Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs
29 Jan 1944
Thursday, September 18, 2014
11:46 PM
On this day in Baltimore Police History 29 January 1944 we lost our Bother Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs after a serious fall in which his neck was broken, based on the following:
Policeman Dies in Fall Down Theater Stairs
Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs, who had been a member of the Police Department for 25 years, after his appointment in 1919 - Died late yesterday afternoon (written Jan 30, 1944) when he tripped in the balcony of a motion picture theater located in the 1400 block of W. Lafayette Ave. as he was leaving the projection booth after talking to the theater manager when he fell, they said and fell down the stairs, breaking his neck. Police reported that Patrolman Waldsachs who was assigned to the Northwestern district, was making a routine inspection of the theater.
Patrolman Waldsachs, was 54 years old and lived at 2023 Wheeler Ave., was taken to West Baltimore General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Patrolman Waldsachs was– and was the beloved husband of Bessie Hughes Waldsachs.
Funeral for Martin Fahey and Sons, 1827 West North Ave., on Wednesday and 9:30 AM Requiem Mass at St. Gregory’s church at 10 AM Interment in Mount Mary Cemetery Towson
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.
During his career Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs was in the sun paper for the following stories:
12 Mar 1919 - page 8 - NEGROES BEAT PATROLMAN
21 July 1926 - page 26 - NEGRO STABS LIEUTENANT OF POLICE IN HEAD
30 Jan 1944 – page 14 - DIES IN FALL POLICEMAN DOWN THEATER STAIRS – and
1 Feb 1944 – Page 14 - DEATHS
Articles to follow
NEGROES BEAT PATROLMAN
Mar 12, 1919
The Sun (1837-1987); pg. 8
NEGROES BEAT PATROLMAN
JOSEPH WALDSACHS ATTACKED BY PRISONER AND THREE OTHERS.
Attacked by his Negro prisoner and three colored pedestrians. Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs of the Northwest district, was beaten into a semi-conscience condition with his own Espantoon early yesterday morning as he was walking a man to the patrol box for being disorderly in a lunchroom on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Patrolman Waldsachs was set into the restaurant in response to a telephone call. He arrested a Negro who seemed to be the louder of the disturbance.
While walking him to the box at Freemount Avenue and pressed man streets. The three Negroes jumped on Waldsachs and ordered him to release his hold on the prisoner. While three of the Negroes held the BLUECOAT. The fourth seized his nightstick and beat Waldsachs about the head.
Although weakened by the beating and the loss of blood. Waldsachs managed to reach the patrol box and summons the ambulance. He was taken to Maryland General Hospital, where eight cuts about his head were silent by Dr. Richards, resident physician. Waldsachs is now nursing his wounds at his home, 2117 Madison Avenue. He gave a good description of his assailants, and they were expected to be taken into custody within the next 24 hours.
NEGRO STABS LIEUTENANT OF POLICE IN HEAD
21 July 1926
The Sun (1837-1987); pg. 26
NEGRO STABS LIEUT. OF POLICE IN HEAD
MATTHEW QUINN RECEIVES FOUR SERIOUS WOUNDS AND STRUGGLE
ASSAILANT ARRESTED AFTER FIGHT IN ALLEY
EDWARD WISDOM CHASED WHEN COLORED WOMAN CALLS FOR HELP
Struggling in a three-foot alley with a Negro last night, Lieut. Matthew Quinn, of the Northwest district, was stabbed seriously four times in the head. Lieut. Quinn is that the Col. hospital physician say he will recover.
One police reserves reached the scene they found Lieut. Quinn’s white On the ground with the blade of the Negroes knife stuck in the top and a handle broken off
EDWARD WISDOM HELD
The Negro, Edward wisdom, 630 Joseph and street, is locked up at the Northwestern police station. He is charged with attacking Lieut. Quinn and attempting to kill him.
About 8 PM wisdom called at the home of may Brown Negress S 1940 Myrtle Ave., and demanded entrance. He is a friend of her husband. She refused to admit him. She called for police and ran to the home of Dr. James C. Carper, 1063 Myrtle Ave.
CHASED BY PATROLMAN
Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs chased wisdom, who hid in an alley. As Lieut. Quinn, who had joined in the Chase, entered the alley wisdom attacked him. Patrolman Henry Moore, Elmer Johnson and Joseph Broxton, all of the Northwestern district, sooner rides.
Wisdom was overpowered and placed under arrest. Capt. Charles Lastner of the Northwestern district, sent Lieut. Quinn to the hospital.
NINE SHOT BY INSANE NEGRO
Five policeman, a druggist, a Negro boy, a Negro girl and a Negro man were shot by an insane Negro June 28 within a mile of last night stabbing. Patrolman Webster E Schuman, of the Northwestern district, died the following day he had been shot in the mouth.
Thomas Dillon, telephone clerk at the Northwestern police station, died July 12, he had been shot in the chest, the shot lodging in the spinal column.
VANIE LEE SHOT TO DEATH
Vanie Lee, the Negro responsible for the deaths of the two men, was shot to death at Lafayette and Argyle Avenue while hundreds of spectators, many of them carrying pistols, sought to reach him. He had been armed with two pistols and a rifle.
Investigation disclosed that Lee had been an inmate of the insane Ward in Baltimore city hospitals. He had been discharged because his condition seemed improved and because the limited facilities at the institution.
DIES IN FALL POLICEMAN DOWN THEATER STAIRS
30 Jan 1944
The Sun (1837-1987); pg. 14
POLICEMAN DIES IN FALL DOWN THEATER STAIRS
Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs, who had been a member of the Police Department for 25 years, was killed late yesterday afternoon when he tripped in the balcony of a motion picture theater and fell down the stairs, breaking his neck.
Police reported that patrolman Waldsachs who was assigned to the Northwestern district, was making a routine inspection of the theater, located in the 1400 block of W. Lafayette Ave. He was leaving the projection booth after talking to the theater manager when he fell, they said.
The policeman, who was 54 years old and lived at 2023 Wheeler Ave., was taken to West Baltimore General Hospital where he was pronounced dead patrolman Waldsachs joined the Police Department in 1919
Waldsachs – Suddenly on January 29, 1944, Joseph C. Waldsachs of 2023 Wheeler Ave., beloved husband of Bessie Hughes Waldsachs.
Funeral for Martin Fahey and Sons, 1827 West North Ave., on Wednesday and 9:30 AM Requiem Mass at St. Gregory’s church at 10 AM Interment in Mount Mary Cemetery Towson
DEATHS
1 Feb 1944
Sun Paper - pg. 14
WALDSACHS– suddenly on January 29 – 1944, Joseph C. Of 2023 Wheeler Ave., beloved husband of Bessie Hughes Waldsachs.
Funeral for Martin Fahey and sons, 1827 West North Ave., on Wednesday at 6:30 AM Requiem mass at St. Gregory’s church at 10 AM interment in Mount Mary Cemetery Towson
Once again, 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.
(*11)
More details
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| End of Watch | 29 January, 1944 |
| City, St. | 1400 block West Lafayette Ave. |
| Panel Number | N/A |
| Cause of Death | Fall |
| District Worked | Northwestern |
