(816 words). Zangara said he was happy with the verdict and sentencing. His name will appear many times in these MPD stories. When Schmid berated Caswell, he was struck in the head with a night stick and slightly injured. LOL)( 278 words), 189. July 19th -The new 79th Street Causeway opened for traffic. State law enforcement officers arrested four persons in connection with the shooting of Curtis Ellis, a moonshine informant. The author proudly looks back on his assignment to the Task Force, both as an officer and later a supervisor, as one of his finest of many tours of duty in various department assignments. Gray served three one-year terms before moving back to becoming a farmer in the town of Union, Spaulding County, in west-central Georgia. (This chapter describes details of organizing the M.P.D. August 30th -MPD Officer Earl Hudson, an amateur boxer, was knocked out in the2nd round at a boxing match in Atlanta, Georgia. McCreary, a hotel manager, had no police or fire experience. 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. In 1917, the department numbered 20 officers and a new chief, Raymond F. Dillon, 34, was elected and served from November 1917 to August of 1921. (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.). The motorcycle policeman had instructions to arrest anyone who exceeded the new 12 mph speed limit. McLendon, Officers G.S. Miami Herald, 4/25/1929). The radio system was initially installed on November 15th, 1933 according to the MPD Annual Report. He explained that this store location is the central office for all the company stores in South Florida. The shooter, Willie Garrett, a known black militant, opened fire as Lane exited the rear door shooting the rookie in the back, knocking him to the ground, then fired three more times as Lane was laying on the ground. (This chapter tells the scary story of a homeowner shooting at an officer. Smith, Charles H., Appointed December of 1905. On May 24, 1928, Chief Quigg was dismissed by City Manager Snow, for Neglect of Duty and for the good of the services. R. L Wood was acquitted of the murder of Victor Parnell. He was traced easily and arrested in Jacksonville. It was noted earlier in Chief Whitman's term, that Gordon R. McDade was a Lieutenant on the force. Detective Haworth was transported to a local hospital where she passed away during surgery. Parker joined with another huge MPD officer handling traffic in the downtown area, Frank Leavitt. The effort was spurred by Ron Eisaman and Tom Jurkowski, who recruited Paul Tucker, Dick Witt, myself and several other members. An informant advised John Heywood, a MPD detective, that a 19 year old street tough from Coconut Grove tried selling him the gun. (This chapter tells the story of the departments in-fighting.) A series of bombs targeted Jewish businesses and homes in Miami in 1961. Miami News, (4/28/1949). A news story reported that the team was practicing for an upcoming match against other departments and Army groups. Jan 4, 1932 - Chief Reeve ordered Captains Bryan, Nelson and Mathis to have their lieutenants and men arrest gamblers. Ellsworth observed two persons bound hand and foot on the floor and observed two gunmen looting the coin store. Appointed as a special officer in 1905, Grant, J.W. I explained my plight and she directed me to their bedroom and provided me with a pair of her husband's uniform britches.' In 1949, women became sworn members of the department with Officers Dorothy Asti Gramling and Lillian Gheer being the first two women trained in the police academy. 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. It was his boss, City Manager Howard Gary. Within seconds he became aware of a very dangerous situation. We never received another complaint from Chief Denham about our traffic enforcement efforts. 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. His limo halted in front of the band shell. The investigation of the crime continued on for months and years, under the direction of Sheriff Frolock and his deputy A.P. 7/9/1938. The detectives moved in and the shooting started. MPD advised that Ingram was a four-time loser with a criminal record. Hardee, Rufus James - 1876-1969, Appointed 1905 - 1911, Hardee, Frank B. (MPD records). 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. Dick was the author's partner in the Patrol, Task Force and later in Robbery. Garbett, taking their weapons, after a car chase in the northwest section. (Big Nick (MPD) was surprised to find his sister was involved in this homicide. (MPD Records, Dr. Wilbanks' "Forgotten Heroes", 1996). Long before DNA tests and video surveillance, Gonzalez cracked cases the. Griffing, Arthur, On-the-job in November 1907. The offender later recovered and was executed in 1941. He later served in the detective unit and during WW2 was on loan to the FBI. (This chapter describes the changes resulting from the new form of municipal government as well as some background on the new appointed Chief of Police, H.Leslie Quigg.) The policeman looked at him for a moment and then got into the police car and drove away. 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. document.getElementById('cloakf8c7179f01f0232d36019b24ca80cace').innerHTML = ''; Miami initiated an active advertising effort in the 1950's and 60-'s in attempt to entice 'snowbirds' to winter in the Miami area. Jim Maloney was a heavy weight boxer who won 49 of his fights, 21 by a knockout in bouts with the biggest and the best boxers in America during the late 20's and early 30's. This was one of Chief Whitman's then-progressive steps to improve the department. Appointed special officer in 1905. Tom woke me about ten o'clock after all the nightshift cases were completed. Brigman had joined the MPD in August of 1941, later taking military leave from 1942 to 1946 to serve in the U.S. Navy. (Anne) McCormack, of Licking, Missouri and a brother, John McCormack of Miami. In the meantime, he called the newspaper and told them to send him a reporter and camera man. His gun began to smoke. 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. 8/5/1931 - Guy Reeve regains the Chiefs job in court, replacing Hardy Bryan, who has served since July 13, 1931, while Reeve was in Court attempting to regain his position. (Story about ducking knives thrown at MPD guys by a crazed person in Liberty City.). Roberts to Motor Sergeant. Huttoe had backed Abe Aronowitz run for office while Chief Quigg backed another. His reply was a classic (and true); (A funny story that is told in this chapter.). Smith, 27. 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. At 3:15 AM early Monday morning, April 19th, 1926, Miami police headquarters was notified by phone by an area resident that several men had been seen prowling around houses in the rear of the Saunders store. Chief Hardee also made a request to the City Council for funds to buy a Patrol Wagon. 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). The citizen did in fact commit suicide that evening. (Mel) Tibbets to Inspector, Capt Fred Bratt to Traffic command, Lt. John Webber to Capt of Uniform section and Detective Capt E.W. (This chapter describes one method the police department kept the streets clear of drunks and vagrants.) At the next two council meetings, Mayor Sewell and Chief Hardee recommended the following permanent police officers to be hired. Reappointed in 1911. Most of his assignments during his tenure on the department were in the Traffic Section. (658 words). Criminal Investigations Division 9105 NW 25th St. Doral, FL 33172 Phone: 305-471-2350 Fax: 305-471-2376 Email: cidinfo@mdpd.com Chief: Arnold Palmer Entities under direct supervision of the Criminal Investigations Division: Crime Scene Investigative Support Section Forensic Services Bureau Homicide Bureau Property and Evidence Section In September, Officer Alex Gingras, 55, a police officer for eight years, retired on pay, $75 a month for life, for disability due to an on-the-job injury. Knight, a brilliant, hard working officer, had a reputation of a stormy figure in the department, with occasional judgment problems. We had a dilemma. It has been told that JP Ralph Ferguson, (and later a Circuit Court Judge) would often be located at a card game in the PBA hall and driven to the crime scene to conduct the police car inquest. He ran for Dade County Sheriff in 1944 and won by a landslide. The offender was taken to Jackson Hospital in critical condition. After the offender tossed the officer through the glass window he was shot twice by Englishs partner, Officer Cicero Anderson. Tucker, J.C. was on-the-job in November 1907. He was fired of course, but did not go to jail. Officer Steve Collins had developed a real good C.I. A subject was arrested when his fingerprints matched a wanted person from another state. During the hijacking, a gunfight erupted between arriving police units and the criminals, wounding the pilot, mechanic and one passenger. Willford advised that between twenty-five and forty thousand dollars in cash is usually kept in the store over the weekend. It had crossed the lawn and crashed into the patio in back of 700 S. Alhambra. During mid-1925, Miami city administrators brought in police experts from New Orleans to assist in overhauling the organizational structure of the Miami Police. At about 4:15AM, December 19, 1967, he requested a dog car without giving his exact location. Harris ran to the street where Lane was sprawled and radioed for medical assistance and back-up. The lead went nowhere. McCann, a Georgia native and a three year veteran of the MPD, having joined in October of 1925, died shortly after midnight in Jackson Memorial Hospital. The victim was shot by Wood while in the process of running him out of town. (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. Cross, spoiled Zangaras aim as she threw herself in front of him clutching his arm. The local newspapers labeled the thefts the "Bra Conspiracy", as several female employees of Southern Bell was caught stuffing their bras full of coins at the end of each shift. The suspect was booked for Armed Robbery. Clarence L. Holton, B-1908, a MPD officer from 1938 thru 1949, was suspended by Chief Headley in 1949, from the guard force at the 20th street stockade for fighting with another guard. (Miami Metropolis/News-10/6/1905, & -11/18/1905). He was motivated by six recent deaths caused by drunk drivers, including one of his own police officers, Officer Samuel Hicks. (Miami Herald & Miami News-1/11/1927. Separating, Driggers walked to 7th Ave while Whitlock searched along 6th Avenue. "Chief Leslie Quigg and I were talking one day at his house in Shenandoah and he related this story to me. J.P. led me into this bar, where I thought he was going to check out the establishment's license or something. He was hit with two shotgun pellets, causing minor wounds. "If there is no other fellow, call a cab, and if you find yourself financially embarrassed, and still conscious enough to be safety-minded, call the police headquarters and we will see that you will be taken home in safety - only don't do it too often. Miami detectives did not know the suspects name but were advised what compartment he was riding in. 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. His parting words were, It just was not worth it. (Miami News-1/24/1940). Detectives David Denmark and Johnathan Grossman dig for clues, reinvestigating decades-old cases. Forty-five year old Officer Augustus McCann was killed when his police car crashed and overturned while chasing a speeding truck on September 28, 1928 at SW 27th Avenue and 14th Street. Women still had not gained the right to vote at that time. Sullivan, who joined the MPD in 1934, served ten years downtown as a traffic officer at SE 1Avenue and 1 Street. Twenty-five of those years were in the homicide. As I'm looking through a dirty window the building caretaker is in the inside looking out through the same window. 1st Place and 13th Street in Miami. Flury, V., April 1906 as an unpaid officer at the Docks. McCreary claimed in a 1935 newspaper interview that he had been head of the Miami Ku Klux Klan from 1924 to 1930. Gray received 112 votes in his reelection bid, with barely only 115 voters participating out of the 451 voters registered. Collins, despite the pleas of court appointed attorneys, including Lewis Twyman, President of the Dade County Bar Association, James M. McCaskill and the Italian speaking Albert Raia, that their client was mentally unstable, sentenced Zangara to eighty years total. An on-duty guard relieved him of his weapon and told Holton to go home. Hepburn shoved the gun into Clay's stomach and fired, but the weapon failed to fire. Rookie Miami officer, Steve Plumacher, was taken out of the police academy and placed into the City Water department as an employee, working along side the suspect, Donald Branch. Zangara was returned to the court, pled guilty, and sentenced to die in Floridas electric chair. Chief Curry furloughed three police officers to reduce expenses. They also propose that during the winter season that the officers be assigned to seven day weeks but will be able to add the extra days later in the year on their vacation period. Each has his story. When Sophie gathered the three of us, all of us working in street detail, the "John" explained that he had something new that he wanted us to do. Chief Guy Reeve took over a soiled department following the arrest of Chief Quigg and others back in 1928. One day a woman was walking next to the Dupont Building, known for its swirling winds. Suddenly, a muffled detonation was heard from the direction of 9th Street and 7th Avenue. (Miami News- 1/6/1923). Note: Manning (the burglar) , after recovering, was bonded out by his wealthy out-of- town family, and stayed at a Beach hotel while attending his trial. Zangara was immediately whisked away by police to the 17th floor of the Dade County Courthouse on Flagler St. The list is quite long so I am fearful of missing some, but will note that Paul Zabriske, winner of the Silver Star for heroism, is typical of our young double heroes. directing traffic downtown was struck and killed at Flagler Street and Bayshore Drive on February 16, 1926 by an auto driver by J.L. Three officers were assigned to the downtown business area, three others stationed in the colored area, and two were desk sergeants and one a motor officer. 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. He passed away many years ago. Throughout its history, MPD has devoted a significant portion of their resources to handling the problems associated with alcohol. On April 28, 1945, Chief Quigg announced that Marine Guy Cecil Howard was the first Miami PD officer casualty of WW II. As the detectives battered on the door, White leaped from his bed, which was ablaze from the lighted cigarette he had dropped as he went to sleep. On July 6, 1954, a six year old girl visiting her grandparents from Baltimore was abducted from her South Bayshore Drive home and killed. The team won many trophies in matches with other departments and Army teams. The stunned Driggers got to his feet and joined his comrades. The investigating officer was homicide Detective A. N. Clark and the Police Chief at this time was John B. Rowland. One of the movements connected to the push for alcohol prohibition was the establishment of the Law Enforcement Movement of Dade County. A few arrests of the attendees for various minor violations were made according to Lt. Jimmy Knight, but. Patrolmen Milledge would later become the first Black patrolmen to die in the line of duty on November 1, 1946. Kid, have it your way. Downtown Miami Officer Crown located the offender and arrested him. In an Emergency or to report suspicious activity 911 | To report a crime or non-emergency 602-262-6151 | Silent Witness 480-WITNESS . The lead investigation was Detective Erv Whitman of the Homicide Unit, assisted by his partner, Det Charles Sapp, under the supervision of Lt. Chester Eldredge and the Detective Chief. I was parked at a Royal Castle across the street from the court house and finishing an Accident Report when I felt a tap on my shoulder. The Chief sent Captain E.W. Upon Gillette's arrival at the home, Fairbrother threatened the on-duty officer with a knife and Gillette fired twice to stop the attack. This citizens group announced a set of rewards to assist in curbing illegal alcohol establishments in the area. William Driggers and Bob Johns. In June of 1969, a DC-4 aircraft, belonging to Dominica Air Lines, with an engine afire, crashed onto busy NW 36 St . Rufus James Hardee, the brother of Chief Frank Hardee, was first appointed in 1905. Times change. The author was present during his questioning by our top Homicide Unit investigator, Mike Gonzalez, now the lead officer. A new era began, led by the uniformed Task Force, a group of mostly young uniform officers, who were allowed to enforce all laws in all areas.

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