but ask, they would not want it that way.
It was their dedication to duty and justice,
to
their fellow man, and to their God that we should bring to mind,
and their legacy of service that will last for all time.
This
is a tribute to those, who earned our devotion and praise,
In the line of duty the most precious gift they gave.
For
them there was no other way,
they faced the challenge and kept the oath they made.
They have forged a foundation we
each must uphold,
In the line of duty, the lawless we must forever oppose.
Hear the names as each is called, feel
the pride,
feel the honor that inspires us all.
And if for one brief second, their voices could be heard,
perhaps
they would leave us with these final words.
Feel not sorrow, and question not what has come to be.
For Just as
darkness must follow the light,
for the good of the many For my family,
For my Brothers, For my God, My Life . . .
"THE THIN BLUE LINE"
Sgt. Ted Miller
Among us sent down from Heaven,
are those that walk a Thin Blue Line; that's a given.
Like Guardian Angels to watch over me and you,
these brave heroes that wear the uniform of blue.
We view them only as Police traffic stops,
we do not call them our friends just cops.
Pray we never happen on a chance meeting,
nor pass along in kindness a simple greeting.
However they are so much more than this,
they simply do not see the world as bliss.
Looking into the corners of our deepest fear,
they walk the beat, they dry a tear.
Often delivering messages to our home,
when all is not well and we are alone.
Always coming to us no matter the need,
handle the problem complete the deed.
Sitting their personal feelings aside,
they do their job, they have great pride.
And if one should fall among life's things,
the badge they wear turns into wings.
Line of Duty Incident Reports
Sergeant William Jordan
10/14/1857
Baltimore Sun Article Dated 10/15/1857
* Note – There were two parties participating in the elections, the American
Party and the Democratic Party.
The Election Yesterday – Riot and Bloodshed – The election for members of the first branch of the
City Council yesterday resulted in the selection of all the American candidates, and this to be regretted that blood was again
shed, Sergeant William Jordan having lost his life, and several others were seriously shot.
At an early hour in the morning it was evident that there would be trouble in some of the wards, but that was obviated
by the withdrawal of some of the democratic candidates…
In the fifth ward a sanguinary conflict took place. About half past one
o’clock a party passing up Gay street on the top of an omnibus fired a pistol in the direction of the crowd standing
about the house where the polls were held and then jumped off and ran down Gay street.
He was followed by a number of persons, who gained on him so rapidly that he took refuge in the store of Mr. Jehu Gorsuch,
at the corner of Front street, and escaped by going on the top of the building and descending through another house. The pursuing parties then returned to the polls, when a fight took place, and one
of the contending crowds retreated, down High, towards French street. There were
a number of police officers at hand, and they used every effort to quell the riot. When
they reached the corner of High street a volley was fired up French street from the corner of Buren, and it is said from the
windows of Jackson Hall. One of the balls struck Sergeant Jordan, who said “I
am shot,” fell and expired in a few minutes. At that time there was the
greatest possible excitement. The body was then taken in charge by Lieut. Carmichael,
and started for his late residence.
Sergeant Jordan’s funeral announcement dated 10/16/1857
Funeral of Sergeant Jourdan. – The funeral of Sergeant William Jourdan, of the middle district police,
took place yesterday afternoon from his late residence on Ann street near Eastern avenue.
Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather it was largely attended. At
three o’clock the funeral cortege was formed. The police of the middle
district were formed under the marshalship of Capt. Sparklin. There were also
detachments from the western and southern districts, the whole numbering about two hundred and fifty, and Marshal Herring
chief in command. There were there the representatives of several American clubs;
the members of the Vigilant Fire Company, of which Mr. J. was a member; Jefferson Lodge of Odd Fellows and the American Protestant
Association. The procession moved to Baltimore Cemetery, where the remains were
deposited. Thus passed away a faithful officer – one who ever performed
his duty with zeal for the good order of society and the peace of the city.
Officer Benjamin Benton
09/22/1858
Baltimore Sun Article Dated 09/24/1858
Another Bloody Affray. – A Police Officer Shot Dead - The
western quarter of the city on Wednesday night was the scene of an affray, the result of which was the instant killing of
police officer Benjamin Benton, of the western district, by a shot from a pistol in the hands of a man named Henry Gambrill,
the keeper of a public house on Franklin street, near Howard street. It appears
that a dance or some other kind of amusement was going on in a house on Biddle street, near Pennsylvania avenue. A number of disorderly characters were among those present, and about 11 ½ o’clock officer Burke,
of that beat, apprehending a disturbance, gave the usual double rap for assistance, (Note; the “double rap”
refers to striking an officers baton against any solid building or street to summons other officers in the area to help him.) and was joined by his brother officers Benton, (the deceased,) Rigdon and Brown,
who seized two of the party – David Houck and John Isenhart – at the request of the proprietor of the house, and
attempted to take them to the station-house. Benton and Rigdon had hold of Houck,
and while struggling with him, Gambrill interfered, and after threatening to knock Benton down, stepped back several paces,
and leveling a revolver within three feet of Benton’s head, fired. The
ball entered immediately back of the left ear, and passing entirely through the neck, came out at the right ear, almost in
line with its entrance. Benton released hold on Houck, and fell dead, the ball
having severed the spinal cord and cut the base of the brain away. - Gambrill escaped, but was afterwards arrested by Captain
Linaweaver, and locked up with Houck and Isenhart at the western station…
The investigation was concluded about three o’clock yesterday morning, when the jury rendered the verdict that
the deceased, Benjamin Benton, came to his death from a ball fired from a pistol in the hands of Henry Gambrill, who was immediately
committed to jail by Justice Logan for the action of the grand jury…
Mr. Benton was connected with the police department for eight years
past and was retained through several administrations, which intervened on the account of his excellent qualities as an officer. He was about 45 years of age, and leaves a wife and five children.
The Widow of Officer Benton. - The first branch of the council
last evening adopted a resolution to pay the widow of police officer Benjamin Benton, killed on Wednesday night in the discharge
of his duty, $520, or one year’s salary.
*Note; Mr. Gambrill was sentenced “to
be hanged by the neck until he be dead.”
Officer Robert M. Rigdon
11/05/1858
Baltimore Sun Article Dated 11/08/1858
The Assassination of Robert M. Rigdon – The Examination before the Mayor – Investigation and Verdict
of the Coroner’s Jury – The Excitement and Incidents of the Tragedy. – The Sun of Saturday contained
the startling announcement of the killing of Robert M. Rigdon, an officer of the Western district, who was assassinated in
the bosom of his family, No. 468 West Baltimore street, the night previous, out of revenge for his testimony delivered in
the case of Gambrill, concluded in Criminal Court on the same afternoon for the murder of officer Benjamin Benton, a brother
officer of the deceased… The assassination appears to have been one of deliberate premeditation. Officer Rigdon, after answering roll call at the station house on Green street, retired into the privacy
of his home. During the evening, and while Mr. Rigdon was in the back-room of
his dwelling, a man (since recognized as Peter Corrie) entered the store-room, which is in the front part of the house, and
looked at some undershirts and other articles displayed. In the store he conducted
himself like a drunken man, but that was evidently feigned. His actions becoming
repulsive to Mrs. Rigdon and a female attendant, she called on her husband to eject him from the premises. Fearful that the thing was a ruse to draw him within the reach of his enemies, Rigdon hesitated, and said
to his wife, who stood in the doorway leading to the storeroom, “I don’t attend the store – tell him to
go out,” or words to that effect. At that moment, while resting with his
elbow against the mantel of the fireplace, where he had laid his pistol belt, the weapon of the crouching assailant in his
rear was fired through the little window, which opens into the yard from the sitting room.
Rigdon, who, from the position of the mantel, must have been but three or four feet distant from the weapon, received
five slugs in his back, near the left side. His only exclamation was, “My
God! I’m shot!” and attempted to reach for the sofa, but sank on the floor and died after heaving an audible groan. Persons passing upon the street and the residents alarmed by the shot, hastened into
the house, where they stood horrified and trembling at the deed of blood before them, for a moment transfixed and unable to
act. His wife is said to have acted heroically, and neither shrieked nor fainted,
but recited all with coolness and self-possession which was remarkable. Officer
J. Cook being in the vicinity hastened in the direction of the shot, and fell upon Peter Corrie as he was running away from
the alley of Rigdon’s house.
The officer gave chase, when another man (since recognized as Mal Cropps,) followed, and ran along on the other side
of the street. Cook singled out Corrie, and came up with him on the run, calling
on him to stop. Corrie did not heed but ran down Baltimore to Pine and to Penn
streets, the pursued and pursuer exchanging shots occasionally. At Penn street,
Cook was joined by officers Jamison and Huggins, one of whom sprang his rattle in advance of Corrie, which so alarmed him,
that he slackened his pace and was easily captured. When he found himself in
the hands of the officers, he begged for life, and said as “God lived” he was innocent of the murder. He then in his fear, confessed, and said “Mal Cropps did it.”
He was locked up in a cell at the western district.
Baltimore Sun Article Dated January 27, 1859
At about 10 ½ o’clock it was announced that the jury, who had been out all night in the case of Corrie, had agreed
upon a verdict, and they soon after entered the court. Their names having been
called, and the prisoner directed to hold up his right hand, the court said the verdict must be received in silence, and without
demonstration whatever on the part of the spectators. The clerk then, amid breathless
silence, asked – “What say you, is the prisoner at the bar guilty or not guilty?” The foreman replied, “guilty of murder in the first degree.”
Baltimore Sun Article Dated April 9,1859
Yesterday was the day fixed upon by the Governor of the State of Maryland for the execution of the four condemned murders,
Henry C. Gambrill (Note; this is the person who murdered Officer Benton), Marion Cropps, Peter Corrie and John Stephens…
Many persons had arrived in the city during Thursday to witness the scene – all parts of the State, the District of
Columbia, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and even New York city and Buffalo being represented on this occasion. Early in the morning throngs of persons began to pour in from Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel, Harford
and adjacent counties, and the houses of the city appeared empty themselves of their inhabitants – all wending their
way to the streets and hills to the west and north of the jail, which commanded full view of the gallows erected within the
jail yard. The housetops, windows, trees and all other places from whence a more
enlarged view could be obtained were crowded with human beings. A sea of faces
met the eye far and near – men, women and children – old age and infancy – white and black – swelled
up the vast multitude, drawn to witness the horrible spectacle…
The execution throughout was conducted with the greatest precision and humanity, the orders and arrangements of Sheriff
Creamer being carried out with the most scrupulous fidelity. To the sheriff and
those deputies who assisted him every credit is due for the faithful discharge of their duties – No execution that ever
occurred in Baltimore was performed with more strict regard to mercy and humanity, and not a single circumstance occurred
which could cause regret, the performance of the stern demands of the law.
Officer
James Murphy
07/05/1870
Baltimore Sun article dated July 6, 1870
Appointed:
April 4, 1870
Assigned:
Western District
Died: July
4, 1870
Length of Service: 3
months
About
3 o’clock the afternoon of the fourth of July the attention of Policeman James Murphy, while passing through the Lexington
Market, was attracted to three young men, brothers, named James, John and David Duering, who were acting in a riotous manner. The officer demonstrated with them and told them if they did not behave themselves
he would take them to the station house. James Duering commenced abusing the
Policeman and the latter took him into custody. The brothers told James not to
go to the station house. James resisted, when the two brothers came up, and one
of them struck the officer upon his head with his fist.
The officer held onto the prisoner as best he could and pulled out his billy, but in the scuffle that ensued he lost
it. James succeeded in getting away and all three ran up Paca Street. The officer followed and again succeeded in taking James into custody when the other brothers came around
and struck the officer with billies.
Policeman Murphy, however, succeeded in holding onto his prisoner and Policeman Mantle coming up he chased David and
caught him in an outhouse in the rear of Paca Street. Policeman Engle afterwards
arrested John at his mother’s house on Orchard Street.
They were all taken to the Western Station House and arraigned for the charge of assaulting the
officer. They were all released upon giving bail, the policeman at the time not
appearing to be severely injured. Soon after the release of the accused, Officer
Murphy was taken with convulsions in the yard of the Station House. Help was
summoned but the officer continued to grow worse. A priest was called in to administer
the last rite of the Catholic Church. Murphy lingered in convulsions until about
half past one o’clock yesterday morning when he expired, having remained unconscious up to the time of his death.
Warrants were at once issued for the re-arrest of the Duering brothers and all three were arrested.
Murphy was single and 23 years of age. He was appointed
to the force on the 4th of last April.
Officer
Joseph Clark
05/22/1871
Appointed:
May 1, 1871
Assigned:
Middle District
Died:
May 22, 1871
Length of Service: 1
month
On 22 May 1871 about half past ten o’clock in the evening, Officer Joseph Clark, 50 years of age, was summoned
to a house located on the corner of Holliday and Centre Street by the keeper of the house, and Officer Clark entered the house
where Officer Clark confronted Frederick Kussey, 23 years of age, and told him to “come quietly.” Kussey drew a pistol and fired three shots at Officer Clark striking him in the mouth, cheek and head causing
instant death.
Witnesses
stated that for some weeks Kussey threatened to shoot the first “speckled pup” that molested him. “Speckled pup” is what Kussey called all policemen.
Kussey was not apprehended until the next day, on the 23rd of May.
Clark, a Roman Catholic, left a wife,
nine children and grandchildren.
Clark was assigned to the Middle District.
Officer John Christopher
08/18/1872
Appointed: May
6, 1871
Assigned:
Western District
Died: August
18, 1872
Length of Service: 1 year, 3 months
Officer Christopher of
the Western District was shot in the abdomen and killed as he was attempting to halt disturbance after a group of men began
quarreling at a picnic.
Officer John T. Lloyd
07/04/1889
Appointed: August
24, 1888
Assigned:
Southern District
Died: July
4, 1889
Length
of Service: 11 months
Patrolman John T. Lloyd,
of the Southern police district, was shot at 1:30 a.m., on this date at the Northeast corner of Light and West Streets. Prior to succumbing to his injuries, Lloyd gave the following account to Justice Donovan:
“In patrolling my
beat I went up Light Street to West Street and I found Samuel Cooper and three or four others standing on the corner. I said to Cooper ‘Do not make so much noise, the proprietor of the drug store
will come down and complain.’ Cooper replied, ‘What are talking about?’
and without any further provocation pulled out a pistol and fired three shots. Then
he and Ed Doyle, who I recognized, and two or three others whom I did not recognize, jumped on me.”
A witness confirmed the
officers’ statement and stated after the first shot was fired, Cooper ran into the middle of the street, followed by
Officer Lloyd. Another shot was fired and then a third one, and the policeman
fell to the ground. The witness said that three or four men jumped on the prostrated
officer, who luckily held onto his prisoner. Several officers arrived at this
time and placed Cooper, Edward Doyle and James Reynolds under arrest.
Lloyd
was shot in the abdomen and the upper part of his leg. The wounded patrolman
lay in agony all day at his home and died at 8:40 p.m.
Lloyd
was 30 years of age, not married and resided with his parents.
Officer Jacob Zapp
07/15/1891
Appointed:
August 11, 1872
Assigned:
Southern District
Died:
July 15, 1891
Length
of Service: 18 years, 11 months
A Baltimore
and Ohio locomotive yesterday on Ostend Street near China Street in South Baltimore killed patrolman Zapp, of the Southern
District. 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.
Officer James T. Dunn
06/20/1894
Appointed: December
18, 1890
Assigned: Central
District
Died: June
20, 1894
Length of Service:
3 years, 6 months
Policeman Michael Neary and James T. Dunn of the Central District were instantly killed at 8:25 p.m. They were struck by a locomotive of the Northern Central Railway at the bridge between Chase and Eager
Streets.
Policeman
Neary’s head was severed from his body and the two parts were picked up separately.
Policeman
Dunn was hit on the right side of the head. His skull was fractured in several
places and his body was knocked from the railroad bridge into Jones’s Falls.
The
two bodies were recovered immediately after the accident by Captain Frank Toner of the Central District and were carried into
Calvert Station on a private car furnished by the railway company and from here were taken to the City Hospital.
The
accident occurred while the policemen were attempting to arrest a number of boys who were bathing in Jones’s Falls.
Boys
have been accustomed to take off their clothes and get into the waters of the Falls at this point almost daily. Their antics in the water caused many of the people who live in the neighborhood to become indignant. Complaint was made to the police and an effort was being made to break up the practice.
About
an hour and a half before the accident happened Policeman Dunn had arrested one boy and sent him to the station house. Returning to his beat he saw other boys in the water and set about capturing them. Policeman Neary was off duty at the time and at his home on Guilford Avenue in citizen’s
dress. Appreciating the difficulty that Dunn would have in arresting the boys
or restraining them if caught, he put on his coat and went to Dunn’s assistance.
The
two officers crossed to the east side of Chase Street bridge and descended the high bank to the railroad tracks. They walked over the railroad and getting close to the boys called to them to come out of the water.
Captain
Toner was an interested spectator of the scene and remained to see how the officers would capture the boys. A large crowd had also collected on the street above. Two
of the boys voluntarily came out of the water toward the officers and Captain Toner says that when he saw one boy in Dunn’s
charge, he left the bridge and went up Guilford Avenue toward Biddle Street.
At
that time Neary and Dunn were going up the bank on the west side of the railroad bridge.
This was the last the captain saw of his men alive. Soon afterward a large
crowd of people gathering on Chase Street bridge hastened back to find out what was the trouble. Then he learned of the fatal accident.
After
getting up the bank the policemen got on the bridge to walk over to the point where they could get out of the railroad yard
onto Chase Street. The train that struck them was the Parkton accommodation,
which had left Union Station on its way into Calvert Station. It is supposed
the policemen did not see or hear the train until it was too late for them to get out of the way. When the men saw the locomotive upon them, they made a desperate run for life. But it was too late. The fatal blow was struck at the north
end of the railroad bridge.
Policeman
Neary was born in Ireland. He came to Baltimore when sixteen years of age. On October 15, 1877 he was appointed a policeman and patrolled the section between
Exeter and Forrest Streets and from Gay to Monument Street. He was a member of
A Division and was assigned to day duty. Mr. Neary leaves a widow and nine children
– six boys and three girls ranging from several months old to nineteen years.
Policeman
Dunn was six feet high and weighed 220 pounds. He was thirty-four years old and
was born at Long Green, Baltimore County. He was appointed a probationary patrolman
December 18, 1890 and was promoted to the regular force May 5, 1891. He was married
nearly three years ago and had a baby boy six months old.
Officer Michael Neary
06/20/1894
Appointed: October 13, 1877
Assigned: Central District
Died: June 20, 1894
Length of Service: 16 years, 8 months
Policeman Michael Neary and James T. Dunn of the Central District were instantly killed
at 8:25 p.m. They were struck by a locomotive of the Northern Central Railway at the bridge between Chase and Eager Streets.
Policeman Neary’s head was severed from his body and the two parts were picked up
separately.
Policeman Dunn was hit on the right side of the head. His skull was fractured in several
places and his body was knocked from the railroad bridge into Jones’s Falls.
The two bodies were recovered immediately after the accident by Captain Frank Toner of
the Central District and were carried into Calvert Station on a private car furnished by the railway company and from here
were taken to the City Hospital.
The accident occurred while the policemen were attempting to arrest a number of boys who
were bathing in Jones’s Falls.
Boys have been accustomed to take off their clothes and get into the waters of the Falls
at this point almost daily. Their antics in the water caused many of the people who live in the neighborhood to become indignant.
Complaint was made to the police and an effort was being made to break up the practice.
About an hour and a half before the accident happened Policeman Dunn had arrested one
boy and sent him to the station house. Returning to his beat he saw other boys in the water and set about capturing them.
Policeman Neary was off duty at the time and at his home on Guilford Avenue in citizen’s dress. Appreciating the difficulty
that Dunn would have in arresting the boys or restraining them if caught, he put on his coat and went to Dunn’s assistance.
The two officers crossed to the east side of Chase Street bridge and descended the high
bank to the railroad tracks. They walked over the railroad and getting close to the boys called to them to come out of the
water.
Captain Toner was an interested spectator of the scene and remained to see how the officers
would capture the boys. A large crowd had also collected on the street above. Two of the boys voluntarily came out of the
water toward the officers and Captain Toner says that when he say one boy in Dunn’s charge, he left the bridge and went
up Guilford Avenue toward Biddle Street.
At that time Neary and Dunn were going up the bank on the west side of the railroad bridge.
This was the last the captain saw of his men alive. Soon afterward a large crowd of people gathering on Chase Street bridge
hastened back to find out what was the trouble. Then he learned of the fatal accident.
After getting up the bank the policemen got on the bridge to walk over to the point where
they could get out of the railroad yard onto Chase Street. The train that struck them was the Parkton accommodation, which
had left Union Station on its way into Calvert Station. It is supposed the policemen did not see or hear the train until it
was too late for them to get out of the way. When the men saw the locomotive upon them, they made a desperate run for life.
But it was too late. The fatal blow was struck at the north end of the railroad bridge.
Policeman Neary was born in Ireland. He came to Baltimore when sixteen years of age. On
October 15, 1877 he was appointed a policeman and patrolled the section between Exeter and Forrest Streets and from Gay to
Monument Street. He was a member of A Division and was assigned to day duty. Mr. Neary leaves a widow and nine children –
six boys and three girls ranging from several months old to nineteen years.
Officer John J. Dailey
10/17/1895
Appointed: June 1, 1888
Assigned: Southern District
Died: October 17, 1895
Length of Service: 7 years, 4 months
As a result of arresting three men during a struggle at Charles and Conway Streets, Officer
Dailey walked to a local doctor to have first aid applied to what he thought was superficial scrapes. On route he felt blood
trickling down his back and really didn’t pay it any additional attention. While at the doctors it was discovered that
Officer Dailey had been shot in the small of his back and was advised to go to the hospital. Officer Dailey walked back to
the station house where a horse wagon took him to University Hospital where once more a staff Doctor advised him that his
wound might prove fatal. Officer Dailey then insisted on going to his home. The shooting of the officer occurred on August
26, 1895 and he apparently died of blood poisoning on October 17, 1895.
Officer Alonzo B. Bishop
08/29/1899
Appointed: August 19, 1886
Assigned: Western District
Died: August 29, 1899
Length of Service: 13 years
Baltimore Sun Article dated 08/30/1899
Reserve Officer Alonzo Bishop, of the Western Police District, who was injured in a collision
between the patrol wagon and a car of the Freemont avenue line, died early yesterday morning at the Maryland University Hospital.
His wife and son were with him at the time of his death. Previous to Monday, some slight hopes of his recovery were entertained,
but peritonitis set in during that day, and the fatal result was afterward expected. It was found that he would be unable
to stand an operation for peritonitis, and none was made…
Mr. Bishop was born in Baltimore in 1857. He was reared and educated here, and went on
the police force in 1886. His work as patrolman was very successful, and he was liked by all those associated with him. His
widow, two sons – John W. and Alonzo, both married – and a married daughter, Mrs. Bessie Haugh, survive him. Mr.
Bishop’s home was at 1307 North Gilmore Street.
Officer Charles J. Donohue
05/20/1902
Appointed: August 20, 1901
Assigned: Northwestern District
Died: May 20, 1902
Length of Service: 9 months
On the night of May 20th 1902, Officer Charles J. Donohue of the Northeast
District was attempting to make an arrest in a Domestic situation. Officer Donohue was holding the suspect, Mr. Charles Wilson
of Cockeysville, Maryland, who had spent several terms in jail, when the suspect hit him on the head with a beer bottle. In
a half dazed condition, Officer Donohue attempted to use his revolver in self-defense. When Officer Donohue withdrew his weapon,
Mr. Wilson knocked him to the ground and wrestled the weapon away from him. After gaining control of his weapon, Wilson stood
over top of the officer and fired into his head. After shooting the officer, the suspect fled the scene with the officer’s
weapon. The bullet lodged in the base of the brain and Officer Donohue later died at the hospital from the wound. Mr. Wilson
fled the city and was later captured.
Officer George C. Sauer
04/18/1915
Appointed: March 11, 1898
Assigned:
Eastern District
Died: April 18, 1915
Length of Service: 17 years, 1 month
Baltimore Sun Article on 04/11/1915
Sauer Shot Early Friday, Reported Holding His Own. His Deposition Not Taken. Bender, One
of the Men Held For Shooting, Was Paroled In This City and It Had Just Expired. Patrolman George
C. Sauer, of the Eastern District, who was shot in the stomach by gunmen early Friday morning in the eastern city limits,
was reported yesterday to by holding his own at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Dr. Frank C. Kirby, of the hospital staff, has expressed the opinion that he may be able
to save his life. When Sauer regained consciousness Friday afternoon an effort was made by Capt. Zellers, of the Eastern District,
to have Dr. Kirby grant permission to allow a deposition to be got from the wounded patrolman, and also to have Sauer identify
Kid Bender and Slim Miller, the gunmen. The surgeon said it would be perilous. “It would likely excite Sauer,”
said Dr. Kirby…
Bender and Miller were put through a strenuous grueling at the Eastern Police Station
late Friday night by State’s Attorney Broening in a move to ascertain the real records of the two. One result was the
identification of Bender as a paroled prisoner from Judge Elliott’s court. The parole expired last month. The charge
was larceny. The two men showed the result of the grilling and their increasing anxiety yesterday when they were taken to
headquarters to be “mugged”… Bender had lost something of his haughtiness, which amazed everyone on Friday.
Sauer’s Death Notice
04/18/1915
Sauer Funeral Thursday. Men Charged With Shooting Policeman to Have Hearing Today. The funeral of Patrolman George C. Sauer, of the Eastern District, who died at St. Joseph’s Hospital
Sunday night from a pistol wound sustained in a fight with David Bender, a New York gunman, on April 10 at Hare and Baltimore
streets, will take place Thursday morning from St. Michael’s Catholic Church. A short service will be held at his home,
1924 East Pratt Street. Fifty-six policemen of “B” and “C” divisions will attend under command of
Captain Zellers. Bender and James Miller, who made the assault on Sauer, will have a preliminary hearing today before Justice
Smith, at the Eastern Police Station. Bender is now charged with assaulting and killing the policeman.
Officer John Lanahan
07/03/1919
Appointed: December 10, 1900
Assigned: Central District
Appointed Turnkey: August 7, 1914
Died: July 3, 1919
Length of Service: 18 years, 7 months
Baltimore Sun Article on 07/04/1919
Burglar Kills Turnkey. Prisoner Shoots Down Policeman In Central Station
House. Fires While Being Searched. Slaying By Confessed Thief In the Presence of Lieutenant and Several Other Bluecoats. Turnkey
John J. Lanahan, 57 years old of the Central Police Station, whose home is at 2028 Robb Street, Northeast Baltimore, was shot
to death at 8:55 o’clock yesterday morning by Frank Wozulak, 31 years old, an unnaturalized Russian Pole, who the night
before burglarized the office of the American Railway Express Company’s office at Sudbrook, on the Western Maryland
railroad.
The murder of Turnkey Lanahan happened before the eyes of Lieut. W. F. Klinefelter
and Patrolman Crass and Traupe, of the Central District, a few minutes after Crass and Traupe had taken Wozniak to the police
station for examination as to his possession of watches and jewelry, which he was trying to dispose of to Harrison Street
second-hand dealers.
Two shots were fired by Wozniak, one entering Turnkey Lanahan’s breast and
the other going through the open window of a partition and lodging in the plastered wall of the signal operator’s office.
Headquarters Detective J. F. Dougherty, of the homicide squad, in making an investigation after the shooting, obtained information
indicating that Wozniak fired the shots with the idea of affecting his escape after realizing that imprisonment was inevitable.
Slayer Admits Robberies. Wozniak was questioned yesterday afternoon
by Capt. A. L. League, of the Central District, and he admitted that for several weeks he had gone on thieving expeditions.
He confessed that he went to Sudbrook Station Wednesday night, broke into the office
and rifled express packages, seeking money and jewelry. He made his escape with two boxes containing watches and when he attempted
to sell the watches yesterday, Patrolman Crass arrested him. Crass did not call for patrol, and as the prisoner offered no
resistance he walked him to the police station.
Wozniak was before the desk in the usual manner and there was nothing in his attitude
to indicate that he contemplated either escape or attack. He gave his name and address as 1637 Eastern Avenue. He said later,
however, that he had not lived at the Eastern Avenue address for several weeks, and this statement was verified by police
of the Eastern District.
Lieutenant Klinfelter called Turnkey Lanahan, and in his usual jovial, sympathetic
manner Lanahan approached the prisoner.
“Come, by boy, let me see what you’ve got,” said the turnkey
as he raised Wozniak’s hands and started to feel the pockets of his coat. At this juncture Patrolman Crass was standing
a few feet from the prisoner and Patrolman Traupe was standing at the entrance to the corridor leading to the lock-up, Patrolman
Kerns and Kelly, housemen, were behind the desk and Captain League was at his desk.
Backs Away and Fires. As Turnkey Lanahan raised his hands Wozniak
backed away a pace, drew a pistol from his right hip pocket and fired two shots. One bullet struck the turnkey and the other
wall. Crass and Traupe pounced upon Wozniak and Captain League, with drawn pistol, ran from his desk. The prisoner was beaten
into helplessness and was dragged away. His arms were held by four policemen.
The pistol was taken from his hand and a second weapon was taken from his pocket.
Twenty bullets were found in another pocket. The Central ambulance was on call, but no time was lost getting Turnkey Lanahan
to Mercy Hospital. Policemen carried him to the automobile of Frank H. Cook, 318 North Charles Street, and Mr. Cook speeded
to Mercy Hospital. Dr. Eustace H. Allen, of the surgical staff, pronounced Turnkey Lanahan dead. The bullet penetrated his
heart, causing internal hemorrhage.
Statement Made by Wozniak. “… I can’t say why I
shot the man and don’t know why I pulled the pistol from my pocket.”
Turnkey Lanahan was regarded as one of the most efficient turnkeys in the department.
He was known particularly because of his kindness and consideration for prisoners, and he always tried to cheer them while
in his custody. He was appointed to the department 19 years ago. He had been one of the alternating turnkeys at the Central
Police Station for seven years. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary Lanahan; two sons, who are in the armed forces of the
United States, and two daughters.
Officer Frank L. Latham
03/02/1924
Appointed: July 10, 1922
Assigned:
Eastern District
Died: March 2, 1924
Length of Service: 1 year 8 months
Officer Latham, who was 35 years old and married, was shot on Friday, February
29, 1924, by Leon Schmidt while investigating trouble at 511 S. Collington Avenue. Officer Latham from the Eastern District
died on his injuries on March 2, 1924. His assailant was sentenced to life. Officer Latham entered the department on July
10, 1922
Officer Charles S. Frank
06/20/1924
Appointed: November 8, 1923
Assigned: Southern District
Died: June 20, 1924
Length of Service: 7 months
Officer Frank, who was 33 years old and single, entered a home at 1619 Marshall Street
to investigate a quarrel taking place between Mr. & Mrs. Harry C. Jones. As the officer entered the house, Harry Jones
grabbed a gun and shot him. Officer Frank died of his injuries a few hours later. His death occurred on June 20, 1924. Officer
Frank entered the department on November 8, 1923
Officer George D. Hart
01/02/1925
Appointed: July 3, 1924
Assigned: Northern District
Died: January 2, 1925
Length of Service: 6 months
Officer Hart died from injuries received when his motorcycle and a car collided at University
Parkway and Charles Street on November 16, 1924. Officer Hart, who was married, died of his injuries on January 2, 1925. Officer
Hart entered the department on March 27, 1924.
Officer Roy L. Mitchell
11/01/1925
Appointed: June 24, 1924
Assigned:
Traffic Division
Died:
November 1, 1925
Length
of Service: 1 year, 5 months
Officer Mitchell, a motorcycle patrolman from the Traffic Division, was injured
when struck by a car on October 28, 1925. Officer Mitchell was the victim of a hit and run. He died of his injuries on November
1, 1925. Officer Mitchell was married. Officer Mitchell entered the department on June 24, 1924.
Officer Webster E. Schuman
06/29/1926
Appointed: November 3, 1922
Assigned: Northwestern District
Died: June 29, 1926
Length of Service: 3 years, 7 months
Baltimore Sun Article Dated 6/29/1926
Pistol Battle Due To Lack of Facilities For Insane, Longan’s View.
Vanie Lee, Discharged from Bay View, Killed By Police. Failure of the State of Maryland to provide adequate quarters and
facilities for the care of mentally deficient persons in Baltimore was responsible for the pistol battle in the Northwestern
district yesterday, in which nine persons, including a police clerk and four patrolman, were shot, Col. Rufus E. Longan superintendent
of the Baltimore City Hospitals, said yesterday…
In a running pistol fight Mr. Lee, who once was an inmate of an insane ward in
Baltimore City Hospitals, was shot to death by police after he had been driven from behind parked automobiles.
Thomas Dillon, police clerk at the Northwestern Police Station, who, although
unarmed, was on of the first to close in on Mr. Lee, is in critical condition at the Colonial Hospital. Physicians, who performed
an operation, said the bullet entered his chest and lodged in the spinal column. Paralyzed from the waist down, he has little
chance of recovery, it was said…
Charles D. Gaither, Police Commissioner, commended highly the courage and activity
of the police at the scene, and particularly praised the efforts of those who were shot.
“The patrolmen did everything possible under the circumstances,” he
said. “It especially unfortunate that Mr. Dillon was shot, since he was unprepared for such action. Mr. Dillon volunteered
when the call for reserves went out, even though the work called for was not in direct line of duty for him.”
Others shot are:
Patrolman Webster Schuman, Northwestern District. Shot in the mouth;
condition serious; at the University Hospital.
Patrolman Ignatius Benesch, Northwestern District. Shot in the right
hip; skull probably fractured by blow struck by Lee with empty pistol during hand to hand combat; at Colonial Hospital.
Police Chauffeur Leroy E. Lentz, Western District. Shot in the ankle;
at University Hospital.
Patrolman Howard L. Collins, Northwestern District. Shot in the right
hand; at Colonial Hospital.
William H. Kammerer, druggist, Lafayette and Fremont avenues, shot
in the right leg.
Arthur Redding, 34 years old, shot in the neck; condition serious;
at Colonial Hospital.
Calvin Howard, 16 years old, shot in the hand; treated at the University
Hospital.
Mildred Duncan, 11 years old. Shot in the abdomen; condition serious;
at the Colonial Hospital.
Lee, according to witnesses, first ran amuck in a lunchroom not far from Argyle
and Lafayette avenues, where most of the shooting occurred. After quarreling with Arthur Redding, proprietor, he ran out on
the sidewalk. Redding followed and struck Lee, witnesses said. Lee then drew a pistol and shot his assailant in the neck.
After this he went home, 635 West Lafayette Avenue, and soon reappeared armed with a rifle and another pistol.
Sitting on the steps in front of his home, with the rifle across his knees and
his pistols near by, Lee calmly smoked a cigar, witnesses declared. Meantime, residents had notified Rex Moore, telephone
operator at the Northwestern Police Station, that a crazy man had shot another and was terrorizing the neighborhood. The police
of the Western district were asked to send the patrol, while Police Clerk Dillon, Patrolman Schuman and Patrolman Collins
set out for the scene of the shooting in a Police Department automobile.
First on the scene, Patrolman Schuman jumped from the automobile and found cover
in the doorway of a grocery store, as bullets from Lee’s weapons struck the glass front of the store. A bullet from
Lee’s rifle penetrated two large plate glass windows and wounded Patrolman Schuman in the mouth. The policeman later
was rescued by other patrolmen and sent to the hospital. As Police Clerk Dillon ran to Patrolman Schuman’s side he was
shot in the chest.
Lee was eventually shot and killed by responding patrolmen. Both Police Clerk
Dillon and Patrolman Schuman succumbed to their injuries.
Station Clerk Thomas J. Dillon
07/12/1926
Appointed: March 4, 1912
Assigned: Northwestern District
Died: July 12, 1926
Length of Service: 14 years, 4 months
Baltimore Sun Article Dated 6/29/1926
Pistol Battle Due To Lack of Facilities For Insane, Longan’s View.
Vanie Lee, Discharged from Bay View, Killed By Police. Failure of the State of Maryland to provide adequate quarters and
facilities for the care of mentally deficient persons in Baltimore was responsible for the pistol battle in the Northwestern
district yesterday, in which nine persons, including a police clerk and four patrolman, were shot, Col. Rufus E. Longan superintendent
of the Baltimore City Hospitals, said yesterday…
In a running pistol fight Mr. Lee, who once was an inmate of an insane ward in
Baltimore City Hospitals, was shot to death by police after he had been driven from behind parked automobiles.
Thomas Dillon, police clerk at the Northwestern Police Station, who, although
unarmed, was on of the first to close in on Mr. Lee, is in critical condition at the Colonial Hospital. Physicians, who performed
an operation, said the bullet entered his chest and lodged in the spinal column. Paralyzed from the waist down, he has little
chance of recovery, it was said…
Charles D. Gaither, Police Commissioner, commended highly the courage and activity
of the police at the scene, and particularly praised the efforts of those who were shot.
“The patrolmen did everything possible under the circumstances,” he
said. “It especially unfortunate that Mr. Dillon was shot, since he was unprepared for such action. Mr. Dillon volunteered
when the call for reserves went out, even though the work called for was not in direct line of duty for him.”
Others shot are:
Patrolman Webster Schuman, Northwestern District. Shot in the mouth;
condition serious; at the University Hospital.
Patrolman Ignatius Benesch, Northwestern District. Shot in the right
hip; skull probably fractured by blow struck by Lee with empty pistol during hand to hand combat; at Colonial Hospital.
Police Chauffeur Leroy E. Lentz, Western District. Shot in the ankle;
at University Hospital.
Patrolman Howard L. Collins, Northwestern District. Shot in the right
hand; at Colonial Hospital.
William H. Kammerer, druggist, Lafayette and Fremont avenues, shot
in the right leg.
Arthur Redding, 34 years old, shot in the neck; condition serious;
at Colonial Hospital.
Calvin Howard, 16 years old, shot in the hand; treated at the University
Hospital.
Mildred Duncan, 11 years old. Shot in the abdomen; condition serious;
at the Colonial Hospital.
Lee, according to witnesses, first ran amuck in a lunchroom not far from Argyle
and Lafayette avenues, where most of the shooting occurred. After quarreling with Arthur Redding, proprietor, he ran out on
the sidewalk. Redding followed and struck Lee, witnesses said. Lee then drew a pistol and shot his assailant in the neck.
After this he went home, 635 West Lafayette Avenue, and soon reappeared armed with a rifle and another pistol.
Sitting on the steps in front of his home, with the rifle across his knees and
his pistols near by, Lee calmly smoked a cigar, witnesses declared. Meantime, residents had notified Rex Moore, telephone
operator at the Northwestern Police Station, that a crazy man had shot another and was terrorizing the neighborhood. The police
of the Western district were asked to send the patrol, while Police Clerk Dillon, Patrolman Schuman and Patrolman Collins
set out for the scene of the shooting in a Police Department automobile.
First on the scene, Patrolman Schuman jumped from the automobile and found cover
in the doorway of a grocery store, as bullets from Lee’s weapons struck the glass front of the store. A bullet from
Lee’s rifle penetrated two large plate glass windows and wounded Patrolman Schuman in the mouth. The policeman later
was rescued by other patrolmen and sent to the hospital. As Police Clerk Dillon ran to Patrolman Schuman’s side he was
shot in the chest.
Lee was eventually shot and killed by responding patrolmen. Both Police Clerk
Dillon and Patrolman Schuman succumbed to their injuries.
Officer William F. Doehler
08/05/1927
Appointed: September 3, 1919
Assigned: Northwestern District
Died: August 5, 1927
Length of Service: 7 years, 11 months
Officer Doehler was shot and killed by David Berry on
August 5, 1927, after the officer had arrested him at a pawnshop. Officer Doehler took him to a call box at Pennsylvania and
Biddle to call for the wagon. The assailant pulled a gun and shot the officer through the heart. Officer Doehler was married
and the father of two children. Officer Doehler entered the department on September 3, 1919.
Sergeant George M. J. May
02/12/1928
Appointed: May 31, 1910
Assigned: Southern District
Died: February 12, 1928
Length of Service: 17 years, 9 months
Baltimore Sun Article Dated 02/13/1928
Two policemen, a sergeant and a patrolman, were sent to the South Baltimore General
Hospital last night as a result of two accidents on the Hanover Street Bridge, involving a police coupe, a delivery truck
and a street car.
Sergeant George May, driving a police coupe along a bridge, started to turn around
in the middle of the structure to pull up in front of the police booth there, according to the report, when a Curtis Bay street
car struck his machine.
Patrolman John Peters, who witnessed the accident, started to his assistance only
to be struck by a delivery truck driven by John Fuchs, 2000 block Aiken Street. Patrolman Peters suffered a broken leg. Sergeant
May received a gash on the head.
Sergeant George May died later due to his injuries
Sergeant Joseph F. Carroll
11/19/1928
Appointed: August 6, 1907
Assigned: Detective Bureau
Died: November 19, 1928
Length of Service: 21 years, 3 months
Karl Jensen was arrested in Baltimore as a suspect in the killing of a New York
Policeman. Jensen was being taken to the police headquarters when he started to fight both officers. Sgt. Carroll rushed to
the aid of the officers and Jensen drew a gun, fired, and killed him. Two other officers were also wounded in the incident.
Sgt. Carroll was killed on November 19, 1928. He was married. He joined the department on August 6, 1907.
Officer John P. Burns
01/07/1931
Appointed: January 6, 1921
Assigned: Northwestern District
Died: January 7, 1931
Length of Service: 10 years
Officer Burns who was 45 years old and married, was shot while trying to help
a woman involved in a domestic quarrel with Willie Smith with whom she was living. As officer Burns entered the house, Smith
came down the stairs from the 2nd floor firing at the officer as he descended. Officer Burns was struck near the
heart and died before the end of the day. The incident took place on January 7, 1931. Officer Burns joined the department
on January 6, 1921.
Officer William A. Bell
01/02/1932
Appointed: October 1, 1908
Assigned: Northwestern District
Died: January 2, 1932
Length of Service: 23 years, 3 months
Officer Bell was shot and killed instantly on January 2, 1932, while trying to
arrest a burglary suspect, Willie Wright, in a 3rd floor apartment at 1709 Madison Avenue. The suspect was wanted
for a series of burglaries in the Northwestern District. He was apprehended in Washington, D.C. on January 4, 1932. Officer
Bell was 52 years old and unmarried. Officer Bell joined the department on October 1, 1908.
Officer Thomas F. Steinacker
10/04/1932
Appointed: June 1, 1888
Assigned: Southwestern District
Died: October 4, 1932
Length of Service: 44 years, 4 months
On September 29, 1932 at 9:50 a.m., Officer Stienacker was crossing the intersection of Frederick
Avenue and Willard Street. A motorist struck Officer Steinacker as he crossed Frederick Avenue. As a result, he was thrown
against a United Railway and Electric Company street car. He suffered a fractured skull, lacerated head and ear. He succumbed
to his injuries on October 4, 1932.
Officer John R. Block
04/21/1933
Appointed: October 22, 1920
Assigned: Southern District
Died: April 21, 1933
Length of Service: 12 years, 6 months
Baltimore Sun Article Dated 04/22/1933
In the early hours of April 21, 1933, three young men robbed several United Bus
drivers. According to reports, the buses were held up at their northern terminus, Charles and Thirty-ninth Streets, by two
men who had boarded a bus driven by William Hoffmaster, 2600 block Hampden Ave, at Charles and Franklin streets and had ridden
to the end of the line. There, as they left the bus, they held up Hoffmaster and later forced Lawrence Muster, 3400 Keswick
road, who was at the wheel of a waiting bus, into the Hoffmaster bus and took all the money both of them had, $63.00.
A lookout for the possible get-away car was broadcast and Officer Block stopped
it. As Officer Block approached the car, the officer was shot and killed.
The three escaped and began a two state manhunt including the District of Columbia.
Law enforcement agencies from surrounding counties, the city and the FBI joined efforts to locate the assailants.
Officer John Blank
02/12/1934
Appointed: December 7, 1922
Assigned: Northeastern District
Died: February 12, 1934
Length of Service: 11 years, 2 months
On the night of February 11, 1934 around midnight, an officer discovered the entrance
to a business open in the 1400 block of Central Avenue. He called for backup units and Officer John Blank responded. Officer
Blank secured the rear of the establishment. As the other officers went into the building through the front entrance, three
men ran out of the back. At that time they fired several shots at Officer Blank in order to escape. One of the shots found
its mark in the temple of Officer Blank, killing him.
Officer John A. Stapf
11/02/1934
Appointed: April 1, 1901
Assigned: Northwestern District
Died: November 2, 1934
Length of Service: 33 years, 7 months
Information from Baltimore Sun Article
A Trolley struck Officer Stapf as he crossed the street. Witnesses state that
he ran in front of a standing eastbound car and into the path of a car going in the opposite direction. Patrolman Stapf was
instantly killed as the result of a skull fracture. Patrolman Stapf was struck on North Avenue under the Western Maryland
Railway bridge.
Officer Henry W. Sudmeier
12/20/1934
Appointed: September 28, 1925
Assigned: Northern District
Died: December 20, 1934
Length of Service: 9 years, 3 months
Officer Sudmeier was shot by a fellow police officer when he was mistaken for
a church thief in October, 1926 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church located in Mount Washington. Paralyzed by the injury he
always felt that he would recover but died at Mercy Hospital from congestion in his lungs that was determined to be indirectly
related to the gunshot wound eight years earlier.
Officer Max Hirsch
02/14/1935
Appointed: March 31, 1928
Assigned: Southern District
Died: February 14, 1935
Length of Service: 6 years, 11 months
Patrolman Max Hirsch, of the Southern District, died yesterday afternoon at the
South Baltimore General Hospital from injuries received while investigating a burglary report early Monday morning. He was
41 years old.
According to fellow officers, Hirsch had gone to a garage in the rear of 614 Light
Street in an effort to capture an intruder who had been reported there. The burglar escaped and Hirsch slipped and fell from
the second floor of the garage to a concrete first floor.
Authorities did not know Hirsch had been injured until he staggered into a fire
engine house at Light and Montgomery Streets at 6 a.m. with the remark, “I fell.” Later he lapsed into unconsciousness.
Physicians said he had suffered a fractured skull. Officer Hirsch was married.
Officer Arthur H. Malinofski
10/31/1935
Appointed: September 23, 1926
Assigned: Northwestern District
Died: October 31, 1935
Length of Service: 9 years, 1 month
Officer Malinofski was discovered several feet from his patrol car dead from two
gunshot wounds. A milkman discovered the body lying on the ground on Main Avenue near Gwynn Oak Avenue at approximately 4
a.m. According to news reports at the time, at “about 4 o’clock when Patrolman Malinofski, flashlight in hand,
parked his car on a lot just off Maine Avenue, and begun a routine inspection of rear doors. The beam of his light, General
Gaither, Commissioner of Police, surmised, fell on ‘somebody doing something he shouldn’t have been doing.’
Caught in the flood of light, the ‘somebody’ fired at the patrolman
before the latter had a chance to reach for his gun, which hung in a holster from his hip. This was possible, the police said,
for the holster was untouched, the gun not moved and ‘no good officer who arrests a man would continue to hold his flashlight
in his hand.’”
Patrolman Anthony Staylor and Henry Levinson arrested the suspect, Oscar Norfolk,
30. Mr. Norfolk was questioned by Lieutenant Edward Hitzelberger and then booked as “suspected of assault and shooting.”
Officer Leo Bacon
10/09/1936
Appointed: December 31, 1927
Assigned: Traffic Division
Died: October 9, 1936
Length of Service: 8 years, 10 months
Drawn from correspondence between Commissioner Charles D. Gaither and the Law Offices
of Hargest, LeViness, Duckett and McGlannan
On February 26, 1932, Officer Bacon was injured when helping move a semaphore
house through traffic at the intersection of Eutaw and Saratoga Streets. Officer Bacon was assigned to the Traffic Division
and was on duty while directing this movement. During this incident, Officer Bacon received an injury that aggravated a condition
related to his kidneys. This injury continued to aggravate him and he finally went to a doctor some time later.
After some initial treatment for his injury, his injuries continued to disturb
him and a diagnosis was made by Dr. A. J. Gillis of epididymitis in the right side. Officer Bacon was also diagnosed with
a stone in the left kidney severe enough to warrant surgery. Dr. Gillis believed that this was also related to the accident
and injury sustained on February 26, 1932.
This surgery resulted in death as a result of pneumonia on October 9, 1936.
The Department awarded Line of Duty Death benefits to Mrs. Leo Bacon in January 1937.
Officer Carroll Hanley
10/29/1936
Appointed: August 26, 1909
Assigned: Western District
Resigned: June 2, 1918
Reinstated: June 10, 1924
Assigned: Central District
Died: October 29, 1936
Length of Service: 21 years, 2 months
Officer Hanley placed a well-dressed man under arrest at the Backus Chevrolet
Company, 10 E. North Avenue, when the suspect sped away. The officer then jumped onto the closed side running board of the
vehicle as the driver sped through rush hour traffic. Officer Hanley held on for three blocks but was flung to his death as
the vehicle made a sharp left turn from 20th Street to Hargrove alley.
Officer John T. King, Jr.
12/28/1936
Appointed: April 10, 1923
Assigned: Northeastern District
Died: December 28, 1936
Length of Service: 13 years, 8 months
On December 27, 1936 at 11:20 p.m., Officer King was struck by a motorist while
crossing the intersection of Hoffman and Caroline Streets. He was treated for fractures of both legs, internal injuries, abrasions
and shock. Officer King succumbed to his injuries on December 28th.
Officer Thomas J. Barlow
12/31/1937
Appointed: November 14, 1919
Assigned: Northeastern District
Resigned: May 23, 1923
Reinstated: June 27, 1927
Length of Service: 14 years
On December 31, 1937 at approximately 2:17 a.m., Officer Barlow was struck and
killed by an automobile at the intersection of Belair Road and Pelham Avenue. Officer Barlow was investigating a call for
a “woman screaming in the street.” Officer Barlow was hurrying to the aid of a woman who was having trouble with
her drunken boyfriend.
Chief Engineer Joseph E. Keene
11/01/1938
Appointed: January 15, 1923
Assigned: Harbor Patrol
Died: November 1, 1938
Length of Service: 15 years, 10 months
On October 24, 1938 at approximately 8:10 a.m. Chief
Engineer Joseph Keene was at the foot of Wells Street on Philpot. While working on a boat engine, Mr. Keene became sick and
dizzy. Upon feeling these effects for quite some time, he came ashore and fell several times and died shortly after. An investigation
revealed that the engine Mr. Keene was working on had two holes in the muffler of the engine with carbon monoxide escaping.
It was determined that Mr. Keene died as a result of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Mrs. Anna Keene was awarded a full police
pension by Commissioner Robert F. Stanton.
Officer William L. Ryan
06/13/1940
Appointed: January 15, 1923
Assigned: Central District
Died: June 13, 1940
Length of Service: 19 years, 3 months
On June 13, 1940 at approximately 10:30 a.m., Officer Ryan received a call for
a man brandishing a butcher knife. During the investigation, Officer Ryan approached Joseph Abata who was standing in front
of a mission house in the unit block of South Gay Street. He was attacked by the suspect, who then stabbed the officer in
the heart and several more times. The officer fired two shots at the suspect before dying but neither hit the running suspect.
Abata was eventually captured by firemen and citizens pursuing him.
Officer William J. Woodcock
06/13/1943
Appointed: January 15, 1923
Assigned: Northwestern District
Resigned: January 28, 1926
Reinstated: March 24, 1927
Assigned: Central District
Died: June 13, 1943
Length of Service: 19 years, 3 months
On June 12, 1943 at approximately 10:37 p.m., Officer Woodcock responded
to 1004 Brentwood Avenue to investigate an assault. During the investigation, Officer Woodcock was attacked by Ronald Harris.
Mr. Harris struck Officer Woodcock in the face and knocked him to the ground. At that time, Harris was joined by three of
his friends who began to strike Officer Woodcock in the head and kicked him while he lay prostrate on the ground. He gained
consciousness at the hospital long enough to identify the suspect to Captain Joseph Itzel. Officer Woodcock died later from
cerebral hemorrhaging.
Officer William S. Knight
11/07/1943
Appointed: July 2, 1936
Assigned: Northeastern District
Died: November 7, 1943
Length of Service: 7 years, 4 months
Patrolman William Knight and his partner John J. Bianca were sent to the 1100
block of Rutland Avenue to investigate the trouble at a private club.
Upon arrival of the officers, they were informed that the persons involved in
an argument within the club had gone.
Gunshots were then heard coming from a nearby alley and a black male was observed
running from the alley and across the street. The officers chased this man and caught him. He stated that he saw a man in
a tan jacket firing a pistol and he was running to get clear of the area.
This man was placed in the radio car and the area was checked. The officers observed
a man wearing a tan jacket run into an alley where the radio car could not go.
Officer Bianca chased the man in the tan jacket on foot into the alley while Officer
Knight stayed in the car with the first suspect.
The suspect in the tan jacket reportedly doubled back where he confronted Officer
Knight. Shots were fired and Officer Knight was struck in the chest and the suspect was hit in the back. Officer Knight staggered
back to the radio car to summons help over the radio and passed out on the front seat of the car. He was taken to St. Joseph’s
Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The man who was placed in the car left the scene and was not identified.
Officer John B. Bealefeld
09/10/1945
Appointed: March 28, 1929
Assigned: Southern District
Died: September 10, 1945
Length of Service: 16 years, 6 months
Officer Bealefeld was investigating a disturbance at 1526 Boyle Street, the home
of Joseph Geisler on August 30, 1945. During the investigation, Mr. Geisler struck Officer Bealfeld behind the neck with his
fist and knocked him into the street. Officer Bealefeld fractured his leg. He died of an embolism on September 10, 1945. Joseph
Geisler was charged with the officer’s murder. Officer Bealefeld was married.
Officer Elmer A. Noon
11/20/1946
Appointed: June 18, 1931
Assigned: Northeastern District
Died: November 20, 1946
Length of Service: 15 years, 5 months
Officer Noon, who was 41 years old, died of a heart attack
shortly after returning home from work. Just before Officer Noon’ s shift ended he went to the assistance of a Special
Police Officer in the Belair Market. A man assaulted both the Special Police Officer and Officer Noon. The suspect resisted
violently causing Officer Noon to be thrown against the side of his radio car. Officer Noon died two hours after this altercation.
Officer Noon was married and had a daughter.
Officer Fred R. Unger
01/13/1947
Appointed: May 2, 1944
Assigned: Central District
Died: January 13, 1947
Length of Service: 2 years, 8 months
Officer’s Fred R. Unger and George C. Pfaff were on patrol in a radio car
when they received a description of a suspect wanted for a cab hold-up on Saratoga Street near Gay Street. Unknown to them
at this time the same suspect held up another cab in the 900 block of Brevard Street.
About 3:10 a.m., the officers were on Cathedral Street where they observed a suspect
fitting the description given on Brevard Street.
The suspect walked northwest on Brevard Street. The officers followed and caught
up with him at Park and Preston Street.
Officer Unger was driving and as they got to the suspect, Officer Unger rolled
down the car window and called to the suspect, “What are you running for?” The suspect walked up to Officer Unger’s
side of the radio car without saying anything. At this time the suspect pulled out a .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol and
fired several shots at Officer Unger and Officer Pfaff. Officer Unger was struck in the head and killed. Officer Pfaff was
not struck and rolled out the passenger side of the radio car where he observed the suspect running in front of the car toward
Howard Street.
Officer Pfaff chased the suspect past the east side of the Armory into an alley
beside a warehouse. Officer Pfaff lost the suspect in the vicinity of Dolphin Street and Linden Avenue.
Officers Levin and Griffin upon receiving the description of the wanted suspect
responded to the area where they observed the suspect on Lanvale Street near Eutaw Place. The officers shouted for the suspect
to halt. The suspect spun around and fired one shot at the officers. The officers returned fire killing the suspect.
A black-jack, ammunition, the .25 caliber pistol, and the cab hold-up money were
recovered from the suspect’s body.
Officer Unger was married and the father of 2 daughters, Carol (eight) and Gail
Patricia (eighteen months). Officer Fred R. Unger was 38 years of age and a 3 year veteran of the force.
Officer Joseph D. Benedict
02/13/1948
Appointed: November 19, 1941
Assigned: Northern District
Died: February 13, 1948
Length of Service: 6 years, 3 months
Shortly after 4:00 a.m. on a Friday, Officer Joseph D. Benedict observed a taxi-cab
without lights parked on 33rd street near the Alameda. Officer Benedict walked up to the cab, unaware that the
driver of the cab was being held up at that time by the suspect Roy Arnold Wood. As Officer Benedict neared the cab he was
shot and killed by the suspect, Wood.
The suspect fled from the scene, but was later turned into police by his girlfriend,
Mary Bates. The suspect was arrested and after his trial was sentenced to hang. Wood, however, hung himself in his prison
cell with his necktie on March 22, 1948.
Officer Benedict was married and the father of five children.
Officer Thomas J. Burns
10/01/1948
Appointed: December 18, 1947
Assigned: Traffic Division
Died: October 1, 1948
Length of Service: 10 months
Motorcycle Patrolman Thomas J. Burns, 23, was injured fatally when his motorcycle
crashed into the side of a trailer truck on Erdman Avenue near North Point Road. The truck driver made a left turn in front
of Officer Burns without yielding the right-of-way.
Officer Burns formally served as a park policeman and was in the Army during World
War II. He lived with his parents and was unmarried.
Officer John W. Arnold
12/30/1948
Appointed: November 1, 1920
Assigned: Northwestern District
Died: December 30, 1948
Length of Service: 28 years, 2 months
Officer John Arnold and Officer Norman Mike assigned to Radio Car 53 were given
a call to investigate the trouble at Argyle Avenue and Biddle Street. Upon their arrival at 6:30 a.m. they asked a citizen
if there was any trouble, the citizen replied “down the alley.”
The alley referred to is actually the 900 block of Little Pine Street. The officers
drove down the alley where they observed a suspect choking a woman against a fence. The officers both got out of the car and
attempted to aid the woman when the suspect spun around and fired four or five shots repeatedly at the officers, striking
them both.
Officer John Arnold died at Maryland General Hospital on December 30, eighteen
days after he was shot, from the injuries.
The suspect, identified as Edward Grear, was later arrested near Camden Station
after a brief struggle with police. A .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the suspect.
Officer John Arnold, 53 years of age, was nicknamed “Happy” by his
fellow officers.
Officer James L. Joyce
04/04/1949
Appointed: June 27, 1940
Assigned: Northern District
Died: April 4, 1949
Length of Service: 8 years, 10 months
Officer James Joyce, 42 years of age, was stopped on Falls Road near the city
line in his patrol car. Another vehicle driven by Frank Love, 21 years of age hit the railing on the Falls Road bridge over
the Pennsylvania Railroad causing it to go out of control.
Love’s vehicle struck the left side of Officer Joyce’s radio car pushing
it over the curb and up an embankment.
Richard Farace, a passenger in Love’s car, was killed instantly.
Officer Joyce received broken ribs, punctured lungs, and internal injuries, he
was transported to Union Memorial Hospital where he died of his wounds.
Officer Charles M. Hilbert
08/04/1950
Appointed: June 1, 1950
Assigned: Headquarters (detailed to Traffic)
Died: August 4, 1950
Length of Service: 2 months
Officer Hilbert who was recently appointed to the police force died at South Baltimore
General Hospital from injuries suffered when he was knocked into a pole after being struck by an automobile as he operated
a traffic signal at Potee Street and Patapsco Avenue.
Officer Ronald W. Morgan
01/06/1951
Appointed: September 5, 1944
Assigned: Northern District
Died: January 6, 1951
Length of Service: 6 years, 4 months
Officer Morgan was struck and killed while getting out of his patrol car on the
night of January 6, 1951 to make his 11 p.m. call. Investigation showed that he was struck by a car driven by John Caskie,
Jr. Caskie was charged with manslaughter, driving under the influence and failure to stop after an accident. Officer Morgan
was married and the father of three children.
Sergeant James L. Scholl
08/01/1953
Appointed: January 1, 1942
Assigned: Eastern District
Died: August 1, 1953
Length of Service: 11 years, 7 months
Sgt. Scholl, 41 years old, was shot on July 20, 1953 in a pre-dawn gun battle
at an East Baltimore tavern at 1800 Broening Highway named “Brown’s Bar.” Sgt. Scholl was investigating
a call about a suspicious automobile. Another officer was also wounded in the incident. As Sgt. Scholl and the other officer
approached the vehicle, they were ambushed in a gun fight. Roger Wyley was charged with the murder of Sgt. Scholl and the
other gunman died on scene. Sgt. Scholl died of his injuries on August 1, 1953. He was married and the father of two daughters.
Sgt. Scholl joined the department on June 1, 1942.
Officer Alfred P. Bobelis
02/14/1954
Appointed: July 20, 1943
Assigned: Southern District
Died: February 14, 1954
Length of Service: 10 years, 7 months
Officer Bobelis was struck and killed while directing traffic at the scene of
an accident at Hanover and Randall Streets on February 14, 1954 at approximately 2:30 a.m. Officer Bobelis, who was 47 years
old, was married and the father of two daughters.
Officer Aubrey L. Lowman
04/19/1954
Appointed: November 9, 1942
Assigned: Northwestern District
Died: April 19, 1954
Length of Service: 11 years, 5 months
Baltimore Sun Article dated 04/19/1954
Woman Sitting In Machine With Gunman Is Captured; Latter Flees –
Wild Bullet Breaks Window In Provident Hospital. A Northwestern district policeman was shot and killed late last night
by a man sitting with a woman in a stolen car parked at Division and Mosher streets. Patrolman Aubrey Lowman, 38, was caught
in a volley of four shots. Police believe he was drawing his gun when the first bullet shattered his left collarbone. Patrolman
Lowman was left-handed and could not use his gun after the first shot. As he sank to the ground a second bullet hit him in
the middle part of the body. He was dead on arrival at Maryland General Hospital…
The car the killer was sitting in was stolen last Wednesday. Late last night the owner spotted
it near Division and Mosher streets and called Northwestern. Patrolman Lowman was sent to check on the car and was apparently
walking up to it when he was shot down.
Officer Walter D. Davis
07/01/1954
Appointed: October 16, 1952
Assigned: Northeastern District
Died: July 1, 1954
Length of Service: 1 year, 9 months
Officer Walter Davis was killed when his departmental car crashed into a pylon
in the 4400 block of Harford Road. About ten minutes prior to the accident police car #31 had called in that all the lights
were out on all the safety pylons between the Harford Road car barn and Cold Spring Lane.
Sergeant James J. Purcell
10/24/1955
Appointed: June 8, 1939
Assigned: Northwestern District
Died: October 24, 1955
Length of Service: 16 years, 5 months
On October 23, 1955 at approximately 6:20 a.m., Sergeant Purcell received a call
for a burglary in progress at 134 W. Lanvale Street. The call stated that someone had entered the premises through a window.
When Sgt. Purcell arrived, he found a window open. He entered the through the open window and began to search the building.
While he searched the second floor, a man ran out of a room shooting while running. The suspect’s shots hit Sgt. Purcell
in the chest.
Officer John R. Phelan
09/29/1956
Appointed: May 24, 1956
Assigned: Northwestern District
Died: September 29, 1956
Length of Service: 4 months
On September 29, 1956, police involved in a shoot-out at a liquor store, shot
and wounded a suspect. An ambulance was called to transport the suspect to the hospital. Officer Phelan was inside the ambulance
watching the wounded suspect when the suspect attacked Officer Phelan, grabbing his service revolver. Once the suspect gained
control of Officer Phelan’s weapon, he shot and fatally wounded him.
Officer John F. Andrews
10/09/1957
Appointed: October 27, 1955
Assigned: Traffic Division – Motor Unit
Died: October 9, 1957
Length of Service: 2 years
On October 9, 1957 at approximately 9:50 a.m., Officer Andrews was pursuing a
speeder in the 900 block of S. Monroe. Officer Andrews was on a motorcycle with all of his emergency equipment on traveling
at approximately 70 to 75 miles per hour. As the officer was overtaking the speeder, the driver swerved in front of Officer
Andrews, causing his motorcycle to jump the sidewalk and hit a cement wall. He was killed immediately.
Officer Andrews served in the U.S. Navy from March 9, 1943 to February 5, 1946.
He saw three years of combat in the Pacific.
Officer Robert K. Nelson
09/19/1958
Appointed: March 21, 1957
Assigned: Traffic Division – Motors Unit
Died: September 19, 1958
Length of Service: 1 year 6 months
Officer Nelson, a motorcycle patrolman died as a result of an automobile accident
in which his motorcycle was struck at the intersection of Broadway and Gay Streets. He was thrown from his motorcycle and
struck his head on a curb.
Officer Nelson served in the U.S. Army from April 7, 1950 to April 18, 1953.
Officer Richard H. Duvall
01/11/1959
Appointed: October 16, 1952
Assigned: Northwestern District
Died: January 11, 1959
Length of Service: 6 years, 3 months
After a chase involving a stolen car through Druid Hill Park, Officer Duvall was
attempting to place the suspect into custody for a stolen auto charge. Officer Duvall was shot during a struggle with a suspect
when a fellow officer’s revolver accidentally discharged. Officer Duvall died on January 11, 1959. He was married and
the father of two children.
Officer Duvall served in the U.S. Navy from January 8, 1948 to February 20, 1952.
He saw 14 months of combat.
Officer Warren V. Eckert
11/16/1960
Appointed: October 27, 1955
Assigned: Traffic Division – Motors Unit
Died: November 16, 1960
Length of Service: 5 years, 1 month
On November 16, 1960 at approximately 12:35 P.m., Officer Warren Eckert was responding
to a call for service using his lights and sirens. At the intersection of Pratt and Carey Streets, Officer Eckert was struck
by another motorist, throwing him from his motorcycle. He struck his head against the street, causing fatal injuries.
Officer Eckert served in the U.S. Navy from April 19, 1951 to March 22,
1955.
Officer Henry Smith, Jr.
04/07/1962
Appointed: August 8, 1957
Assigned: Central District
Died: April 7, 1962
Length of Service: 4 years, 8 months
Baltimore Sun Article Dated 04/08/1962
Two wounded men remained under guard at University Hospital yesterday as police
investigated the murder of an off-duty Central District patrolman. The dead man, Patrolman Henry Smith, Jr., 31, father of
five and a five-year veteran of the force was shot to death early yesterday outside a tavern in the 700 block of West Lexington
Street…
The service pistols of Patrolman Smith and two other policemen have been sent
to the laboratory. Officers believe that Patrolman Smith may have been slain with his own gun [while trying to break up a
dice game]. His holster was empty. His emptied revolver was found later in an areaway next to 702 West Fayette Street, police
said.
Patrolman James Thompson, of the Western District, said he was a block away when
he heard shots. He said two men were standing over Patrolman Smith, apparently emptying a revolver into his body. Patrolman
Thompson joined by Patrolman William Cromer ran toward the men, shouting for them to halt. The two policemen fired six shots
at the fleeing man. Additional policemen rushed to the area and Patrolman Chris Kessler found the 30-year-old man, apparently
bleeding from a gunshot wound, in the 100 Block North Pine Street.
Officer Smith served in the U.S. Marines from May 24, 1951 to May 23, 1954. He
saw 2 years of combat in North Africa.
Officer Richard D. Seebo
05/26/1962
Appointed: July 2, 1959
Assigned: Traffic Division – Motors Unit
Died: May 26, 1962
Length of Service: 2 years, 10 months
Officer Seebo stopped a vehicle in the 300 Block of E. 20th Street
for traffic violations. As he pulled his motorcycle to the rear of the vehicle, the driver put his car in reverse and backed
into the officer, throwing him to the ground. Officer Seebo went to the driver’s side window to confront the motorist.
When he confronted the driver, the driver withdrew a pistol and shot him in the chest. Officer Seebo fell to the ground and
the assailant shot him again in the back as he stood over top of him.
Officer Seebo was married and the father of two children. The occupants of the
car, Henry Ben Huff, 18, and Wallace Creighton were charged with the murder of the officer. The suspect was later arrested
in South Carolina.
Officer Seebo served in the U.S. Navy from August 15, 1955 to August 23, 1957.
Officer Edward Kowalewski
07/02/1962
Appointed: July 22, 1954
Assigned: Central District
Died: July 2, 1962
Length of Service: 8 years
On July 2, 1962, at approximately 1:15 a.m. Officer Kowalewski heard shooting
and saw a cab driver running from his cab. The cab driver was yelling that he had been shot. Officer Kowalewski ran to the
side of the cab and the occupant began shooting. Officer Kowalewski was shot and killed by a gunman who had held up a cab
at Charles Street and North Avenue. His assailant, Ray Nixt had been recently paroled from Folsom Prison in California after
serving only 10 years of a life sentence for armed robbery. Officer Kowaleski was killed on July 2, 1962. He was married and
the father of four children.
Officer Kowalewski served in the U.S. Navy from May 17, 1944 to May 15, 1946 and
saw 1 year of combat.
Officer Francis R. Stransky
01/10/1964
Appointed: January 5, 1959
Assigned: Central District
Died: January 10, 1964
Length of Service: 5 years
Officer Francis Stransky made an arrest at the Belair Market – Cicero’s
and had a heart attack.
Officer Stransky, who was 39 years old, became involved in an altercation in the 500 Block of
Ensor Street on January 10, 1964. The officer subdued his assailant and took him to the Central District. Approximately an
hour after the altercation while he was booking his prisoner, Officer Stransky suffered a heart attack and died. Larry G.
Wadsworth, 22 was charged with the officer’s death. Officer Stransky was married and the father of two children.
Officer Claude J. Profili
02/06/1964
Appointed: January 17, 1952
Assigned: Western District
Died: February 6, 1964
Length of Service: 12 years, 1 month
Officer Profili responded to a hold-up alarm at the Maryland National Bank at
520 Franklintown. Upon his arrival he walked up to the bank where he saw two suspects robbing the bank. He withdrew his weapon
and began to give orders to them. A third suspect he did not see, shot him in the head with a .45 caliber pistol. Officer
Profili was married and the father of two children. The suspects were apprehended.
Officer Profili served in the U.S. Navy from March 20, 1946 to January 15, 1948.
Officer Walter P. Matthys
09/11/1964
Appointed: June 11, 1964
Assigned: Eastern District
Died: September 11, 1964
Length of Service: 3 months
On September 11, 1964, at approximately 12:13 p.m., Officer Matthys responded to a call
for a disturbance at Edythe Street and Central Avenue. While talking to the suspect, he assaulted Officer Matthys. During
the struggle, the mentally deranged subject grabbed the young officers gun and shot him. As the officers slumped to the ground,
the suspect continued to shoot while Officer Matthys’ body laid on the ground. The officer was shot five times and witnesses
reported that the suspect “just walked away.”
Officer Matthys served in the U.S. Army from January 23, 1961 to January 22, 1964.
Officer Teddy L. Bafford
10/15/1964
Appointed: August 6, 1953
Assigned: Northwestern District
Date: October 15, 1964
Length of Service: 11 years, 2 months
Baltimore Sun Article Dated 10/16/1964
A policeman was shot to death last night in the 3300 Block of Garrison Boulevard almost
immediately after he reported an earlier shooting to Police Headquarters on a callbox. Patrolman Teddy L. Bafford, 33, of
the Northwestern District, was shot about 10:30 p.m. and died en route to Sinai Hospital a few minutes later. Police apprehended
three young men, one with a gunshot wound in his foot, within fifteen minutes. They were the same three Patrolman Bafford
had reported as being wanted in connection with the shots fired at a couple down the block from the callbox.
Patrolman Bafford was shot once in the back and once in the nose, according to hospital
officials. Police and witnesses gave this account of the patrolman’s death:
Patrolman Bafford, a 14-year veteran of the Police Department, had been in a restaurant
in the middle of the 3300 Block of Garrison Boulevard when he heard a shooting… The policeman went outside to investigate
and found the couple that said three men in a 1962 green sedan had fired them at.
Patrolman Bafford went to the callbox at the corner of Garrison Boulevard and Liberty
Heights Avenue and reported the shooting to Police Headquarters. He said that the three young men were riding in the car,
one in the back seat.
Emanuel Brown, an attendant for a filling station near the callbox corner, said he saw
the policeman making the telephone report to Police Headquarters and then run suddenly south along Garrison Boulevard. “Then
I heard three shots fire and ran out and saw the officer on the ground,” he said. Police swarmed the shooting scene
and picked up three young men. Inspector Frank J. Battaglia said one had been shot in the foot but made it clear that Patrolman
Bafford had not done the shooting.
Patrolman Bafford left behind a pregnant wife and two children. Patrolman Bafford served
in the U.S. Marines from March 1949 to March 1952, he saw combat in Korea and was discharged with the rank of Sergeant.
Sergeant Jack L. Cooper
12/25/1964
Appointed: December 18, 1947
Assigned: Northeastern District
Died: December 25, 1964
Length of Service: 17 years
Baltimore Sun Article Dated 12/26/1964
A police Sergeant was shot to death early yesterday as he was searching for a bandit
who had wounded a police lieutenant in a Christmas Eve liquor store hold up. Sgt. Jack L. Cooper, 43, was shot twice through
the heart shortly before 5 a.m. as he was working by himself in the 2600 Block of Kennedy Avenue. Lt. Joseph T. Maskell, 40,
was shot twice but was not fatally wounded as he struggled with the bandit shortly before 10 p.m. Christmas Eve outside a
liquor store in the 2000 Block of Greenmount Avenue. He was in fair condition at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Police said Sergeant Cooper apparently had stopped a 25-year old man identified by witnesses
as one of four men who robbed the liquor store proprietor and several of his customers of $2,399.80. Police found a black
leather card case containing the name of the 25-year-old man lying near Sergeant Cooper’s body. They also found a driver’s
license issued to the same man lying on the floor of his police car near the clutch pedal. Sergeant Cooper’s pistol
was still in its holster when he was found sprawled on the sidewalk about 10 feet from the open door of his car.
About 4:45 a.m., Sergeant Cooper and Patrolman Charles Kopfelder and Daniel Sobolewski
met in the 1600 Block of Carswell Street, about eight blocks northeast from the hold up scene. The two patrolmen left in their
police car to cruise along Gorsuch Avenue. They last saw the sergeant sitting alone in his car. Just before 4:50 a.m. they
heard shots and hurried back to the 1600 Block of Carswell Street. They found Sergeant Cooper lying on the sidewalk in the
2600 Block of Kennedy Avenue. He was bleeding from three bullet wounds. The done light of his police car was turned on. Both
Sergeant Cooper and Lieutenant Makell worked out of the Northeastern District.
Sgt. Cooper served in the U.S. Coast Guard from June 3, 1941 to November 1945, he served
in the North Atlantic convoy routes, and was discharged as Radio Man, First Class.
Officer Charles R. Ernest
01/20/1965
Officer Ernest died as a result of an automobile accident at the intersection of Pearl
and Saratoga Streets. The accident occurred on June 13, 1964.
Officer Robert H. Kuhn
07/22/1965
Appointed: June 11, 1964
Assigned: Western District
Died: July 22, 1965
Length of Service: 1 year, 1 month
On July 22, 1965 at the intersection of North Avenue and Ellamont Street, Officer Robert
Kuhn observed a car double parked. He approached the vehicle and found it empty. As he looked inside the car, a suspect approached
him from behind. The suspect shot Kuhn six times with a pistol. The suspect than took Officer Kuhn service revolver from his
holster and shot him six more times. Police eventually killed the suspect. Investigation revealed that the suspect had narcotics
inside of his vehicle.
Officer Kuhn served in the U.S. Marine Corps from September 24, 1962 to March 23, 1963.
He was active in the Marine Corps Reserves until the time of his death.
Officer William J. Baumer
01/25/1967
While struggling with an arrested suspect for a disturbance in a sandwich shop at Orleans
Street and Patterson Park Avenue, Officer Baumer died of a heart attack. Officer Baumer was able to take the suspect to the
nearest callbox where he collapsed and the suspect broke free.
Officer Frederick K. Kontner
02/10/1967
Appointed: December 29, 1960
Assigned: Northern District
Died: February 10, 1967
Length of Service: 6 years, 11 months
Baltimore Sun Article dated 02/11/1967
A man who shot and wounded a Northern district policeman last night on a parking lot
in the 2100 block of Guilford Avenue was killed minutes later in a barrage of police shotgun fire…
Patrolman Kontner and Patrolman Raymond Tartel of the Northern District were driving
[in the 2300 block of North Calvert] and spotted three “suspicious” men. The men apparently ran and Patrolman
Kontner chased them on foot, but lost them momentarily.
Patrolman Tartel took the wagon to the parking lot of the State office building, where
one of three men pulled a pistol on him and took his service revolver, first police reports said. Suddenly, Patrolman Kontner
came on the scene and the men fled. A car, where the chase wound up and the fatal shooting occurred, had been parked there
minutes earlier…
Patrolman Kontner was gunned down as he chased the suspect behind the old Department
of Motor Vehicles building. (*Note: It is now the Department of Corrections / Parole and Probation)
Patrolman Kontner served with the U.S. Marines from July 1956 until January 1957. He
was active in the Marine Corps Reserves until the time of his death.
Officer John C. Williams
08/21/1967
Officer Williams was seated inside his radio car writing a report as his partner was
fueling the vehicle at the Northern District. (Keswick and 34th St.) The car suddenly caught fire and exploded,
severely burning Officer Williams. He died several weeks later as a result of the injuries sustained.
Detective Richard F. Bosak
04/18/1968
Baltimore Sun Article dated 04/19/1968
A convicted narcotics user shot a homicide detective dead yesterday after the
policeman wrestled him to the floor of a Eutaw street bar. The gunman died of a bullet wound in the head minutes after he
killed the policeman. The convict had escaped Wednesday from a jail guard escorting him to City Hospitals for treatment. The
slain policeman, Detective Patrolman Richard F. Bosak, 40, was shot three times as he wrestled on the floor of the Golden
Glow Restaurant in the first block North Eutaw Street.
The convict, James V. Gallaird, 29, died minutes later less than a half a block
away after the slain policeman’s partner had cornered him in the Hecht Company parking lot. A parking lot attendant
said Gallaird shot himself.
Gallaird shot his way to temporary freedom Wednesday with a pistol slipped to
him by a young woman who brushed by him and an armed guard as they were leaving City Hospitals. The City Jail inmate fired
several times at the pursuing guard and one bullet harmlessly pierced the guard’s pants.
Police said that yesterday shortly before 6 p.m. Patrolman Bosak and his partner
in the Criminal Investigation Division’s crimes against persons section went to the Golden Glow Restaurant to check
out a tip that Galliard was to meet a friend there…
As the policeman and the bar owner emerged from the kitchen, Galliard and his
companion broke for the door… the policeman tackled Galliard. The detective and the convict fell heavily to the floor
and continued struggling. Suddenly, shots barked out. The policeman slumped down dying. Galliard freed himself, holding a
long-nosed revolver in one hand and grabbing the policeman’s .38 caliber service revolver with the other.
Officer George F. Heim
01/16/1970
On Friday, January 16, 1970, George F. Heim was killed in a tragic car accident
in the 5600 block of O’Donnell Street. Officer Heim was directing traffic around a disabled truck on O’Donnell
Street during a heavy snowstorm. A car, whose driver did not see him due to the heavy snow and salt deposits on the cars windshield,
struck him. The driver of the vehicle of the car that struck Officer Heim was officially charged.
Officer Heim was 42 years old and had a wife and two children.
Officer Henry M. Mickey
03/24/1970
Officer Henry M. Mickey, while participating in a gambling raid inside of a residence
in the 1800 block of Pennsylvania Ave., was shot and killed on Tuesday, March 24, 1970.
Officer Mickey was 27 years old and had a wife and a step-son.
Officer Mickey had less than one year of service with the department.
Officer Donald W. Sager
04/24/1970
Officer Donald W. Sager, assigned to the Central District, was shot and killed
on Friday, April 24, 1970, while working in the 1200 block of Myrtle Avenue. In Officer Sager’s car was his partner
Officer Stanley Sierakowski, who was shot and seriously wounded.
As Officers Sager and Sierakowski were seated in the car, the suspect shot through
the back window, striking Officer Sager in the back of the head, killing him instantly. Officer Sierakowski was then shot
5 times with a .45 caliber pistol. The suspect’s sole motivation was to ambush a police officer. The suspect was a militant
member of the Black Panther Party.
Officer Carl Peterson, Jr.
06/12/1971
Homicide Report CC# 1F26972 Submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Operations Bureau
On 12 June 1971 about 2155 hours, in front of Pine Street Station, Officer Bruce
Green, operating 128 car, received information from Gwendolyn Jeanette Carter, 17 years, that a man was holding her mother,
Mrs. Katherine White and her daughter Leisa Carter, age 2 ½, at gun point, at 250 Pearl Street. The officer proceeded south
on Pine Street to Lexington Street and East on Lexington to Pearl Street. At this point, he was approached by Alvin Lee Gill
who reported that an officer had been shot on the corner at Lexington and Pearl Street. Officer Green observed Officer Carl
Peterson lying on the sidewalk at that location. He observed that the officer’s revolver was missing and the officer
was bleeding from the left side of the face. Municipal Ambulance #1 responded to the scene and removed Officer Peterson to
University Hospital. Officer Peterson was treated for a gunshot wound of the head and died as a result of this wound at 2345
hours on June 12, 1971. Pronounced dead by Dr. Daniel Cook of the neurological staff.
Officer Kenneth Burke assigned to Unit 122 received a call from Communications
at 2155 hours, 12 June 1971, to 239 N. Pearl Street, for a man with a gun and a two year old hostage on the second floor.
Officer Arnold Adams, Unit 112 responded to the scene as a back-up unit. On arrival at 239 N. Pearl Street, the officers were
advised that a person had kicked on the front door and entered the house. This person was carrying a baby in one hand and
a revolver in the other hand. Officer Adams removed the department shotgun from 112 car in the company with Officer Burke
proceeded to the house. The officers heard footsteps on the second floor and made their way up the staircase. They commanded
the person in the room to show himself with his hands stretched out. The person in the room came out and identified himself
and advised them that the person they wanted was on the third floor. The officers proceeded to the third floor calling commands
to release the girl and come out with his hands up. The officers then went to the third floor and Officer Adams kicked in
the door. At this point he observed the suspect standing to the left of the door and the 2 ½ year old girl just to his right.
The suspect pointed the revolver at Officer Adam’s face. He stepped back and pointed the shotgun around the door. The
suspect grabbed the barrel of the shotgun. Officer Adams did not fire for fear of hitting the child. A struggle then ensued
for the shotgun. The suspect then released it and pointed the fun he was carrying around the door at Officer Burke. Officer
Burke grabbed the suspect’s gun hand and pulled his own revolver and fired a shot. Officer Burke then rushed into the
room and struggled with the suspect. Officer Adams quickly removed the child from the room then went to Officer Burke’s
assistance. The officers attempted to bring him down the stairs. The suspect fell down several steps but was restrained by
the officers. Both suspect and officers were treated at Mercy Hospital for injuries received as a result of affecting the
arrest.
The arrested person was identified as Roland Leroy Jackson of 209 Myrtle Avenue.
The revolver taken from Jackson was the service revolver or Officer Carl Peterson.
Investigation revealed that Officer Carl Peterson was at the call box at Lexington
and Green Streets when a man fitting Jackson’s description knocked him down. The person then removed Officer Peterson’s
revolver and shot him above the left eye and fled the scene. Officer Adams and Officer Burke were unaware that a police officer
had been shot when taking into custody Roland Jackson.
Roland Jackson made a res gestae statement to Officer Anthony Lamartina while
being at Mercy Hospital. Jackson blurted out “I don’t know why I did it, I was trying to find myself.” Officer
Lamartina immediately advised Jackson of his rights. Jackson again stated “I don’t know why I did it Officer Pete
has given my daughter and others’ children in the area candy and other goodies.” Jackson made no further statements.
Lieutenant Martin E. Webb
08/01/1971
Article from the Police Newsletter from August 1971
On Sunday evening, the 1st of August, a freak summer storm of tropical intensity
hit the northern and northeastern sections of Baltimore City and County. At least sixteen persons died as a result of the
storm and the flash flooding caused by it.
Lieutenant Martin E. Webb of the Southern District was one of those victims. Baltimore
County Police discovered his automobile the following morning. All of the vehicle’s doors were open. No trace was found
of the Lieutenant.
Later, witnesses reported that they had seen the Lieutenant park and leave his vehicle
in a heroic, successful attempt to rescue a woman trapped inside her overturned automobile.
The Lieutenant was last seen as he was swept away by the intensity of the floodwaters
that surrounded him.
A seventeen-year veteran of the Department, Martin Webb had been promoted to Lieutenant
in March of this year. Prior to his assignment in the Southern District he had been assigned to the Laboratory Division. He
had also served in the Central District and in the Motorized Section of the Traffic Division.
The Lieutenant’s body was recovered on Tuesday, August 3rd, in Kahler’s
Run, approximately one half mile away from where he had rescued the woman. For two days before the discovery, Lieutenant Donald
Sutton had twelve off-duty Southern District Patrolmen in a futile attempt to locate him. The Lieutenant is survived by his
widow, Frances, and their two children.
Lieutenant Webb did not hesitate to risk his life in order to save the life of another.
His tragic death was the direct result of the compassion and concern he held for his fellow man, a dedication commensurate
with the esteem in which his memory will forever be held.
Officer Lorenzo A. Gray
07/26/1972
On Tuesday, July 25, 1972, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Officer Lorenzo Gray and Officer
William Heath, of the Southeastern District, received a call for a hold up in progress in the 3600 Block of Pulaski Highway.
As they were responding to the scene at he Holiday Inn, they encountered two suspects, one of which was armed with a sawed
off shotgun. Officer Gray pursued the suspect on foot, while Officer Heath attempted to apprehend the second suspect.
After a brief chase, the first suspect wheeled around a fired his shotgun directly into
Officer Gray, who then managed to fire one shot from his service revolver, slightly wounding the suspect.
Agents of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, who had been near the
scene at the time of the shooting, apprehended the suspects.
Officer Lorenzo Gray, a three veteran of the Department, was pronounced dead of the gunshot
wound at Johns Hopkins Hospital several hours after the shooting.
Officer Gray was 24 years old and the father of 2 young children.
Officer Robert M. Hurley
03/29/1973
Officer Hurley died as the result of a heart attack, one day after severe chest pains
he received during a vehicle pursuit.
Officer Norman F. Buchman
04/06/1973
Officer Norman F. Buchman, assigned to the Northwestern District, was assigned
to the Operations Unit working in the vicinity of the Pimlico Race Track with the primary responsibility of preventing larceny
and burlary.
Shortly before 3:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon, April 6, 1973, Officer Buchman observed
a white and black Lincoln Mark IV wanted for traffic violations, traveling south on Greenspring Avenue. Officer Buchman followed
the suspect vehicle and attempted to pull the vehicle over. Officer John Cullings and Officer Jerome Chambers of the Northern
District were patrolling in the 2300 block of West Cold Spring Lane, when they observed the marked unit attempting to pull
the Lincoln over.
The Northern District officers, who fell in behind Officer Buchman in the chase,
observed both vehicles turn west onto Loyola Southway. They then lost sight of Officer Buchman and began an area canvas in
an attempt to locate and assist him. Shortly after, they heard the fatal shots ring out. They found Officer Buchman at the
intersection of Pall Mall and Quantico Avenue.
Officer Norman Buchman had succeeded in stopping the suspect vehicle in the 2500
Block of Quantico Avenue. As Officer Buchman approached the suspect vehicle, the suspect attacked the officer. A brief and
violent struggle resulted in Officer Buchman getting knocked to the ground. At this time the suspect ripped Officer Buchman’s
service revolver from his holster and shot him 6 times.
Officer Cullings and Chambers arrived at the scene and placed the 23 year old
suspect, who was still on the scene, under arrest and immediately called for an ambulance.
Officer Buchman was transported to Siani Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Officer Calvin Rodwell
09/22/1973
Officer Calvin Rodwell was driving a taxi-cab off duty when he became the
victim of a hold up. He was shot and killed by the suspect during the pursuit. The suspect was later apprehended.
Officer Frank W. Whitby, Jr.
05/05/1974
Shortly after 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, 1974, Officers Frank Whitby and
William Nowakowski, working 311 post, received a call to back-up a unit, which was handling a call for an armed person in
the 1900 Block of Lanvale Street. Officer Whitby took the shotgun from the trunk of his patrol car and approached the door
of the house with his fellow officers.
The three officers confronted the woman who answered the door. She assured them
that the suspect was in the house but was not armed. Carefully, they entered the dwelling, Officer Whitby in the lead.
Suddenly, a volley of shots erupted from the far end of the hallway. Officer Whitby
was struck three times and fell to the floor. His fellow officers obtained cover and returned fire. Officer Whitby crawled
from the hallway to the safety of the street. Additional back up units arrived and the business of getting the suspect out
of the house began.
The 42-year-old suspect finally surrendered to Police Officers after several minutes
of negotiations.
Officer Whitby, a 22-year-old father of two small daughters, succumbed to the
massive abdominal wound on May 5th at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Officer Milton Spell
08/15/1974
On the night of August 15, 1974, in the 1600 block of North Bradford Street just
before 9:30 p.m., Officer Milton Spell parked his car to begin foot patrol. Officer Spell’s attention was drawn to a
vehicle that was weaving side to side traveling in the same block. Feeling that the driver may be intoxicated, he notified
the dispatcher that he was attempting to stop the vehicle to investigate the driver. Following normal procedures, he requested
a back up unit and continued to approach the vehicle.
Moments before the back up unit arrived, while Officer Spell was speaking to the
driver, shots rang out from inside the suspect’s vehicle, striking Officer Spell. Officer Spell fell to the street with
chest and abdomen wounds. The suspect and a companion fled the scene.
Officer Louis W. Michelberger was a little more than a block away when he heard
the shots fired. He arrived to find more than 200 people standing near the fallen officer. Officer Michelberger attempted
to save Officer Spell’s life using CPR. Officer Spell was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital where he died, undergoing
emergency treatment.
Officer Spell was a member of the Baltimore Police Department since 1967, he was
27 years old at the time of his death.
Detective Sergeant Frank W. Grunder, Jr.
08/01/1974
Detective Sergeant Frank W. Grunder, Jr., who headed the Department’s Escape
and Apprehension Unit, had spent several weeks attempting to track down elusive members of an elusive hold up team.
On August 1, 1974, after a day of patrolling locations in the city in an attempt
to find the hold up suspects, with no results, Sergeant Grunder went home after work. While off duty, Sergeant Grunder was
driving on Harford Road in Hamilton with his wife and three children in the back seat. As he approached Echodale Avenue, he
saw a man sitting crouched on the steps leading to the play lot at St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church. Weeks of waiting
and watching had finally paid off, this was one of the suspects.
He parked his car a safe distance from the church, called for a uniformed back
up unit and waited. Officer Joe L. Shaw of the Northeastern District wasn’t the assigned back up unit, but readily stopped
when Sergeant Grunder waved him down. The 12-year veteran explained the situation to the uniformed officer as they approached
the suspect who was still sitting on the steps.
Sergeant Grunder was a few feet ahead of Officer Shaw as he ordered the suspect
to stand and place his hands on the wall. At this point the suspect lurched to his feet and began running up the steps. As
Sergeant Grunder reached the top step the suspect wheeled and began firing point blank. The Sergeant was able to fire three
shots in return as he fell to the sidewalk, mortally wounded. Officer Shaw also returned fire. The suspect dropped.
Detective Sergeant was transported to Union Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced
dead upon arrival. The assailant, a resident of the area, was pronounced dead on the scene. Investigation into the suspect’s
past revealed a string of felony arrests dating back to 1960.
Funeral services were held for the 34 year old Sergeant on August 5th
at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church.
Officer Martin J. Greiner
12/10/1974
|
