Attending was City Mgr. (220 words), Due to so many young men entering the military during World War Two, the age hiring standards for the Miami PD was being temporarily relaxed in order to keep the force intact. Also this month, a 21 year old volunteer city fire fighter, John Thompson, was killed when his fire truck flipped over en route to a call just north of town. Homicide Detective B. J. Miami became a 'hot' city in more ways than weather. June 6, 1928 -- Chief Guy Reeve established the first MPD police school. Sheriff Lehman backed up the Chiefs order. Holton was fired. The pistol match team from MPD had the reputation during this era of being one of the finest in the country. Other participating agencies include the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, New Kensington Police Department, Westmoreland County Detectives, Indiana Borough Police Department, Phoenix (Arizona) Police Department, Scottsdale (Arizona) Police Department, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. These men and women came to work daily and did an outstanding job, day in and day out during their 25 or more years of service. In the spring of 1936, he announced that he was vacating the Chief's position and wished to be assigned back to the rank of Captain in charge of the Traffic Divison. C.O.Huttoe, who was Vice Squad commander during most of 1940 and 41, seemed bent on embarrassing Chief Quigg. (Miami News-2/24/1935), Captain William J. McCarthy, commander of the traffic division, was named Acting Chief. South Beat: Officer R.J. Hardee from noon to 8pm, W.J. Capt Dick Witt retired as a MPD Colonel and went on to be Chief of Police at Hollywood, FL for 10 years, then two other Florida departments. The offender later recovered and was executed in 1941. Well, I had fallen asleep and was drooling. July 6th -Officer Harry Bouterse was fired by Chief Reeve for an alleged extortion attempt. Some of the examples they cited were Detective C.C. The results of the city election in July of 1913 were reported in the local newspaper. (Miami News 7/4/1926), An armed robber swore that he would not be taken alive. His remains were buried in Boston, Georgia. Two of LeFleur's bullets mis-fired but it is possible he did hit his assailant. (Miami News-, 1940-41). The Story. He was later re-captured and spent a stretch in the clink. In order to retain the 'flavor' of their stories, we have not edited their stories. Ross Cefalu was not just a police officer. machine gun shots. 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. (Miami PD records, Miami News-9/11/1941). Sgt Ellsworth was awarded the Gold Medal for Heroism and was selected the department's Officer of the Year award. Zangara was returned to the court, pled guilty, and sentenced to die in Floridas electric chair. He was shot by 2 bullets in the chest and thigh and died shortly after at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Cermack, was able to speak immediately after his admittance to the hospital, as Roosevelt visited him before the President-Elect left the city for Washington. He was hit with two shotgun pellets, causing minor wounds. It was funny. A 22 year old MPD officer, Frampton Wichman, Jr., was killed when struck by a falling utility pole on Sept 20. (714 words), (Story about a 1972 Dixie Mafia hit on 3 people at Miami complex. Included in the class was Clarence Dickson, the first MPD academy trained black officer, and later the Chief of Police. Willie Garrett, 26, an ex-con with a long record linked to the Black Panther Party, was taken off an airplane several hours later in Orlando as he headed for New York, still in possession of the gun used to kill the officer. Miami District Justice of the Peace, Ferguson, arranged quickly for a court stenographer and Zangara freely spoke about the crime, albeit in broken English, admitting that he had intended to shoot Roosevelt but the woman next to him pulled on his arm, diverting his aim of the gun that he had paid eight dollars for in a North Miami Ave gun shop three days previously. On his last week of work, he arranged for a large marijuana purchase. Ferguson was fined $5 in court for actions stemming from a public dispute with Officers Mattison P. Merritt and Wm. As a Task Force supervisor in the late 1960-'s, incidents would occur that would create occasional friction between the 'old guard' and the young 'Turks' on the department. His partner, Officer Whitlock, came to his rescue with gun in hand. He was aided by Officers E.R. Dr.Wilbanks' "Forgotten Heroes" 1996). Brigman had joined the MPD in August of 1941, later taking military leave from 1942 to 1946 to serve in the U.S. Navy. Shortly into his poetry presentation to a small crowd, a Miami City official, Mannie Costa, upset with the profanity laced offerings of Ginsburg, cut the power to the microphone. (Miami Herald, -7/6/1954, MPD Vets newsletter). McCormack, born in St Louis, Missouri on September 8, 1902, became a MPD officer on Sept 23, 1925 and was assigned to the motorcycle squad at the time of his death. He did and broke both of his legs and a hip. According to City of Miami Police, a family member called officers to the Grove at Grand Bay Condominium Association, located at 2669 S. Bayshore Drive, just before 8 p.m. on Wednesday. McCreary claimed in a 1935 newspaper interview that he had been head of the Miami Ku Klux Klan from 1924 to 1930. (Additional details on this death are contained in this chapter of the book.) Appointed in January 1908 for the holidays. McCarthy was a traffic division Lieutenant in 1925, having a detail of 250 men under him, more than there are now (1935) on the force. (Story on the murder case of Officer Ron McLeod) (401 words), (Boys will be boys. Guy Howard, 28 years old, was killed in action. As Zamora confronted Deskins, the later pleaded, "Gil, it's me, Dale Deskins". An informant advised John Heywood, a MPD detective, that a 19 year old street tough from Coconut Grove tried selling him the gun. Chief Howard, and detective district commanders, J.C. Williams, Charles Schwelm, Ray Tanner and Lt J.D. Lt J.T. It was not uncommon for the JP to come to the scene of the crime, especially in cases of an officer-involved killing, and hold an inquest in the rear seat of a police car. Harry is past 90 yrs now and still acts like the Energizer bunny. Ben Denby was then Superintendent of City Communications. Others hit were William Sinnott, a New York City police officer accompanying Roosevelt, Margaret Kruise, a New Jersey visitor, Russ Caldwell, Miami, and Miami Mayor R.G. After daybreak, citizens Marvin Bentley and Arthur Gunn discovered a large sack containing $150 in cash and a complete zeggmans equipment. Owsley, Lt. Ken Parker and Lt. (later Chief) Garland Watkins were super. Gun running, boat thefts, extortion of merchants to supply cash to some of the 'freedom' groups was common daily occurrences. 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". The conclusion of both agencies was similar; that Zangara, an uneducated proponent of anarchy, operated alone in this crime. The girl advised that she seen Campbell go by but claimed she never seen Brubaker's motorcycle coming. The offender, Edward Litchfield, swerved into Brantley catching his motor on the car and dragging the officer down the road. For many years, both Miami and Fort Lauderdale justice authorities maintained a practice of running drunks and vagrants out of town as to not 'spoil' the cities for the tourists. June 17th- Chief Reeve orders crackdown on bookies. Other photos of officers in the next few years did not show the patch, suggesting that initially only the Motor Squad was issued the triangle patch. The voters present included 206 white men and 162 black men. Motor officers were provided with chin straps, Sam Browne belts and puttees. Please be Numerous allegations of corruption surfaced during these times, many of which most likely originated in one of the other camp (districts). Chief 1913-1917. KLAN LEADER NEW BOSS OF POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENTS. There are thousands of unsolved cases at the Miami-Dade Police Department. McCarthy, Lt. Finch Cochran, Sgt. Brantley, still on his machine, pulled out his revolver and shot the driver. He had only $43 on his person when arrested and $200 in a New Jersey postal account. Now Hiring! (MPD Records, Miami Metropolis/News-1/1913). The Mayor subsequently fired Chief Exposito. In an Emergency or to report suspicious activity 911 | To report a crime or non-emergency 602-262-6151 | Silent Witness 480-WITNESS . Appointed as a special officer in 1905, Grant, J.W. Fortunately for all, the other guards gun was not loaded. Wrong! Also, a 23 year old William Williams was fined $10 for pointing a gun at motor Officer L.G. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. While, at the MPD practice range in Opa Locka, things got exciting. Sistrunk, Earnest, Sr. (Ed) on beat schedule May 1907. The former Marine, wounded in France in World War I, has been a MPD officer since 1921 when he joined after a short stint as a Washington D.C. officer. No comment was made by Safety Dir. Napier ending up doing time instead of playing golf with the rest of the MPD retirees. MPD is the largest municipal police department in Florida. 2022 Miami-Dade County. The killing was ruled accidental and no charges were filed. 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. On March 7, 1972, two black males hi-hijacked a Chalk's Flying Service Grumman 73 from the MacArthur Causeway dock adjacent to Chalk's terminal. A Robert Franklin Jones was arrested in 1962 but later released. Each has his story. In the weeks after the opening of the recruiting office, practically each Cuban stopped and questioned by the author and other officers for any reason, would hear the halting English reply that "I am working with the CIA, so don't bother me.". Detective Castillo succumbed to his wounds at the scene. It was noted in the press that in April of 1912, Edwin V. Stephens was serving as the Desk Sgt. 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. He was later appointed Chief of Police in 1933.). One glaring example of the 'secrecy' involved in the planned raid was the existence of an open Cuban exile recruiting station at West Flagler Street and 11th Ave. One would think that it was a new Blockbuster store or the like, with a line stretching down Flagler Street every day. A recent investigation by Senator Kefauver uncovered rampart corruption in both Dade and Broward counties. The funeral procession of Miami police cars were headed up by two hooded KKK men driving small motorcycles. (Miami News-4/23/1923, MPD records), The Miami Police had a superior Rifle team during this period. On May 24, 1928, Chief Quigg was dismissed by City Manager Snow, for Neglect of Duty and for the good of the services. 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 first week of Chief Dillon's return to work, he fired Lt. Curry - for no reason. (This chapter provides details on the friendly fire killing of Officer Marler.). Traffic Director, - G.S. Sources for this story were from interview and correspondence with retired MPD officer, Ray Parker, who passed away recently as the book was being published. Officer Frank Angelo Croff, a 28 year old rookie motorcycle officer, was struck and killed by a drunk driver on May 22, 1921. Redman, from assistant traffic director to Captain of Uniform Division. Mitchell claimed that Franks was continually hanging around the station trying to get his job back (he was suspended in 1927 because of domestic problems). Sexual Crimes Investigations Unit 1701 NW 87th Ave. Suite 120 Phone: 305-715-3300 Fax: 305-715-3390 Whitman was later charged and tried in the court for this offense and was obviously absolved as he was re-elected for another term the following year. The stunned Driggers got to his feet and joined his comrades. (623) 773-8311. At least it was learned that Knight could swim. Bob was appointed as a staff officer in the 1970's. S. D. McCreary. Rossman and Jimmy King covered each end of the coach. The Miami Police department organized a Homicide Unit in July of 1926, according to a story in the Miami Herald, July 23, 1926 and Miami News, 7/16/1926. Sgt. They all overcame the offender. By the second half, I had calmed down and sat in Steeler owner Rooney's box for the remainder of the game. Lee. Gonzalez was unable to make an arrest due in inadequate evidence. (First person story of wounding of MPD officer Ray Parker by member of Cash gang.) Plainclothes officers D.F. The woman was injured as the car swept by. During the hijacking, a gunfight erupted between arriving police units and the criminals, wounding the pilot, mechanic and one passenger. He told me that he saw this police car pull a car over and the skinniest policeman he ever saw got out just as the driver of the other car got out and ran at the officer with his fists clenched. "It's getting so a guy can't even trust the police anymore. Forrest Nelson, Ed Melchen, Lt Finch Cochran and Lt McCarthy. Upon arrival of all available men in the motorcycle and automobile divisions the yeggmen deserted the safe and fled to the nearby canal where they disappeared in the darkness. and Sergeant George T. Warner replaced Lindstrom. Officer Patrick Howell Baldwin was killed in an auto accident yesterday. Officer Dallas L. Carroll, Patrol Section officer, was transferred from his patrol car duty to that of walking the Coconut Grove beat on midnight shift after raiding a Tamiami Trail bookie joint. Holton grabbed the on-duty officer's gun from the holster and attempted to shoot the other guard with his own gun. Others may have entered the service previously or entered at a later time during the war. 1996), (This chapter relates some tales from the MPDs pursuit of the CASH GANG) (766 words). The investigative units that comprise the Department's Criminal Investigations Section are responsible for the follow-up investigation of crimes committed against persons or property in the City of Miami, which require a degree of specialization or a centralized investigative approach. (168 words). June 23rd -Desk Sgt John Phillips was demoted for failure to take action on a report that a citizen was contemplating suicide. Phone: 305-471-2400 Fax: 305-471-2311 Email: hominfo@mdpd.com Major: Fernand Charles Jr. During that shootout, officers responded and Officer Pistol Pete Logan, on duty in the railroad tower, sounded the alarm while climbing down and chasing the bad guys. His prior movements were traced without discovering hard information of any conspiracy in the New Jersey area. He followed the Pontiac to NW 2nd Street and pulled the car over as two other police cars arrived. This information became public during a story on police brutality in 1935, which is described later in this book. Guy Howard, a MPD detective, was killed in action the Pacific while serving in the Marines as a Master Sergeant. The Chief sent Captain E.W. Miami will be the first city in US to put this new equipment into operation. Pomerleau's stormy term ended in February of 1964 with his resignation. The Grand Jury began looking into the altercation, calling in Headley, Det. Hilarious.). July 17th -The paper noted that Sgt W.M. A City Council hearing was held and Whitman admitted his guilt. Valiton later admitted shooting Sgt Wever five times with a revolver. Wichman was survived by his wife, Vivian. Late Monday afternoon, J.B. Williams, 26, of Pueblo, Colorado and Ray Colbert, 19, of Memphis, Tennessee, were arrested in a room at the United States Hotel in the downtown area and recovered the bandits car in front of the hotel. He then led a majority on the commission to immediately fire Safety Director Kavenaugh. White officers had this Civil Service protection since 1921. Knight retired as Chief of Detectives in 1978. Detective Fred Rowland was placed in temporary charge of squad. Cecil Knight, Woods partner in the chase, was Captain Cecil (Hamp) Knight, who was one of the most famous Auto Theft detectives in the nation for many, many years. 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. (This chapter provides the details of the death of MPD Officer Frank Croff.). He was traced easily and arrested in Jacksonville. Walter Headley is named as Chief of Police of Miami. His maid observed a tall, thin black man wearing black pants and a white shirt pedal away on a 28 inch English-model bicycle with a chrome fender. McCarthy's tenure did not last long. While patrolling the South End on an evening shift, I stopped a driver for a noisy exhaust.' (Miami News- 5/23/1935). Wilson, and Ewd R. Lowe. Also that day, it was reported that Officer W.F. on May 30, 1995, Officer Carlos Santiago, 47, a 13 year veteran of MPD, was killed when he fell thru an open bridge over the Miami River. In October of 1962, City Manager Mel Reese brought in a tough old Marine Colonel, Donald Pomerleau, as Public Safety Director, the boss of the Chief of Police. Charnin went straight to the rear window of the Pontiac and blasted away across the back seat. Kavanaugh issued an order that allowed drunks to call the police for a free ride home if they thought they were too tipsy to drive. Chief John Cannon. To the disbelief and laughter of the entire squad, Knight dove into the river and come out soaking wet, but five dollars richer. Being the book-worm that Steve was, he remembered that the book said to switch to casual conversation after pumping a C.I. The council also wanted the Chief to add a 'roundsman' (a patrol supervisor). An inquest was held on Oct 17th, 1931, by Justice of Peace, R.R. (657 words ). A raucous and raunchy gig at Miamis Dinner Key auditorium on March 1st, 1969 resulted in famous rock star Jim Morrison getting arrested for indecency by MPD Officer Ted Seaman and Sgt Jim Cox. He is still going at 90 and we all love him. Officer LaFleur was killed in a 3 A.M on February 16,1951, during a gun battle with a man who was sleeping in a car at NW 3 Ave and 14 St. Note: Retired MPD Vet Ginger Jones is the granddaughter of Officer Croff. Fifty or sixty shots were then exchanged between the robbers and the officers. You're the third person to suggest this!" She was wearing a flared skirt, a blouse, and a hat. A burglar broke into the Miami Police Academy and got away with a number of bills ranging from $1.00 to $100. 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. Simpson and J.D. With McCann during that morning was Officer W. G. Wilson, who escaped with only bruises. Willford advised that between twenty-five and forty thousand dollars in cash is usually kept in the store over the weekend. However, this is a excellent example as to why. C.O.Huttoe was promoted to Lieutenant. Currently, there are two MDPD lieutenants, six MDPD sergeants, 26 MDPD detectives, and one municipal detective from the Miami Police Department and the Miami Beach Police Department assigned to RID. Harry Bouterse, Officer H.S. Three of the four districts were headed up at times by Captain Lee Napier, C.O. I grabbed the keys and advised that I will drive. Some of their regular members at that time were Cal Davis, Mel A. Tibbets, V.D. The account, although lurid, describes the state of the art of the process of major crimes investigations during that period. During the period of 1958 into the mid 1960s, Miamis Mayor was Robert King High, a diminutive attorney who's passion appeared to be criticizing the Chief of Police, Walter Headley. Story, (Clarence Dickson made history once again when he was appointed the first Black chief of police in 1988. Bob Knight, the son of MPD Capt Cecil (Hamp) Knight, later became C/O of the motor squad, and several other commands.