It was in this same month that Broward County was created from Palm Beach and Dade Counties. Peoria Police Department is a member of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA) Chief Edward W. Melchen who died recently of a heart attack. Non-Emergency. The City Manager later orders the pool room to be closed. (Around 10P.M. Our sources said he joined the Army and later was convicted of assault when he was allegedly trying to put the move on another guy and ended up serving a term in prison. The MPD police radio system was split into two channels on February 15, 1950, due the heavy load of traffic on the sole one. Nelson had changed his name from Epps shortly after 1910 when he entered into an acting career. Willford, manager of Saunders store, reported to the police station shortly after the battle. The truck was never found. Delton Dollar be assigned to look into this beating as it appeared to be in retaliation for Carrolls earlier raid on bookie joints. At that meeting, Marshall Gray appealed to the Commission to provide him one other man to handle the city's sanitation duties. Jones, Leon Sawyer, D.L. McCreary. Pomerleau, in effect, took over the police department causing dramatic organizational changes such as eliminating the detective districts, closing down the black precinct, and put the MPD on the road to utilizing computers for crime prevention and other law enforcement purposes. A fact published in the Miami Metropolis newspaper on February 19, 1915, concerns the process of appointing the Chief of Police and stating the number of members of the force at that time. I will insist that the department be run with the sole aim of protection of life and property". If it wasn't so serious, it would have been funny. Miami officers W.S. That began the 'Night of the Long Knives", as it was called. In 1935, a group of policeman organized the PBA, the first in Florida, to present a unified forum in civil service and employment matters. Forty year old Detective Robert Lee Jester, a 10 year veteran of MPD was shot and killed in downtown Miami on Saturday afternoon, November 18,1933, in a shoot out between two MPD detectives and two bank robbers. Wichman joined the MPD in 1947 as a member of Academy Class #11, played on the MPD football team and directed traffic on Flagler Street until his death. This pattern of controlling the police department's standard in enforcing laws in order to facilitate shady and unlawful actions by politicians is replicated in numerous American cities now, as well as in the past. June 17th- Chief Reeve orders crackdown on bookies. Gray and Constable Frohawk arrested Asbury Duckett for the knife murder of Ben Worthy at Woods Saloon, north of town. I bluffed him by advising that I think we should go talk to the Captain back at the station, to resolve the dilemma. Snow, Capt. Niles was arrested for the murder of fellow cabbie, W.R. Asher, after MPD motor officer P.C. FOR He was also supplied with ample amounts of iced lemon aid to help him keep his cool while handling this vexing assignment.". One shot just missed jailor C.H. Chief Quigg, when queried, stated "that he had given permission for the escort, but was under the impression that the motorcade was to be confined to the City of Miami only". Abraham, a local car dealer, would decorate his home during Christmas season with Stathers keeping an eye out for the display when his night grew quiet. The motive for the killing was a pool room bet. A suspect had confronted her in her own home and savagely attacked her, even cutting off one breast and sticking it onto a bedroom dresser mirror. The arrest went off without violence and suspect Longaro was turned over to New York police after the MPD guys found $2,000 in new bills in the suspects luggage. Long time MPD Sergeant Mansfield was buried today in honor. A taxi driver named R.D. The funeral procession of Miami police cars were headed up by two hooded KKK men driving small motorcycles. Well, I had fallen asleep and was drooling. Carroll, Albert, Appointed Dec 1905 as unpaid special. 6/17/1938, Officers Harry Fouts and Carl Spense made a quick arrest via a radio BOLO, one of the first using the new two-way radio setup that MPD installed. Roosevelt spoke for a few brief minutes and prepared to leave for the train depot. Denby was then Superintendent of City Communications, Ben Denby, head of police and fire communications, stated, Miami Police and Fire will be getting 40 FM radios. Elected in 1906, Chief of Police Frank B. Hardee. In February of 1913, the Miami Metropolis newspaper reported on the installation of a padded cell for insane prisoners. Collier later served time for other offenses and Deskins was fired and was last heard from out in Texas. Ellsworth observed two persons bound hand and foot on the floor and observed two gunmen looting the coin store. (Miami News- 1/10/1937). The investigation was led by Detective Bob Utes and his supervisor, Lt. Bill McClure. Sheriff Jimmy Sullivan, a former MPD officer, was indicted by the Grand Jury in Dade for aiding racketeers from the S. & G. syndicate. Patrolmen Milledge would later become the first Black patrolmen to die in the line of duty on November 1, 1946. (Miami News/Miami Metropolis/News- 1/17/1920). Those five men were: Ralph White, Moody Hall, Clyde Lee, Edward Kimball and John Milledge. The 230 plus short stories, all true, supplemented by numerous news paper blogs, follows Miami Police guys and gals through the decades to provide the reader with a condensed history. Officer Brubaker is buried in Miami's Woodlawn Cemetery. Both suspects were shot dead in their car. (1915) (1,209 words). Brantley, still on his machine, pulled out his revolver and shot the driver. A City Council hearing was held and Whitman admitted his guilt. The MPD motorcycle squad's office was located along the Miami River back in the 1950's. The only problem is that I was riding solo on that night and Officer Catell was several zones away and out of my sight for the entire night. The FBI's J. Edgar Hoover and the US Secret Service looked into possible motives of Zangara for the shooting spree. First Desk Sgt- 1915. As I was completing this book, Chief Mike Exposito, a 37-year MPD veteran (and a true professional) was confiscating illegal video poker machines and arresting the owners. FREAK ACCIDENT KILLS OFFICER SANTIAGO. Detective Norman Coplin, born in Nebraska on November 25, 1919, served in the U.S. Navy prior to and during World War II. The wind loosened her hat and she bent over to grab it with both hands. Events during the first few years of its municipal existence include a fire on Christmas week in 1896 that destroyed three blocks of the Miami downtown area, starting with the Brady building and spreading to twenty seven others. ; The following regular police officers were retained: Night Sergeant Harley (Harlan) B. Doane, plainclothes officer J.W. The Miami News reported on June 5, 1911, that a citizen named Schmid criticized Officer Thomas Caswell and was struck with a billy club. (This chapter describes in detail the alleged brutality case against several officers and quotes the testimony of the Chief of Police that he was the head of the Ku Klux Klan in Miami from 1924 to 1930, at which time he was appointed as Public Safety Director, in charge of both the fire and police departments. (407 words), "The mammoth procession led by motorcycle escort, blinking bright red incandescent was immediately trailed by many squad cars that lighted up the highways (en route to the cemetery) They weaved in and out of the winding roads like a colossal dinosaur. At the conclusion of the 1999 reunion, member George Green inquired as to when the next gathering would be held. The press headlined the story by stating. The . Detectives Chambers and Howard beat out the flames without the aid of firemen. Stathers weapon, a .357 Colt Trooper, was missing. McCann, M.T., Appointed Nov. 1913. to 1915. Lane ran back through the hotel in an attempt to intercept him. Foss was a third baseman with the Washington Senators. (817 words), (Story of 13 yr old being abducted) body found years later) (303 words), (Story about the assassination of Officer Vic Butler. J.H. The suspect was chased by Officers Ernest Hayes and Orange Hayes who were patrolling nearby. July 6th -Officer Harry Bouterse was fired by Chief Reeve for an alleged extortion attempt. The officer headed a squad cracking down on illegal liquor in 1952. Bob Knight, the son of MPD Capt Cecil (Hamp) Knight, later became C/O of the motor squad, and several other commands. The courtroom had a nice laugh but I was completely embarrassed. Chief Dillon oversaw the establishment of 18 police call boxes and the hiring of the first policewoman, Mrs. Ida Fisher, who was hired to work with delinquent young girls. Compiled by Phil Doherty, Assistant Chief (Ret), Miami Police Department, President Miami Police Veterans Association, March 2010. He was later a famous national wrestler and promoter in the 1930s and 1940s. However. Leavitt was one of our most famous Miami P.D. document.getElementById('cloakf8c7179f01f0232d36019b24ca80cace').innerHTML = ''; Zangara had accumulated $2500 in savings and had been withdrawing it to live on during the last year of his life in Miami. (Miami Metropolis/News- Aug 1913), The first motorcycle squad for Miami PD began to train on September 12, 1913, with three or four officers trained to ride a speedometer equipped motorcycle that the City had just purchased. Steve Brodie joined the MPD in 1925 served one year and then switched to the Fire Dept where he served many years. Officer LaFleur and his partner, E.B. There he opened fire with his pistol. Schel returned to duty several weeks later but soon after he left the department. In June of 1915, Lt. McDade was forced to resign by Mayor Watson for conduct unbecoming an officer as a result of displaying his weapon while drunk and disorderly on a train in Key West while off-duty. Napier was nabbed by MPD and federal agents with a truck load of grass, which was confiscated. The victim was shot by Wood while in the process of running him out of town. Rose, Marshall Campbell and Forest Nelson. The tune was "Casey would walk with the Strawberry Blond', which drowned out the rest of Ginsburg's poems. Fame is fleeting though, as a few years later he was beaten and tossed out of the police station by Detective Mitchell. Officer Samuel D. Hicks, a 48 year old MPD veteran, an Alabama native, was killed by a drunk driver on Sunday, August 9th, 1936 at N.W. Callaway was thrown to the ground and sustained injuries that caused his death three days later, January 10, 1927. (This chapter lists the black Miami P.D.officers who served at the black Precinct from 1950 to 1962, when it was closed and the department integrated.). It carried a floral tribute shaped like a motorcycle. The policemen just drove their charge to the front door and helped them up the stairs - no extra frills, like circumventing irate wives or delivering the automobile too. Peoria Police Department. Fortunately, the desperado's bullets went wild and Bob only suffered minor wounds. Two days later Chief Dillon fired Lt Curry who had been Acting Chief for three months. I called the situation into the complaint room and heard the Ha Ha"s in the back round when the dispatcher said , "WHAT"..I repeated the situation and was told to QRX (stand-by) The two men got to about twenty feet of the 6th floor and ran out of sheets. Brock was married to his wife Helen and lived at 159 SW 28th Road, passing away 26 years later at age 73, (Syracuse Herald-Journal, Dec 1952, MPD records). Doral, FL 33172 (178 words). The median annual salary for MPD police officers is $49,575 and $63,000 for criminal investigators. Hicks, a MPD officer for eleven years, joining in 1925, and his partner Officer Raleigh Page, were in the process of arresting four suspects and searching their car relating to an earlier auto theft case when Arnold, driving a truck, ran down Hicks, who died shortly after arriving at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Walter Combs, long time Miami funeral director, said in 1965 that Wever's funeral was the "most lavish funeral" he ever conducted in Miami. He called in two of his detectives and told them to arrest a pickpocket and beat him up real good and bring him to his office. Their administration had been labeled the 'termite administration'. As Zamora confronted Deskins, the later pleaded, "Gil, it's me, Dale Deskins". (This chapter goes into depth on the background of Chief McCarthy.) Chief Quigg hired Roy S. Parker to be a traffic officer at E. Flagler St and NE 1st Avenue. The Chief sent Captain E.W. Phone: 305-471-2400 Fax: 305-471-2311 Email: hominfo@mdpd.com Major: Fernand Charles Jr. Huttoe is assigned to the FBI to work on subversives. Non-emergencies, dial 305-4-POLICE (765423). Motor Officer L.P. Brantley attempted to pull over a speedster he was chasing. June 18th- Detective Frank Mitchell was fined $250 for hitting a former decorated officer, Norman Franks, breaking his jaw. Miami police detective Luis Valdes thought it was a test when his sergeant told him to plant cocaine on a suspect on January 27, 2010. During the hijacking, a gunfight erupted between arriving police units and the criminals, wounding the pilot, mechanic and one passenger. Officer Ferguson left six young children. The county area then also covered what is now Palm Beach and Broward Counties. MURDER OF GABLES OFFICER WALT STATHERS. McCreary, who had been both Chief and Safety Director. KLAN LEADER NEW BOSS OF POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENTS. The offender was not as lucky. I had to make a decision, even though I was still on probation. WASHINGTON SHOT ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, (Story about the author shooting a crook (minor wound) named George Washington on Christmas morning. Driggers were assigned the case. asked. The Homicide Bureau is responsible for conducting thorough and objective investigations of all deaths that occur in unincorporated Miami-Dade County and 27 of the County's 35 municipalities. A proposal by Chief Quigg to raise the salaries of MPD officers $5 a month on July 1st was forwarded to the city commission. Sgt. Wilkerson and John Driggers made several arrests. As a result of the uproar caused by the arrest and later acquittal of Chief Quigg for murder, the city appointed a new Public Safety Director and a new Chief of Police. McCarthy was a tough cop but well respected by his officers and the local citizens. (208 words), The funeral director had to arrange a separate time for blacks to view McCarthys body, as it seems that he was very popular with all the people of Miami, rich and poor, cabdrivers and professionals, men and women, black and white. The other four men were carrying a small safe which had been removed from a larger safe in the store office. Christiano verified the account of what happened and said he didn't know what to do with him as he had only stopped the car to tell the driver his stoplight was not working. Story, (Clarence Dickson made history once again when he was appointed the first Black chief of police in 1988. ", (now probably called hazing)in this chapter. Embarrassing story (but funny) 391 words). Seven MPD officers were indicted for murder in three different cases from 1925 to 1927.). Plus related actions.) MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. - The Miami-Dade Schools Police Department is searching for a missing 15-year-old girl. Hilarious.). McCreary, a hotel manager, had no police or fire experience. Over 4,000 residents visited Stanley's Market, on NW 30th street to provide their palm print to a 12-man police identification squad. The driver, Heanon Arnold, 25, was arrested for manslaughter but no case resolution was located in the records. Wilson was being held at the jail pending the preparation of insanity papers after his arrest the previous day. Officer John Westmoreland was Bowles partner. In 1920, according to the US Census, he was living in Bridgeport, Ct, working at the AT&S Co. (Miami Herald & Miami News- 3/1/1951, Dr. Wilbanks' "Forgotten Heroes". This capture also solved the case of the murder of two Columbian visitors who were gunned down in the rear parking lot of the Trojan Bar, SW 8 St and 8th Ave earlier, by 45 cal. I check with the state attorney's office and they said, "go sit' in the police area of the courtroom." Officer Jim Harley, later Gables Police Chief, guessed that Stathers would be in the vicinity of Anthony Abrahams home on South Alhambra Circle. (Miami News- 3/7/1938). In the early 1940's he was again demoted and an attempt was made to discharge him due to the fact that he originally joined the department under a name other than his birth name. Rowe, Gerald E. Baldwin, and R.G. I now understand what happened to me that night and I can deal with it. (Jack) Farr, Jr., killed two of the suspects and wounded a third. June 6, 1928 -- Chief Guy Reeve established the first MPD police school. Candidates must have been in the state (Florida) for one year, Dade County for six months and the City of Miami for ninety days. Whitman from 8pm to 4AM. Detective Castillo had served with the Miami-Dade Police Department for 21 years. Detective George (Deeby) Foss, 72, died . I'm at the back and it's pitch dark. Guess who they all pointed to? During his 20-year reign, the Miami Police Department changed dramatically. However, in 1933, he was appointed as the Chief of Police in addition to his Public Safety Director duties. McCarthy outlined his plans for the supervision of the department, stating " There has been too much tendency for police officers and personnel to take up so much time with politics and not enough with their own duties. King, W.H. Phone: (928) 779-4549. $1,000 would be the reward for providing information on any Chief of Police or Sheriff, for accepting graft and $1,500 for the arrest of any Judge who would accept illegal payments for protecting these establishments. The effort did bring some economic stimulus to the area as it seemed all of the persons questioned had brand new cash in their pocket. The Miami PBA hosted a party for 1,600 school children at their 3rd annual picnic at the Biscayne Kennel Club. There were numerous complaints of vehicles speeding on Biscayne Drive, causing accidents and problems. Previously, all ten fingerprints were required for identification. A year end report by Sgt Mack Oakford, head of the Juvenile Bureau, reported a successful record after the first year of the new Juvenile unit, established in mid-1941. endorsement. (They call it the greatest generation. The reader should keep in mind that bad news sells more papers than good news and that during this period, thousands of incidents of good work was performed by members of the MPD. Throughout its history, MPD has devoted a significant portion of their resources to handling the problems associated with alcohol. We still greatly miss him, his deep voice and his keen mind. City police arrested two white men and a negro, destroyed a 1,000 gallon capacity moonshine still and confiscated 18 jugs of whiskey in what Assistant Chief Forrest Nelson described as the biggest police still raid since prohibition. G. J. David was fired for a law violation and Officer Wesley Gardner was suspended for five days for sleeping on the job. August 29th -The Chief continues instilling discipline in the force. Chief Howard, and detective district commanders, J.C. Williams, Charles Schwelm, Ray Tanner and Lt J.D. The story.) The shack also contained the fruits of their crime spree. They stated Quigg did the same earlier, when Communists were making the same type pitch. He is presently an investigating supervisor in an anti-corruption state unit. Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez III MDPD Director 305-471-3518. Sheriff Frohock has gotten tired of the large number of habitually idle negro and white men, who frequent North Miami and Colored Town, (both areas just outside the city limits and under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff), some of them having been hanging around these parts for months and even years without working or having any visible means of support, and last night, accompanied by two or three of his deputies, made a raid on these gents of leisure. North Miami and Colored Town were given a through scouring and when the job had been finished, seven Negroes and one white man were in the toils and escorted to the jail where they were locked up on the charge of vagrancy. He was a pleasant fellow but did not provide me with a very good impression of what a cop should be. Phone: (928) 214-2530. New Chief of Police, J.B. Rowland, suspended the Chief of Detectives, Lonnie O. Scarboro and three other detectives on two-score charges of brutality, incompetence and neglect of duty today. The case remains unsolved. Detective John Driggers, nearby in the jail, shot the prisoner as he (Wilson) was standing over Crews with the gun in his hand. Froscher, in the business area, whose salary was paid for by the shop owners for keeping an eye on their property. Well I have my vest on and start to hyperventilate. (449 words), 154. After the murder, the hired thug dropped the bag and the silencer slid out of its slot and was recovered by investigating authorities. Wilkerson to Sergeant of Detectives, - L.P. Bradley to Sergeant of Motorcycles. Headquarters for the MPD was supposed to be on one of the upper floors but the City Manager advised that the police department needed to be on the street level. At 945 PM in the evening, Roosevelt arrived at Pier #1 near downtown Miami, greeted by a crowd of dignitaries and driven to a well lit Bay Front Park along Miamis Biscayne Boulevard. (This chapter describes the actual personnel deployment in 1907.). The yeggmen made their entrance into the store by breaking a glass over the rear door. Tucker, J.C. was on-the-job in November 1907. ROBBERY VS HOMICIDE THE PIER 17 STORY, (An after hours 1972 dust-up between MPD Robbery detectives and Miami-Dade Homicide detectives.) L.G. New York police advised MPD that an Arthur Longaro was en route to Miami on the train and was allegedly involved in the huge robbery. Miami-Dade County Facebook - Opens a warning dialog, Miami-Dade County Twitter - Opens a warning dialog, Miami-Dade County Instagram - Opens a warning dialog, Miami-Dade County TV - Opens a warning dialog, Crime Scene Investigative Support Section. (Miami Herald & Miami News-1/11/1927. After we had set the price and arrested him for solicitation of prostitution, he cursed us out, saying. (3) Officers must wear the uniform while on duty. R. L Wood was acquitted of the murder of Victor Parnell. Sadly, just this past year, retired Captain Bob Yee, working as a security and crime prevention officer at a Miami River boat yard in his retirement years, was gunned down in an assassination by a hired hit man and killed. Lt Hardy served many years with the Miami police and was later joined by his son by the same name, providing a Hardy Bryan on the force for over fifty years. Pomerleau did not last, but his changes did. Simpson and J.D. (Story about two brothers who rose rapidly to top staff positions .Story).