Back to top
Go to bottom

Patrolman Edgar Shellito

Friday, 01 November 2019 11:01
Patrolman Edgar Shellito

 

Mon May 2 1921 Shellito

Patrolman Edgar Shellito

 2 DEAD, 7 HURT, SUNDAY TOLL OF MOTOR CRASHES

Motorcycle Policeman Is Killed In Collision On Annapolis Road

MAN LOSES HIS LIFE UNDER BURNED AUTO

Woman Companion Injured Badly When Car Smashes Into Pole.

A series of six automobile and motorcycle accidents in and near the city yesterday and last night resulted in the death of two men, one of them a policeman, and the injury of a woman and six men. The woman is not expected to live. Three of the accidents were caused by automobiles crashing into telephone or electric poles. Victims of said accidents

The dead men were

Baltimore Police Motor’s Officers Edgar Shellito, Southwestern Police District.

William J McCrackan, 35 years old of E Preston Street

The Injured are as follows

Serge. Thomas C. Warrick Company D, 54th Infantry, Camp Meade, who was with Patrolman Shellito. In serious condition at the University Hospital.  Mrs. Jesse T. Moore, 32 years old, N Arlington Ave. who was with McCrackan. She is at St Agnes’ Hospital with both arms and legs broken, as well she suffers from a fractured skull. Samuel Israelson, 2141 Fairmount Ave, cut on legs. Treated at South Baltimore General Hospital. Earl Myers, 1402 Harlem Ave, Cut on both Legs Treated at South Baltimore general Hospital John Schistler, 52 years old Putty Hill, Md. Broken leg, lacerated scalp, Taken to St Joseph’s Hospital Two unidentified men were taken from the scene of the accident in which they figured in and automobile.

POLICEMAN IS KILLED

Patrolman Shellito was killed and Sergeant Warrick was injured in a collision of Patrolman Shellito’s motorcycle and the automobile of Harry M. Sawyer. Of 1147 Ward Street on the Annapolis Boulevard at Wilhelm Station, Anne Arundel County, last night. According to the Police, Shellito was on duty and was taking Warrick, who, with his wife, Mrs. Amy Warrick, had been visiting at Shellito’s home, 1036 Brentwood Ave. to Camp Meade. Sawyer and Edward E. Bell, 1140 Ward Street, who was in the automobile with him, gave all assistance possible to the victims. They then returned to the city and surrendered at the Southwestern Police Station where they were held for the action of the coroner. They told the police the crash occurred because Shellito was on the wrong side of the road. They said they saw Shellito when he was 400 feet from them and they blew their horn vigorously, but the policeman continued, and it was not long after that the machines nearly met that Sawyer found he would be forced to turn out to avoid a head-on-collision. When they turned Shellito’s cycle struck their rear right wheel ad turned their car completely around, hurling Shellito from his motorcycle and into a ditch. Warrick also was thrown from the motorcycle. The occupants of the car were not hurt.

GIRLS TELL OF CRASH

Miss Margrete Hartman, of South Register Street, and Miss Hellen Zaworski, of Bank St. witnessed the accident while standing at Wilhelm Station of the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis. They said the motorcycle passed them, going toward Glenburnie, but a few hundred yards before the crash. Miss Hartman said the soldier, riding in the sidecar, lurched and nearly fell out, The policeman, she said, reached over and, seizing the soldier by the shoulder, attempted to pull him to an upright position. As he did this, she said, the motorcycle swerved to one side and struck the automobile. Both drivers, she said, made frantic efforts to avoid the accident, but the motorcycle hit the rear wheel of the machine. 

Motor Officers1

Find 1921 News Article HereFind 1921 News Article Here

Devider

POLICE INFORMATION

Copies of: Your Baltimore Police Department Class Photo, Pictures of our Officers, Vehicles, Equipment, Newspaper Articles relating to our department and or officers, Old Departmental Newsletters, Lookouts, Wanted Posters, and or Brochures. Information on Deceased Officers and anything that may help Preserve the History and Proud Traditions of this agency. Please contact Retired Detective Kenny Driscoll. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

deviders our fallen

NOTICE

How to Dispose of Old Police Items

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

Please contact Det. Ret. Kenny Driscoll if you have any pictures of you or your family members and wish them remembered here on this tribute site to Honor the fine men and women who have served with Honor and Distinction at the Baltimore Police Department.

Anyone with information, photographs, memorabilia, or other "Baltimore City Police" items can contact Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. follow us on Twitter @BaltoPoliceHist or like us on Facebook emil us for a mailing address mail pics to 8138 Dundalk Ave. Baltimore Md. 21222

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

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 1 May 1921
City, St. Baltimore City
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Auto Accident
Weapon - Vehicle
District Worked Southwestern

 

Published in Fallen Heroes

Officer Edward S. Sherman

Friday, 01 November 2019 11:00
Officer Edward S. Sherman

 

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, September 17, 1975 for Southwestern District Officer Edward S. Sherman who died September 13th as the result of a unique and tragic set of circumstances. Officer Sherman, 28, a 5-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department, was found unconscious in his patrol car by two fellow officers who were on routine patrol. The following excerpts from investigative reports shed light on what caused the officer to succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning. “At about 0710 hours this date, Officer Gary Martin and Officer R. Gooden working 812 car, responded to the rear of Edgewood Elementary School…to try up same. Upon arrival they found 811 car…on the rear lot with the motor running and all the windows rolled up tight…” “The car was butted against a chain link face with a deep undergrowth (of weeds). …After attempting to arouse the officer by beating on the windows…Officer Martin broke the right front window and pulled Officer Sherman from the vehicle. While on the scene Officer Martin checked Officer Sherman’s vital signs and could find none…” Investigation of Officer Sherman’s vehicle revealed that a piece of rubber molding was missing underneath the trunk lid. Combined with the facts that the vehicle was butted against a chain link fence with thick undergrowth, all the windows were up, the engine was left running and the heater was not in use caused the carbon monoxide level to become fatal.

On September 13, 1975 in Baltimore City Police History 1975 we lost our brother Police Officer Edward Sherman based on the following – South Western District’s Officer Edward S. Sherman a 5-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department, was found unconscious in his patrol car by two fellow officers who were on routine patrol. The following excerpts from investigative reports shed light on what caused the officer to succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning. “At about 0710 hours 09/13/1975, Officers Gary Martin and R. Gooden were working 812 car, responded to the rear of Edgewood Elementary School…to try up same. Upon arrival they found 811 car… it was parked on the rear lot with the motor running and all the windows rolled up tight…” - “The car was butted against a chain link fence with a deep undergrowth (of weeds and grass). …After attempting to wake the officer by beating on the windows…Officer Martin broke the right front window and pulled Officer Sherman from the vehicle. While on the scene Officer Martin checked Officer Sherman’s vitals and finding none he and Godden rendered first aid/CPR” Investigation of Officer Sherman’s vehicle revealed that a thin rubber seal was missing underneath the trunk lid. Combined with the facts that the vehicle was butted against a chain link fence with undergrowth, all the windows were up, the engine running caused the carbon monoxide level to become fatal.

Investigators felt that due to his working a midnight shift, Officer Sherman would have backed his car up to the curb near a chain link fence to guard against anyone approaching from the rear. At the time 1974/1975 officers were being targeted and attacked by members of the Blackpanthers; we lost many of our brothers to them by ambush… so he may have felt this was his best line if defense against attack. He wouldn’t have known about the thick deep undergrowth of the weeds that were covering his exhaust pipes on the 1974 Plymouth Satellite he was using as his patrol car that night. He would have begun to feel drowsy, but who hasn’t on a midnight shift. He unwittingly became the victim of an odorless poison which would have given him no chance of defeating this silent killer. In most cases people under the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning just feel extra tired and think they are falling asleep, this happens while the carbon monoxide is replacing the oxygen in his body, eventually taking their life. There is only one positive to an ugly and tragic situation such as this, and that is, carbon monoxide poisoning is said to be painless, so we know he didn’t suffer.

Officer Edward S. Sherman was a 5 year veteran Baltimore police officer, the father of two children, and husband to his beautiful wife. According to the Sun Paper 6 Nov 1975, City Hall offered his widow and now fatherless children, just 25 per cent of his pension pending a Pension Board Hearing to determine whether she should get full benefits. I am not sure of the outcome of that hearing, I can only hope they did the right thing. Because, not only was he our brother, but based on this incident, it was learned that the trunk seal on nearly all of the 1974 Plymouth Satellites in patrol were defective, allowing Carbon Monoxide to enter the vehicles. Many officers during that period were suffering severe headaches, and never knew why until Officer Sherman lost his life due to carbon monoxide poisoning. All of the vehicles were removed from service, inspected and repaired. Officer Sherman lost his life, but his death saved many of his brothers and sisters from serious illness, or death.

As his brothers and sisters, we will not let him be forgotten. His service honored the city of Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department. RIP Officer Edward Sherman and may God bless you and your family on this day.

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 13 September, 1975
City, St. Edgewood Elementary School Parking Lot
Panel Number 62-E: 14
Cause of Death LOD Illness
District Worked Southwestern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Officer Henry Smith Jr.

Friday, 01 November 2019 10:57
Officer Henry Smith Jr.

 

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1962 we lost our brother Police Officer Henry Smith Jr. to gunfire based on the following:
from Sun paper news, 8 April 1962

Two Guarded in Patrolman Slaying Case - Wounded Men Hospital: Police Probe Street Shooting
Two wounded men remained under guard at University Hospital Yesterday as Police investigated the murder of then off-duty Central District Patrolman Henry Smith.
The slain officer, 35 year old Patrolman Henry Smith Jr was the father of five, a five year veteran of the force, was shot to death early 7 April 1962 outside a tavern in the 700 block West Lexington Street.
Police said bullets extracted from the patrolman and the two wounded men will be sent to the crime lab for ballistics examination.

The Service weapons of Officer Smith and the two officers that came to his aid have also been sent to the laboratory, for comparison according to police officials.

Officers believe Patrolman Smith may have been slain with his own weapon. His holster was empty and his revolver was found later in an areaway next to 702 West Fayette Street.  

ONE IN SERIOUS CONDITION

Plainclothes and uniform officers canvased the area throughout the day seeking possible witnesses to the slaying which occurred shortly before 2AM

Police said they have not been able to question the wounded men. One was a 30 year old resident of the 500 Blk. North Freemont Ave. he is listed in serious condition with gunshot wounds. The second 39 year old suspect lives in the 200 Blk. of North Freemont Ave. was shot about five times and was listed in satisfactory condition the hospital said.

Patrolman James Thompson, of the Western District said he was a block away when he heard reports from the gunfire.
Evidence at the scene, based on evidence at the scene police theorized, Officer Smith came up on a dice game outside the saloon and was shot to death when he went to break it up. This was believed because of a stack of bills, and a pair of dice found at the scene.

We his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department will not let him be forgotten – RIP Officer Henry Smith and God Bless - Your service "Honored" the City of Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department"  

Follow-up - On 10 April 1962, Police had not found the gun used to kill their brother officer - Patrolman Henry Smith Jr. they had at first felt he may have been killed with his own department issue handgun, as his gun had been found after the shooting in the 700 Blk. of West Fayette Street, it had been emptied. Another officer had witnessed the two men standing over Patrolman Smith apparently emptying a gun into his body. That officer emptied his revolver into the two men.

 

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 700 block West Lexington St
City, St. 7 April, 1962
Panel Number 64-W: 7
Cause of Death Gunfire
District Worked Central

 

Published in Fallen Heroes

Sergeant Joseph F Smyth

Friday, 01 November 2019 10:53
Sergeant Joseph F Smyth

 

Sergeant Joseph F Smyth

On this day in Baltimore Police History 16 September 1911 we lost our Brother Sergeant Joseph F Smyth in the line of duty to heart failure based on the following Baltimore Sun newspaper article dated 17 Sept 1911

One of the Most Popular Men in the Police Department Fell Dead

Serge. Joseph F. Smyth, of. the Central District, one of the most popular men in the Police Department, fell dead a few minutes after 10 o'clock last night (16 Sep 1911) on Lombard street, near Charles. Leaving the Lombard bowling alleys, where he had seen a number of young men rolling ten pins, the sergeant remarked to Patrolman Poske, who was with him: "Poske, those young fellows are having a good time." Were the last words that left his lips the sergeant collapsed and staggered to the pavement. "What's the matter, Sarge," asked Poske. He received no answer. Poske tried. to lift him to his feet, but Smyth could not rise.

Reaches Hospital Too Late

Hurrying to the nearest patrol box. Poske sent for the Central district ambulance. fellow-policemen lifted the sergeant into the patrol wagon and in a few minutes, he was at Mercy Hospital. Not until the body was put on an operating table was it found the Sergeant was dead. It seemed to Poske that "Joe," as Smyth was affectionately known to every policeman in the city, was only ill. Lieutenant Klinefelter heard the sergeant was ill and hurried to the hospital, but when he met Dr. Aubrey Lawson, the latter conveyed the story with one word "Dead." Big policemen, used to the world's weal and woe, gathered at the table on which lay the uniformed sergeant, tears formed in their eyes. Poske, known practically to everyone who frequents the downtown section after dark, wept in was deep sadness at his very threshold for the loss of his Sergeant and friend Sergeant Joseph F Smyth.

Four Cousins In The Priesthood

Sergeant Smyth was a member of a well-known family and four of his cousins, All of whom are brothers, are priests. They are Rev. Thomas G. Smyth, pastor of St. Ann's Church, Tensly, D. C.; Rev. James' A. Smyth, assistant pastor of St. Patrick's Church. Washington; Rey. C. Carroll Smyth, assistant pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Baltimore, and Rev. Tobu Carter Smyth. a member of the Paulist Order. who Is in New York. Another cousin, a brother of the four priests, is Patrolman William H. Smyth. Tr. The sergeant was only 34 years old. He was appointed to the force August 17, 1901. On. May. 1910, he was promoted to a sergeant. His promotion was the result only of a meritorious record. He was loved and esteemed by every policeman who worked under him.

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 16 September 1911
City, St. Lombard street, near Charles 21223
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Heart Attack
District Worked Central
Published in Fallen Heroes

Officer Milton Spell

Friday, 01 November 2019 10:44
Officer Milton Spell

 

Officer Milton Spell

On the night of August 15, 1974, in the 1600 block of North Bradford Street just before 9:30 p.m., Officer Milton Spell parked his car to begin foot patrol. Officer Spell’s attention was drawn to a vehicle that was weaving side to side traveling in the same block. Feeling that the driver may be intoxicated, he notified the dispatcher that he was attempting to stop the vehicle to investigate the driver. Following normal procedures, he requested a backup unit and continued to approach the vehicle. Moments before the backup unit arrived, while Officer Spell was speaking to the driver, shots rang out from inside the suspect’s vehicle, striking Officer Spell. Officer Spell fell to the street with chest and abdomen wounds. The suspect and a companion fled the scene. Officer Louis W. Michelberger was a little more than a block away when he heard the shots fired. He arrived to find more than 200 people standing near the fallen officer. Officer Michelberger attempted to save Officer Spell’s life using CPR. Officer Spell was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital where he died, undergoing emergency treatment. Officer Spell was a member of the Baltimore Police Department since 1967, he was 27 years old at the time of his death.

Devider

Slaying Suspect Arrested

Aug 17, 1974


The Sun (1837-1987); pg. B1

Slaying Suspect Arrested
Man – 32 – Held In Killing City Policeman

Police arrested a 32-year-old West Baltimore man yesterday for the slaying of the police officer who was shot while on duty Thursday night. Police at Avon Mason Simmons – of 1700 block of Mosher Street, was charged with homicide in the arrest warrant and taken into custody by two plainclothes officers without incident at 2:24 PM yesterday at Calhoun and Lafayette streets. Also charge last night was Josepha Marie Herring – 26 of the 2100 block of Park Avenue who police allege jumped into the assailant’s car after the shooting. She was charged with being an accessory after the fact. The slain officer, Milton Spell, of the Eastern district had been on routine patrol at 9:30 PM in his police cruiser when he pulled up behind a parked car he believed had been operated by a drunk driver in the 1600 block of N. Bradford St Police said officer Spell asked the driver for his license and registration and was shot once in the chest and once in the abdomen by the occupant of the car. The driver then drove away. Officer Spell died minutes later on the emergency room operating table at Johns Hopkins hospital. Police said the officer’s gun was still in its holster one backup policeman rushed to his aid. The car, which had been stolen a short time before the shooting, according to police, was recovered late Thursday night. Police did not disclose a motive for the slaying of the officer. There was another man with Mr. Simmons at the time of his arrest, according to police. He was being questioned last night by homicide detectives, but had not been charged with a crime. “I didn’t think too much of him wanting to be a police men,” said Richard Spell, the dead officer’s father. “I knew somebody had to do it, and yes I thought that someday something like this would happen,” added Mr. Spell, a 54-year-old assembler at General Motors. The officer lived with his father and three-year-old son. Milton S. Spell in 1800 block of W. Lanvale St.

 

3 Tours in Vietnam

According to his mother Claudia Spell, 44, of the 800 block of George Street. Officer Spell enlisted in the Army at 17 and served three tours in Vietnam in a special forces engineering detachment.
According to family members, he was studying the violin and wanted eventually to pursue a career in music. “No mother really has a craving for her son to join the police force, but he wanted to do it and there was no way I could change his mind.” Mrs. Spell said yesterday. “I was always afraid that something might happen. But he’d said “mock stop worried about me, I’ll be all right” She added that he used to play his violin for her and in church. Neighbor said he was helpful as a child and would run errands for persons unable to do so themselves. His estranged wife, Carol 26 lived with their two daughters, Tonya, three and Michelle, six in Platteville Alabama. They were due to arrive in Baltimore last night. His mother said, “He said to me last week; whenever I achieve what I want to, I’m going to have you write here with me.”


Pomerleau Asks Study of Bullet Proof Vests

Donald D. Pomerleau, the police Commissioner, yesterday ordered a study of the feasibility of providing officers with lightweight, synthetic, bulletproof vests.
The action came in the wake of the shooting death of Officer Milton Spell, who was felled by a bullet in the heart. The other two city officers slain this year – Sgt. Frank W Grunder, Junior. And Officer Frank Whitby – also died from chest wounds. A police spokesman said the Commissioner had been looking at the possibility of bullet proof vest for some time, and yesterday ordered the planning and research division to make a “comprehensive study” of the cost and feasibility of such a program.


Devider
City to Get Bullet-Proof Police Vests

Jun 5, 1975

RICHARD BEN CRAMER
The Sun (1837-1987); pg. C1

The city government authorized a $288,379 expenditure yesterday for more than 3,000 bullet-proof vests for Baltimore's police officers. The unanimous vote by the Board of Estimates, approving a $250,000 federal grant and adding more than $20,000 in city funds, marked the final step in the campaign begun by Donald D. Pomerleau, the police commissioner, after four policemen were shot fatally last year. All of Baltimore's officers will be ·issued the nylon-substance flexible vests and covering garments. Experts employed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police reportedly consider the type of armor sought for Baltimore's police the best protection available.

The vests, about 1 ¼ inches thick and weighing about 1 ¼ pounds each, are designed to protect an officer's heart, chest, stomach and kidney areas. Tests showed. The 12 layers of nylon substance, called Kevlar, can stop a .38-calibre slug I fired at point-blank range toward an officer's body. The major Innovation of the Kevlar vest according to Police Department experts, is the diffusion of the shock caused by the impact of the bullet. Other types or body armor, they say, will stop the bullet but will not diminish the shock from its collision with a body. The Kevlar vest ls designed to spread the shock laterally so that bullet Impact is less likely to cause Internal injuries.

C. Edward Hawkins, chief of the Protective Engineering Group at the Edgewood Arsenal told reporters earlier this year that a full-grown man wielding a sharp knife could not cut through all 12 layers of Kevlar which make up the vest.Kevlar yarn is twice as strong as steel wire of the same weight. City officials said yesterday they expect the vests to be ready for police use later this year. 0nly other city, San Francisco, has its Police Department fully outfitted with the bullet-proof armor. Mr. Pomerleau accelerated the department study of body armor last August, after Milton I. Spell became the third police man to die of gunshot wounds in1974, A fourth policeman, Martin J. Greiner, 25, died In December of two gunshot wounds in the abdomen.

In other Board of Estimates action yesterday, the ARA food services! Corporation lost a million-dollar contract to provide summer lunches for impoverished Baltimore children. The board awarded the contract to Marlin's, Inc., the food service which runs Martin's West and other banquet halls. The Marlin's firm, which submitted an original bid $80,000higher than ARA's for the 1.5 million box lunches this summer, successfully argued that the exceptions ARA made in its proposal violated the city’s specifications. After more than an hour of convoluted argument at the close of yesterday's session, the five members of the board voted unanimously to' take the contract away from ARA despite its lower bid. The two problems with ARA's bid cited were the lack of a minority contractor to participate in the venture and a clause which would have allowed ARA to pull out of the contract unilaterally with no recourse for the city. Both the ARA and Martin's bids were below the subsidy level offered by the federal government. Mayor Schaefer praised both contractors, claiming that both performed excellently on previous contracts. His difficulty in choosing between them exceedingly his impatience at the international hearings on the subject. “This food program,” he remarked wryly, “is becoming distasteful.”

Devider

Court upholds conviction in '74 police slaying

Aug 25, 1976

ROBERT P WADE
The Sun (1837-1987); pg. D3

Court upholds conviction in '74 police slaying

Annapolis- The conviction of 31-year-old Baltimore man for the 1974 slaying of city police Officer Milton Spell was upheld yesterday by the state Court of special Appeals. Athree-Judge panel also affirmed convictions against Hardy Herring for armed robbery and illegal use of a handgun. The courts decision contained a six page opinion leaves intact a life prison sentence plus 25 years for the armed robbery and gun charges imposed by Judge James A. Wise of the Caroline county circuit. 'The case was transferred there from Baltimore City Criminal Court

Herring is now an inmate of the Maryland. Penitentiary
Officer ·Spell was shot to death August 15, 1974, during a routine check for "a possible DWI”" as he told police communications over his walkie talkie just moments before being murdered. A "DWI" is a drunk driver.

The 28-year·old officer had been playing with a group of neighborhood children just before walking over to the car Herring was driving The officer was shot twice and fell to the ground without pulling his revolver from his holster.

Herring was convicted of first-degree murder," and of stealing the car, some cash, and a Masons ring… agreed to talk only after being given assurances he would not be incarcerated at the City Jail fearing reprisalsfor activities as a police informer. But Howard Gersh, an assistant state's attorney, told the trial court that his decision not to lock the man in the jail had nothing to do with Herring's willingness to talk, but was based instead on a belief Herring's fears may have been wen founded.

The court rejected that line of reasoning, as well as an argument by Mr. Buchman that Herring's act could not have been willful or premeditated because Herring was drunk.

 

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 15 August, 1974
City, St. Baltimore, Md
Panel Number 17-E: 2
Cause of Death Gunfire
District Worked Eastern
 
 
 
 
 
Published in Fallen Heroes

Officer John H. Spencer

Friday, 01 November 2019 10:33
Officer John H. Spencer

 

Officer John H. Spencer

2 March 1979

Policeman found Shot Dead near Car

The Sun (1837-1989); Mar 3, 1979; pg. B1

An off-duty Northwestern district policeman was found shot to death beside his parked car at Pennsylvania Avenue in school Street last night, homicide investigators reported.

The officer, identified as John H. Spencer, 40 years old, a 15 year veteran of the Police Department, was pronounced dead on arrival at Provident hospital shortly after 10 PM.

Officer Spencer was wearing civilian clothes. He had been shot once in the chest, according to Dennis S. Hill, the Police Department’s chief spokesman. The dead policeman’s badge and gun missing, Mr. Hill said.

Policeman are required to carry their service revolvers for use in emergencies, even when they are off-duty, according to the detectives on the case.

Colleagues at the Northwestern said early this morning that Officer Spencer was married and had two children.

The sling was discovered after a resident of a house nearby heard a single gunshot and fellow police. Detectives did not identify the caller and would not even say it was a man or woman.

No witnesses to the shooting had been found early today, according to Mr. Hill.

The motive for the shooting was not known, he said, nor wasn’t known if Officer Spencer, although not on duty, was following up on a case he’d been investigating earlier.

 

Devider

 

2 arrested in slaying of off-duty policeman

Mar 4, 1979

The Sun (1837-1989); ; pg. B8

City police last night arrested a 23-year-old man and a teenager salt in the slaying of police officer John H. Spencer, 40, who was shot to death in an apparent robbery while off duty Friday night.

Acting on anonymous tip, seven homicide detectives and two uniformed officers went to an apartment in the first block S. Exeter St., “kicked in the door and caught [the suspects] by surprise,” said Dennis S. Hill, the police department spokesman. He said the raid occurred on the seventh floor of a high-rise apartment building.

Arrested and charged with murder last night were Joseph Lee Roy L Wood, 23, of the 500 block of gold Street, and Cedric Eugene Scott, 17, of the 2100 Block Ettings St., police said.

Neither suspect resisted arresting officers, and police found no firearms in the apartment, Mr. Hill said. He was unable to say in whose name the apartment was rented.

The men were held last night at Western district lockup pending a bail hearing today, detectives said.

Mr. Hill said the location of the suspects was learned “through a continuous investigation,” since the slaying Friday night and “an anonymous phone call” to detectives late yesterday afternoon.

Recovery of the slain officer’s badge which had been stolen along with his 38 caliber service revolver, yesterday morning was a great help to the investigation, leading to the issuance of arrest warrants for the two suspects, Mr. Hill said.

The warrant naming Mr. Allen’s listed his address as the same property were a child reported finding the badge yesterday, he said. The child, who was not identified, discovered the badge “in the grass” outside the apartment building in the 500 Block Gold St., he said.

Officer Spencer had been wearing civilian clothes when accosted by two persons at Pennsylvania Avenue and School St., Friday night, police reports said. The 15 year Police Department veteran, assigned to the Northwestern district, was found dead beside his car after a neighbor called police about gunshots in the vicinity, the reports said.

Mr. Hill said the officer’s home address would not be made public, but added that he did not live in the area where the shooting occurred.

Please had no details about why officer Spencer had been in the neighborhood, and Mr. Hill was unable to save the officer had been following up an earlier police case.

The officer was pronounced dead on arrival at Provident hospital shortly after 10 PM Friday. Police said he received a gunshot wound to the chest.

Mr. Hill said robbery was the likely motive for the killing. He declined to elaborate on the evidence detectives collected that led them to issue the two arrest warrants.

 

Devider

 

Slain in Apparent Robbery

Mar 5, 1979

The Sun (1837-1989); ; pg. A8

Funeral services for Officer John H Spencer, Sr., of the Northwestern district operation unit, will be held at 10:30 AM tomorrow at St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church, Walbrook Avenue and Ellamont streets

Officer Spencer was slain while off duty Friday during an apparent robbery at Pennsylvania Avenue at school Street. Two suspects were charged with homicide last night.

Officer Spencer was 40 and lived in Randallstown.

A colleague, Lieut. Bessie Norris, of the Northwestern district, said yesterday that Throughout officer Spencer’s nine years with the district operation section, his specialty has been working with youngsters.

On his own time, Lieut. Norris said, Officer Spencer worked with children at the Towanda recreation center at Park Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard, and earned their respect.

In summer, he also recruited young people for Little League and recreation programs and also to them to the police boy’s club summer camp.

Aside from his interest in people, the Lieut. said, officer Spencer was a dedicated professional who was assigned to special crime-prevention patrols in high-crime areas.

Those areas included the Park Heights Avenue corridor from Garrison South to Virginia Avenue, as well as the area around liberty Heights and Gwynn Oak Avenue.

Lieut. Norris said her colleague was “a quiet guy who never flew off at the mouth,” and that this quality was reflected in his personnel file, which contained no citizen complaints it is 15 years of service in the district and on a narcotic and by squads.

She said Officer Spencer had been urged to study for the sergeants and lieutenants but always rebuffed those suggestions, saying, “There is a place for everybody, my place is as a patrolman.”

His supervisor said she felt officer Spencer may have had a premonition about “his time,” since only Friday had he introduced his mother to people on his post for the first time. Recently he also had gotten some of his things “in the shape,” Lieut. Norris said, “Because I think John somehow knew he was going.”

Also Spencer was born here and was a 1956 graduate of St. John’s College, a military high school, in Washington. He had been a worker at boy’s village in Cheltenham, Maryland. A post-office worker and a merchant seaman before becoming a police officer.

He was a member of the police organization and of St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church.

Supervisors include his wife, the former Nancy Burke, three sons, Scott H. Spencer, Brian S. Spencer and John H. Spencer, Junior., All of Randallstown; his mother, Freda Spencer, of Randallstown, and his father, John T. Spencer, of Glen Burnie.

 

Devider

2 Men to be Tried for Murder

Jul 19, 1979

The Sun (1837-1989); ; pg. C2

Judge Mary Arabian cleared the way yesterday for the trial of two men charged with the murder of an off-duty policeman, ruling that a police service revolver was properly seized in a raid on the Exeter Street apartment.

Today, Cedric E. Scott, 17, of the 2100 block of Etting Street, and Joseph L. I went, 23, of the 500 Block Gold St., will face trial on murder and robbery charges in the death of officer John H. Spencer, of the Northwestern district.

Officer Spencer, 40, died to March 1979, after he was shot once in the chest as he was about to enter his private car parked in the 600 block of school Street near Pennsylvania Avenue. He was off duty at the time.

According to arguments by Richard Karceski and Thomas E. Klug, defense lawyers, police in properly searched the Exeter Street apartment, where neither of the defendants lived, a day after the shooting occurred.

However, Judge Arabian agreed with Leslie a Stein, an assistant state’s attorney, the police had obtained a proper warrant for the search of the apartment after a group of seven persons had been taken in the custody.

 

Devider

 Murder Weapon Identified at Trial in Death of Off-Duty Policeman

Jul 24, 1979

The Sun (1837-1989); ; pg. C3

A 38 caliber police service revolver was identified yesterday in criminal court as the weapon which killed Officer John H. Spencer, an off-duty policeman who was shot to March 1979 in a 600 block of school Street.

The identification of the weapon, which belonged Officer Spencer, was the last testimony offered by the prosecution in the murder trial of John L. Owens , 23 of the 500 block of gold Street, and Cedric E. Scott, 19, 2100 block of Etting Street.

Both defendants are charged with killing officer Scott after robbing him of his gun, and two wallets [badge wallet/money wallet] it as he fumbled for the keys to his car which was parked on school Street.

Today, lawyers for Mr. Owens and Mr. Scott in a jury trial before Judge Mary Arabian will open their defense to the charges.

Before closing his case, Leslie A. Stein, an assistant state’s attorney, told the jury that the defense had stipulated to the testimony of the ballistics expert which showed also Spencer was killed by a bullet from his own gun.

A witness, Ralph will it, testified he saw Mr. Owens fire several shots from officer Spencer’s gone after he wants Mr. Owens and Mr. Scott yoke the policeman near the front door of his car.

However, Mr. Allen said in a statement given to police that Mr. Scott found the policeman service revolver after knocking him to the ground and searching them. Mr. Scott in his statement said that Mr. Owens had the gun.

Despite the conflict in testimony, JoAnn Chester, who lives on school Street, testified both Mr. Owens and Mr. Scott were visiting her when they saw officer Spencer staggered to his car in a way they felt showed he had been drinking.

Mr. Chester said she recalled telling the two defendants: “don’t you mess with that man.” Mr. Owens and Mr. Scott left her house, the witness said, and then see heard a noise “that sounded like three or four firecrackers.”

Mr. Willett, who also was visiting Mr. Chester, said he saw both defendants grabbed Officer Spencer and throw him to the ground. The witness said Mr. Owens stood up with the gun and said: “this is my lucky day.”

One shot was fired by Mr. Owens into the air and then he left the revolver and fired Officer Spencer, who had gotten up off the ground, Mr. Willett said.

Police arrested the defendant’s the next day after obtaining information they were at a seventh – floor apartment of a high – rise building in the first block of S. Exeter St.

Detectives testified that a search of the apartment disclosed officer Spencer’s revolver in a paper bag in a drawer of the coffee table in that department.

One of Officer Spencer’s Wallace was found in a similar at Golden Etting streets. His badge was handed to another policeman by a young boy who said he found it in the area was unable to say where, testimony disclosed.

 

1 black devider 800 8 72

Two guilty in murder of policeman

Jul 25, 1979

THEODORE W HENDRICKS

The Sun (1837-1989); ; pg. C1

Two men were found guilty last night of what a prosecutor called a “senseless and stupid” murder of an off-duty policeman who was attempting to get into his car to March 1979, in the 600 block of school Street.

Convicted of felony murder charges in the death of Officer John H. Spencer, 44, were Joseph Lee Roy Owens, 23, and Cedric Eugene Scott, now 19.

Held on $260,000 bail of peace, they face sentences of life imprisonment. A jury under Judge Mary Arabian deliberated for six hours before handing down the verdict.

Leslie A. Stein, an assistant state’s attorney, had argued to the jury that the shooting was senseless and stupid because the policeman apparently could not identify those who accosted him. Mr. Stein pointed out that Officer Spencer had been staggering as he approached his car and one witness said he appeared to have been drinking.

Also Spencer was shot once through the heart with his .38 caliber service revolver, which the witness said Owens took from him after knocking him to the street.

According to evidence in the week long trial, Owens and Scott had seen Officer Spencer as a left the house they were visiting in the 600 block of school Street.

A witness, JoAnn Chester, who lived at the school Street address, testified she told Ellen’s and Scott as they left;

“Don’t mess with that man.”

Another witness, wealth Willett, testified that he saw one search the policeman after he was knocked down and took his wallet and service revolver.

Mr. Willett quoted Owens as saying, “this is my lucky day,” after he found the revolver, the witness said Owens fired once in the air and fired again at Officer Spencer.

The next day police raided an apartment in the first block of S. Exeter St. and arrested Ellen’s and Scott, who were attending a party there.

A search of the apartment turned up Officer Spencer’s service revolver in the door of a coffee table in the living room.

During the trial neither Owens nor Scott took the stand in their own defense. They were represented by Richard Karceski and Thomas E. Klug.

However, Owens gave a statement to detectives in which he tried to explain that Scott was the man who took the pistol from the prone policeman. However, Scott gave a statement blaming Owens for the shooting.

Police recovered a while it taken from Officer Spencer, a 15 year veteran of the police force, in sewer at Etting and Gold streets.

Officer Spencer’s badge was handed to a patrolman by 15-year-old boy in the 1300 block W. North Ave. The boy was unable to say where he found the badge.

 

Devider

Man gets life in slaying of policeman

Sep 6, 1979

THEODORE W HENDRICKS

The Sun (1837-1989); ; pg. C20

Joseph L. Ellen was sentenced to life imprisonment +15 years yesterday for the felony murder of an off-duty policeman who was shot with his own service revolver as he was making fumbling attempts while intoxicated to get into his car.

A co-defendant, Cedric Eugene Scott was also sentenced to life imprisonment but an additional 15 year sentence in his case was not made to run concurrent with a life term.

Judge Mary Arabian, in criminal court, common that evidence showed the victim, officer John H. Spencer, 44, was “vulnerable and apparently helpless” at the time he was shot because he had been drinking.

Both defendants were convicted 24 July, for the fatal shooting of the 15 year veteran policeman, which occurred to March 1979 in the 600 block of school Street, officer Spencer was shot once in the chest with his own 38 caliber service revolver.

Owens, 23, of the 500 block of Gold Street, was identified as the gunman during the trial of the case. Owens and Scott, now 19, of the 2100 block of Etting Street, had just left the house in the 600 block of school Street when they saw the policeman trying to get into his private car.

After also Spencer was knocked down and searched they the two defendants, Ellen is found the policeman’s service revolver and while it, a witness said Ellen’s shouted out, “this is my lucky day,” the witness, Ralph will it, said.

I once fired once in the air and then fired again at Officer Spencer, evidence showed.

 

Devider

2 imprisoned for killing policeman lose effort to overturn convictions

Jun 5, 1981

The Sun (1837-1989); ; pg. C3

Annapolis – two men, convicted of killing an off-duty Baltimore city police officer during a robbery, yesterday lost in their efforts to have their convictions overturned.

The court of special appeals found no error in the trial of Lewis L. I went, 25 and Cedric E. Scott, now 21 that would justify sending the case back for a new trial. Both men are serving lifetime terms in prison

According to court records, the two men were about to enter the school Street apartment of a friend in March, 1979 when they saw officer John H. Spencer, 44, trying to unlock the door of his car.

Officer Spencer “was very drunk, and it looked it,” the appeals court observed, the two men “immediately decided to… .. Rob him.”

According to eyewitness testimony, Owens threw Officer Spencer to the ground and kicked him... Both then once found the officer’s revolver and exclaimed, “This is my lucky day.”

The men fire the gun twice in the air before sending two shots toward the officer, according to a witness.

Owens and Scott were arrested within 24 hours of the crime. Each man admitted participation in the robbery but blamed is companion for the murder.

On appeal, defense lawyers argued that the convictions should be overturned in part because the confessions by the two men should not have been used in a joint trial.

Referring to some Supreme Court decisions, the court of special appeals said the defense lawyers to write about the use of the confessions. But an opinion written by Judge H. Daniel, the appeals court said that the error was not serious enough to warrant throwing out the convictions.

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 2 March, 1979
City, St. 600 School St
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Gunfire
Weapon - Officer's Handgun
District Worked Northwestern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Patrolman Charles Spitznagle

Friday, 01 November 2019 10:31
Patrolman Charles Spitznagle

 

25 Dec 1905 - Patrolman CHARLES SPITZNAGLE, of the Northeastern District, was paralyzed yesterday afternoon while patrolling his post and died last night at St. Joseph's Hospital without regaining consciousness. He was walking along Central avenue, near Fairmount Avenue, when taken ill and was hurriedly taken to the hospital In the Northeastern district patrol wagon. Patrolman Spitznagle was appointed to the force on January 1, 1893. He lived at 2312 East Fayette Street and leaves a Family

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 25 Dec 1905
City, St. Fairmount Avenue
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death LOD Illness
District Worked Northeastern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Police Officer John A. Stapf

Friday, 01 November 2019 10:29
Police Officer John A. Stapf

 

JOHN A STAPF
62-E: 5
End of Watch: November 2, 1934
Baltimore City, Maryland, P.D.

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1934, we lost our brother Police Officer John A. Stapf to a trolley accident based on the following;

Having completed his tour of duty, and waiting at the North Ave. call box over the Western Maryland Railway Bridge with his side partners Officer John Schmidt, and Edward Burns the awaited their reliefs. Once the other’s arrived, the trio parted ways;

Their trolley had pulled up and was standing as Schmidt, and Burns boarded same. Patrolman Stapf, rounded their trolley in an attempt to ready himself for the boarding of his westbound trolley, (Officer Staph lived at 5102 Elmer Avenue.) In his haste to get home to his family he quickly rounded their trolley and crossed over and onto the westbound trolley’s tracks where he was struck by said trolley. He was hit so hard that he was thrown into the air, and back into the of the eastbound trolley where he landed close to his partners Schmidt and Burns who later reported to the Department that Stapf’s injuries we so bad, his chances for survival were grim; still he was transported to West Baltimore General Hospital where he died due to a severe skull fracture.

Officer John A Staff, was 63 years old at the time of his death; he had served as the citizens of Baltimore for nearly 34 years, receiving numerous awards, commendations and citations. He was survived by his wife Katherine and sons George, William, John and Garland along with his daughters Lillian, Margaret, and Florence.

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 2 November, 1934
City, St. North Ave
Panel Number 62-E: 5
Cause of Death Auto Accident
District Worked Northwestern

 

 

Published in Fallen Heroes

Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/historydetective/public_html/portal/templates/jux_news/html/com_k2/templates/user.php on line 239
Page 28 of 50