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222-3333

Saturday, 02 November 2019 01:53
222-3333

phone booth 222 3333

222-3333
Emergency Number

20 May 1987

Emergency Number - Call Police at 222-3333

The City Police Department's communication bureau will start an expanded operation at 8 A.M. tomorrow. Citizens in distress are urged to call the police on the new EMERGENCY NUMBER: 222-3333 Police officials, anxious to put the new nerve center in operation, predict that persons calling for police assistance will get "quick telephone response and prompt service."

Two of the major criticisms made by the International Association of Chiefs of Police last year was that the public had difficulty contacting the department on its overloaded telephone circuits and officers were slow in arriving at trouble areas.

phone booth 222 3333 a

150 More Radio Cars

To correct both problems the department has increased from five to ten the number of emergency telephone lines to communications, and added about 150 radio cars to its patrol fleet. In addition, patrol cars will be dispatched on four frequencies instead of the present two. Along with the increased number of dispatch frequencies and the additional emergency telephone lines the communications bureau has added more than a dozen men to operate the modernized system. The over-all change was precipitated by a general increase in calls for service, the added mobility of the department and a new and more accurate reporting and-records-keeping system which is gradually being phased into the department, district by district.

More Arrests Forecast

An official in the Planning and Research Division said that surveys have revealed that by culling the response time- how long it takes the police to get to the scene of reported crime the department will increase its arrest percentage. The cost of the new communications center was greatly reduced by the use of the department's maintenance crew which has worked on a crash schedule for the past four months to have it completed by tomorrow's deadline. The entire radio system was designed and installed by departmental personnel assigned to the communications bureau. The multi-position console was fashioned and constructed by the maintenance crew, which also ripped out partitions of four rooms and a hall to create one large room in which to locate the new facility. One official estimated that the department may have saved close to $200,000 by drawing on the talents of its members.

222 33335 20 MAY 1967 72

DIAL 222-3333
Officers man the new Communication Bureau at Central District Police Headquarters.
The emergency number under the new system, 222-3333, and went into use on 20 May 1967.

1 green devider 800 8 72

Emergency Number
Timeline

1921 - 4 March 1921 - Marine Unit Radios Installed - Commissioner Gaither announces telephone-radio communication from his Marine Unit. He announced he would be using Navy surplus telephone-radios. The radios would be installed in Deputy Marshal George G. Henry’s office, as well as both police boats the Lannan and the Carter. These were set up as one-way radio’s in which the Marshal could pass information on the two police boats. The boats could then go to one of eight police call boxes strategically placed on shore. It would be nearly two years later in June of 1923 that they would have the system converted over to a Two-way radio system. In this instance, they used the most current military surplus radio equipment, set first in the Robert D. Carter, and most of the Fire Department’s Fire boats with more boats to follow. Note: On 4 March 1933 - Radio Communication was established for the first radio communications system between Patrol Vehicles and a Central Dispatcher went into service using the same surplus telephone-radios Commissioner Gaither picked up for the Marine unit nearly 10 years earlier all of this first suggested to the Board of Estimates in September of 1931. 

1933 - 4 March 1933 - The First Radio Communications system between Patrol Vehicles and Headquarters took place while testing between the Northern District [Keswick & 34th] from Central Dispatch, Broadcasting from Police Headquarters. Everything went on the air for the first time at noon on 4 March 1933 - Station WPFH  (Police Broadcasting Station - Spent the morning making the tests using the 19 vehicles that had been equipped with receivers. An Acronym was made for WPFH - Wonderful Protection For Homes- Note Commissioner Gaither first suggested this system to the Board of Estimates in September of 1931

1967 - 21 May 1967 at 8 am, Baltimore Police started a new emergency police number, it started in the Central District where those with an emergency were instructed to dial 222-3333 This number would remain in use until 1 March 1985 when the Baltimore Police officially began its use of the 911 emergency call system. Switching from SA 7-1200 to contact police in the event of an emergency to dialing 222-3333, this new number would last from this date in 1967 until 1 March 1985 when our 911 system was implemented  

1971 - 27 July 1971 - the Community Relations and Youth Divisions were combined into a new division known as the Community Services Division. The creation of this division and the resulting centralization of Administrative functions provides an effective channel of communication between the Police Officer and the community he serves. The major thrust of our expanded Community Services function is aimed at our young people. It is the Division's job to keep clear the channel of communication between officers and the community. The accomplishment of this mission is aided by the division's two Summer Camp operations located at Camp Perkins and Camp Ritchie. Also, our Officer Friendly Program geared for its first full year of operation. 

1972 - 30 August 1972  - To convert the department's mobile communications system to more versatile portable transceivers and to incorporate 450 MHZ channels. The portable transceivers greatly increase police service to the citizenry by reducing response time for emergency calls, by providing a uniform communications system for command personnel to direct personnel in emergency situations, and by promoting a more efficient and safer foot patrol coverage. The incorporation of 450MHZ channels created an even more efficient communications ay1tem by allowing more practical frequency allocations. 

1975 - 19 September 1975, the department in cooperation with the State's Attorney's Office and various taxicab companies became part of the "Civilian Radio Taxi Patrol" in an effort to increase police service to the citizens of Baltimore. If, while on duty, a cab driver, whose vehicle is identified by a "Civilian Radio Taxi Patrol" shield on the right and left rear-quarter panels, obaerve1 anything demanding immediate police attention, he notifies his dispatcher, who in turn calls the Communication Division via a special Hotline. This program is another example of the department's efforts to involve the citizens of Baltimore in a united fight against crime. 

1982 - 11 January 1982 - The department began it's Telephone Reporting system telephone reporting unit, police will not argue with citizens who specifically request police service. According to Dennis Hill, the Police Emergency Number, 222·3333, will remain the same. If a person calls this number and requests a patrol car, one will be sent within an average of six minutes.

1985 - 1 March 1985 - Baltimore City Police officially begins it's 911 emergency call number, a program that was in the works since the first call came in at 11:36 am from someone that had locked their keys their car. Prior to 911 emergency calls went into 222-3333 and non-emergency calls went into 396-1111 

1996 - 2 Oct 1996 - Baltimore becomes the first Police Department in the country to use the Non-Emergency 311 system. We had only started using 911 11 years earlier on 1 March 1985.

deviders ever on thr watch shadow

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 - Rolland Fullen

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

Published in Law Enforcement

Officer Carl Peterson, Jr

Friday, 01 November 2019 13:26
Officer Carl Peterson, Jr

 

Officer Carl Peterson, Jr.

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 12 June 1971, we lost our brother Police Officer Carl Peterson, Jr. to Gunfire based on the following. On 12 June 1971 about 2155 hours, in front of Pine Street Station, Officer Bruce Green, operating 128 car, received information from Gwendolyn Jeanette Carter, 17 years, that a man was holding her mother, Mrs. Katherine White and her daughter Leisa Carter, age 2 ½, at gunpoint, at 250 Pearl Street. The officer proceeded south on Pine Street to Lexington Street and East on Lexington to Pearl Street. At this point, he was approached by Alvin Lee Gill who reported that an officer had been shot on the corner at Lexington and Pearl Street. Officer Green observed Officer Carl Peterson lying on the sidewalk at that location. He observed that the officer’s revolver was missing and the officer was bleeding from the left side of the face. Municipal Ambulance #1 responded to the scene and removed Officer Peterson to University Hospital. Officer Peterson was treated for a gunshot wound to the head and died as a result of this wound at 2345 hours on June 12, 1971. Pronounced dead by Dr. Daniel Cook of the neurological staff. Officer Kenneth Burke assigned to Unit 122 received a call from Communications at 2155 hours, 12 June 1971, to 239 N. Pearl Street, for a man with a gun and a two-year-old hostage on the second floor. Officer Arnold Adams, Unit 112 responded to the scene as a backup unit. On arrival at 239 N. Pearl Street, the officers were advised that a person had kicked on the front door and entered the house. This person was carrying a baby in one hand and a revolver in the other hand. Officer Adams removed the department shotgun from 112 car in the company with Officer Burke proceeded to the house. The officers heard footsteps on the second floor and made their way up the staircase. They commanded the person in the room to show himself with his hands stretched out. The person in the room came out and identified himself and advised them that the person they wanted was on the third floor. The officers proceeded to the third floor calling commands to release the girl and come out with his hands up. The officers then went to the third floor and Officer Adams kicked in the door. At this point, he observed the suspect standing to the left of the door and the 2 ½-year-old girl just to his right. The suspect pointed the revolver at Officer Adam’s face. He stepped back and pointed the shotgun around the door. The suspect grabbed the barrel of the shotgun. Officer Adams did not fire for fear of hitting the child. A struggle then ensued for the shotgun. The suspect then released it and pointed the gun he was carrying around the door at Officer Burke. Officer Burke grabbed the suspect’s gun hand and pulled his own revolver and fired a shot. Officer Burke then rushed into the room and struggled with the suspect. Officer Adams quickly removed the child from the room then went to Officer Burke’s assistance. The officers attempted to bring him down the stairs. The suspect fell down several steps but was restrained by the officers. Both suspect and officers were treated at Mercy Hospital for injuries received as a result of affecting the arrest. The arrested person was identified as Roland Leroy Jackson of 209 Myrtle Avenue. The revolver taken from Jackson was the service revolver or Officer Carl Peterson. The investigation revealed that Officer Carl Peterson was at the call box at Lexington and Green Streets when a man fitting Jackson’s description knocked him down. The person then removed Officer Peterson’s revolver and shot him above the left eye and fled the scene. Officer Adams and Officer Burke were unaware that a police officer had been shot when taking into custody Roland Jackson. Roland Jackson made a res gestae statement to Officer Anthony Lamartina while being at Mercy Hospital. Jackson blurted out “I don’t know why I did it, I was trying to find myself.” Officer Lamartina immediately advised Jackson of his rights. Jackson again stated, “I don’t know why I did it Officer Pete has given my daughter and others’ children in the area candy and other goodies.” Jackson made no further statements.

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

#‎BPDNeverForget ‬

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 12 June 1971
City, St. 250 Pearl Street
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Gunfire
Weapon - Handgun
District Worked Western

 

 


 

 
 
 
 
Published in Fallen Heroes

Officer John R. Phelan

Friday, 01 November 2019 13:24
Officer John R. Phelan

 

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1956 we lost our brother Police Officer John R. Phelan due to gunfire based on the following;

The photograph of a rookie who dreamed of nothing more than police work as a career, now hangs in his nephew’s office, it is balanced by the unique patch of the Baltimore Police Department in a custom frame. The picture of the young man, full of life with unquestioned pride in his eyes, makes one contemplate his own mortality. At the end of 21, and with only four months of service protecting the City of Baltimore, Officer Phelan died at the back of an ambulance, the victim of a bullet from his own service weapon. His widow, 19 year old Jacquelyn Phelan, described her late husband’s love for police work as if it were a religion, she spoke of the many times he would rearrange his uniform, and clean his gun until he felt it was perfect. He would also polish the badge he worked so hard to earn. Sadly, the young man was killed before the birth of their first child. The neighborhood in the Northwest District lived in fear, as a gang of armed robbers on a rampage, were robbing small businesses and citizens at will. Officer Phelan bravely patrolled the areas hardest hit by those robberies. In an effort to catch the robbery suspects in the act, several officers hid in the back rooms of liquor stores, and grocery stores and patiently waited for these criminals to strike. Patrolman Wilbert J Schroeder hid in the rear of the Park’s Liquor Store in the 2700 Block of West North Avenue. Late on the evening of September 29, 1959, three men burst through the front door the liquor store brandishing handguns; they began shouting orders to the store owner William Park and his two employees, Gilmor Donte and James Curtis. On emerging from his hiding space, Patrolman Schroeder was met with a barrage of gunfire from less than 10 feet away, bullets flew, shattering bottles and cases of beer, but, amazingly, not a single person was struck, and the three robbers fled to the street. Officer Schroeder close behind, took aim at the largest member of the group and let his final round fly. It struck Alvin Herbert Braxton, a 6 foot, 210 lb. seventeen-year-old in his leg as he ran. The shot stopped Alvin Braxton in his tracks. With news a gun battle spreading fast, requests for assistance were quickly answered. Among those who responded were Patrolman Phelan and his partner, Patrolman Theodore Weintraub. With the scene secure, the officers sent for an ambulance to care off the young criminals for treatment to his leg wound. Medics, Walter Robinson and Mark Rohm arrived shortly afterward and loaded the critically injured man into their ambulance. In the mid 1950s, handcuffs, and leg irons were a luxury item. Often those patrolman who had them had spent their own money to acquire them. On this night not a single responding patrolman had a set of handcuffs to restrict the movement of the prisoner. In order to properly guard against escape, Officer Phelan and Weintraub joined the medics in the back of the ambulance for a ride to Lutheran Hospital. Braxton saw an opportunity to escape and began to fight despite the throbbing pain in his leg. The two patrolmen fought back in a desperate struggle within the closed quarters of the ambulance. The medics stopped their vehicle in the intersection of Popular Grove and Baker Street and went to aid of the patrolman. Before Robinson and Rohm could help, Braxton ripped of Officer Phelen’s gun from his holster and began firing wildly. He managed to shoot his way to temporary freedom by fatally wounding Officer Phelan and hitting Weintraub in both legs. The violent youth forced open the doors to the ambulance and assaulted a taxicab driver who was stopped nearby. He then took control of the cab and rammed the rear of the ambulance to keep the patrolman inside. By this time, others were responded to the sounds of gunfire, and frightened calls from citizens. Patrolman Henry Hau was first on the scene upon seeing Braxton Officer Hau took careful aim and shot Braxton four more times. With their ambulance damaged, Robinson and Rohm sped to the hospital in an attempt to save the two patrolmen’s lives. John Phelan died before he would reach the hospital, he would become the youngest officer to lose his life in the service of the city of Baltimore; eventually patrolman Weintraub would recover from his wounds. Patrolman Phillip Buratt and William DePaula, who were driving the patrol wagon, responded to the scene. Still without handcuffs, they transported the wounded Braxton to Lutheran Hospital for much needed care; upon arrival to the hospital Braxton would again attempt an escape, this time he would fight with all his strength despite his extensive injuries, eventually being subdued by an overwhelming number of police who finally handcuffed him. After he had received the necessary care, Braxton revealed the names of his fellow gang members, and where they could be found. Police arrested and charged Alvin Braxton, Roger Ray, Earl Pickett, and Albert Braxton, Alvin’s older brother, they were all charged with more than 11 robberies. The gang had stolen nearly $36,000 and three pistols. Allen Braxton was also tried convicted of murdering Officer John R. Phelan. If anything good could come of such a tragic moment, it was the public’s outcry over the fact that officers were not properly equipped. Newspaper editorials insisted on properly funding and equipping the Baltimore Police Department. One editorial looked upon the idea as a matter of common sense, “Certainly relatively small budget items should not stand in the way of maximum protective equipment for all policemen.” The editor went one to suggest that taxpayers would be far from hostile to inclusion of relatively small sums for general issuance of both handcuffs and new holsters.”

These measures did little to comfort young Jacqueline’s grief at the loss of her new husband, but they did promise that in the future, officers would have the added measure of safety that many officers today take for granted.

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.

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 29 September, 1956
City, St. Popular Grove and Baker Street
Panel Number 12-W: 15
Cause of Death Gunfire
District Worked Northwestern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Patrolman Howard L. Pitts

Friday, 01 November 2019 13:22
Patrolman Howard L. Pitts

 

On this day 6 Dec, 1931 we lost our brother, Patrolman Howard L. Pitts to a line of duty illness based on the following:

OFFICER STRICKEN OPENING CALL BOX

Dec 7, 1931


The Sun (1837-1989); pg. 10

OFFICER STRICKEN OPENING CALL BOX

Patrolman Howard L Pitts
Dies Victim of Cerebral
Hemorrhage

CRIES OUT FOR AID

Bystanders Run To His Side
After He Falls To Street.
Widow Survives

Patrolman Howard L. Pitts. 47, was the victim of a cerebral hemorrhage yesterday morning just as he was opening a call box at the corner of Baltimore and Smallwood streets to ring the Southwestern Police Station. He died in the Franklin Square Hospital about a half hour later.

James Stromer, 2221 West Baltimore Street, and Norbert Smith, 2225 West Baltimore Street, who were standing across the street from the patrolman when he reached for the box, heard him cough violently and ran to his assistance as the policeman cried out to them.

When they reached his side Patrolman Pitts had fallen to the street. Unable to manipulate the box, the two men waited until Patrolman Edward Lawrence of the Western District, on his way to duty, descended from a trolley car a few minutes later and called the Southwestern district station. Patrolman Pitts was taken in An ambulance to the hospital1 where he died at 11:59 A. M. He had been directing traffic in front of St. Martin's Catholic Church, at Fulton Avenue and Fayette Street, before he was stricken.

Appointed In 1913

The policeman, who was appointed to the force in 1913, had been attached since to the Southwestern District Station.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Stella Pitts. of 512 South Bentalou street, four sisters and a brother

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 6 December, 1931
City, St. Baltimore, Md
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death LOD Illness
Published in Fallen Heroes

Sergeant John Platt

Friday, 01 November 2019 13:18
Sergeant John Platt

 

Sergeant John Platt

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO

On this day in Baltimore Police History 2000, we lost our brothers, Sergeant Platt and Officer Kevin McCarthy who were killed when their patrol car as it was broadsided in that Hamilton intersection by a drunk driver. The two officers were on routine patrol in a residential area when the driver of a full-size pickup truck failed to obey a stop sign causing the collision.

The impact caused the officer’s patrol car to flip over and strike a utility pole. Both officers were killed instantly. Neither occupant of the pickup truck was injured. The driver of the vehicle was charged with DUI with other charges pending. The driver was found guilty of two counts of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to two ten year sentences with all but six years suspended.

In 2003 after serving just 3 years and 2 months of his sentence, the driver of that vehicle was able to go home to his wife and kids, Sgt Platt and Officer McCarthy’s kids are still waiting to meet their dad’s, for them it will be a lifetime.

Sergeant Platt had been employed with the Baltimore City Police Department for 17 years and is survived by his wife, 3-year-old daughter, and 4-year-old son.

Officer McCarthy had been employed with the Baltimore City Police Department for 15 years and is survived by his 9-year-old daughter.

The Sun paper had a lot to say about the funeral of these two fine officers, as they reported the following:

The deaths of two police officers remind us not only of their vulnerability but our own. And when Mayor O'Malley offered his tender words of comfort, it took some of us back seven years, to another funeral, another slain policeman, and the randomness of life and death. This Officer’s name was Herman Jones. He was a 23-year veteran in a job in which every day is a roll of the dice. But the irony of his death, like Platt's and McCarthy's, was that it could have happened to anybody. Jones had gone to an East Baltimore carryout for an evening snack, where a teen-age kid who should have been home studying arithmetic pulled out a gun and shot him. And on a summer morning at the Little Ark Missionary Baptist Church, they laid Herman Jones' body in an open casket for everyone to see, Herman Jones' wife Linda and his children were nearby, as a choir sang so hauntingly that it tore everybody in the place up with tears.

Take my hand,

Precious Lord,

Lead me home.

And the Mayor of Baltimore was there that day. They saved a front- row seat for Kurt L. Schmoke directly in front of Herman Jones' casket, and the Mayor looked at poor Jones, and he heard the choir chanting its refrain, and you knew that something special was coming from Schmoke. The Mayor was so much like Jones. They were kids who'd grown up in post-war America, each a product of the great civil rights movement, each a graduate of Baltimore City College, each a football player for the legendary coach, George Young. This one would come from Schmoke's heart.

But nothing came
By the time the mayor reached the pulpit, he'd had time to think about the killing in his city, and he'd had time to absorb the emotional singing, and all of the church's mourners with their grief coming out of their pores, and there was nothing he could summon.

He muttered a few platitudes about the awfulness of killing and the need for some national sense of urgency, and in a few moments, he was done. Whatever passion he felt, he kept it to himself, and there were people who walked out of the Little Ark Missionary Baptist Church that morning feeling they had been cheated, the truth is Officer Joes was cheated, Platt's and McCarthy were the ones cheated, they gave their lives and the rules never change.

Last week, the new Mayor of Baltimore spoke quite beautifully. He calls the funerals of police officers the toughest part of his job. But the job is still new for Martin O'Malley. It has been his for less than a year. By the time of Herman Jones' funeral, Kurt L. Schmoke was five years into the job, and maybe 1,500 killings into it, and some of those killed were police officers of his city.

As their brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department, we will not let them be forgotten. Their service Honored the City of Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department may they rest in peace, and may God always bless them.

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 14 October, 2000
City, St. A Hamilton Intersection.
Panel Number 60-W: 22
Cause of Death Auto Accident
District Worked Northeastern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Detective John S. Pontier

Friday, 01 November 2019 13:13
Detective John S. Pontier

 

Death Of Detective Pontier

3 July 1899

The Well-Known Officer A Victim Of Blood Poisoning

Detective John S. Pontier, one of the best-known members of the police force, died at 11:25 o’clock last night at his home, 1426 North Bond St. Death was attributed to blood poisoning, caused by injudicious cutting of a corn in early May 1899. His system at the time had been weakened by overexertion during the three weeks previous to the election in which his work schedule left him little time to recuperate from the surgery. For several days before his death, it was challenging for him to take on necessary nourishment. He was attended to by Dr. Martin F. J. Cameron, 425 N. Broadway.

Detective Pontier was born in Baltimore June 4, 1826. After receiving a rudimentary education in the public schools and at St. Patrick’s and St. Vincent’s parochial schools, he learned that the carpenter’s trade. Later in his life, he became a clerk for the firm of Pontier and Haslett, Fruit Dealers. N. Howard St., of which his brother was a senior member. He remained there for a few years until he was Appointed to a position in the Sheriff’s Office by Sheriff Creamer, that position he held until 1862. Five years later he was Appointed to the Detective Squad.

As he was well acquainted with the Officers of the Adam’s and other express companies, he was assigned to any case in which these corporations were interested. One of his early pieces of work was the investigation of the robbery by express messenger number II. Clay Potts, who stole $60,000 in money and papers from the Southern Express Company in 1867. Potts was arrested by a fellow employee and taken to mobile Alabama by Detective Pontier.

On 11 August 1867 Detective Pontier was sent to capture John Dixon, a young man who had killed his sweetheart, a respectable young lady, employed by judge Campbell, on W. Franklin St., near Park Avenue. He found the murderer asleep in the house on Rock Street. Dixon was sentenced to 18 years in the City Penitentiary. Detective Pontier also arrested Hollohan and Nicholson, the murderers of Mrs. John Lampley, the night of to January 1873. He was in the company of Marshal Frey when they arrested John Thomas, who attempted to rob Mrs. Cariotta Sarraco, the wife of an Italian music teacher, on the night of 24 April 1871, and meeting opposition from her part slashed her horribly with a razor. Thomas was sentenced to 21 years in the City’s Penitentiary. During his trial Mrs. Sarraco fell from the stone steps of the courthouse, fracturing her skull and causing her death.

In the summer of 1876, Detective Pontier arrested a man for whom all the police in the world had been on the lookout for, for months. This was Louis Diebel, who, while Mayor of the little city of Kadowitz, in Polish Prussia, disappeared with $15,000 of the funds entrusted to his care. The German police offered a $1000 reward for his arrest and distributed flyers all over the world with Louis Diebel’s portrait and description written in all languages. One of the Flyers fell into the hands of Detective Pontier, and he made inquiries among Germans in the city. It happened that one of his German friends did know of a man who answered to the description of Louis Diebel, and after hunting him down Detective Pontier found it to be Mr. Diebel, who was living in a small hotel room opposite Camden Station. He was arrested, and nearly $13,000 was recovered from his person. He was then extradited back to Germany, and Detective Pontier was awarded the $1000 reward that had been offered for the location and arrest of Louis Diebel.

In checking Sun paper news articles, it seems not much time passed without articles covering the cases involving Detective Pontier. In particular, he was kept busy during the Baltimore Elections; Election time in Baltimore during those days was quite hectic literally working Detective Pontier to death. Had he not been overworked to the point of excursion, he may not have died at such a young age.  In fact looking back even being as sick as he was dealing with blood poisoning caused in May of 1889 he was in the Papers on more than a dozen times over the previous year and a half, and they certainly didn’t cover every case he handled, he worked closely with Marshal Frey and Capt. Pumphrey While he should have slowed down and taken some rest to recuperate from the surgery he had on his foot, he did not, causing himself to weaken and eventually running his immune system down to where he wouldn’t recover, leading to his death.  I know this is not listed as a Line of Duty Death. But one could argue that the Corn on his foot came from being on his feet all day working cases as a Detective. Then his not stopping to heal brought on the blood poisoning, and further the lack of rest weakened his immune system further exasperating his illness causing his death.

Detective Pontier leaves a widow and two sons, Edward L. And John E. Pontier

While the City and the Department may never list this as a line of duty death, it does not mean as his brothers and sisters we cannot take a minute to remember him, his dedication to duty, and his putting the City and Department ahead of his health. May he rest in peace knowing we care, and that we thank him for his service and sacrifice.

Devider

POLICE INFORMATION

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deviders Line of duty injured

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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. 

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

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 3 July 1899
City, St. 1426 North Bond St
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Surgery
District Worked Detective Department
Published in Fallen Heroes

Officer Thomas Portz Jr

Friday, 01 November 2019 13:11
Officer Thomas Portz Jr

 

Officer Thomas Portz Jr

 T Portz

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO

On this day in Baltimore Police History 2010 we lost our Brother Police Officer Thomas Portz Jr to an auto accident based on the following: 

Police Officer Tommy Portz was killed in an automobile accident when his patrol car struck the back of a stopped firetruck on a highway. The firetruck had responded to reports of an injured person lying in the highway median strip and had stopped in the left lane to investigate.

Officer Portz's patrol car collided with the back of the stopped truck at a high rate of speed, causing fatal injuries.

Officer Portz had served with the Baltimore Police Department for nearly 10 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.

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.

Devider

Officer who died in crash distracted by film crew, report says - Cruiser slammed into back of fire engine in West Baltimore

Police Officer Thomas "Tommy" Portz Jr. was one…

January 25, 2011|By Peter Hermann, The Baltimore Sun

A Baltimore police officer who was killed in October when his cruiser slammed into the back of a fire engine was speeding at 71 mph and most likely was distracted by a film crew on the opposite side of a highway, the final investigative report concludes.

Officer Thomas Portz Jr., 32, did not suffer a medical problem, and officials found no mechanical defects in the police car, a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The report says Portz, a 10-year veteran assigned to the Western District, was not wearing his seatbelt.

The report, obtained by The Baltimore Sun under the Public Information Act, concludes that the only likely cause of the crash was that Portz "had his attention diverted to the westbound side" of U.S. 40 "where a film crew was filming a movie."

The Oct. 20 accident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. on the highway that connects downtown to West Baltimore, allowing cars to bypass residential streets. The highway is being dismantled; at the time of the crash, the eastbound lanes were open and the westbound lanes were closed. All lanes are now closed.

A crew filming the final scene for an independent comedy called "The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best" was using the westbound lanes. The Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts had issued the crew the necessary permits, and off-duty city officers were helping with security.

Just before the accident, the city Fire Department received a call for a sick person in the area. Firefighters on Engine 8 were stopped in the eastbound lane of U.S. 40, near the Stricker Street footbridge, looking for the source of the call.

Portz was driving east on U.S. 40, and the report concludes that he was probably looking at the film crew and didn't see the stopped fire engine. Police identified the firefighter driving the engine only as a 41-year-old male.

The report says Portz, who was not responding to an emergency call at the time, had been speeding at 71 mph — the speed limit is 50 mph on that portion of roadway — but slammed on his brakes 2.5 seconds before impact. Detective Patty A. Baur, a traffic collision reconstruction expert with the police crash team, said in the report that the police car was traveling 62 mph a split-second before impact.

Police cars are equipped with event data recorders — similar to the "black box" on airplanes — which keep track of speed, braking and other attributes. There were no skid marks at the scene.

Authorities said they have not located the source of the original "sick person" call to the Fire Department. Police said on Tuesday that the call did not originate with members of the film crew, who witnessed the accident and filmed part of its aftermath.

Portz lived in Pennsylvania and is survived by a wife and three children. He was the third active-duty Baltimore police officer killed within one month.

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More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 20 October, 2010
City, St. Baltimore, Md
Panel Number 51-E: 27
Cause of Death Auto Accident
District Worked Southern

 
 
Published in Fallen Heroes

Patrolman Claude J. Profili

Friday, 01 November 2019 13:08
Patrolman Claude J. Profili

 

Police Officer Claude J. Profili

Officer Profili responded to a hold-up alarm at the Maryland National Bank at 520 Franklintown. Upon his arrival he walked up to the bank where he saw two suspects robbing the bank. He withdrew his weapon and began to give orders to them. A third suspect he did not see, shot him in the head with a .45 caliber pistol. Officer Profili was married and the father of two children. The suspects were apprehended. Officer Profili served in the U.S. Navy from March 20, 1946 to January 15, 1948.

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1964 we lost our brother Police Officer Claude J. Profili to gunfire based on the following -

January 23 1964 a Chevy Sedan was stolen from the Bowie Race track, that car along with a stolen license plate from a different time, and location would be used in a robbery that would change the lives of many. Henry Haggard the attended at a service station at the corner a few doors down from the bank said the day before the robbery and shortly before the time of the robbery a man push a 1953 Studebaker, gray two-door sedan with Maryland tags (turned upside down) on to his lot. The attendant at the time, 23-year-old Haggard said the man he saw would be described as being between 24 and 26, he was a white male, dressed nice, wearing a coat and tie with a tan top coat. He was said to have stopped the car near the station, and then pushed it the last few feet up onto the lot. Haggard said the guy walked down the street toward the bank, peering over toward the bank when for no reason, he came running back, jumped in the car turned it over with no issues and peeled wheels off the lot and up the street west on Franklin Street. Haggard went on to say, the man told him it was not his car, but one which a dealer had loaned him for a test drive.

The following day, four men would rob the Maryland National Bank branch and Franklin Town Road and Franklin Street. As they entered the bank, three of the men, armed with an automatic pistol, a revolver and a rifle insisted the tellers all face away from them, and look at the wall behind them. Likewise all customers were forced to face the wall opposite the wall the tellers would be facing. One of the bandits would stand at the door, and as new customers came in they would be put against the wall, and robbed of their property and monies. A customer, Ms. Grace Mullingar, 25 of the 3600 block of Greenvale Road said, a teller put bundles of money into a brown paper shopping bag and gave it to the suspects.

Shortly after the robbery began a call went out for a 10-31 robbery; Patrolman Claude J. Profili heard a radio call at 1:37pm for another two man car to go to the bank. This bank was known for false alarms. Patrolman Profili was in the area, driving through. He pulled up to the bank, got out and entered. According to witnesses, and assistant cashier, Mr. Walter Haney saw the policeman and to the bank and nodded his head at the robber. With this Patrolman Profili was shot in the forehead by the robbery suspect receiving the nod.

With that nod Officer Profili was killed in the line of duty, the suspect turned and fired a shot that would land Officer Profili in the hospital with a bullet lodged against his brain. That bullet would take it’s time, but on 6 Feb 1964, it killed our brother for nothing more than responding to a call of a bank alarm at a bank that had been known for numerous false hold-up alarms in the past.

Mr. Haney was never formally accused of being in on the robbery, and we’ve all experienced victims getting a little stupid when we arrive. It could be they feel safe, the police are there, or it could be a warning the suspect. In either case, on 29 January 1964 that Bank Teller’s ignorance cost a good man, and good police his life. When Officer Profili approached the bank, which had two sets of double doors in the front, he had his pistol drawn. Upon entering the first set of doors, the suspect opened the second set of doors and fired a single shot. That shot would strike Officer Profili in the forehead above his left eye. Officer Profili fell backward and down the steps out to the street. The four suspects fled the scene with $23,466. One was apprehended within 48 hours. As is always the case, he gave information on the others, they were apprehended several days later by FBI agents. One was captured in Las Vegas, Nevada, another in Ozark, Arkansas, and the third in Denver, Colorado.

Officer Profili would be rushed to the Lutheran Hospital where he died eight days later from that shot.

They were able to trace the license plate on the auto to Vincent Lee Sirbert, 32 a Maryland born man to his residence in Virginia. He quickly became wanted in connection with warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution from Virginia on a grand larceny charge.

Patrolman Claude J Profili is survived by his wife the former Clara Lejsiak, his mother Mrs. Alain Digenio two children Cynthia, and Claude Profili Junior, along with three brothers John B, Bernard, the Louis G Profili. Burial was held at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery.

Three of the suspects were convicted in Officer Profili's murder and sentenced to life on July 2, 1964. Officer Profili had been with the agency for 12 years at the time of his death.

As we take this time to remember our brother, and thank him for his service and sacrifice.  We his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department will not let him be forgotten. God Bless and rest in Peace.

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 6 February, 1964
City, St. 520 Franklintown
Panel Number 1-W: 17
Cause of Death Gunfire
District Worked Western
Published in Fallen Heroes

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