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Watchman Turner
Tuesday, 03 August 2021 14:25
Night Watchman Turner
We'll include more information on this when it becomes available
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Donations help with web hosting, stamps and materials and the cost of keeping the website online. Thank you so much for helping BCPH.
POLICE INFORMATION
If you have copies of: your Baltimore Police Department Class Photo, Pictures of our Officers, Vehicles, Equipment, Newspaper Articles relating to our department and or officers, Old Departmental Newsletters, Lookouts, Wanted Posters, and or Brochures. Information on Deceased Officers and anything that may help Preserve the History and Proud Traditions of this agency. Please contact Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll.
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NOTICE
How to Dispose of Old Police Items
Please contact Det. Ret. Kenny Driscoll if you have any pictures of you or your family members and wish them remembered here on this tribute site to Honor the fine men and women who have served with Honor and Distinction at the Baltimore Police Department. Anyone with information, photographs, memorabilia, or other "Baltimore City Police" items can contact Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. follow us on Twitter @BaltoPoliceHist or like us on Facebook or mail pics to 8138 Dundalk Ave. Baltimore Md. 21222
Copyright © 2002 Baltimore City Police History - Ret Det Kenny Driscoll
Published in
Fallen Heroes
James M. Hepbron
Tuesday, 20 July 2021 04:11
Police Commissioner James M. Hepbron
1955 until 1961
Painting by Stanislav Rembski
James M. Hepbron
One of The American City’s first reports on police dogs appeared in an October 1957 article by James Hepbron, Baltimore’s police commissioner. According to the article, the idea for adding the dogs to the police force came from residents, who read a 1956 newspaper series about Scotland Yard’s police dogs in London. A veteran of the U.S. Marine’s K-9 Corps volunteered to start the city’s training program, and one man offered the use of his German shepherd. Soon, a patrolman donated a second dog and asked to be assigned to the corps. The department expanded the K-9 unit with six more donated dogs in January 1957. In their first year, Baltimore’s police dogs participated in 175 arrests, and “almost daily police officers report that fugitives immediately give up any idea of fleeing at the sight of a dog.”
Two years later, Baltimore’s K-9 Corps included 21 trained dogs, according to a November 1959 American City report. The officers that worked with the dogs had to volunteer for the job and were charged with caring for the dogs at all times. The department required that its dogs were male German shepherds with an even temperament. They were trained first in obedience, then in attack work, and then to locate lost persons, criminals and evidence.
Word of Baltimore’s successful experiences with police dogs soon spread, and the department trained other departments to establish their own K-9 units. The May 1962 edition carried a report on Lancaster, Pa.’s decision to start a K-9 Corps after officers visited Baltimore in 1959. Lancaster modeled its unit after Baltimore, asking residents to donate dogs to the corps, and selecting six handlers from among police volunteers. The Baltimore Police Department trained one of Lancaster’s officers, who then trained the five additional handlers. They built obstacles and trained the dogs to climb ramps, crawl through pipes and jump barriers. Lancaster officers soon discovered that not every donated dog would be suited for police work. One of its early lessons: “A dog, to be effective in police work, must be a ‘people-biter.’”
Commissioner James M. Hepbron was subject to a hearing on February 19, 1959, led by Jerome Robinson, Democratic State Delegate for the fourth district. Delegate Robinson had a long history of challenging wiretapping and search warrants, as he believed the practice unconstitutional, against Federal law and a violation of the natural rights of the citizen. In the 90-day public hearing and investigation, Robinson stated that the commissioner "demonstrate[d] lack of a sense of propriety and in several respects a lack of comprehension on the part of the commissioner of the nature of his duties, the functions of the department, and the obligations to the citizenry" During the public hearing Hepbron incessantly left the hearing and/or refused to answer specifications against him.
During the hearing, Robinson urged the commissioner to resign in the public interest. Robinson wrote, "it is obvious that he has outlived his position. His administration has produced continuing deterioration and the demoralization of the department".
The charges against Hepbron included:
- Flouting of the civil and constitutional rights of the citizens of Baltimore City. Illegal taps of private and public telephone lines.
- Errors in judgment and administration.
- Concepts of policing which, because of brutality and insentivity, are shocking to decent thinking people.
Despite considerable evidence, Hebron denied to address he was acting illegally. Delegate Robinson cited 36 cases where the cases were dropped or defendants released because of planted evidence and other means of framing suspects. He called these offenses, "a creature of commissioner Hepbron". Robinson also cited the Green Spring Avenue assault by a police officer of a 15-year-old boy, countless shootings of unarmed auto-thieves, and illegal raids on properly licensed establishments. At one point Robinson stated the head of the city police was "an SS officer in a Chesterfield coat who is impatient with the Bill of Rights and intolerant of the constitutional liberties and prerogatives of the people"
Alvin J. T. Zumbrun, former managing director of the Criminal Justice Commission, issued a statement against Robinson in the commissioner's defense. He described the charges brought against Hepbron "the utterances of an angry madman possessed with the mania to have the police commissioner removed at all costs" Zumbrun cited details of multiple instances where he believed Robinson had lied, citing instances as small as a phone call, office visit or passing informal greeting by Robinson to Zumbrun. While Zumbrun's evidence never addressed actual police violations of state law, Zumbrun continued to press for the expulsion of Robinson of the General Assembly of Maryland to Governor J. Millard Tawes
James Hepbron's Book on the Penal System HERE
Click HERE or Article above for full size story
Click HERE or Article above for full size story
Donations
Donations help with web hosting, stamps and materials and the cost of keeping the website online. Thank you so much for helping BCPH.
POLICE INFORMATION
If you have copies of: your Baltimore Police Department Class Photo, Pictures of our Officers, Vehicles, Equipment, Newspaper Articles relating to our department and or officers, Old Departmental Newsletters, Lookouts, Wanted Posters, and or Brochures. Information on Deceased Officers and anything that may help Preserve the History and Proud Traditions of this agency. Please contact Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
NOTICE
How to Dispose of Old Police Items
Please contact Det. Ret. Kenny Driscoll if you have any pictures of you or your family members and wish them remembered here on this tribute site to Honor the fine men and women who have served with Honor and Distinction at the Baltimore Police Department. Anyone with information, photographs, memorabilia, or other "Baltimore City Police" items can contact Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. follow us on Twitter @BaltoPoliceHist or like us on Facebook or mail pics to 8138 Dundalk Ave. Baltimore Md. 21222
Copyright © 2002 Baltimore City Police History - Ret Det Kenny Driscoll
Published in
Justice
Baltimore Police Newsletters
Sunday, 28 March 2021 04:08
Baltimore Police Newsletters
Click HERE or the article above to see full size article
Newsletter from that year PDF click HERE
Baltimore Police Newsletters
1964 Newsletter Assist an Officer
1965 Newsletter Assist an Officer
1966 Newsletter Assist an Officer
1967 Newsletter Vol 1 1 to 22 March 2 1967 to December 20 1967
1968 Newsletter Vol 2 1 to 25 January 3 1968 to December 18 1968
1969 Newsletter Vol 3 1 to 20 January 1 1969 to December 31 1969
1970 Newsletter Vol 4 1 to 26 January 14 1970 to December 30 1970
1971 Newsletter Vol 5 1 to 26 January 13 1971 to December 29 1971
1972 Newsletter Vol 6 Issue 1 to 26 January 12 1972 to December 27 1972
1973 Newsletter Vol 7 Issue 1 to 26 January 10 1973 to December 26 1973
1974 Newsletter Vol 8 Issue 1 to 26 January 9 1974 to December 24 1974
1975 Newsletter Vol 9 Issue 1 to 26 January 8 1975 to December 24 1975
1976 Newsletter Vol 10 Issue 1 to 26 January 7 1976 to December 22 1976
1977 Newsletter Vol 11 Issue 1 to 26 January 5 1977 to December 21 1977
1978 Newsletter Vol 12 Issue 1 to 26 January 4 1978 to December 20 1978
1979 Newsletter Vol 13 Issue 1 to 26 January 3 1979 to December 19 1979
1980 Newsletter Vol 14 Issue 1 to 27 January 2 1980 to December 31 1980
1981 Newsletter Vol 15 Issue 1 to 26 January 14 1981 to December 30 1981
1982 Newsletter Vol 16 Issue 1 to 26 January 13 1982 to December 29 1982
1983 Newsletter Vol 17 Issue 1 to 26 January 12 1983 to December 28 1983
1984 Newsletter Vol 18 Issue 1 to 26 January 11 1984 to December 24 1984
1985 Newsletter Vol 19 Issue 1 to 26 January 9 1985 to December 24 1985
1986 Newsletter Vol 20 Issue 1 to 26 January 8 1986 to December 24 1986
1987 Newsletter Vol 21 Issue 1 to 26 January 7 1987 to December 23 1987
1988 Newsletter Vol 22 Issue 1 to 26 January 6 1988 to December 21 1988
1989 Newsletter Vol 23 Issue 1 to 26 January 4 1989 to December 19 1989
1990 Newsletter Vol 24 Issue 1 to 26 January 3 1990 to December 18 1990
1991 Newsletter Vol 25 Issue 1 to 26 January 2 1991 to December 16 1991
1992 Newsletter Vol 26 Issue 1 to 20 January 1 1992 to December 16 1992
1993 Newsletter Vol 27 Issue 1 to 7 January 1993 to December 1993
1994 Newsletter Vol 28 Issue 1 to 5 May 1994 to October 1994
1995 Newsletter Vol 29 Issue 1 to 7 January 1995 to November 1995
1996 Newsletter Vol 30 Issue 1 to 5 January 1996 to July August 1996
1997 Newsletter Vol 31 Issue 1 to 6 January 3 May 1997 to December 1997
1998 Newsletter Vol 32 Issue 1 to 6 January 1998 to November 1998
1999 Newsletter Vol 33 Issue 1 to 19 January 1999 to December 22 1999
2000 Newsletter Blue Line News Vol 34 Issue 1 to 11
2001 Newsletter Blue Line News Vol 35 Issue 1 to 7 Special Edition
2002 Newsletter Blue Lines News Vol 35 Issue 10 to 11
2003 Newsletter Blue Line News Vol 36 Issue 1 to 2
2004 Newsletter Blue Line News Vol 26 Issue 3 to 12
2005 Newsletter Blue Line 04 04 05
2005 Newsletter Blue Line 10 08 05
2005 Newsletter Blue Line News Vol 27 Issue 1 to 4
2006 Newsletter Blue Line 06 01 06 Special Edition
2006 Newsletter Blue Line 12 11 2006
2006 Newsletter Blue Line Vol 28 Issue 1 to 3 Special Edition
2007 Newsletter Blue Line Feb 2007 Special Edition
2007 Newsletter Blue Line News Vol 29 issue 1 and Special Edition
2011 Newsletter Blue Line Editions 1 to 3
2015 Newsletter Vol 1 Issue 1 to 4
2016 Newsletter Vol 2 Issue 1 to 4
Donations
Donations help with web hosting, stamps and materials and the cost of keeping the website online. Thank you so much for helping BCPH.
POLICE INFORMATION
Copies of: Your Baltimore Police Department Class Photo, Pictures of our Officers, Vehicles, Equipment, Newspaper Articles relating to our department and or officers, Old Departmental Newsletters, Lookouts, Wanted Posters, and or Brochures. Information on Deceased Officers and anything that may help Preserve the History and Proud Traditions of this agency. Please contact Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
NOTICE
How to Dispose of Old Police Items
Please contact Det. Ret. Kenny Driscoll if you have any pictures of you or your family members and wish them remembered here on this tribute site to Honor the fine men and women who have served with Honor and Distinction at the Baltimore Police Department.
Anyone with information, photographs, memorabilia, or other "Baltimore City Police" items can contact Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. follow us on Twitter @BaltoPoliceHist or like us on Facebook or mail pics to 8138 Dundalk Ave. Baltimore Md. 21222
Copyright © 2002 Baltimore City Police History - Ret Det Kenny Driscoll
Published in
Knowledge
Sgt. Edward M. Sawyer
Tuesday, 23 March 2021 00:40
Sgt. Edward M. Sawyer
E. M. Sawyer Dies at Work
CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO
Dec 12, 1956
Had been officer 22 years Sgt. Edward M. Sawyer, a member the Baltimore Police Department for 22 years, died suddenly yesterday as he worked on the automobile of the police Commissioner in the garage near headquarters. He was 50 years old.
Sgt. Sawyer, who had been chauffeur for three commissioners, was polishing automobile used by Commissioner James M Hepbron when he collapsed. He was pronounced dead on arrival to mercy hospital.
A native of Baltimore, Sgt. Sawyer was appointed to the department in June, 1934. His first assignment was to the motorcycle traffic division. He was made the commissioners over during the ministration of Hamilton Atkinson. Later he served in the late Commissioner Beverly Ober and continued on the job under Mr. Hepbron.
He was made a Sgt. in March, 1948.
Baseball Career
Before joining the Police Department, Mr. Sawyer was a shortstop in professional baseball, playing in Frederick, Maryland. And Birmingham Alabama before going into police work.
Funeral services will be held Friday at the John Jay. Going and Sun establishment at Hollins and Poppleton streets. The hour for the service had not been set last night. Sgt. Sawyer is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary Sawyer; a son Edward F. Sawyer; a brother Morton; and three sisters, Mrs. Selma Mills, Mrs. Hilda Johnson and Mrs. Mildred Smith, all of Baltimore
Published in
Fallen Heroes
Internal Investigation Division
Friday, 19 March 2021 06:55
On 4 May 1966 Internal Affairs, Internal Investigations, Inspectional Services, call what you want, the newspapers were calling it a Watchdog Squad with Police watching police, or police, criminals. "The city’s new police complaint evaluation board issued regulations yesterday (19 Nov 1965) authorizing any member to call in the state police for a “supplemental” investigation of police misconduct charges after the city police department has completed its inquiry."
Published in
Fairness
Captain Charles H Burns
Monday, 08 March 2021 05:46
Captain Charles H Burns
Click HERE of the above Article to see full size Article
Click HERE of the above Article to see full size Article
Captain Charles H Burns
D.O.D 9 Match 1933
More details
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| End of Watch | 9 March 1933 |
| City, St. | City, St. |
| Panel Number | N/A |
| Cause of Death | LOD Illness |
| District Worked | Detective Department |
POLICE INFORMATION
Copies of: Your Baltimore Police Department Class Photo, Pictures of our Officers, Vehicles, Equipment, Newspaper Articles relating to our department and or officers, Old Departmental Newsletters, Lookouts, Wanted Posters, and or Brochures. Information on Deceased Officers and anything that may help Preserve the History and Proud Traditions of this agency. Please contact Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll.
Donations
Donations help with web hosting, stamps and materials and the cost of keeping the website online. Thank you so much for helping BCPH.
POLICE INFORMATION
Copies of: Your Baltimore Police Department Class Photo, Pictures of our Officers, Vehicles, Equipment, Newspaper Articles relating to our department and or officers, Old Departmental Newsletters, Lookouts, Wanted Posters, and or Brochures. Information on Deceased Officers and anything that may help Preserve the History and Proud Traditions of this agency. Please contact Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
NOTICE
How to Dispose of Old Police Items
Please contact Det. Ret. Kenny Driscoll if you have any pictures of you or your family members and wish them remembered here on this tribute site to Honor the fine men and women who have served with Honor and Distinction at the Baltimore Police Department.
Anyone with information, photographs, memorabilia, or other "Baltimore City Police" items can contact Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. follow us on Twitter @BaltoPoliceHist or like us on Facebook or mail pics to 8138 Dundalk Ave. Baltimore Md. 21222
Copyright © 2002 Baltimore City Police History - Ret Det Kenny Driscoll
Published in
Fallen Heroes
Serge Michael McSweeny
Wednesday, 24 February 2021 14:14
Serge Michael McSweeny
Serge Michael McSweeny
To see full size article click HERE or above article
Patrolman Irvin E Martz
D.O.D 5 Sept 1934
More details
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| End of Watch | 5 Sept 1934 |
| City, St. | 345 St Paul Pl |
| Panel Number | N/A |
| Cause of Death | illness |
| Weapon | N/A |
| District Worked | Western |
Donations
Donations help with web hosting, stamps and materials and the cost of keeping the website online. Thank you so much for helping BCPH.
POLICE INFORMATION
Copies of: Your Baltimore Police Department Class Photo, Pictures of our Officers, Vehicles, Equipment, Newspaper Articles relating to our department and or officers, Old Departmental Newsletters, Lookouts, Wanted Posters, and or Brochures. Information on Deceased Officers and anything that may help Preserve the History and Proud Traditions of this agency. Please contact Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
NOTICE
How to Dispose of Old Police Items
Please contact Det. Ret. Kenny Driscoll if you have any pictures of you or your family members and wish them remembered here on this tribute site to Honor the fine men and women who have served with Honor and Distinction at the Baltimore Police Department. Anyone with information, photographs, memorabilia, or other "Baltimore City Police" items can contact Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. follow us on Twitter @BaltoPoliceHist or like us on Facebook or mail pics to 8138 Dundalk Ave. Baltimore Md. 21222
Copyright © 2002 Baltimore City Police History - Ret Det Kenny Driscoll
Published in
Fallen Heroes
Patrolman Irvin E Martz
Tuesday, 23 February 2021 12:53
Patrolman Irvin E Martz
To see full size article click HERE or above article
"ACUTE INDIGESTION"
Leading to Death
IN RELATION TO CORONARY THROMBOSIS
Leading to Death
IN RELATION TO CORONARY THROMBOSIS
8 December 1928
T. HOMER COFFEN, M.D.; HOMER P. RUSH, M.D.
The term "acute indigestion" is an example of the indefinite and inaccurate medical nomenclature not infrequently appearing in the public print. Sudden collapse with acute abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting may occur with acute coronary obstruction, but the underlying pathologic condition may be masked by the severity and predominance of abdominal symptoms. Not infrequently precordial and ordinary anginal pain is entirely absent.
In such instances one is confronted with the possibility of acute surgical conditions in the abdomen. In recent years surgeons have called attention to "the acute abdomen" but have neglected to stress the possibility of acute obstruction of the coronary arteries causing abdominal symptoms which may be identical with intra-abdominal emergencies. Others have noted acute abdominal symptoms in relation to thoracic disease but have not referred to coronary thrombosis. On the other hand, writers on acute coronary obstruction have noted the difficulty often presented in deciding.
A buildup of plaque can narrow these arteries, decreasing blood flow to your heart. Eventually, the reduced blood flow may cause chest pain (coronary obstruction or angina), shortness of breath, or other coronary artery disease signs and symptoms. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack.
Basically, this could have been better described as a heart attack
Patrolman Irvin E Martz
D.O.D 2 August 1925
More details
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
|
End of Watch |
2 Aug 1925 |
|
City, St. |
345 St Paul Pl |
|
Panel Number |
N/A |
|
Cause of Death |
Heart Attack |
|
Weapon |
Illness |
|
District Worked |
Central |
Donations
Donations help with web hosting, stamps and materials and the cost of keeping the website online. Thank you so much for helping BCPH.
POLICE INFORMATION
Copies of: Your Baltimore Police Department Class Photo, Pictures of our Officers, Vehicles, Equipment, Newspaper Articles relating to our department and or officers, Old Departmental Newsletters, Lookouts, Wanted Posters, and or Brochures. Information on Deceased Officers and anything that may help Preserve the History and Proud Traditions of this agency. Please contact Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
NOTICE
How to Dispose of Old Police Items
Please contact Det. Ret. Kenny Driscoll if you have any pictures of you or your family members and wish them remembered here on this tribute site to Honor the fine men and women who have served with Honor and Distinction at the Baltimore Police Department. Anyone with information, photographs, memorabilia, or other "Baltimore City Police" items can contact Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. follow us on Twitter @BaltoPoliceHist or like us on Facebook or mail pics to 8138 Dundalk Ave. Baltimore Md. 21222
Copyright © 2002 Baltimore City Police History - Ret Det Kenny Driscoll
Published in
Fallen Heroes
