Back to top
Go to bottom

Police Officer Charles M. Hilbert

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 19:58
Police Officer Charles M. Hilbert

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 1950 we lost our Brother Police Officer Charles M. Hilbert. As on Friday, 4 August 1950, Officer Hilbert a recent appointee to the police force was killed in the line of duty when he was struck by an automobile as he was directing traffic at the corner of Potee Street and Patapsco Avenue. The striking vehicle was being operated by a drunk driver that was heading in the wrong direction/ignoring the officer’s instruction. The impact threw Officer Hilbert into the air and up against a street pole causing need for him to be transported to South Baltimore General Hospital where he was pronounced dead from his injuries. Officer Hilbert was a US Army veteran of WWII. He had served with the Baltimore Police Department for 2 months and was survived by his wife.

We his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department won’t let him be forgotten, RIP Officer Charles M. Hilbert - "Your service "Honored" the City of Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department"

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 4 August, 1950
City, St. Potee Street and Patapsco Avenue
Panel Number 39-E: 12
Cause of Death Auto Accident
District Worked Headquarters
Published in Fallen Heroes

Sgt. William F. Higgins

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 19:55
Sgt. William F. Higgins

Sgt. William F. Higgins

On this day in Baltimore Police History 8 July 1915 we lost our brother Sgt. William F. Higgins. Sgt Higgins was an assistant to the Superintended at Baltimore Police Headquarters when he died from a heart attack while working. Born on 18 July, 1856; appointed as a patrolman on 18 March, 1885. Sgt. Higgins worked in the Baltimore Police Identification Bureau alongside Sgt. John Casey.

In 1904 Sgt. William F. Higgins was a big part of bringing the Fingerprint system to Baltimore. While his partner Sgt John Casey went to Chicago to learn the new system, Sgt. Higgins stayed back to maintain the work the two had already done to prefect the Bertillon System and prepare for the inclusion of the new Fingerprint Identification System. Having made the Bertillon system a smoother process with a better workflow it was only right that they would have split in preparation for the transition of adding Fingerprinting to their process.

On 26 November 1904, their efforts paid off when Sgt. Casey, Chief of the local Bureau of Identification officially printed a Mr. John Randles, Mr. Randles was being held on a theft charge and had an extensive criminal record when on that day he officially became the first person in the United States to become printed under this new system.

The initial thought was to use both systems side-by-side, but time, cost and accuracy had us dropping all parts of the Bertillon System but the portrait and profile pictures. Before long other agencies followed suit also cutting all but mug shots from their Bertillon System. To this day, fingerprints and mug shots are still the norm for arrests and identifying suspects.

Sgt. William F. Higgins was a big part of Baltimore Police History we thank him for his service and sacrifice and promise his memory will live on. May he continue to Rest In Peace.

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 8 July 1915
City, St. Police Headquarters
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Heart Attack
District Worked Headquarters
 
Published in Fallen Heroes

Special Agent Samuel Hicks

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 19:50
Special Agent Samuel Hicks

FBI Seal

Special Agent Samuel Hicks

Former Baltimore Police Officer

scan0003 sm 

The Slain Agent: Samuel Hicks 'Was so Good at What he Did'

Special Agent Samuel Hicks' classmates at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va., used to follow his lead when training how to safely enter homes and serve warrants, trusting the Westmoreland County native's discipline, intelligence and experience as a Baltimore police narcotics officer.

"He was our ace in the hole in leading us," said his former roommate, Special Agent Klaus Franze.

On Wednesday, Agent Hicks was leading again, this time as the first officer to enter an Indiana Township home to serve an arrest warrant on a suspected drug dealer. A shot was fired from upstairs. Agent Hicks was killed.

Agent Franze, who works in Riverside, Calif., said he wasn't surprised his friend was in a dangerous role.

"Like at Quantico, if something is going on, you put your best foot forward with your anchor. Sam was the anchor," Agent Franze said.

Agent Franze was among the friends, family, and co-workers who yesterday reflected on the life and death of the 33-year-old who joined the FBI in March 2007. They sometimes smiled, sometimes cried in remembering a man who loved family, work, and life itself.

"It's a tragedy, it's awful, it's very painful," said his sister, Emily Hicks of Somerset. But she added there was some consolation in the fact that Agent Hicks, who dreamed of becoming an FBI agent, died in the line of duty.

"If this would have happened any other way, I don't know if we could go on," she said. "He had wanted to do this his whole life. Knowing that he went out of the world this way is a more comforting way than if he had been in a car accident.

"He loved, loved, loved his work."

With Agent Hicks' passing, she said, the priority of family, friends, and co-workers is to concentrate their support on Mr. Hicks' wife, Brooke, the couple's 2-year-old son, Noah, and Agent Hicks' mother, Charlotte Carrabotta, of Rockwood, Somerset County.

"The hardest part is Noah will never get to know his father," she said, breaking down momentarily. "He will live on through Noah. As you can see, he looks just like him," she said, pointing to a photograph of the smiling family.

Earlier yesterday, FBI Director Robert Mueller III and his wife met with Brooke Hicks and other family members. The Muellers offered their condolences and told them they were members of the FBI family, Emily Hicks said.

She said the family was more worried about the danger Agent Hicks faced when he worked for five years in Baltimore, most as a narcotics detective.

"This is just devastating and heartbreaking," said Mrs. Hicks' sister, Angela Hohman of Baltimore. "[The danger] is always in the back of the mind of any spouse who has a spouse out on the street as a cop or an agent, but you also [think] it's not going to happen to me, it's not going to be us.

"[My sister] knew there were risks, but she also knew this what he wanted to do more than anything. He was not the kind to sit behind a desk.

"He was so good at what he did. He really was a good police officer and a good FBI agent and he did that well and my sister knew that and that's why you take the pros with the cons."

Retired FBI Agent Ed Corrigan, who served as one of two counselors for Agents Hicks and Franze's class at Quantico, said he quickly saw the potential Agent Hicks had.

"There was no doubt in anybody's mind going through training that this guy was going to be an outstanding FBI agent," said Mr. Corrigan, now a civilian instructor at the academy.

"It reminds you they have a difficult job that is dangerous."

Like others who described Agent Hicks as quiet, humble and giving, Agent Franze was struggling yesterday with the loss, choking up at times.

"He was one of those friends you think you'll have the rest of your life but it was not meant to be," he said. "That's life, unfortunately. This is definitely a reality check.

"As tactically sound, intelligent, and superhuman as Sam was, his ticket got punched, it was time for him to go. That is a lesson to all of us. Life is short, take advantage of it, mean what you say, do what you say. All I can do is honor the man and I will."

Co-workers of Agent Hicks on the Pittsburgh Joint Terrorism Task Force marveled at how the agent, until recently the newest member of the team, immediately picked up on the work and excelled at it. And they were struck by how devoted he was to his family.

"I've never met anybody as extraordinary as him," said Allegheny County Detective Terri Lewis. "He joined a new organization and without any guidance began developing cases and shot past all of us."

FBI Agent Dan Yocca agreed: "He was bright, could think on his feet and absorbed everything. He grew much faster than most new agents grow."

FBI Agent Bob Johnson, the task force supervisor, noted that Agent Hicks was one of only 11 agents nationally to be picked for a training session in Amman, Jordan. Normally, an agent would need five years with the bureau to qualify.

But, more importantly, he said, Agent Hicks lived a life in balance.

"Sam was happy to come to work in the morning and was happy to go home at night," he said. "Tell me that's not a perfect life."

First Published November 21, 2008, 5:00 am

 Devider. black
Background

Samuel S. Hicks was a devoted father, loving husband, son, grandson, uncle, and friend to many. Tragically, on November 19, 2008, FBI Special Agent Hicks was killed while serving a warrant at a home in Indiana Township, Pennsylvania. He was just 33 years old. 

Sam touched many lives over the years and meant something different to every person who had the opportunity to interact with him. Sam's distinctive white T-shirt and jeans look, coupled with his infectious laugh and magnetic personality, were trademarks of Sam's day-to-day life. There was just something special about him. 

The Samuel S. Hicks Memorial Fund was established to carry on Sam's ideals, principles and legacy by continuing to serve the community in which he lived and worked. The fund provides opportunities to the youth of the Scottdale, Pennsylvania region through education and law enforcement scholarships as well as various youth and community programs. 

Samuel was an Eagle Scout in Westmoreland Fayette Boy Scouts of America Council, loved to snowboard and entered the national boardercross circuit while attending the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ), surfed, certified scuba diver, barrel raced his quarter horse named Dusty, soccer, guitar, artist, played ice hockey for UPJ, community service.

Samuel worked Tiny Tot Ski School as an instructor at 7 Springs, Safety Ranger of the Year and Ski Patroller of the Year while attending UPJ. He joined the PA National Guard at age 17 and a junior in high school, completed his basic training at Fort Jackson, SC, between his junior and senior year of high school, and AIT Training between his senior year of high school, as an ammunition specialist in Huntsville, Alabama. 


Start in Law Enforcement 

Sam started his career in law enforcement as a police officer in Ocean City, Maryland and worked there until 2002. He later moved to the Baltimore area to spend more time with his future wife, Brooke (Whaples) Hicks and became a member of the Baltimore City Police Department where he worked as an undercover narcotics detective. Sam was named the Knights of Columbus Officer of the Year in 2003. 


Joins the FBI 

Sam joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2007. He completed his Special Agent training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia in March of that year.

Sam was assigned to the FBI Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force at the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office which brought him back home to Western Pennsylvania. In August 2008, he was one of 11 agents chosen from across the country to attend a special training in Amman, Jordan. Sam was living the life he had always dreamed of -- he had a great family, a great circle of friends and a career that he loved. 

After nearly a year of dedicated service, Special Agent Samuel S. Hicks was shot and killed in the line of duty while executing a federal search warrant at a home in Indiana Township near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The arrest was part of a year-long investigation involving multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. His EOW, or End Of Watch, was November 19, 2008.

"With his experience as former law enforcement he was really the go-to guy if you had any questions," said Special Agent Brandon Yourczek, a classmate of Hicks at the FBI Training Academy, on the FBI website."Sam was the guy that you looked to see 'how should I act in this situation.'" 

On May 2, 2009, Special Agent Hicks' name was added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. 

Devider. black

United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Government

End of Watch: Wednesday, November 19, 2008


Special Agent Samuel Hicks was shot and killed while serving a narcotics search warrant at a home in Indiana Township, Pennsylvania. As Agent Hicks and other agents took the male subject into custody, the man's wife fired a shot blindly from the bedroom, fatally wounding Agent Hicks.

In January 2011 the female subject pled guilty to manslaughter and weapons charges and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Agent Hicks had served with the FBI for 18 months and had previously served with the Baltimore, Maryland, Police Department for two years.

He is survived by his wife and 2-year-old son.

Devider. black

Samuel S Hicks

Samuel S. Hicks
1974 - 2008

Special Agent Samuel S. Hicks was killed on November 19, 2008, while executing a federal arrest warrant associated with the takedown of a violent drug trafficking organization near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Upon entering the subject’s house to make the arrest, Special Agent Hicks was shot and killed; the subject was subsequently taken into custody. The planned arrest was the culmination of a year-long investigation involving multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Watch a video on Agent Hicks’ name being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and read the Director's remarks at a funeral service for Special Agent Hicks.

Devider. black

This is the UNOFFICIAL History Site of the Baltimore Police Department. It depicts the history of the department as was originally conceived of, and told by Retired Officer, William M. Hackley. Sadly Officer Hackley passed away on 15 March 2012 leaving his site to Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll. It took a month or so to take full responsibility for the site and its content. The thoughts and use of certain items, terms, sounds, and implications are not necessarily those that would be agreed upon by the Baltimore Police Department, as an official Governmental Agency. Likewise, we do not seek their permission or approval to post the things we post, and as such, nothing in these pages should be held against them.

The intent of this site is more than just to tell our history, to have everyone remember our Injured, and Fallen Heroes, those who in the performance of their duties were called upon to make the Ultimate Sacrifice.

So as you surf these pages, you will see the Baltimore Police Department from its infancy, showing the crude methods of policing in the 1700's, through to the 1800's and become the modern highly efficient department that it has become today.

Enjoy the site for what it is, a rendition of the proud history of one of this country’s finest Police Departments, one for which those of us who have worked it, are proud of, and honored to have served. The many men and women that still proudly serve, and those that someday will serve.

Devider. black

Any request for official police information should first be made directly to:

Baltimore Police Department
242 W. 29th St., Baltimore, MD.
Emergencies: 9-1-1  Non-emergencies: 410-396-2037
BALTIMORE POLICE Web Site: http://www.baltimorepolice.org 

Devider color with motto

Again please contact Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll if you have pictures of you, your family, or other members of the Baltimore Police Department and wish to see them remembered here on this tribute site. We are anxious to honor the fine men and women who have served this fine police department. Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Like us on Facebook, or contact us for a mailing address 

Copyright © 2002 Baltimore City Police History - Ret Det Kenny Driscoll

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 19 November 2009
City, St. Indiana Township, Pennsylvania
Panel Number 1
Cause of Death Gunfire
Weapon - Handgun
Published in Fallen Heroes

Patrolman George F. Heim

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 19:47
Patrolman George F. Heim

On Friday, January 16, 1970, Patrolman George F. Heim was killed in a tragic car accident in the 5600 block of O’Donnell Street. Officer Heim was directing traffic around a disabled truck on O’Donnell Street during a heavy snowstorm. A car, whose driver did not see him due to the heavy snow and salt deposits on the car’s windshield, struck him. The driver of the vehicle of the car that struck Officer Heim was officially charged. Officer Heim was 42 years old and had a wife and two children.

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 16 January, 1970
City, St. 5600 block of O’Donnell Street
Panel Number 64-E: 12
Cause of Death Auto Accident
District Worked Southeastern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Police Officer Milton Heckwolf

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 19:45
Police Officer Milton Heckwolf

Police Officer Milton Heckwolf


On this day 9 feb 1926 we lost our Brother police officer Milton Heckwolf to a line of duty Illness based on the following:

LETTERS to the EDITOR

The Sun (1837-1989); Jul 7, 1926; pg. 8

Limitations of the police pension fund explained by Commissioner Gaither

To the editor of the sun – Sir: my husband was an officer of the central police station from August 7, 1922 until February 9, 1926, this being the date of his death. A great many people think that I am well provided for by the Police Department of the city of Baltimore. But all that I’ve received is the paltry sum of $770 to rear and educate three children, the oldest one only 12 years old. Also I’ve had to work from the time my husband entered the police force until present time. I asked about his pension or an allowance for my children and received the cold reply that there is no provision for such in the state of Maryland, that my husband died a natural death.

This much I do know – that my husband contracted his illness while on duty helping the firemen while fighting a fire at the Ainslee apartment. The hose burst and he caught his death of cold by getting dripping wet and continued to patrol his post for the balance of the night.

From the severe cold developed the flu; double pneumonia and pleurisy followed. It was mighty heartbreaking to stand by and watch and administer to his every want in vain.

Now I am left a burden to the old folk, for most of this death benefit has been devoured by the funeral expenses and doctor bills.

I have been told that my husband was always on the job, had been cited for bravery and was well thought of at the central station. And that he had many friends on his post, but of all the friends he had there isn’t one of them that has been to see me since he has been buried to ask me how I am getting along or if there is anything they could do. Not that I want anything for myself! With the help of God, no: but something should be done for my children.

I also extended my sympathy to the wives of those officers that have been shot, and I am glad to know that they are being given more consideration than was given me, but it only proves that an officer must meet a tragic death in some way while on duty before the widow and children are provided for after the husband’s death.

I am sure there are more widows of police officers who will reason with me on this point.

Mrs. Milton Heckwolf

Police Commissioner Charles D Gaither says in reference to the above letter that there is nothing in the records of the Police Department to show that patrolman had Wolf died from any other than natural causes. This being the case, Mrs. Hickwolf does not receive a pension, because the law provides life pension only for the widows a policeman who were killed or died from injuries received in the performance of their public duty. The $770 which Mrs. Hickwolf received was provided by the police benefit Association, which raises its funds by appropriating weekly amounts from the salaries of its members in the department. A new insurance preposition was went into effect one July increases this amount the $1500 to be paid to the beneficiaries at time of death of those policeman who elect to become policyholders.

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 6, February 1926
City, St. City, St.
Panel Number 1
Cause of Death LOD Illness
District Worked Central
Published in Fallen Heroes

Policeman William H Healy

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 19:39
Policeman William H Healy

Policeman William H Healy

Death of Policeman Healy - Policeman William H Healy, who was injured after receiving some blows of the fist. It is alleged that arrestee Thomas Dillen at the time of his arrest on the 27th of October 1873, on Hampstead Street, (A street formerly located around Broadway Market area of what is now Southeastern District it was the Eastern District at the time of both Patrolman Healy and Baldwins deaths) The arrest of Thomas Dillen was for being drunk and disorderly. Patrolman Healy was sick at the time of his assault with Tuberculosis (at the time it was known as Consumption), so he was a little weak at the time of the attack and as a result he later died from his wounds.  His end of tour, date of death was 11 Nov 1873. He was the second Officer to have died as a result of an arrestee resisting arrest and fighting the police in that area. The first was Patrolman Thomas Marshal Baldwin. At this time we have no further information, other than the loss of a Brother to an assault brought on by a suspect's resisting arrest. 



Also see Baldwin also killed in 1873 around the same area, while resisting and officers arrest.

 

1 black devider 800 8 72

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.

deviders our fallen

NOTICE

How to Dispose of Old Police Items

If you come into possession of Police items from an Estate or Death of a Police Officer Family Member and do not know how to properly dispose of these items please contact: Retired Detective Ken Driscoll - Please dispose of POLICE Items: Badges, Guns, Uniforms, Documents, PROPERLY so they won’t be used Improperly.

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

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 11 Nov 1873
City, St. Hampstead Street
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Fight
Weapon - Hands
District Worked Eastern

 
 
 
 
Published in Fallen Heroes

Policeman James T. Harvey

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 17:45
Policeman James T. Harvey

12 January 1873 - Policeman JAMES T. HARVEY - The death to another policeman from smallpox James T. Harvey, another member of the Western district police force, died at his residence 415 Lexington St. at about 11 ½ o’clock on Sunday night 12 January 1873 from smallpox, contracted while in the discharge of his duty. He was in the 28th year of his age and leaves a wife, but no children. He was regarded as a faithful conservatory of the peace. The remains were buried yesterday January 13, 1873 afternoon in the Western Cemetery. (*2)


1 black devider 800 8 72

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 12 January 1873
City, St. 415 Lexington St.
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death LOD Illness
District Worked Western
 
 
 
 
 
 
Published in Fallen Heroes

Patrolman Charles Hart

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 17:42
Patrolman Charles Hart

 Patrolman Charles Hart

13 Oct 1947 – Patrolman CHARLES HART age 61 stood in the roll call room of the Northwest District the way he had for 24 years when all of a sudden he felt massive chest pains, he was rushed to Baltimore General Hospital where he was pronounced dead of a heart attack. Newspapers back then were so callous as to report the incident as “Patrolman Drops Dead Awaiting Roll Call” on top of this he was not giving the recognition of a fallen officer, his name is not on the wall.

Baltimore Police Department
242 W. 29th St., Baltimore, MD.
Emergencies: 9-1-1  Non-emergencies: 410-396-2037
BALTIMORE POLICE Web Site: http://www.baltimorepolice.org 

Devider color with motto

Again please contact Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll if you have pictures of you, your family, or other members of the Baltimore Police Department and wish to see them remembered here on this tribute site. We are anxious to honor the fine men and women who have served this fine police department. Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll can be reached at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Like us on Facebook, or contact us for a mailing address 

Copyright © 2002 Baltimore City Police History - Ret Det Kenny Driscoll

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 13 Oct 1947
City, St. Northwest District Stationhouse
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Heart Attack
District Worked Northwestern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/historydetective/public_html/portal/templates/jux_news/html/com_k2/templates/user.php on line 239
Page 14 of 50