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Remembering Our Heroes
MOTTO OF THE DEPARTMENT
"EVER ON THE WATCH"


Disabled & Injured Police Officers
The disabled men and women of our law Enforcement community are truly our Forgotten Law
Enforcement Heroes. It has been said that our sacrifices in Iraq is to great a price to pay for our freedom and safety,
and to prevent a repeat of 911.
We pay that price every year in injury and death to our Law Enforcement personnel. Should we
pull our Police off our streets because the price is to high to pay for our safety? We need to support, not abandon, those
who fight for our freedom and safety where ever they serve
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| Courtesy Sergeant James Fisher (Son) |
MAN SHOOTS POLICEMAN IN FACE, FLEES
Arresting Officer Had Just Called For Wagon For Suspect
1956
A suspected automobile thief whipped out a gun at a police call box at North and Greenmount avenues and fired into
the mouth of a traffic patrolman late yesterday after the policeman had summoned a patrol wagon to pick up his prisoner.
The officer, Patrolman Donald E. Fisher, 37, fired four shots at his Negro assailant, who escaped south on Greenmount
and west on Lanvale street.
Patrolman Fisher was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, where it was reported the gunman's bullet had ricocheted off
a denture, split the policeman's tongue, entered the roof of his mouth and lodged near his right ear.
The hospital said last night he was in satisfactory condition and resting comfortably. It said the bullet had not
been, recovered.
Fires At Pursuers
Witnesses at the scene of the shooting said the escaping car thief fired twice at men who pursued him on Greenmount.
Preliminary reports were that two young men driving south on Greenmount toward North Avenue spotted a car stolen from one
of them Monday night and forced them to the curb. The men, Harold S.Tabb,27,of the 3300 block Avondale Avenue, and Alan Gross,
27, of the 3900 block Maine Avenue, pulled the negro occupant from the car and turned him over to Patrolman Fisher.
Patrolman Fisher called for a patrol wagon at 5:26 P.M. from the box at the Southwest corner of North and Greenmount.
Second Call Comes
A few minutes later a second came in from the box, this one asking for assistance. It was followed almost immediately
by a third call for an ambulance for Patrolman Fisher. A police car reached the intersection before the ambulance and took
the wounded officer to St Joseph's Hospital. Police said last night they did not know who had put in the second and third
calls.
They said there had been a scuffle at the call box after the first call, in which James C. Pierce, of the 400 block
East North avenue, assisted Patrolman Fisher. Mr. Tabb and Mr. Gross. As police pieced together the next moments, the man
under arrest who already had been frisked by the patrolman, pull a gun from his belt suddenly and fired. They said the assist
call apparently had been placed during the struggle which preceded the first shot.
Two bullets fired in the shooting hit the back window of Mr. Tabb's car. The stolen car belonged to Mr. Gross.
Bullet Picked Up
One spent bullet was picked up near the call box and sent to the crime laboratory. Police said it might be from
a .32 caliber weapon.
As the gunman ran south on Greenmount Avenue, Patrolman Frank Wrzosek of the Northeastern District, jumped in the
Tabb car with Mr. Tabb, and they chased him two blocks before he disappeared.
As soon as it was known Patrolman Fisher had fired at the man who shot him, police put out an order for a check
of all hospitals and doctors on the chance the gunman had sought medical treatment.
He was described as about 28 or 29 years old and 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing about 175 pounds.
Wearing Jacket
Witnesses said he was wearing a brown leather jacket and a gray hat. Central District police checked a house in
the 1700 block Barclay street last night following a report that a man answering the description of the escaped gunman had
been seen there.
The Barclay street man was seen leaving the house in a black and white plaid jacket, a light hat with a black band
and muddy shoes, and police relayed this information by radio to supplement the description already moved in connection with
the city wide search for the gunman.
Converge On Area
Later police converged on the area north of the Pennsylvania Railroad's North avenue bridge at the Falls road.
A Central District post patrolman had reported seeing a man who looked like the suspect there.
Soon afterward police received further word that a man resembling the gunman had been seen leaving a shack on a
Pennsylvania Railroad siding and running north on the tracks.
Mrs. Fisher, wife of the patrolman, and their two sons, Donald,12 and James,11, arrived at the hospital at 6.15
P.M. in an inspector's car.
After seeing her husband, Mrs. Fisher said he appeared to be doing all right.
The Fishers, who live at 1608 Montpelier Street, have a third child, Barbara Ann, 14. Patrolman Fisher has been
on the force for twelve years. He is a Motorcycle Officer.
His denture is the result of his tangle last year with a young burglar armed with a chisel.
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School Crossing Guard struck
January 29th, 1970
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| School Crossing Guard Helen Mackall |
On January 29th, 1970 School Crossing Guard Helen Mackall was struck by an automobile while performing her duties at Lafayette
and Wheeler Avenues. As a result of the injuries sustained in the accident, Mrs. Mackall's right leg was amputated just below
the knee on February 6th, 1970 at Lutheran Hospital.
In an effort to express their concern for Mrs. Mackall, the School Crossing Guards organized a fund raising campaign aided
by Sergeant Charles Hellams of the Western District. The fund was presented to Mrs. Mackall by representatives of the School
Crossing Guards on April 2, 1970.
"Medal of Honor Recipient"
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One Police Officer Killed
One Officer shot and seriously wounded
April 24, 1970
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| Officer Stanley Sierakowski |
Officer Stanley Sierakowski, a fifteen year veteran of the department, assigned to the Central District was shot and seriously
wounded on Friday April 24, 1970 while working in the 1200 blk. Myrtle Ave. His partner Officer Donald W. Sager, a twelve
year veteran, was shot and killed in this incident
"Medal of Honor Recipient"
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Traffic Officer Hurt
September 9th, 1970
On September 9th, 1970, Officer Alphonso Wright, assigned to the Traffic Enforcement Section, suffered extensive in juries
while assisting a stalled motorist in the 3300 block of S. Hanover Street.
Officer Wright had spotted the vehicle at about 8: 10 on the morning of the 9th.
After pushing the automobile out of traffic, he left, and returned with a small container of gasoline which he used in
an attempt to restart the vehicle
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TWO OFFICERS WOUNDED
October, 1970
In recent unrelated incidents two young police officers were injured by gunshot wounds within a fourteen hour span of time.
Both officers were involved in what might be considered routine patrol efforts: however, the results were far from routine
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| Officer James L. McFillin, Jr |
The first incident started casually enough, when Officer James L. McFillin, Jr., Tactical Section, attempted to stop an
out-of-state automobile. An auto chase resulted and, after several parked cars were struck, a foot chase began.
The chase ended in an alley and, in an exchange of gunfire, both Officer McFillin, and the suspect were injured by gunshot
wounds. Fortunately, Officer McFillin suffered only superficial body wounds, while the suspect was rushed to the hospital
in poor condition
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| Officer Daniel J. Calhoun |
The second incident was the result of a call for service to which Officer Daniel J. Calhoun, Southern District, responded
and was felled by another assailant's bullets. The officer was taken to the hospital with a serious chest wound and the suspect
was treated at a hospital for wounds suffered in a subsequent exchange of shots by other officers.
Officer Calhoun has progressed very well and is on his way to complete recovery.
The two incidents underline the fact that the most routine police matters can suddenly become an issue of tragedy and suffering
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Officers Wounded In Line Of Duty
JULY 1971
Tragedy was averted in mid-July when two Baltimore Police Officers were seriously assaulted in unrelated
incidents
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| Officer Frederick Dickens |
On Saturday, July 17, 1971Central District Officer Frederick Dickens was working Car No. 141 in the vicinity of Laurens
Street and Jordan Alley. About 7 :28 P.M. he was approached by a young child who reported that there was a man in the alley
armed with a gun and allegedly threatening two citizens.
Officer Dickens entered the alley in his patrol vehicle and immediately observed a man fitting the description given by
the child. As the suspect began walking away from the scene, Officer Dickens left his vehicle and ordered him to stop.
Without hesitation the suspect turned and fired two shots, both of which struck the Officer's legs. Rushing towards him,
the assailant attempted to again shoot the Officer in the head. Despite being wounded a third time, Officer Dickens managed
to pull his service revolver and fatally wound his attacker.
The twenty-three year old Patrolman was transported to Maryland General Hospital where he was admitted in fair condition.
Officer Dickens has been a member of the Department less than two years
Officer Charles P. Smith, 31 years old, was on routine patrol in the rear of the 3200 block of Reisterstown Road on Monday,
July 19, 1971when he surprised two suspects attempting to break into a building.
After spotlighting the subjects and calling for assistance, Officer Smith ordered them against a wall where he began searching
them. During the search one of the subjects turned and grabbed the Officer's service revolver. A struggle ensued and the gun
discharged wounding Patrolman Smith in the left side. Both suspects immediately. fled the scene.
The Officer was transported to Provident Hospital where he was admitted in good condition at about 4:30 A.M.
He was satisfactorily released from the hospital on Wednesday, July 21,1971
Officer Smith, a Randallstown resident, is a ten year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department
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| Courtesy Officer Kenneth Hayden |
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Gunman Kills 5, Wounds A Police Officer at paintbrush factory here
November 23, 1971
An employee of a Southwest Baltimore paintbrush factory opened fire inside the plant yesterday afternoon killing
five co-workers and wounding a sixth and a policeman before being critically wounded by police bullets.
Police said the gunman who carried two rifles and wore green military camouflage fatigues, apparently went berserk
and moved from “building to building and shot everyone he saw”
The killer was “yelling as he shot, laughing, wild hysterical laughter,” an officer said. But the gunman
calmly asked one witness to help him get out of the plant with his rifles.
The assailant was identified as Raymond D. Ferrell-el, 30, of the 1300 block Upton Street. He was shot once in
the stomach and was listed in critical condition at St. Agnes Hospital last night.
Four of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, the PPG Industries factory, in the 3200 block Frederick
Avenue. The fifth died at St. Agnes Hospital shortly after admission.
The dead were identified by police as:
William Cook, Sr. 30, of the 200 block South Fulton Street.
Vernon Ferguson, 23, of the 3100 block Leeds Avenue.
Allen Ringley, 37, of the 4400 block Old Frederick Road.
Edward Yienger, 35, of the first block Bremmer Drive, Glen Burnie.
Listed in serious condition with gunshot wounds of the chest was Robert Lock,45, of the 500 block South Longwood
street.
Officer Treated
Patrolman Kenneth Hayden who was wounded in the left knee, by Mr. Ferrell-el, was treated at St. Agnes Hospital
and released.
Police said the assailant was a Vietnam veteran, was armed with a 30-30 semi-automatic hunting rifle and an M-1
carbine. No one could offer a rational explanation for the shootings.
Russell L. Smith, the plant manager, said he knew of no conceivable motive for the outburst.
He said Mr. Ferrell-el was formerly a teacher’s aide in the city school system and had worked six months
for PPG during which time he had not been disciplined and had not shown hostility toward his supervisors.
Arthur W. Ricker, manager of financial services, gave the following account of the shooting.
Mr. Ferrell-el called in sick for his 7:30 A.M. job dipping brush handles in vats of lacquer.
About 3 P.M. he was seen on the first floor of the shipping department, where he shot Mr. Fergson, who was leaving
a rest room.
The suspect then ran through the shipping department, as a fire alarm was sounded, into the alley in the rear of
the complex, where a dozen employees gathered after evacuating the building.
The gunman then raced to the dipping room building and climbed the stairs to the second floor, where he shot Ringley,
Mr. Cook, and Mr. Yienger.
He crossed the catwalk back to the second floor of the shipping department building, where he shot Mr. Gilbert.
Mr. Lock hearing the shooting ran up the stairs to the second floor, confronted the killer, and was shot twice in the chest.
Mr. Lock fell down the stairs and was helped to his feet by Mr. Smith, who had also come to investigate.
Police said that one employee struggled with the gunman during the shooting and broke one of the rifles.
The gunman then ran down the staircase, across the inner court complex to the main office building and out the
front door, crossing the street to a fire station.
The rifleman reloaded on the open sidewalk, fired several shots at the PPG plant and shot Patrolman Hayden, who
arrived in a squad car in front of the plant. Police said one bullet struck the left fender of the car.
After exchanging several shots with police, the assailant was felled by a single shot to the stomach by Patrolman
Richard Mioduszewski, who happened on the incident on his way to work.
Mr. Smith said he saw the gunman with a rifle and a pistol, but Police could not find the handgun.
They said a receipt for the M-1 carbine was found in Mr. Ferrell-el’s jacket pocket, along with a bag of
candy.
Herbert Russell, another employee who saw the gunman run to the rear of the plant during the shooting, said he,
“looked very dazed, strictly a dazed expression.” But he offered no comment on the reason for the shooting.
Officer Kenneth Hayden is a “MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT"
This was one of the largest mass murders in Baltimore City.
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Traffic Officer Injured
October 24, 1972
Officer Ronald Tuefer was thrown from his horse on Tuesday, October 24, 1972 in the 200 block of Cross Street and received
severe injuries to his head. The incident occurred in mid-afternoon when the Officer's horse, "Zeik," reared up for no apparent
reason, back stepped, and then fell over backwards, onto Officer Tuefer.
The Officer was rushed to Mercy Hospital where he was X-rayed and treated by four staff physicians. He remains confined
there, on the 12th floor. He is recovering satisfactorily.
The Officer has been a member of the Mounted Unit since 1968
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Police Officer Ambushed
September 1973
In early September 1973 it begins getting dark a little bit after 7:30 p.m. and by 8:00 o'clock the shadows have lengthened
and night-time begins to shroud many of the daylight forms of the city.
The woods in Cylburn Park were outlines in the headlights as Northern District Officer Thomas Whalen drove slowly up the
narrow roadway which leads through the woods to Greenspring Avenue. Just as the homes, which sit across the street from the
park, came into view Officer Whalen heard someone shout; "Hey Officer, wait a minute!" Thinking that someone needed assistance
he backed partially off the roadway and was approached by two men.
As he turned toward the window to speak to the man approaching from the drivers side Officer Whalen perceived a handgun
being pushed into his face. In one instant it took the suspect to fire the weapon Officer Whalen, in the confining area of
the driver's seat, was able to jerk his head back and slightly to the side, a move which undoubtedly saved his life.
The bullet struck him just over the bridge of the nose and exited near the right temple. Officer Whalen immediately took
additional evasive action, to avoid further injury, by rolling out of the patrol car, across the roadway and into a grassy
area. In the dark, and away from the lights of his vehicle he fired a shot, then made his way back to the car where he radioed
for assistance.
Northern District Officer Clyde Andrews was walking his foot post in the 4900 block Poe Avenue when he heard, on his handi-talkie,
calls for assistance in the woods of Cylburn Park. He flagged down a passing taxi cab and arrived at the scene to find his
fellow officer, bleeding from the grave head-wound. The cab driver transported Officer Whalen to Sinai Hospital just a few
blocks away.
Officer Andrews began the follow up work immediately. Within moments after the shooting units from the Northern, Northwestern,
and Western Districts, the Tactical Unit and the Criminal Investigation Division began arriving at the scene. The entire park
area was encircled by police cars.
Airmen from the Helicopter Unit flew overhead lighting the thick underbrush so that teams of searchers could move through
the woods in search of suspects.
K-9 units, who responded, assisted in a thorough search. Unfortunately the suspects were not located.
Officer Whalen, meanwhile, had walked into the Emergency Room at Sinai Hospital. Doctors on the staff immediately set to
work attempting to assess the damage caused by the head-wound. X-ray tracked the path of the bullet from its entrance point,
through the area of the right eye and out through the side of the head. Smashed bone surrounded the exit wound. Specialists
worked through the night determining what damage had been caused and what treatment would be necessary. Finally, the most
difficult decision was made after careful study and evaluation; doctors were compelled to remove the severely damaged eye.
Throughout the evening Officer Whalen remained conscious. Even while being treated in the emergency room he saw and sometimes
spoke briefly with his fellow officers. Later, as the doctors and surgeons worked the Police Commissioner visited, spoke with
the officer's wife and the surgeons. Other members of the Command Staff had begun arriving at the hospital earlier in the
evening, and there was an almost constant stream of concerned visitors rendering all assistance possible even when moral support
was the most that could be offered.
After the surgery the Police Commissioner paid another visit. As he pinned on the Medal of Valor he noted that Officer
Whalen was well along the road to recovery even to the point of discussing a planned vacation trip West. The conversation
turned to future plans and discussion of getting out of the hospital.
The doctors released him on Friday, September 7, and Officer Whalen returned home to surroundings both friendly and familiar
and very far removed from that road in the woods of Cylburn Park.
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Central District Officers Wounded
December 1973
Both officers heard the radio dispatcher announce that a man with a gun had been sighted at Gay and Baltimore Streets.
Officers Thomas R. Cave and Charles A. Walker, working Central District foot-posts, responded to the scene. Upon their arrival
in the middle of Baltimore's "Block" they were told that a man with a gun was in one of the night spots located in the 400
block East Baltimore Street. Leaving the brightly lighted sidewalk they entered the establishment and were directed to the
two men seated at the far end of the dimly lighted bar.
It was moments before midnight as the officers approached the suspects who had apparently spent this day after Christmas
visiting some of the city's night spots. After observing that the lighting was somewhat better in a rear room of the establishment
the officers requested that the suspects accompany them to that area.
As the four entered a hallway leading to two small rooms the shorter of the two suspects suddenly opened fire. In the ensuing
exchange of gunfire the officers were wounded; Officer Cave was shot through both legs and Officer Walker received a wound
which fractured his right arm. The gunman was mortally wounded and his partner received a wound of the chest.
Employees and patrons of the bar were still seeking cover behind the bar and tables nearby as officers, responding to a
Signal 13, entered to summon medical aid for the injured parties. The on-the-scene investigation commenced immediately.
The wounded officers as well as the civilian who had been wounded in the chest were taken to nearby Mercy Hospital for
treatment. All were admitted for additional treatment and observation.
Investigators from the Criminal Investigation Division discovered, a day later, that the mortally wounded suspect was an
escapee from a Western Maryland detention facility. It was learned that he had been convicted of the robbery/murder of a Prince
George's County taxicab driver in 1968 and that he had escaped from a work detail on Greenmount Avenue in Baltimore in October
of 1973. The second suspect was released from the hospital the next morning to face charges in connection with the incident.
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Police Officer Wounded
July 30, 1974
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| Officer Calvin Gene Higdon |
Shortly after 3 :00 o'clock on Tuesday, July 30, 1974 Officer Calvin Gene Higdon left his desk in the Fingerprint Section
of the Laboratory Division and headed for his private auto. The afternoon was hot as he walked toward the 300 block N. Exeter
Street, where that morning he was fortunate in locating a free parking space.
As Officer Higdon unlocked the door and began to enter his car he heard approaching footsteps and then a male voice state,
"Don't move man." Upon turning he faced two armed suspects and immediately drew his service revolver. He pulled the trigger
two times, but the gun misfired leaving him at the mercy of the robbers. As one assailant stepped back Officer Higdon attempted
to push the other off balance. At this point the suspects fired, striking the Officer in both legs. He then fell to the ground
as the second suspect grabbed his weapon. They both ran and were last seen in the area of the projects in the 1000 block of
Orleans Street.
Patrol Units responded quickly, as a nurse who was in the area applied first aid. He had been struck three times, the left
knee, the upper left leg and in the right knee. He was transported by Ambulance to Mercy Hospital where members of the staff
stopped the bleeding and began blood transfusions. Officer Hidgon's condition was posted as guarded as Doctors determined
the extent of his injuries and prepared to operate. At last report Officer Higdon, a nineteen year veteran with the Department,
was in satisfactory condition and an operation was performed on both legs.
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Four Officers Wounded In Gun Fight
October 31, 1974
The streets of West Baltimore were almost deserted as Officer Alric K. Moore, of the Western District began trying-up doors
on his post in the early morning hours of Thursday, October 31, 1974. While approaching a bar in the 1600 block of West Baltimore
Street he noticed that the side door was ajar. Closer examination revealed fresh pry marks and he immediately called for back-up
units.
When other officers arrived they discovered that the juke box and other items had been removed. Further investigation revealed
a trail of scuff marks, left by the heavy record player, leading down the alley to the rear porch of a house on Fayette Street.
With the front of the building covered Officer Gary W. Dresser and Officer Moore approached the closed door that partly
blocked by the stolen juke box. As they got onto the porch of the darkened house rapid-fire gun shots rang out from inside
striking Officer Moore in the right shoulder and wounding Officer Dresser in the hand as he dove for cover. As Officer Dresser
helped the wounded Officer out of the line of fire Officer Glenn D. Hauze was hit in the right shoulder by a second burst
of gunfire as he rushed to their aid.
"Medal of Honor Recipient"
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