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Officer Kevon M. Gavin Sr.

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 17:11
Officer Kevon M. Gavin Sr.

Officer Kevon M. Gavin Sr.

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On the night of 21 April 2000, Officer Kevon M. Gavin Sr. answered the call to assist an undercover unit that was pursuing a wanted felon who had just opened fire on a crowd of citizens on a corner, then sped off. Undercover units were doing narcotics surveillance when Eric Stennett drove up in his Ford Bronco and unleashed a hail of bullets on the citizens at that location. Mr. Stennet’s primary motivation was to take over a drug corner that he believed to be his. The undercover officers began to pursue the Ford Bronco as Mr. Stennet sped off. Officer Kevon Gavin Sr. parked his car on the street to safeguard citizens that were in the path of the ongoing pursuit. Officer Gavin left plenty of room for the speeding Bronco to drive around. Mr. Stennet steered his large truck directly into the front end of Officer Gavin’s patrol car, coming to rest on top of Officer Gavin’s car. Officer Gavin was transported to the Shock Trauma Unit at the University of Maryland Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. Officer Gavin was married with three children, ages 1, 5, and 8.

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The time was approximately 8:00 pm, a tan 1985 Ford Bronco with limo tint pulled up in front of an abandoned row home in the 2000 block of Wilkens Ave. near Carroll Park in Baltimore’s Southwest District. Seated on some steps nearby were two men, they were talking smack, and drinking beer, their backs resting on the boarded-up door front. The driver of the Bronco, a scrawny little 17-year-old black male, trying to make a name for himself got out took a few steps toward the curb. Wrapping a bandana around his shooting hand, drew a heavy, chrome-plated handgun and opened fire on the corner.

His intended targets ran for cover as the gun made reports loud enough to alert a nearby team of plain close police; the muzzle flash and smoke barely evaporating from the air as the ground was being littered with his empty brass (shell casings). It’s easy to shoot at the unarmed, the weak, unprepared, or unsuspecting, but when four trained, armed and ready Baltimore Police Officers, all members of a crime-suppression team out on detail that night, who just happened to have been nearby in an unmarked car, followed the sound of the gunfire arriving on scene in time to see the shooter; they quickly pulled in behind his Bronco, as he fired his last few rounds of ammunition while making his way back to the driver side of his Bronco.

The officers had already whipped in behind that truck. But as they bailed out of their car to arrest the gunman, the Bronco pulled off. Within parts of a second, police had already radioed every car in the area a description of that 1985, Tan Ford Bronco, and its heavily armed driver. Squad cars began converging on the area known to officers of the Southwest as Sector 2. Within minutes of the first radio transmission a procession of cruisers follow the Bronco in the direction of Officer Kevon Gavin, little did anyone know this wouldn’t be last time we would have a procession or police headed in the direction of, or behind young Officer Kevon Gavin, but in this first procession and along in its wake, the Bronco tore through red light after red light, narrowly missing passing cars as he barreled across grass medians on Martin Luther King Boulevard and veered westbound onto Lombard Street.

Officers say they glanced at their speedometers only briefly seeing speeds of 80, 90, 100 and some say as much as 105 miles per hour. Yet they still heard officers calling out on their radios, “He's pulling away from us like we're standing still" Seconds later, two senior officers - a sergeant and a lieutenant - rolled into position on a cross street a few blocks away, timing their next move to the location reports pouring in over their radio. When the Bronco was a block away, Sgt. David Wimmer gunned his patrol car left onto Lombard to take up a position in front of the approaching truck. No sooner had Sgt. Wimmer made his turn, then the Bronco shot past, still building speed. In a split second, it pulled away at 100 miles an hour ... to 105 on city streets, everyone is running on pure adrenaline. They are thinking faster, seeing fast and acting faster… you have to, or you’ll lose total control, the police are drawing on experience, streets they have patrolled for years, turns they have made 100’s if not 1000’s of times before, they know where pot holes are, bumps in the road that could throw their car from side to side or even airborne, and while this is never safe, it isn’t as dangerous for a trained police officer as it is for a 16/17-year-old kid, which became terrible obvious in the next few blocks, and was witnessed and seen coming by Lieutenant Mary Eilerman who was seated next to Sergeant Wimmer and described the events that will follow as suddenly getting a sick feeling in her stomach. Two blocks ahead, she saw a disaster in the making. At that moment, Officer Kevon Gavin, 27 – and a six-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department, Husband and father of three small children - was pulling his 1995 Chevy Caprice cruiser into the intersection at Gilmor Street as if to block the road from the Ford in hopes of ending the chase, while protecting the people in the neighborhood.

"He came around that corner in what seemed to be an almost slow motion," Eilerman would later testify, then turned left onto Lombard, directly into the path of the truck. In his car trailing the Bronco, Sgt. Wimmer had time to see the emergency lights swirling on the roof of Gavin's car up ahead. He heard Gavin's siren and thought he saw the Bronco sideswipe a parked car as it raced toward Gilmor Street. Then, in the blink of an eye, the Bronco rocketed into the left-front side of Gavin's patrol car and burst into flames, as it forced the police cruiser along Lombard in a vortex of shattered glass, sheered chrome, twisting steel, there was a strong scent of burning rubber more than 100 feet before it all came to rest. The ball of smoke and metal, with the burning Bronco piled up on the hood of Gavin's cruiser and the officer trapped in the wreckage will be forever in the minds of not only those that were there, those that saw it, felt it, and smelled the smoke, rubber, blood and tears, But those that knew everyone involved, or experienced similar accidents where the loss of a brother or sister officer was the final outcome. Here we had a Sergeant, a Lieutenant in Wimmer and Eilerman along with a dozen or more officers rushed to their injured brother. Trapped inside the squad car, they found Officer Kevon Malik Gavin pinned under the dashboard - unconscious, bloody and barely breathing. The officers threw their shoulders into the demolished Bronco in a hopeless attempt to lift it off their friend.

Suddenly someone yelled, "Signal 13! Signal 13! Officer down!" into their radio, as Officers reached inside the demolished patrol car, desperately ripping at Gavin's clothing and bulletproof vest, trying to administer first aid, CPR and other first responder needs, including someone having to kick in a rear window and Officer Frank Jarrell squirming inside - clawing his way over the cruiser's torn upholstery before realizing that the situation was hopeless. Lieutenant Eilerman would eventually testify that "It was the most desperate, frustrating situation, I have ever witnessed" The street would eventually become clogged with patrol cars, lights whirling, sirens screaming and more police in the area than was actually needed, but knowing the public and how quickly things could get out of hand, so in situations like this we bring in every available unit. Lieutenant Eilerman went from officer to officer, grabbing them by the shoulders, asking them to make sure they move their cruisers and clear the way for incoming fire emergency units and equipment. Within minutes, paramedics and firefighters were climbing all over the wreckage, clamping air on the injured officer’s face and maneuvering heavy rescue gear into place to make it safe for the jaws of life to come in and tear the roof off that patrol car. It would take an hour to safely extract Officer Gavin from his car, and then another 20 hours of our brother fighting for his life, before the actions of a selfish little boy would take the life of that officer. As all this was going on, and police and medics were working feverously to save the life of Officer Gavin, there were other officers approaching the Bronco, inside of which they found a box of ammunition, a Smith & Wesson 10 mm semiautomatic pistol, a blue baseball cap bearing the logo of the Indianapolis Pacers basketball team and that scrawny little 17-year-old punk named Eric D. Stennett. Stennett’s a record of drug arrests, and gun violence would trace back to his 13th birthday, a record that when printed out would reach further that Stennett could toward the ceiling. There was no one else was in the Bronco, no chance of mistaken identity, and not a shadow of doubt that it was him, and him only that night seen shooting his pistol into a crowd, driving recklessly throughout the city reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, and causing the loss of life, in that of Baltimore Police Officer Kevon Malik Gavin, yet when it came time for a Baltimore Jury punish someone for killing one of their own… they dropped the ball… But like Robert F. Kennedy said, “Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on." Look at Baltimore now… this doesn’t happen in our neighborhoods because we demand better, we demand more… when someone breaks into house of our neighbors we stop them, have then arrested or chase them off… because when we don’t, we end up with this kind of crime in our neighborhood. A jury was blinded by Dwight Pettit...

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Thousands mourn loss of police officer
Kevon Gavin recalled as a man devoted to family, friends, city
April 28, 2000|By Peter Hermann

Yesterday's tearful funeral was not enough to understand how Kevon Malik Gavin policed the dangerous streets of Baltimore. It was at the viewings this week that the residents Gavin so often helped completed his profile.

A man Gavin had twice rescued after falling from his wheelchair. A drug addict he counseled into treatment. A woman Gavin visited three days after her house was vandalized, just to check on her. 

They were among more than 1,000 mourners who came to Loudon Park Funeral Home Tuesday and Wednesday to pay tribute to the 27-year-old officer. He was killed last week when a teen-ager fleeing police crashed into his cruiser in West Baltimore.

"He chose to live a life of honor," said his cousin, Shaun Gavin, during yesterday's two-hour service in a small chapel of the funeral home on Wilkens Avenue in Southwest Baltimore.

Mayor Martin O'Malley said he talked to dozens of residents Gavin had helped during his six-year career. The mother of the man who kicked his drug habit, the mayor said, "smiled like only a mom can smile and told me, `My son has been returned to me. Officer Gavin talked to him.'"

The city's chief executive told mourners that Gavin knew "justice is more important than any fear he may have felt" on the street. "He was called to protect his fellow citizens, and he served with dignity and with honor and with distinction."

Gavin was eulogized at a service attended by more than 3,000 colleagues from virtually every jurisdiction in Maryland and from cities across the region.

The chapel had seats for only 250 people -- most had to stand outside and listen on speakers as a cold drizzle turned to a steady rain by noon.

A procession of more than 600 police cars wound its way around the Baltimore Beltway to Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Timonium, where Gavin's wife, Lisa, was presented with the flag that had been draped across the casket, along with her husband's cap and badge.

He was remembered as a loving and devoted family man who grew up in a tough neighborhood in Brooklyn, N.Y., and escaped the scourge of drugs that claimed many of his friends. He joined the Navy and moved to Baltimore six years ago when the city department offered him a job.

Gavin left the city force to take a better-paid police job in Prince George's County, but he returned to Baltimore after three months because he felt he could make more of a difference in the city.

He died trying to stop a 17-year-old who police say was wearing body armor when he opened fire on a Southwest Baltimore street corner with a 10 mm handgun, wounding a man in the leg, and fleeing in a Ford Bronco.

Police said the Bronco was going 95 mph when it slammed into Gavin's cruiser -- which he was using to block West Lombard Street -- on April 20. He died a day later, on Good Friday. The teen-age driver has been charged with first-degree murder.

Relatives and friends preferred to remember the good times they had with Gavin, who had a son, Kevon Gavin Jr., 15 months, and two stepchildren, Shawn, 5, and Amber, 8.

They told of how the former military man disciplined his children by making them stand at attention or do push-ups. His partner, Norris Wells, said they were so close they shared a locker. His cousin, Shaun Gavin, said the officer was never happy unless he was eating, and that "he always managed to show up at your door just in time for dinner."

The circumstances of Gavin's death could not be ignored. "How could someone so young so suddenly be taken from us without hesitation and concern," Shaun Gavin said. He added that his cousin "would be the first to forgive."

That was not so easy for O'Malley. "When I was 17, I was just glad to have the keys to the car," he told reporters before the funeral. "I didn't put on a bulletproof vest when I went out for the night."

Inside the chapel, O'Malley told mourners that "we cannot accept what has happened."

Those thoughts were echoed by acting police Commissioner Edward T. Norris, a former New York officer who once worked with Gavin's uncle, Dennis Gavin, who remains with the New York Police Department and attended yesterday's services.

"I still can't make any sense of this," Norris said. "Trying to make sense of madness is never going to happen."

Norris said Gavin was one of the first officers he met when he was named Baltimore's police leader last month.

Thursday night at Maryland Shock Trauma Center, as Gavin stayed alive only with the help of life support, Norris said he turned to O'Malley and shook his head in disbelief: "Why do we always lose the good ones?"

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City's court woes grow
After two big setbacks for prosecutors, trial in mass killing put off
`A kick in the gut'
Previous losses show that jurors distrust police, Jessamy says
January 25, 2001|By Caitlin Francke | Caitlin Francke,SUN STAFF

Having just lost two highly publicized murder cases in the past week, Baltimore prosecutors risk losing another after a judge ordered a long delay yesterday in the trial of suspects in one of the city's worst mass killings.

The case against four men charged in the killing of five women in Northeast Baltimore in December 1999 will be postponed eight months, which could result in its dismissal, the judge said. He acted after prosecutors failed to promptly disclose evidence to defense attorneys.

State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy said during a news conference yesterday that she will take steps to bring the case to trial sooner.

She called the conference to address issues raised by the two recent acquittals of men charged in the killing Officer Kevon M. Gavin and dental student Christian W. Ludwig. She said those cases highlight deep community mistrust of police and a problem of unsophisticated juries.

Jessamy said prosecutors presented "overwhelming" evidence for convictions in both cases, which ended in acquittals. Gavin died after a shooting suspect, Eric D. Stennett, crashed into him while fleeing police at a high speed.

Ludwig was stabbed as he tried to retrieve a purse stolen from his friend. The suspect, David Terry, was acquitted of all charges but one Tuesday. Yesterday, prosecutors dropped the final charge after jurors voted 11 to one to acquit.

Because most of the witnesses in the cases were police officers, the verdicts highlighted a serious distrust of law enforcement, she said.

The verdicts showed "a palpable bias against police officers in the community," Jessamy said. "It reveals to us a belief that police lie, manufacture evidence and are not to be trusted.

"We need to look at the biases that exist and how we can better recognize those so that we can assure that our community which needs justice gets justice," she added.

She said she wants to lengthen jury selection so that prosecutors have more time to ask in-depth questions to determine whether jurors have prejudice, and bring in consultants to train prosecutors how to detect problem jurors. She has also offered to help teach police officers how to build strong cases for juries.

In addition, she wants to educate jurors about the justice system.

"It is crucial, crucial that our community be educated and trained and that people who are called to participate in the jury process understand the role that they are being asked to play," Jessamy said. "These verdicts were a kick in the gut, but we see it as an opportunity to make our system better."

Jurors and police officers, however, may have nothing to do with the fate of the case against four men accused in the Northeast Baltimore mass slaying.

Judge David B. Mitchell, chief of the city's criminal docket, postponed the case for eight months - until Sept. 4 - after it came to light that prosecutors had not disclosed witness statements to defense attorneys in the case.

Mitchell refused to grant what is known as "good cause" for the postponement - essentially his stamp of approval - because he felt that prosecutors could have avoided the delay by disclosing the evidence earlier.

That means the case could be at risk for dismissal on grounds that it violates the defendants' rights for a speedy trial when it comes up again in September. By that point, the defendants will have been waiting nearly two years for a trial. Long trial delays can be excused if a judge approves them, but a large portion of the delay in this case will not have been.

"Unfortunately, the ultimate sanction [may be] dismissal of this case," Mitchell said at the hearing yesterday. "This is ridiculous. This is not a possession-of-marijuana case ... so why didn't we take an ounce of precaution to prevent this horrible result?"

The men on trial are Robert Bryant, Travon McCoy, Tariq A. Malik and Ismail Malik Wilson. Police said the killings were meant to send a message to the women's relatives who were involved in a drug dispute.

The statements at issue were given to police months ago and suggest men other than the defendants as the killers of the women in the Elmley Avenue rowhouse. The judge scheduled to hear the trial ruled yesterday morning that the prosecutors' last minute disclosure of the statements did not amount to prosecutorial misconduct.

But he referred the case to Mitchell, who oversees all postponement requests, so that defense attorneys could have more time to investigate the information raised.

At the postponement hearing, Mitchell said the trial judge thought the statements were "marginally exculpatory" but should have been turned over to the defense.

When Assistant State's Attorney Lawrence Doan suggested to Mitchell that the trial be scheduled for next week to give the defense some time to investigate, the judge criticized him.

"You are not getting it at all," Mitchell said. "You can't expect this to roll over from one day to the next."

 deviders our fallen

We his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department will not let him be forgotten – RIP Officer Kevon Malik Gavin and God Bless - For your service "Honored" the City of Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department"

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch April 21, 2000
City, St. Baltimore City, Maryland, P.D.
Panel Number 14-W: 22
Cause of Death Vehicular Homicide
Weapon - Vehicle
District Worked Southwestern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Patrolman Franklin Fullum

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 17:10
Patrolman Franklin Fullum

22 Novemebr 1872 - Patrolman Franklin Fullum of the Southern force, died some weeks since on Friday night 22 Nov 1872. Based on the following – Sun Article dated Nov 26, 1872 - Death of a policeman – Patrolman Francis Fullum, for a long time connected with the police department of South Baltimore, died on Friday night 22 Nov 1872, at his residence number 42 South Oregon St., of smallpox. Deceased was regarded as a very efficient officer. During his term of service he was instrumental in the rescue of a large number of persons from drowning at the docks skirting federal Hill. Some two or three months ago duty brought him in the contact with a man delirious from the smallpox, and notwithstanding the fact that the man was covered with evidence of this dreadful malady. Fullum grappled with him and succeeded in placing him in a place of safety. Fullum did not take the disease at that time, but continued in the service until Tuesday last 19 Nov 1872 when he was confined with the smallpox, which resulted in his death. His remains were interred one Saturday. (*1)

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NameDescription
End of Watch 22 Novemeber, 1872
City, St. City, St.
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death LOD Illness
District Worked Southern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Patrolman Charles W. Frizzell

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 17:07
Patrolman Charles W. Frizzell

Patrolman Charles W. Frizzell

5 May, 1939 - On this day in Baltimore Police History 1939, we lost our brotherPatrolman Charles W. Frizzell due to injuries from a line of duty assault:


Patrolman Frizzell Succumbs In Hospital

The Sun (1837-1989); May 6, 1939; pg. 17

Patrolman Frizzell – Succumbs In Hospital – Was Operated On Several Days Ago – Injured a year ago When Attacked By Prisoner

Patrolman Charles W. Frizzell, of the Eastern District, died last night [Friday – 5 May 1939] at University Hospital. His condition had been serious after an operation. Several days ago, and emergency calls for blood donors had been issued several times within the last two days.

Patrolman Frizzell was assaulted about a year ago as he was taking a prisoner to as police call box. His fellow-officers said the injuries that led to his death appeared at that time.

Eastern District police said, however they have not definitely connected the assault with Patrolman Frizzell’s Death. An investigation will begin today.

Patrolman Frizzell was 41. He was appointed to the force and assigned to the Eastern district in October, 1932. He had been commended at least once and was injured several times in the line of duty.

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 

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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 5 May 1939
City, St. 4940 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Surgery
District Worked Eastern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Honorary Policeman Simon Fried

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 17:03
Honorary Policeman Simon Fried

Honorary Policeman Simon Fried

On 24 Aug 1946 Simon Fried, 38, a tailor from the 100 block Aisquith street, was shot and seriously wounded by the assailant that resisted arrest of and assaulted.

Patrolman Edwin J. Humphries reported that he had attempted to arrest a young man that had been following two women threatening them with a brick, as Officer Humphries went to arrest him, he pulled a gun, and buffaloed the officer knocking him to the ground, while on the ground the young man turned the gun and aimed it at the Officer’s head. The officer had drawn his weapon while he was falling to the ground but the assailant immediately kicked at it, knocking it from the grasp of the officer, and into the middle of the street. Now unarmed, and unable to fend himself, the officer was suffering the early stages of a concussion, weak and far from being a threat to anyone at this point. Still, the young man turned his pistol and pointed it at the officer's head, cocking the hammer back, ready to take a life.

At this time a 38 year old tailor by the name of Simon Fried, who lived in the 100 block Aisquith street, ran toward the suspect and the officer. Unable to just stand by and witness an execution of the officer, he picked up the gun that had been kicked from the officers hand, pointed it at the young man and yelled, "Drop That Gun," The suspect quickly turned his gun on Mr Fried as he fired three shots, the Tailor returned fire but not being someone that was familiar with guns laid down what amounted to nothing more than suppression fire. Don't get me wrong, this suppression fire was was not a bad thing, it missed the suspect, but in the process, it did two, or three things, missing may have prevented Mr Fried from having to deal with shooting a man, but more importantly were th next two things, first it chased the shooter away, and most important it stopped him from shooting his gun directly into the head on the near unconscious officer, saving the officer's life.

So while these actions saved the life of Patrolman Edwin J. Humphries, other than a minor head injury Patrolman Humphries would be OK.  Mr. Fried however would not be so lucky, in the exchange, he took a round i his spine, a spine that would make him  a hero and a paraplegic all within the speed of a bullet. Never to walk again. While Mr. Fried never applied to become a police officer, and was never sworn in, he knew what it meant to lay down his life, for another, he was made an Honorary Policeman by many of the Unions, and organizations of the day.  He was presented a Bronze Star, and several other Commendations from area law enforcement agencies for his bravery.

The assailant was later caught, and sentenced to 22 years for assault with intent to murder.

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TAILOR SHOT GOING TO AID OF POLICEMAN

Patrolman Disarmed and Felled at Aisquith and Lexington
23 Aug 1946

While attempting to aid a policeman who had been knocked to the ground, and disarmed late last night [22 aug 1946] Simon Fried, 38, a tailor of the 100 block Aisquith street, was shot and seriously wounded by the assailant. Patrolman Edwin J. Humphries reported that he had attempted to arrest a Negro for following two Negro women and threatening them with a brick at Lexington and Aisquith Streets.

When he tried to search the prisoner, the patrolman said, the man pulled a revolver, struck the policeman on the head, knocking him to the ground. As he fell, the policeman attempted to pull his service revolver from his holster but the assailant immediately knocked it from his grasp and to the middle of the street.

"Drop That Gun," Mr. Fried orders, as the man stood pointing his revolver at the policeman's head. Fried, who had been sitting on his front steps, ran up and snatched the patrolman’s gun from the ground.

Pointing it at the armed assailant, witnesses were quoted as having heard him say; "Drop that gun. Don't bother that policeman."

Instead of dropping it, the man turned the gun toward Fried and fired three shots... one of which struck the young tailor in his right side.

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As he fell, Fried fired a shot, and then two more from the street where he lay. The man fled down Aisquith Street and escaped. Fried's Condition was marked as "Serious". Taken to the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Fried underwent an emergency operation early that morning - [23 Aug 1946].

His condition was described as "serious." Patrolman Humphries was treated at the Johns Hopkins Hospital for contusions of the head received, he said, when his assailant struck him with the butt of his revolver. "The last thing I remember was reaching for my gun and the man hitting me on the head. Then I must have been stunned for a moment," he said.

When the man attempted to Shoot Fried. his first shot apparently misfired according to the patrolman, who said that he heard the gun click once before the shot. He said that he was notified by the Northeastern Police Station that the two women had telephoned complaining that the husband of one of I he women, had been following them for several blocks and threatening them with the brick.

When he arrived at the corner, Patrolman Humphries said, the omen pointed out the man who was standing in a store doorway, The search for the man. following the shooting, was extended over Northeast Baltimore under the direction of Lieut. John B. Kenealy. Meanwhile six members of the Fifth Ward Democratic Club, of which Fried is vice president: appeared at the hospital and were standing by early this morning to offer their blood for transfusions They were Nathan Silverman, of the 2500 block Quantico avenue: Joseph Davidson, of the 2200 block 1 Park Hill avenue: Sidney Feldman, of the· first block West Oliver street; Earl Stelmae, of the 1200 block East Lexington street; Samuel Heilpern, of the 100 block Aisquith street. and Sam Fried, of the 1700 block Delaware avenue.

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The Tailor Died from Complication that Aroused from the Injuries he Received that day 20 years ago.
14 February 1966

Today in Baltimore Police History we lost an honorary police officer, Good Samaritan and genuine police hero based on the following: While under attack out drawn on and buffaloed by a young black male, Officer Edwin J Humphries had attempted to draw his weapon to defend himself, but the blow to the head by the young man pistol was more than he could handle, and it was he could do to keep from passing out, still the young black male began to point his gun at the officers head when Mr. Fired, ran to where the officer had dropped his gun, picked it up and yelled to the suspect to leave the officer alone. Hearing Mr. Fried’s voice the suspect quickly turned and fired 3 shots in his direction, one striking him in his spinal cord paralyzing his left leg/foot and causing severe pain in that leg. Mr. Fried fired three rounds in return, missing with all three, but still chasing the suspect off, thereby saving the officer, and himself from further injury. Other than a head injury Patrolman Humphries was ok, Mr. Fried would never walk again. While Mr. Fried never applied to become a police officer, and was never sworn in, he knew what it meant to lay down his life, for another, he was made an Honorary Officer many of the Unions, and originations of the day, and was awarded Bronze Stars, and several other Commendations for his bravery.  

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Policeman’s helper dies – Simon Fried succumbs as a result of here with him in 1946 Simon Fried, and unassuming closing cutter who saved a policeman’s life, died last night at Sinai hospital, paying for his heroism with his life.

Mr. Fried, who was 58, was shot in 1946 while defending a Baltimore city policeman. A single bullet lodged near his spine causing paralysis of his left foot and leaving it vulnerable to infection.

Despite the pain of his injury Mr. Fried continued working at the more robust Inc. at 501 East Preston St. During the blizzard cold and wetness caused frostbite in his vulnerable foot and gangrene set in.

Infection spread

Medical authorities said the infection spread, affecting his kidneys. Uremic poisoning developed and, as a result his heart failed at 7:30 PM last night.

Mr. Fried or deal of pain began on the rainy night of August 22, 1946 when returning home from the fifth Democratic club. He stopped at the corner of Asquith in Lexington Street to watch a disbursement between policeman Edwin J Humphreys and a young man. Suddenly the man pulled a pistol and struck the patrolman. The patrolman’s pistol fell into the street and the assailant held his own gun at the semiconscious officer’s head. Picked up the policeman’s gun

Mr. Freeman ran over and picked up the policeman’s gun and said “leave that policeman alone.” The assailant world. Fired three shots at Mr. Fried hitting him once and fled as the falling Man returned three shots that missed. The policeman was uninjured and the assailant was later caught and sentenced to 22 years for assault with intent to murder.

Mr. Fried said later “I would do it again I thought the man was going to kill the policeman”.

Metals and citations for his heroism Mr. Fried received a bronze medal from the Carnegie commission, a Maryland medal of honor and other citations, honorary membership into several police associations, funds and columns of newsprint.

He also received operations and much of the medical treatment. But the pain continued. He suffered frostbite while going to work during the blizzard. Working, he said helped distract him from the pain.

Mr. Fried lived alone in his apartment at 6930 Brookmill road.

Two daughters and five grandchildren

His survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Natalie Schreiner of Baltimore, and Miss Sonia Perry of Chillicothe Ohio, and five grandchildren.

Also surviving are three brothers, Samuel, Jack and Goodman Fried. All Baltimore and two sisters, Mrs. Bertha Turk and Mrs. Dora Abrams, both the Baltimore funeral arrangements are incomplete

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 14 February 1966
City, St. 1700 block Delaware avenue.
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Gunfire
Weapon - Handgun
Published in Fallen Heroes

Patrolman Charles L Frank

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 16:59
Patrolman Charles L Frank

On this day in Baltimore police history 1924 we lost our Brother Patrolman Charles L Frank of the southern district to gunfire based on the following:

From Baltimore Sun Paper Reports
Dated 21 June 1924

Patrolman Shot Aiding Woman, Dies

Victim Accuses Harry C Jones of Inflicting Fatal Wound

Wife to Give Statement


Husband Held without Bail for Hearing on Murder Charge

Patrolman Charles L Frank Southern district, shot early yesterday (20 June 1924) when he entered the dwelling at night 1619 Marshall St. to arrest Harry C Jones died of his injuries at 9 o’clock last night.

In a disposition at the South Baltimore General Hospital five hours before he died he accused Jones of firing the fatal shot

He entered the Jones home he declared at the invitation of Mrs. Jones, who would become involved in a car with her husband.


Wife Gives Statement

A written statement of the circumstances surrounding the shooting was obtained from Mrs. Jones by representative of the office of Herbert O’Connor states attorney.

The tragedy closely perils the fatal shooting of patrolman Frank laughed him February 29 last by Leon Schmidt in the latter’s home at 511 South Collington Ave. Schmidt was serving a sentence of life imprisonment for the crime.


Tales of Deposition

Magistrate Joseph O’Donnell, Southern District, who took the dying patrolman’s deposition, said it is substantially as follows:

Patrolman Frank said he walked past the Jones home at 1 AM here Jones is what quarreling believing that nothing serious was amiss, he did not stop. An hour later he again approached the house. The quarrel had become violent. He entered the yard. Ms. Jones appeared at the rear door and asked him to come inside.


Shot in the Stomach

He entered hoping to be able to pacify the man and his wife. As he stepped across the threshold Jones reach for a pistol which is covered by hat on the table. He fired twice. The first bullet missed its mark. The second entered Frank stomach.

Frank staggered outside and fired his pistol several times to summons assistance. He then swooped and remember nothing more until he regained consciousness in the hospital 15 hours later.

Patrolman author McCloskey reported that he heard the shots and hastened to the scene. He summoned the police ambulance at Frank taken to the hospital. He then entered the house and arrested Jones.


Jones is Held

In operation was performed on Frank and throughout the day physicians said he had an even chance for life. He regained consciousness at 5 PM and made the deposition. From that time he remain conscious until 8 PM the stepfather John T Kennedy and patrolman Albert C Mont were at his bedside when he died.

Arraigned in the southern police court in the afternoon, Jones had committed to jail without bail for hearing July 20 on a charge of suiting the patrolman. The date was fixed because it was believed Frank would have recovered sufficiently to testify at that time.


In Service Six Months

His death means that inquest will be held within a few days by Dr. Otto Reinhardt southern districts coroner and the charge against Jones will be changed to shooting and causing the death of patrolman.

Frank was 33 years old he had been a member the Police Department only six months. During the war he served in the Army but was not sent overseas. He lived at 53 South Carrollton Ave. with his mother Mrs. Annie Kennedy his stepfather and a brother George Frank

Baltimore Sun 22 June 1924

Headline

Tells of Quarrel Prior To Shooting

Harry C Jones Says Trouble with Wife over another Woman

Mate Repudiates Story

Denies account of brawl proceeding killing a patrolman called to aid her. Harry C Jones held as the slayer of Patrolman Charles L Frank told police yesterday that he quarreled with his wife over another woman before she summoned the policeman.

According to Jones a story, which was told to Capt. John E Cooney. Southern district, he called Thursday night at the home of a woman whom he knew immediately before his marriage to his present wife four years ago. Mrs. Jones call for him and waited outside the house, standing on the pavement for about a half hour. Jones said. When he finally joined his wife, a quarrel started which grew into violence, it culminated, according to Jones a story, in her summoning patrolman Frank. The Jones home is at 1619
Marshall St.


Wife Repudiates Jones’ Story

According to the deposition of Frank, taken just before he died Friday night, he entered the Jones home at the invitation of Mrs. Jones and was shot by Jones who used the pistol which had been hidden under a hat on the table 2 shots were fired, according to the deposition, the first going wild in the second striking the patrolman. Mrs. Jones yesterday repudiates her husband’s story of the origin of the quarrel. Into he said, she contended that the other woman. Advanced by Jones is an unfounded attempt of his, to prove that she was prompted by jealousy when she called police assistance. According to her story, Joan stop the house to get a bunch of keys, one of which fitted his bar room. She waited outside until he came out. She said. The quarrel which followed was over another matter, she declared

Name of Woman Guarded

Beside Capt. Cooney the southern district police Roland K Adams deputy states attorney and Herman M Mosier assistant state attorney are investigating the case. Neither attorney would divulge the name or address of “the other woman” mentioned by Jones. Capt. Cooney said he did not know the name or address.

Dr. Otto M Reinhardt: coroner of the southern district will hold an inquest into the death of patrolman Frank at 8:30 PM tomorrow

Baltimore Sun report 24 June 1924

Headline

Jones Found Guilty by Coroner’s Jury

Man Accused of Shooting Patrolman Held for Grand Jury

Harry C Jones fired the shot that killed patrolman Charles L Frank a coroner’s jury decided last night and it inquest at the southern police station. Patrolman Frank was shot Friday night when Mrs. Mary Jones called him to and 1619 Marshall St. to arrest her husband. Jones declined to discuss the shooting when questioned by Dr. Otto Reinhardt, coroner. He was held without bail for the grand jury. Mrs. Jones testified that she and her husband had quarreled a over possession of a key to his place of business, one light Street. Patrolman Frank were Jones to stop the noise and what he failed to comply the patrolman stepped into the house to arrest him she said. As he walked across the room, Jones declared, “You are not going to take me,” and fired at the patrolman. Mrs. Franks declared. Patrolman author McCloskey and click men Ehrlich testified they arrested Jones near the home

From Baltimore Sun reports in July 13, 1924

Headline

Case of Harry C Jones Is Set For Tomorrow

Man Accused of Killing Patrolman C. L. Frank to Be Tried By Court

The case of Harry C Jones held on the charge of murdering patrolman Charles L Frank of the southern district is assigned for trial tomorrow in the criminal court. On June 20 the patrolman was shot and killed. Jones was indicted June 24 the same day he pled not guilty. J Abner sailor attorney for the defendant waived the jury trial and the case was assigned for hearing before Chief Judge James girder, whose weeks turns as presiding judge for all the courts during the summer recess begins tomorrow. Rolling Kay Adams deputy state attorney and Herman Moser assistant state’s attorney will be in charge of prosecution. Patrolman Frank was shot as he entered the dwelling at 1619 Marshall St. to arrest Jones. It is dying deposition the patrolman said he entered the dwelling at the request of Mrs. Jones who would become involved in a quarrel with her husband and a Jones shot him. He will not be forgotten by us, his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department. God Bless him, and may he rest in peace

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 20 June, 1924
City, St. 1619 Marshall St.
Panel Number 24-E: 14
Cause of Death Gunfire
Weapon - Handgun
District Worked Southern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Officer James E. Fowler III

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 16:56
Officer James E. Fowler III

Officer James E. Fowler III

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO


A 33-year Baltimore police veteran was killed Monday evening in a single-vehicle accident in Pennsylvania while traveling to a training program, police said. Officer James E. Fowler III, of Catonsville, was driving through Lewiston Lewistown, Pa. at about 5:25 p.m. when his 2002 Chevrolet truck hit a berm on U.S. 22/322 west and came to rest along a concrete barrier on the left side of the roadway. Fowler joined the Baltimore Police Department in 1976 after he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy. The bulk of his career was spent in the patrol division and traffic investigations, Guglielmi said. According to a 1993 Sun Article, he was dispatched to respond to a citizen's call of a frantic woman screaming and helped deliver a baby in the back of a police wagon. Fowler had received medical training in the Navy and served as a volunteer medic with a Carroll County fire department. 

Devider

Baltimore police officer dies in Pa. crash on way to training - Weather may have played a role in the death of the 33-year police veteran

September 28, 2010|By Justin Fenton, The Baltimore Sun

A 33-year Baltimore police veteran who was nearing retirment was killed Monday evening in a single-vehicle accident in Pennsylvania while traveling to a training program, police said.

Officer James E. Fowler III, 61, of Catonsville, was driving through Lewistown, Pa. at about 5:25 p.m. when his 2002 Cheverlet truck hit a berm on U.S. 22 and came to rest along a concrete barrier on the left side of the roadway.

Inclement weather played a factor in the crash, police said, but a cause of death has not been determined.

Fowler joined the Baltimore Police Department in 1976 after he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, and the bulk of his career was spent in the patrol division and traffic investigations, according to police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.

"Officer James Fowler served the people of Baltimore as a police officer for nearly 34 years with honor and distinction, including earning a bronze star commendation," Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said in a statement. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this painful and difficult time and I join the citizens of Baltimore to express my heartfelt appreciation for his decades of proud public service."

Sgt. George Hauf, Fowler's supervisor in the accident investigation unit, said Fowler was a hard-working officer whose upbeat personality rubbed off on others. He volunteered for extra shifts and helped with menial tasks like making sure the station house was stocked with coffee and soft drinks.

"Probably his best quality at these [crash] scenes was that he was very good with the families," Hauf said. "Jim had a way with families. He could put them at ease."

Hauf said Fowler, who enjoyed hunting and fishing, was planning to retire in January. On Monday, he was driving to Penn State University to participate in accident investigation training workshops.

Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III called the crash a "horrible irony," given Fowler's expertise at investigating crash scenes.

"The guy's got over 30 years of service to the city of Baltimore and died trying to go get skills to help make himself an even better cop," said Bealefeld, who recalled driving with Fowler through the streets of Northwest Baltimore as a trainee.

Guglielmi said Fowler won department commendations including a Bronze Star for catching gun suspects, and a citation for handling traffic during special events in 2000.

According to a 1993 Sun article, he was dispatched to respond to a citizen's call of a frantic woman screaming and helped deliver a baby in the back of a police wagon. Fowler had received medical training in the Navy and served as a volunteer medic with a Carroll County fire department.

"I had the baby's head in my hands," Fowler told the Sun at the time. "When the baby came out, it wasn't breathing, so I placed her on her side and let the material drain to clear her airway. … She started to breathe on her own."

Fowler wrapped the newborn in the mother's coat, laid her on her mother's stomach, and waited for an ambulance that took mother and daughter to Sinai Hospital.

"It was kind of amazing," Fowler said. "I've seen a lot of things as a police officer, but this really gave me a great feeling."

Fowler was a graduate of Catonsville High School and Catonsville Community College, Guglielmi said.

He is survived by his wife and two children.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 27 September, 2010
City, St. Accident in Pennsylvania
Panel Number 16-E: 27
Cause of Death Auto Accident
District Worked Traffic Division
Published in Fallen Heroes

Police Matron Teresa Foll

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 16:53
Police Matron Teresa Foll

Police Matron Teresa Foll

On this day in Baltimore Police History 19 March 1918, Police Matron Teresa Foll, dies in her chair in her office while working.  Miss Teresa Foll served two years at Southern District Station House, Officers and employees of the Southern Police Station were shocked that evening by the sudden death of Ms. Foll. - Ms. Foll had been the substitute Matron there for more than two years.

The Sun Paper reports; Patrolman Harvey Romner (Roemner) was passing her office on the second floor of the station house at about 5:30 o'clock PM when he noticed her sitting kind of limp like in her chair. Thinking she had either fallen asleep or may have been ill he stepped into her office and in a playful tone told her to wake up. Receiving no response, he touched her on the side of her face, with no response he realized she was dead.

Coroner Reinhardt was summoned and pronounced death due to heart disease. She was survived by her daughter a Miss Regina Foll.

On this day we'll take a moment to remember her service to the city of Baltimore and our Police Department, as we pray she rest in peace.

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, March, 1918
City, St. Ostend Street and Patapsco Street
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Heart Attack
District Worked Southern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Officer Charles W. Fisher

Tuesday, 21 January 2020 16:51
Officer Charles W. Fisher

Officer Charles W. Fisher

On this day in Baltimore Police History 6 January 1884 we lost our brother Police Officer Charles W. Fisher - Officer Fisher drowned to death when he fell into the freezing water from a pier at the end of South Street at approximately 0130 hours. Officer Fisher was making his rounds when it is believed he was either chasing a suspect, or investigating suspicious activity and fell from the pier and through the ice of the basin. A harbor officer nearby heard his scream and the sound of ice breaking, at which time he immediately started searching the area with the assistance of a private watchman. The two were unable to find anything and alerted another officer who was walking by. A short time later, the searchers located Officer Fisher's hat and Espantoon next to a hole in the ice. Additional officers were called to the scene and started dredging the water for Officer Fisher's body which was recovered a short time later.

Officer Fisher was a Confederate Army veteran of the Civil War. He had served with the Baltimore Police Department for just under 10 years and was assigned to the Eastern District. He was survived by his wife and five children.

As his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police department we will not let him be forgotten, on this day we’ll take time to remember him and thank him for his service and sacrifice.

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 6 January 1884
City, St. City, St.
Panel Number 1
Cause of Death Drowning
District Worked Eastern
Published in Fallen Heroes

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