Sergeant James Purcell

Fallen Heroes 16 July 2018 Hits: 3082

On this day in Baltimore Police History 24 October 1955, we lost our brother Sergeant James Purcell to gunfire based on the following

Sergeant James Purcell
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On this day in Baltimore Police History 1955, we lost our brother Sergeant James Purcell to gunfire based on the following;

Sergeant Purnell was shot twice with his own service revolver on a Sunday morning 23 Oct 1955 during a scuffle with, Burglar Ronald A. King, in a house at 134 W. Lanvale street in the Central District. King was killed as he was trying to escape and ran into Officers Leroy Prediger, and Richard Doda. The paroled convict King was still armed with Sgt. Purcell’s service revolver and as such, was fired on by Prediger and Doda. The two Northwest officers were charged with King’s death, but later released to the custody of their Captain, Millard Horton, by Judge Joseph Byrnes following a Habeas Corpus Action. ASA Preston A. Pairo Jr. reported that an investigation had thus failed to show which of the two had fired the shot that caused King's death... in 1955 they didn’t have today’s technology (or apparent common sense, as these officers shouldn’t have been arrested, they should have been awarded a medal) Sergeant Purcell was acting Officer at the time of his death due to an incident that occurred while working the cell block. Commissioner Hepbron forgave him of the cell block incident and obtained the permission of Governor Theodore McKeldin to restored Purcell’s Sergeant powers. During his time as a officer/sergeant Purcell had been awarded several commendations for his hard work and willingness to put the job before himself.

As his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department we will not let him be forgotten, His service Honored the City of Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department may he rest in peace, and may God bless him.

More Details

Name	Description
End of Watch	24 October, 1955
City, St.	134 W. Lanvale street
Panel Number	6-W: 12
Cause of Death	Gunfire
District Worked	Northwestern

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01 Apr

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03 Apr

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3 April 1797 - the City Council passed the first ordinance affecting the police. It directed that three persons were to be appointed Commissioners of the watch. They could employ for one year as many Captains and watchmen as had been employed in the night watch the year past for the same remuneration. The Commissioners prescribed regulations and hours of duty for the police.
04 Apr

Inauguration of the Accident Investigation Bureau
Today in Baltimore Police History 4 April 1938 - was the inauguration of the Accident Investigation Bureau. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/bpd-units/t-i-s.html #BPD_History
04 Apr

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On this day in Baltimore Police History, 4 April 1949, we lost our brother Police Officer James Joyce to an auto accident based on the following; https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/948-officer-james-joyce #‎BPDNeverForget
04 Apr

5th. ISSUE Badge
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4 April 1976: Badge currently worn by Baltimore Police Officers With exception to the Series 2 badge, the word Baltimore did not appear on any official Police badges. The Series 5 badge is similar to the Series 4 supervisor badge with a new center seal that is the same as worn on the patch. Police officers and supervisors wear the same badge, with the ribbon in the eagle's beak denoting the rank. Lieutenants and above wear the same badge, which is gold in color.

The 5th issue badge that is currently worn by BCPD was designed by Robert DiStefano, now a retired BPD Major. He made the drawings that were submitted to the committee for approval and subsequently to the manufacturer.

Police Commissioner Donald D. Pomerleau was given two designs that he had drawn, one of which was more of an oval badge and the other of which he personally liked. He designed the current badge to be somewhat 'different' than the classic 'Eagle on Shield' design.

He says he purposely made the eagle's wings too high in proportion and squared them off, sort of boxy. He wanted the committee to pick the oval; he lost!

Police Commissioner Pomerleau likes the 'traditional' 'Eagle on the Shield.' That's how we lost a really nice-looking, more modern badge. He says that the chosen design grew on him!

He also worked on the design team that did the departmental sword. Along with Sergeant Bill Stone, he worked on the etchings for the blade. He was in Colonel Karner's office when he met with representatives of Wilkinson Sword. He has sword No. 4 (April 1976). Issue badge came along and is the badge currently worn by Baltimore Police Officers to this day. With exception to the 2nd Issue badge, the word Baltimore did not appear on any other official Police badge. The 5th Issue badge is similar to the 4th Issue 'Supervisor's' badge with a new center seal that is the same as worn on the large shoulder patch and considered our official department emblem.
05 Apr

Retroactive Citation of Valor program
Today in Baltimore Police History 2013 - 5 April 2013 'Retroactive Citation of Valor' program is started and approved; Commissioner Batts listened to the concept submitted by Mrs. Patricia Driscoll, MD Adopt-a-Cop DBA Disabled American Law Enforcement (D.A.L.E.) to allow disabled officers that were permanently disabled in the line of duty, to apply for the 'Citation of Valor'. This is done through Mrs. Driscoll’s Adopt a Cop (D.A.L.E.) program, and can be submitted to her either by the officer, another officer with information on the case, or the officer’s family. Mrs. Driscoll began working o this program back in 2004/05 and after many attempts, and a lot of hard work; she finally got her program through. To date three officers’ names have been submitted. and approved they are… 1st Ret. Det. Kenneth Driscoll awarded 5 April 2013 for injuries sustained 10 Aug 2001, 2nd to receive the award is Ret. Officer Gary Lapchak awarded on 3 Feb 2014 for injuries sustained 28 Oct 1997 and 3rd awarded this award is Ret Officer Daryl Buhrman he also received his on 3 Feb 2014 for injuries sustained 8 Feb 1981 - Mrs. Driscoll is thankful to Commissioner Batts, Sgt. Stephanie Lansey, Officer Robert Brown and several others. Anyone wishing to submit an officer for this award we are requesting you write me at Kenny@BaltimoreCityPoliceHistory.com or Patty at Patty@BaltimoreCityPoliceHistory.com
05 Apr

Mom's Birthday
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06 Apr

1968 Baltimore Riots
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06 Apr

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07 Apr

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07 Apr

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07 Apr

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07 Apr

John Prine Passed away
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08 Apr

Police Suicide - Agent Peter J. Vasiliou
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08 Apr

Re-appointment of Sgt. Philip Flood
On 8 April 1898 the Baltimore Sun reported the re-appointment Sgt. Henry Shoemack and Patrolman S. J. D. Wilson, Andrew Jemison and James McGeeney, of the Central District, Sgt. Philip Flood and Patrolman Lewis of the Southern District; Patrolman John Nix and George and Kissner, of the Eastern District; Patrolman Matthews, and Edwin M. Taylor of the Northeast District, and Patrolman Joseph Brummer, of the Western District.

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09 Apr

Serious Injury / Shooting
Today in BPD History 9 April 1887, while on duty Patrolman James M. Moore was shot several times by a crazed drunken man. He was blinded in one eye from one shot, and received a second round which lodged near his heart; that second round was left resting in such a position that doctors couldn't safely attempt to remove it.
The Patrolman was injured to a degree that he would be placed on a medical retirement. He would continue living his life for 43 years until one Friday night in July of 1929 when his life was cut short due to complication caused by that bullet. In 1887 the newspapers had sensationalized the shooting as they hailed the Patrolman a hero. They said this because after being shot in such a way as to take away his vision from one eye, and leave a bullet near his heart, the Patrolman continued to fight until he was able to take the suspect into custody, arrest him, and then attend court to prosecute and convict the offender.
This post is not as much about the death of Patrolman Moore as it is about his survival, we would like to remind readers that 1887 was only a few years after Baltimore Police began using the patrol wagons, and call boxes. He had no radio to call for help, yet we can be sure that when other officers heard the shots being fired, they were headed in his direction. We cannot ignore the strength, and courage of the officers of those times, the times before, and the times since. Not just Patrolman Moore, but of every officer before, during and since that has faced similar circumstances while serving the city as a police officer with intent on keeping the peace.
God bless our Police, and may Patrolman Moore continue to rest in peace
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/k2/item/972-patrolman-james-m-moore.html
10 Apr

Sgt Moog, Sun Paper Article 10 April 1925
Today in BPD history 10 April 1925, Sgt James Moog does in interview with the Baltimore Sun in which he said the following.

“Motorcycles are faster than horses,” said Sgt. Moog, continuing, “They have a few other advantages too… but horses are bound to remain in use by the Police Department for many years to come.” This prediction was the opinion of Sgt James Moog, who at the time of this statement, 10 April 1925, was 80 years of age, and had already served 45 years with the Baltimore Police Department. Sgt Moog helped to build the mounted unit in 1888.

See the article here, then following the second link to learn more about Sgt Moog

http://www.baltimorepolicemuseum.org/images/The_Evening_Sun_Fri__Apr_10__1925_.jpg

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/75-sergeant-james-robert-moog
14 Apr

Service Stripes Permitted
Service Stripes Permitted - A measure that the present board has recently decided upon is one that permits the members of the BPD to use service stripes on their uniforms might seem like something new, and most of us like the wreath better, I know I do. But the Service Stripes that started under Batts, are not new to BPD, and in fact, date back to 1887.

On April 14, 1887, Marshal Frey called the Board of Commissioner's attention to the regulation of the New York Board of Police ordering the use of these stripes on the policeman's sleeves. He consulted with the Commissioners and the latter ordered that a stripe of blue cloth with black edges be placed upon each policeman's sleeves, one for every five years he had served the city. The commissioned officers of the force were empowered to wear gold lace stripes. This regulation has, like the introduction of the uniform helmet, added to the appearance of the men, and goes a great way towards making them anxious to obtain the honorable distinction of long service.
15 Apr

Commissioner says no more one-man cars
Today in Baltimore Police History 15 April 1946 Commissioner Atkinson says no more one-man cars

1-MAN PATROL CAR OPPOSED

The Sun (1837-1989); Apr 15, 1946; pg.7

1- PATROL - CAR OPPOSED MAN

Atkinson Says Two Are Needed / For Each Machine Police patrol cars in Baltimore, could not adequately serve I the public interest if operated by one man instead of two, Hamilton R. Atkinson, Commissioner of Police, declared yesterday.

Mr. Atkinson, who is asking for 212 additional patrolmen, had been questioned about relieving the need

for extra police personnel by taking a man from each of the radio cars and using him elsewhere. Two men in each car usually are necessary to handle such emergencies as a fight, house-breaking or disturbance involving several persons, the commissioner explained.

Major Problem Cited Moreover, if only one man were in the car, the machine often would have to be left unprotected, and a less continuous check could be kept on reports coming over the radio, he added. He said, also, that two-man operation facilitated the handling of school traffic, a major problem of the day shift or the department. Foot patrolmen are far from adequate to cover the school traffic, Mr. Atkinson declared, and patrol cars are called into use, as well as traffic officers on motorcycles. One patrolman in the car will take charge at one school, and the second man will move on to other traffic-congested areas nearby.

Child Fatality Low

'The child fatality record has been very low, and I intend to keep it that way.' he asserted. The day shift has to devote approximately five and a half hours to taking care of school traffic, he added. 'We have never used one man in radio cars. I have gone into the matter thoroughly with the inspector of the department and the captains or the district,” Mr. Atkinson said. 'None of my predecessors thought it feasible, and neither do I. 'Mr. Atkinson insisted on the need for more men to protect the city, particularly in outlying districts. He said there were about 231 men on each shift serving the entire city-wide area, 91 square miles.

This would increase Officer Safety while decreasing the expenses of fuel and The hours put on patrol cars.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/bpd-units/patrol-division.html

#BPD_History
16 Apr

Officer Calvin R. Mencken - Injured
Officer Calvin R. Mencken - Four Officers injured 16 April 1976 - James Brennan, Arthur Kennell Jr., Neal C. Splain, and Calvin R. Mencken.
16 Apr

Officer Neal C. Splain - Injured
Officer Neal C. Splain - Four Officers injured 16 April 1976 - James Brennan, Arthur Kennell Jr., Neal C. Splain, and Calvin R. Mencken.
16 Apr

Officer Arthur Kennell Jr. - Injured
Officer Arthur Kennell Jr. - Four Officers injured 16 April 1976 - James Brennan, Arthur Kennell Jr., Neal C. Splain, and Calvin R. Mencken.
16 Apr

Officer James Brennan - Injjured
Officer James Brennan - Four Officers injured 16 April 1976 - James Brennan, Arthur Kennell Jr., Neal C. Splain, and Calvin R. Mencken.
16 Apr

Fallen Officer Jimmy Dale Holcomb
Officer Jimmy Dale Holcomb - On this day in Baltimore Police History 16 April 1976 we lost our Brother Police Officer Jimmy Dale Holcomb to gunfire based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/931-officer-jimmy-d-halcomb #BPDNeverForget May he Always Rest in Peace
16 Apr

Birthday Ernie Hubley
Ernie Hubley's Birthday
17 Apr

K9 Unit Considered Success
Today in Baltimore Police History 17 April 1957 - Baltimore’s K9 Unit was considered a success and made official.

On Tuesday, December 11, 1956, an article was published in one of our local newspapers which were one in a series of articles written by Martin Millspaugh pertaining to Scotland Yard. This article the last of a series was devoted to the use of police dogs in London. As a result of the letters and inquiries received by Commissioner James M. Hepbron, an article appeared in the Morning Sun on December 17, 1956, which briefly stated that Commissioner Hepbron was interested and saw the possibilities of using dogs in the Baltimore City Police Department.

On December 18, 1956, the two dogs (Turk & Major Gruntz) that had had previously been training were offered to the Baltimore Police Department and, with two officers (Patrolman Thomas McGinn and Irvan Marders) both with previous dog experience, the program was put into effect on an “experimental basis”. By the middle of January 1957, fourteen dogs had been acquired as potential candidates and fourteen men were selected and assigned to the K9 Corps. These men were chosen as a result of a questionnaire that was sent to all members of the department asking for volunteers.

These men and dogs were trained daily until March 1, 1957. At that time, they were put on the street on Friday and Saturday nights, working the areas where the crime was most prevalent. Shortly after this, on 17 April 1957 - Commissioner Hepbron, considering the experiment a success, made it official, he went before the Mayor and City Council and appropriations were made through the Board of Estimates which resulted in the K-9 Corps becoming a permanent part of the Baltimore City Police.

For more info on Baltimore’s K9 check out our website on Baltimore Police History

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/bpd-units/k-9-unit.html

#BPD_History
18 Apr

Fallen Patrolman George Sauer
Patrolman George Sauer - On this day in Baltimore Police History 18 April 1915, we lost our Brother Patrolman George Sauer to gunfire based on the following:https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/830-patrolman-george-c-sauer ‎#BPDNeverForget‬
18 Apr

Fallen Detective Richard F. Bosak
Detective Richard F. Bosak - On this day in Baltimore Police History 18 April 1968 we lost out Brother Detective Richard F. Bosak to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/775-patrolman-richard-f-bosak ‎#BPDNeverForget‬
18 Apr

18 April 1861 Riots
18 April 1861 day 1 of the Baltimore Riots - Today in Baltimore Police History 18 April 1861... The Riots before the Riots that kicked off the Civil War... This marked the first day of two days of rioting that kicked off the civil war. While some blamed marshal Kane for the results of day two, had it not been for the Baltimore Police things would have been much worse. We remember Nicholas Biddle as 'The first man wounded in the Great American Rebellion' https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/our-police/1861-riots.html #BPD_History
18 Apr

Abraham Lincoln addressed Baltimore Sanitary Fair
18 April 1864, President Abraham Lincoln addressed Baltimore Sanitary Fair, organized by Maryland women for U.S. Sanitary Commission.
19 Apr

Fallen Patrolman Aubrey L. Lowman
On this day in Baltimore City Police History 19 April 1954, we lost our Brother Patrolman Aubrey L. Lowman, to Gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/962-patrolman-aubrey-l-lowman #BPDNeverForget‬
19 Apr

Pratt St Riots 1861
Pratt St Riots 1861 - Today in BPD History 19 April 1861 at President and Pratt Baltimore Police helped end the second day of rioting that lead to the first death of America's Civil War.

Police arrested “great numbers” afterward. But only seven were ever named – Mark Hagan and Andrew Eisenbreeht, charged with “assaulting an officer with a brick” Richard Brown and Patrick Collins “throwing bricks creating a riot” William Reid “severely injuring a man with a brick” J Friedenwald, “assaulting an unknown man” and Lawrence T Erwin, “throwing a brick on Pratt Street.” The first injured in the riots was Nicholas Biddle

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/890-nicholas-biddle

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/our-police/1861-riots/item/892-riots-1861-newspaper-article

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/our-police/1861-riots.html

#BPD_History

Today in BPD History 19 April 1861 at President and Pratt Baltimore Police helped end the second day of rioting which lead to the first death of America's Civil War. The first injured in the riots was Nicholas Biddle
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/890-nicholas-biddle #BPD_History
19 Apr

Katelynn's Birthday
Katelynn's Birthday
21 Apr

Fallen Officer John R. J. Block
On this day in Baltimore Police History 21 April 1933 we lost our Brother, Police Officer John R. J. Block due to gunfire based on the following; https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/763-officer-john-r-j-block #BPDNeverForget‬
21 Apr

Fallen Officer Kevon Malik Gavin
On this day in Baltimore City Police History 2000, we lost our Brother Police Officer Kevon Malik Gavin, to vehicular homicide based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/927-officer-kevon-m-gavin-sr #BPDNeverForget‬
22 Apr

Maryland Auto Tag Plate History
Today in Maryland History 22 April 1934 the State ended its war with Delaware in regards to making our own license plates. They were made in our State penitentiaries. The first history of makers of any kind of automobiles in Maryland dated back to approx. 1904, when one dollar was required to be paid by the owner of the motor car to the secretary of state, 644 applications were issued that year in Annapolis, the first being 128, done in May 1904. For more information click the following link - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/maryland-tag-plate-history #BPD_History
23 Apr

Fallen Sergeant Robert John Barlow
On this date 23 April 1978 in Baltimore Police History, we lost our Brother Sergeant Robert John Barlow to a Heart Attack based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/670-sgt-robert-j-barlow #‎BPDNeverForget‬
24 Apr

Fallen Officer Donald W. Sager
On this Day 24 April 1970 In Baltimore Police History, we lost our Brother Officer Donald W. Sager to gunfire - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/831-officer-donald-w-sager #BPDNeverForget
25 Apr

Final Roll Call - Police Officer Norman Stamp Friendly Fire
Today in Baltimore Police History 25 April 2008 we lost our brother Police Officer Norman Stamp to an off-duty case of friendly fire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/k2/item/1047-retired-officer-norman-stamp.html ‎#BPDNeverForget
28 Apr

Maryland Became the 7th State
Today in Maryland history 28 April 1788 – Maryland Became the Seventh State in the Union. Maryland was the seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution and has two nicknames, the Old Line State and the Free State

Old Line State. According to some historians, General George Washington bestowed the name 'Old Line State' and thereby associated Maryland with its regular line troops, the Maryland Line, who served courageously in many Revolutionary War battles.

Free State. Maryland was first recognized as a 'Free State' on November 1, 1864. On that date, the Maryland Constitution of 1864 took effect. By its provisions, slavery within the State's borders was abolished, and Maryland, indeed, became a free state. To celebrate the emancipation, under direction of the Baltimore City Council, five hundred guns were fired, bells were rung, and flags displayed 'to attest the joy of the people at their great deliverance.'

Much later, the nickname 'Free State' was used in a different context by Hamilton Owens, editor of the Baltimore Sun. In 1923, Georgia Congressman William D. Upshaw, a firm supporter of Prohibition, denounced Maryland as a traitor to the Union for refusing to pass a State enforcement act. Mr. Owens thereupon wrote a mock-serious editorial entitled 'The Maryland Free State,' arguing that Maryland should secede from the Union rather than prohibit the sale of liquor. The irony in the editorial was subtle, and Mr. Owens decided not to print it. He popularized the nickname, however, in later editorials.
29 Apr

The nameplate was first worn
Today in BPD history 29 April 1966 at 9 am- The Nameplate was first worn by City Police Officers. In a program called 'Know Your Police,'
As a side note, Patrolman Edward Campbell would be the first City Officer to wear such nameplate as he posed for the Baltimore Sun a day earlier on 28 April 1966. We should add Officer Tom Wade posed for a similar picture in which Commissioner Gelston was seen pinning his nameplate on him.
Something I found interesting was that we and the state police added nameplates to our uniforms on the same date, it was different years but the same date 7 years earlier on the same day (29 April 1959)
Name plate 1966 Ed Campbell 73
30 Apr

Reorganization of Baltimore's “Night-Watch
Today in BPD history 30 April 1800 - A committee of three persons from each of Baltimore's wards was appointed to plan a reorganization of the city's “Night-Watch”. At the assembly, the committee voted on a plan that suggested patrols be increased. The recommendation was approved, and by the vigilance of the city's watchmen, the disorder in Baltimore was suppressed for a time.
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/bpd-history/roistering-past.html #BPD_History

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Before an arrow can go forward, it has to go Back

There's no right time to do wrong - and - no wrong time to do right!

Let Us To The End, Dare To Do Our Duty - Abraham Lincoln

Leaders don't look for recognition from others. Leaders look for others to recognize.

If it feels like you are digging yourself into a hole - It's not too late to put your shovel down

Our prime purpose in life is to help others, and if we can't help them, the at least we can do is not to hurt them.

"Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it demands." - Robert F. Kennedy

During an interrogation, It was said to the suspect - "There are only two people who know who did this, I'm looking at one, and you're looking at the other"

It is easier to stay out of trouble, than it is to get out of trouble!

In order to be able to think you have to risk being offensive. - Jordan Peterson

Lawlessness is Lawlessness. Anarchy is Anarchy. Neither Race, nor Color, nor Frustration is an excuse for either lawlessness, or anarchy. - Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. - Will Rogers

Sergeant James Purcell

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