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We can’t all be heroes, because somebody has to sit on the
curb and clap as they go by.
Motto of the Department
Established in 1888
"EVER ON THE WATCH"

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| Courtesy Family of Officer James Kinsella |
Baltimore Police Officers circa late 1800's
Officer Michael S. Brooks is the first Officer from the left in the second row.
He joined the department in July of 1875 and served as a "Turnkey" in the Southwest District. After his service on the
force he went to work with his brothers at the family Carriage and Wagon Building Shop, J.L. Brooks & Co. 723 & 725
W. Pratt Street and, later, on, the shop was moved to Baltimore & Poppleton. He worked repairing the patrol wagons
for the Police Department. (Information provided by his great grand daughter Katie Kuipers)
Officer James Kinsella 4th. from left in the 3rd row.
James Kinsella came to America with his family from County
Wicklow Ireland in 1850, as a boy of 11, in 1861, he joined the 71st Pennsylvania Volunteers (also known as the "California
Regiment") and fought in major campaigns in the Civil War.
He was wounded at the Battle of Antietam, returned to duty and fought in the Battle of Gettysburg where
he was taken prisoner at the Angle on Cemetery Ridge, "the high watermark of the Confederacy,” on July 3, 1863.
Taken under guard to Richmond, he was held four months in Belle Isle prison camp in Richmond, Va.,
until sent to the hospital and then to Camp Parole, Md., where he remained until returning to his regiment in June 1864.
He received an honorable discharge on October 26, 1864, and became a naturalized citizen on November
8, 1864.
Kinsella became a Police Officer in Baltimore City and spent
the last years of his life at the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers at Elizabeth City, Va. Discharged from the
home on March 19, 1920, he returned to his family in Baltimore, where he died on March 27th.
James Kinsella was interred at the National Cemetery in Baltimore on March 29,
1920.
This site reflects the results of research by Margaret Ingram, his great-granddaughter, and her children,
Bruce Ingram and Susan Ingram.
Although his discharge and naturalization papers were subsequently found in a family bible, the only
clues handed down in the family were that he came from Ireland with his parents at the age of "11;" he had "walked from Philadelphia
to Baltimore;" he had been "wounded at Gettysburg;" he had "a lovely Irish lilt;" and his name was engraved on the Pennsylvania
State Monument.

National Cemetery in Baltimore
Pennsylvania State Monument Gettysburg National Military Park
Please visit the web site of Officer Kinsella....(www.kinsellasearch.com) reflects the results of research by Margaret Ingram, his great-granddaughter, and her children, Bruce Ingram and Susan Ingram
TRAFFIC SQUAD 1905
Traffic Officer on the cornor of Charles and Fayette Sts. 1912
BPD Officers in the early 1920's
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| Photo courtesy Trudy Bowers |

Officer Walter H. Heiderman with his daughter Marie 1923
Officer Walter H. Heiderman in 1933. Notice the 1929 Ford prowl car in the background
Officer Pat Durkin, passed away July 30, 1937
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FOOT TRAFFIC UNIT OCTOBER 1940
Officer John W. Franks, Northern District
Officer Harold G. Sommer, Southwest District
Officer James O. Miller, Jr. Southern District
Officer Raymond Sadler
Officer John J. Carroll, Northwest District
Officer John H. Sauer, Traffic Division
Officer Edward Porst,Northeast District
Officer Edward P. Dunkin, Central District
Captain William J. Forrest 1937
later promoted to Inspector
Original Inspector badge and case belonging to Inspector William J. Forrest
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| COURTESY RET. OFFICER RAY STANIEWSKI |
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| Officer Julius Richburg 1950's |
BPD METER MAIDS 1950'S
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| Officer U.B. Huff Traffic Division |
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| COURTESY RET. SERGEANT NICK CAPRINOLO |
ABOVE, July 8, 1949, following the hanging of
Ray Arnold Woods for the murder of
Baltimore Police Officer Joseph Bennadic,
Alfred H.Fischer (officer with the badge)
witnessed the hanging and helped transport
the body to the morgue
Officer Wade Poole 1946 assigned to the Northern District.
Retired as Deputy Police Commissioner

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| COURTESY RET. OFFICER RAY STANIEWSKI |
OFFICER RAYMOND STANIEWSKI
JULY 6, 1955
Charles and Wilbur Miller May 1959
Wilbur Miller retired with the rank of Colonel
Officer John Sinnott, Traffic Motor Division 1958
Mother's Day breakfast May 10,1959
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