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Capt. Harvey Von Harten

Friday, 01 November 2019 09:22
Capt. Harvey Von Harten


EVER EVER EVER Motto Divder

 Lt Harvey von HartenPhoto courtesy of Mrs. Linda Hresko,.. Captain Harvey von Harten's granddaughter
Lieutenant Harvey Von Harten

Capt. Harvey Von Harten

14 Jan 1941 -CAPT. HARVEY VON HARTEN, On this day in Baltimore Police History we lost our brother Capt. Harvey Von Harten died of a Heart attack several minutes after ending his shift and in the car on his way home, as his driver pulled up in front of his home, he grabbed his chest and slumped over in his seat. The Driver took him straight to the ER where he died when they failed to revive him. 

VON HARTEN, 61, HARBOR CHIEF, DIES SUDDENLY

15 Jan 1941

The Sun (1837-1987); pg. 24

Police Captain, Born In Tradition of Sea, Suffers Heart Attack - Oldest Marine Division Member, Began Service in Southern District Capt. Harvey Von Harten chief of the Baltimore harbor police, died of a heart attack yesterday afternoon 14 Jan 1941. At the age of 61, he was the oldest member of the -department's marine division. He was said to be the only man on the force who was raised to the rank of lieutenant from that of patrolman. He received the promotion in February of 1921, two years after he joined the harbor patrol.

Promoted to Captaincy In 1931
He was elevated to the captaincy of the harbor police ten years later, in December of 1931. Captain Von Harten was born and bred in the tradition of seafaring. The son of George Von Harten, proprietor of a seaman's hotel on Pratt Street, near Gay, Von Harten as a youth often listened to sailors from all parts or the world as they spun their tales in the little lobby of the hotel.

Went to Sea as Youth
These stories and a love of the sea he inherited from his family had their effect on him. While still a young man he went to sea, making trips to Europe as an ordinary seaman. When he returned to Baltimore and before he was appointed to the police force, he acted as skipper of the Sunbeam. Ferrying the late Edward P. (Admiral) Duffy, waterfront reporter for The Sun, from boat to boat in the harbor.

Began In Southern District
He was appointed to the force in. June 1911, and was assigned to the Southern District. In March 1919, he was transferred to the police boat. Captain Von Harten saw five police boats come and go and he command three of them. The police boats Marshall Farnan and the Lannan were sold by the department long ago. Within the last year the new Charles D. Gaither was put in commission to take the place of the George G. Henry. The Robert D. Carter still is in service.

Averted Trouble in Strike
One of Captain Von Harten’s favorite stories about policing came out of the Longshoremen’s strike here about six years ago. The strikers formed picket lines with boats along the harbor and it was the job of the water-front police to patrol these lines. One afternoon a group of longshoremen landed on a company dock. This was private property, the act was trespassing and Captain Von Harten knew there was sure to be trouble. He ordered his men to drag out the fire hose. In a few minutes the dock was clear and trouble averted.

Arrests Negro in Robbery
Early in his career, while .he was patrolling a beat in the Southern district, a storekeeper called to Von, Harten as he passed the establishment. He ran inside, the proprietor Screamed he was being robbed, and a large Negro who was standing in front of the counter offered no resistance as he was arrested.

Trouble was Not Long in Coming
However Von Harten took him to a call box, and while they were waiting for a patrol wagon, the Negro whipped a butcher, knife out of his sleeve. In the struggle that followed, the Negro stabbed himself died. Von Harten was uninjured.

Uses Fireboats as Tugs
There was a big grain elevator fire at Locust Point about twenty years ago. The captain was fond of telling how during the fire the harbor police turned their boats to tugboat duty and pushed barges, loaded with freight cars full of grain, away from the piers to safety. Captain Von Harten was born in Baltimore and attended the public schools and the Polytechnic Institute. His first job was one in a boiler works obtained shortly after he left Poly. For several months he had been under physician's care for a heart ailment. He went on sick leave last November 14, but returned to duty December 9 and had been working regularly since that time.

Stricken in Front of Home
He died at 4.20 P. M., a few minutes after he left the police boat dock at the foot of Willis street. There he had told Lieut. Timothy Welsh, "I never felt better in my Life.” Patrolman Edward J. Travers drove the captain to his home at 3814 Echodale Avenue. Just as the automobile pulled up in front of the house, Captain Von Harten was stricken. Travers drove to the St. Joseph’s Hospital, where efforts to revive his superior for failed.

Received Numerous Awards
Twice during his career as a policeman, Captain Von Harten was commended for highly meritorious service of the department. He received numerous other awards. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Ida Von Harten, of 1626 St. Paul Street, his wife, Mrs. Lottie Von Harten, one son, Harvey, Jr.

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 14 Jan 1941
City, St. 3814 Echodale Avenue.
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Heart Attack
District Worked Harbor Patrol

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
Published in Fallen Heroes

Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs

Friday, 01 November 2019 09:12
Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs

Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs

29 Jan 1944

Thursday, September 18, 2014

11:46 PM

On this day in Baltimore Police History 29 January 1944 we lost our Bother Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs after a serious fall in which his neck was broken, based on the following:

Policeman Dies in Fall Down Theater Stairs

Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs, who had been a member of the Police Department for 25 years, after his appointment in 1919 - Died late yesterday afternoon (written Jan 30, 1944) when he tripped in the balcony of a motion picture theater located in the 1400 block of W. Lafayette Ave. as he was leaving the projection booth after talking to the theater manager when he fell, they said and fell down the stairs, breaking his neck. Police reported that Patrolman Waldsachs who was assigned to the Northwestern district, was making a routine inspection of the theater.

Patrolman Waldsachs, was 54 years old and lived at 2023 Wheeler Ave., was taken to West Baltimore General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Patrolman Waldsachs was– and was the beloved husband of Bessie Hughes Waldsachs.

Funeral for Martin Fahey and Sons, 1827 West North Ave., on Wednesday and 9:30 AM Requiem Mass at St. Gregory’s church at 10 AM Interment in Mount Mary Cemetery Towson

As his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department we will not let him be forgotten, His service Honored the City of Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department may he rest in peace, and may God bless him.

During his career Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs was in the sun paper for the following stories:
12 Mar 1919 - page 8 - NEGROES BEAT PATROLMAN
21 July 1926 - page 26 - NEGRO STABS LIEUTENANT OF POLICE IN HEAD
30 Jan 1944 – page 14 - DIES IN FALL POLICEMAN DOWN THEATER STAIRS – and
1 Feb 1944 – Page 14 - DEATHS

Articles to follow

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NEGROES BEAT PATROLMAN

 Mar 12, 1919

The Sun (1837-1987); pg. 8

NEGROES BEAT PATROLMAN

JOSEPH WALDSACHS ATTACKED BY PRISONER AND THREE OTHERS.

Attacked by his Negro prisoner and three colored pedestrians. Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs of the Northwest district, was beaten into a semi-conscience condition with his own Espantoon early yesterday morning as he was walking a man to the patrol box for being disorderly in a lunchroom on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Patrolman Waldsachs was set into the restaurant in response to a telephone call. He arrested a Negro who seemed to be the louder of the disturbance.

While walking him to the box at Freemount Avenue and pressed man streets. The three Negroes jumped on Waldsachs and ordered him to release his hold on the prisoner. While three of the Negroes held the BLUECOAT. The fourth seized his nightstick and beat Waldsachs about the head.

Although weakened by the beating and the loss of blood. Waldsachs managed to reach the patrol box and summons the ambulance. He was taken to Maryland General Hospital, where eight cuts about his head were silent by Dr. Richards, resident physician. Waldsachs is now nursing his wounds at his home, 2117 Madison Avenue. He gave a good description of his assailants, and they were expected to be taken into custody within the next 24 hours.

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NEGRO STABS LIEUTENANT OF POLICE IN HEAD

21 July 1926

The Sun (1837-1987); pg. 26

NEGRO STABS LIEUT. OF POLICE IN HEAD

MATTHEW QUINN RECEIVES FOUR SERIOUS WOUNDS AND STRUGGLE

ASSAILANT ARRESTED AFTER FIGHT IN ALLEY

EDWARD WISDOM CHASED WHEN COLORED WOMAN CALLS FOR HELP

Struggling in a three-foot alley with a Negro last night, Lieut. Matthew Quinn, of the Northwest district, was stabbed seriously four times in the head. Lieut. Quinn is that the Col. hospital physician say he will recover.

One police reserves reached the scene they found Lieut. Quinn’s white On the ground with the blade of the Negroes knife stuck in the top and a handle broken off

EDWARD WISDOM HELD

The Negro, Edward wisdom, 630 Joseph and street, is locked up at the Northwestern police station. He is charged with attacking Lieut. Quinn and attempting to kill him.

About 8 PM wisdom called at the home of may Brown Negress S 1940 Myrtle Ave., and demanded entrance. He is a friend of her husband. She refused to admit him. She called for police and ran to the home of Dr. James C. Carper, 1063 Myrtle Ave.

CHASED BY PATROLMAN

Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs chased wisdom, who hid in an alley. As Lieut. Quinn, who had joined in the Chase, entered the alley wisdom attacked him. Patrolman Henry Moore, Elmer Johnson and Joseph Broxton, all of the Northwestern district, sooner rides.

Wisdom was overpowered and placed under arrest. Capt. Charles Lastner of the Northwestern district, sent Lieut. Quinn to the hospital.

NINE SHOT BY INSANE NEGRO

Five policeman, a druggist, a Negro boy, a Negro girl and a Negro man were shot by an insane Negro June 28 within a mile of last night stabbing. Patrolman Webster E Schuman, of the Northwestern district, died the following day he had been shot in the mouth.

Thomas Dillon, telephone clerk at the Northwestern police station, died July 12, he had been shot in the chest, the shot lodging in the spinal column.

VANIE LEE SHOT TO DEATH

Vanie Lee, the Negro responsible for the deaths of the two men, was shot to death at Lafayette and Argyle Avenue while hundreds of spectators, many of them carrying pistols, sought to reach him. He had been armed with two pistols and a rifle.

Investigation disclosed that Lee had been an inmate of the insane Ward in Baltimore city hospitals. He had been discharged because his condition seemed improved and because the limited facilities at the institution.

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DIES IN FALL POLICEMAN DOWN THEATER STAIRS

 30  Jan 1944

The Sun (1837-1987); pg. 14

POLICEMAN DIES IN FALL DOWN THEATER STAIRS

Patrolman Joseph Waldsachs, who had been a member of the Police Department for 25 years, was killed late yesterday afternoon when he tripped in the balcony of a motion picture theater and fell down the stairs, breaking his neck.

Police reported that patrolman Waldsachs who was assigned to the Northwestern district, was making a routine inspection of the theater, located in the 1400 block of W. Lafayette Ave. He was leaving the projection booth after talking to the theater manager when he fell, they said.

The policeman, who was 54 years old and lived at 2023 Wheeler Ave., was taken to West Baltimore General Hospital where he was pronounced dead patrolman Waldsachs joined the Police Department in 1919

Waldsachs – Suddenly on January 29, 1944, Joseph C. Waldsachs of 2023 Wheeler Ave., beloved husband of Bessie Hughes Waldsachs.

Funeral for Martin Fahey and Sons, 1827 West North Ave., on Wednesday and 9:30 AM Requiem Mass at St. Gregory’s church at 10 AM Interment in Mount Mary Cemetery Towson

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DEATHS


  1 Feb 1944


Sun Paper - pg. 14

WALDSACHS– suddenly on January 29 – 1944, Joseph C. Of 2023 Wheeler Ave., beloved husband of Bessie Hughes Waldsachs.

Funeral for Martin Fahey and sons, 1827 West North Ave., on Wednesday at 6:30 AM Requiem mass at St. Gregory’s church at 10 AM interment in Mount Mary Cemetery Towson

Once again, as his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department we will not let him be forgotten, his service honored the City of Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department may he rest in peace, and may God Bless him.
(*11)

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 29 January, 1944
City, St. 1400 block West Lafayette Ave.
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Fall
District Worked Northwestern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Patrolman Charles J. Walsh

Friday, 01 November 2019 09:11
Patrolman Charles J. Walsh

12 January 1871 - Patrolman Charles J. Walsh - On this day in Police History 1871 - We lost our brother Patrolman Charles J. Walsh to accidental gunfire based on the following - Via the morning hour at approximately 1:30 O’clock, or just as the Coroner’s inquest was dated and time stamped, Policeman Charles J. Walsh was shot by his own hand and with his own pistol – The reports have these events taking place on yesterday’s date, (12 January 1871) at or within approximately five minutes of Police Division C’s shift change. This being easily detected as Shift B and Shift C had just swapped positions at the Western Stationhouse, and the report of a .38 Caliber handgun at that hour on the small, tight, almost alley sized streets of Baltimore in the late 1800’s were very distinguishable. The officers in charge of the station heard the loud report(s) of that a small caliber pistol. The sound apparently coming from the Baltimore Street side of the station, more in the direction of Pearl Street. Sgt. Zimmerman and Policemen Burkins, Earhart, and McKee quickly ran to the area from which the sound emanated, where they found Policeman Charles .J Walsh lying face down in the street. Closer examination revealed he was bleeding from an apparent entry wound to his head. Officer Walsh having just arrived on his beat was said to have been found by his brother officers to be lying face down in a small puddle of his own blood, his pistol under his upper body, with one of the barrel’s discharged. His Espantoon and belt lying alongside him; he was carried to the station-house, and Prof. Baxter quickly summons to same. Upon arrival to the station, Prof Baxter discovered that the ball had penetrated the center of Officer Walsh’s forehead and passed through his skull and into his brain, causing the fatal wound. The unfortunate man lingered in an unconscious state until about quarter past 3 o’clock when he expired. Dr. Spicer, city coroner, yesterday morning summoned the following jury of inquest, - Dr. E R Baer, (Foreman) John Williams,  E. R. Riddell, John Turnbull Junior, A. C. Pracht, T. Kearn good, Charles Stewart, E. T. Schultz, William T Toles, Alex, Towson, E. S. Parish, and James Maddox, before whom the following testimony was elicited: Policeman William Burkins testified that he was passing along Baltimore Street, coming toward Green, at the time and went between pro-and Green he looked across the street and saw the deceased passing directly afterwards he heard the deceased stick drop was particularly attracted; witnesses attention to him, a moment afterwards witness saw the flash, and heard the report of the pistol: ran across the street towards him, but before he could reach him, the deceased spun  around and fell: witness immediately rapped (his Espantoon) for assistance and Sgt. Zimmerman and other officers came up in a few moments on raising the deceased did they found that his pistol under him, and his belt and stick lying near him there was no person nearer him then that witness himself. Sgt. Zimmerman testified to having heard a single rap of a stick, and a moment afterward seeing the flash and heard a report of a pistol. He was at the time with his squad on Baltimore Street near Pine: went back and found that the deceased lying on the sidewalk: on raising him up found blood streaming from a wound in his forehead, and his revolver lying under him: witness, which policeman Burkins, Earhart, Smith, and McKee.

Policeman Ross testified that he had been with policeman well storing the early part of the night: deceased had been that night initiated into a lodge, after which witness went with him to his boarding house and took a lunch with him: when about to start to the station house remarked to him that he (witness) thought he had forgotten his pistol, the deceased felt in his overcoat pocket and said that he had his and that he had left it in the ante-room while being initiated for fear of an accident: deceased appeared to be in good spirits Policeman McKee testified that he parted with the deceased at the southeast corner Baltimore and Greene streets, after leaving the station house at one half o’clock in the morning as deceased left witness he said he would see him again: witness asked when: deceased in a joking manner said about the Fourth of July, a few minutes afterwards he heard the report of the pistol: went back and found the deceased lying on the pavement. The jury after hearing the evidence rendered a verdict that the deceased came to his death by accidental discharge of his own pistol. The deceased was 27 years of age and unmarried. The body was taken in charge of by a brother of the deceased, and removed to the residents of the former, number 4 Decker St., from which place to the funeral will be placed this afternoon, at 2 o’clock. It will be attended by a delegation of Police Department and by members of the order of Beptesephe, as a member of which he was initiated the night of the fatal occurrence as we take this time to remember him, 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 12 January, 1871
City, St. Baltimore, Md
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Gunfire
District Worked Western
 
 
 
Published in Fallen Heroes

Detective Marcellus Ward

Friday, 01 November 2019 09:09
Detective Marcellus Ward

Marrty ward

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO

Marty Ward and the Drug War

4 December 2009

Thursday's ceremony for slain Baltimore Police Det. Marty Ward, who was killed making an undercover drug buy 25 years ago, got me thinking a lot about drugs and the way we fight the drug war.

Marty was a seasoned cop when, as part of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration task force, he negotiated a heroin buy from a man and then got shot as his raid team ran up the stairs. Ward's dying gasps were caught on tape that was played at his trial.

At the ceremony outside the house in which Marty had been shot, 1829 Frederick Avenue, cops gathered and talked about continuing the drug war and "standing the line" but it was clear that 25 years of seemingly futile work has made little headway. Above, in a picture by The Sun's Lloyd Fox, Officer Efren Edwards salutes). 

The best that could be said came from Gary Childs, who was the lead cop on the raid team when Marty was shot. Standing back at the house a quarter-century later, Childs told me: "Imagine what it would be like if we didn't do what we did. We try to put a lid on it and make it OK for the people who have to live here."

In other words, we're barely keeping pace. We're struggling to maintain the status-quo. As as several police officers told me on Thursday, the amount of heroin Marty was negotiating for in such an elaborate and dangerous sting is roughly the same amount cops today get in standard street rips.

"Baltimore will never change," one city police lieutenant told me.

It's not that all this for nothing. But it's got to be disheartening for police officers to return to a street where one of their own had been killed so long ago and find it no better or even worse than it was back then. Those who knew him described Marty Ward (left) as a cop with unquestioned integrity, who truly gave up his life for others.

After completing the drug deal and getting the incriminating words on tape, he could've walked down the stairs from the apartment above the Kandy Kitchen and let the raid team go up. But he knew the suspect, Lascell Simmons, had a .357 Magnum, and so Marty decided to stay to try and distract him as his fellow cops ran up two flights of stairs in the cramped row house. Simmons heard them coming and shot Marty four times before they could arrive.

It was Childs, listening to the live audio feed, who heard Simmons' gun cocking, then a shot, then the gun cocking again, then another shot. Childs could be heard screaming "Marty, Marty Marty!" before he cut the feed. It was Childs, who would later become a city homicide detective and now works for Baltimore County police, who ran up the narrow stairs and shouted to Simmons to throw down his gun. Simmons refused, saying he didn't believe Childs was a cop.

"I ain't throwing no gun down till the police come," Simmons said, according to a 1985 Baltimore Sun story. "Don't come up here, man. I'm telling you wait unitl the police come, man. I can't let y'all up here because I don't know who y'all is, man."

Childs screamed up: I am the ---- police, here's my badge. Now throw the gun down and walk down and if that man dies, I'll kill you."

Simmons died in prison in April while serving a 160 year sentence for Marty's death.

Haunting words from so long ago. My colleague Dan Rodricks -- he has a blog called Random Rodricks --  wrote a moving column in 1985 that, without the names and date, could be written today. He wrote that on Dec. 3, 1984, about 5 p.m., most people were sitting down to dinner or watching TV, and "with no one paying much attention, a police officer named Marty Ward was trying as best one man could to save the city. He was trying to stop the seepage of heroin into the blood of Baltimore."

The seepage continues, not because Marty failed, but for many other reasons that could be and are debated in books, in university classrooms and in squad rooms across the country. A few months ago, Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bielefeld III addressed officers in a training seminar and criticized past administrations for failing to effectively combat drugs.

He said that after Marty Ward was killed, cops reserved undercover drug buys for the most serious of cases and the most wanted of men. That way, when a detective brought a suspect to a judge, even for a small amount of drugs, the judge knew that this man was a high-level target because otherwise police wouldn't have risked their lives to bring him in. In short, the bust meant something.

But Bielefeld said that past Baltimore police commissioners decided they could buy drugs from everyone and put everyone in jail. Judges came to work with addicts lined up around the corners and concluded, rightly, that the cops had no real plan other than mass arrests. Their dockets were overloaded with petty criminals while the big-time suppliers roamed free. Prosecutors set an arbitrary limit to stem the tide, requiring 30 pieces of crack or small bags of heroin to bring a felony charge. The dealers started carrying 29.

Bielefeld said he's trying to turn that around. Here is some of what he told the cops in training, according to Sun reporter Justin Fenton who was allowed to attend:

"We reserved undercover buys, hand to hand buys, after that, after that death, we reserved undercover buys for the biggest targets we could think of. Guys’ we couldn’t get any other way. So we didn’t do it a lot. Not cause we were afraid, not just because of Marty Ward. But we said to each other, 'If we’re going to do this, it’s a big deal. It’s a really big deal. And the people we get, are a really big deal.'

"Who else knew that? The judges knew that. And all this crap about 30 pieces, all that other junk we’ve lived with, it still meant something to sell dope to a cop. It meant something. We put you in plainclothes, we send you out. It wasn’t TV stuff. ... If we gave you twenty bucks of marked money and bought two pills and we went and locked that guy up, it meant something. It was a very clear signal that we were serious about that guy. Cause most of the judges knew about Marty Ward too. They knew about our history and about our policing tactics, of this agency. It meant something."

Bielefeld then referenced (and sharply criticized) former Police Commissioner Kevin P. Clark:

"Anyone know what Clarks’ strategy to solve drug dealing in Baltimore was? His core strategy was, that he believed we could buy dope from all the drug dealers and put them out of business. It's preposterous, right? Why do we know that? Cause you wear this uniform and patrol these streets. It would be like you tomorrow, you’re the police chief of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and on the plane ride out, you’re writing down all this stuff about how to solve crime in Alburquerque, New Mexico. Could she do it? no. hell no.

"He had this idea, he’d train all these teams, he’s gonna train all these undercover teams, New York style. He brought in New York guys to train Baltimore guys about how to police in Baltimore, and we’re going to buy dope from everybody and fill the jails up with drug dealers. And then there’s no one to sell dope.

"I may be a lot of things, I’m a damn good drug cop. And I’ve locked kids up 8 to 88. It's impossible to do. Forget the impracticality of it. But in an instance, by way of an ill-advised police strategy, what happened to our tactic? It's gone. Cause guess who knew we weren’t serious anymore? The judges. Now, instead of taking a handful a year and saying, 'I don’t know what you did son, but they used buy-bust on you, you’re going to jail.' Selling to a cop is an instant felony. Whether you sold one pill or 5,000 pills, it’s a felony in an instant. A bag of weed? Felony. You go to jail. And now you and hundreds of cops all over the city, buying from everybody indiscriminately, the judges figured that out too. There’s no priorities here. how are you telling me this guy is a bigger priority than the 386 guys I have on my docket today. So guess who went to jail. Nobody. Nobody. Nobody went to jail behind a tactic that worked for us for years, and its gone. Gone. In one move. In one stroke, gone."

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Detective Ward, an undercover narcotics officer, was shot and killed as he was making a narcotics related buy prior to a raid on December 3, 1984. Detective Marcellus Ward, 36, and other members of a specialized DEA task force were in the closing stages of an investigation with a final “heroin buy” from the suspects. It was shortly after 5:00 p.m. when one of the targets left 1829 Frederick Avenue to go to Pennsylvania Station to check on the money with which the narcotics purchase was to be made. Following an established plan, the suspect was arrested when he arrived to pick up the money. Task Force members then responded to 1829 Frederick Avenue. The building contained a candy store on the street level and a residential area on the second and third floors. Search and Seizure Warrants were to be executed. Members of the Task Force made a tactical entry through the front door, with Detective Ward still inside the residence, then made their way to the staircase in the rear of the building. Once inside, they loudly identified themselves as Police Officers, and began to scale the narrow, twisting flight of stairs. That’s when they heard a series of gunshots. As they neared the third floor, Agents and Detectives confronted the suspect who had fired several shots causing them to seek cover. There was a brief period of negotiation, two handguns were thrown out into the hallway, and the suspect surrendered. Detectives entered the apartment and found Detective Ward, shot four times, dead. Detective Ward was shot as he sat on the suspects couch. Valiant efforts to preserve his life failed. Detective Marcellus Ward was a member of the Department for 13 years. He was married and the loving father of two children. Detective Ward was laid to rest on December 7, 1984.


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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 3 December, 1984
City, St. 1829 Frederick Ave
Panel Number 6-W: 13
Cause of Death Gunfire
Weapon - Handgun
District Worked Narcotics
Published in Fallen Heroes

Lieutenant Martin E. Webb

Friday, 01 November 2019 09:05
Lieutenant Martin E. Webb

 

Lieutenant Martin E. Webb

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1 August 1971, we lost our brother to a line of duty drowning based on the following:


Article from the Police Newsletter from August 1971

On Sunday evening, the 1st of August, a freak summer storm of tropical intensity hit the northern and northeastern sections of Baltimore City and County. At least sixteen persons died as a result of the storm and the flash flooding caused by it. Lieutenant Martin E. Webb of the Southern District was one of those victims. Baltimore County Police discovered his automobile the following morning. All of the vehicle’s doors were open. No trace was found of the Lieutenant. Later, witnesses reported that they had seen the Lieutenant park and leave his vehicle in a heroic, successful attempt to rescue a woman trapped inside her overturned automobile. The Lieutenant was last seen as he was swept away by the intensity of the floodwaters that surrounded him. A seventeen-year veteran of the Department, Martin Webb had been promoted to Lieutenant in March of this year. Prior to his assignment in the Southern District he had been assigned to the Laboratory Division. He had also served in the Central District and in the Motorized Section of the Traffic Division. The Lieutenant’s body was recovered on Tuesday, August 3rd, in Kahler’s Run, approximately one half mile away from where he had rescued the woman. For two days before the discovery, Lieutenant Donald Sutton had twelve off-duty Southern District Patrolmen in a futile attempt to locate him. The Lieutenant is survived by his widow, Frances, and their two children. Lieutenant Webb did not hesitate to risk his life in order to save the life of another. His tragic death was the direct result of the compassion and concern he held for his fellow man, a dedication commensurate with the esteem in which his memory will forever be held.


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  1. WEBB RITES SET TOMORROW
    The Sun (1837-1989); Aug 6, 1971; pg. A7
  2. WEBB RITES
    SET TOMORROW

Storm Victim Was Member
of Police Force 17 Years

Funeral services for Lt. Martin E. Webb, of the Baltimore Police Department, will be held at 9 A.M. tomorrow at the Bernard Dabrowski funeral establishment, 2818 East Baltimore, Street. He was 43.

Lieutenant Webb died Sunday in the heavy rains that inundated Eastern Baltimore County.

His car was found behind the Ritz Tavern in Rosedale with all its doors open. Policemen who knew him guessed that he was drowned in Red House Run trying to help someone. His body was recovered Tuesday.

Born in Baltimore, he served in the Navy at the end of World War II and as a radio operator in the Marine Corps during the Korean War.

In between the fighting, he got an associate in arts degree in business administration from William and Mary College.

He joined the Police Department in 1954 and attended a number of seminars and special programs on law enforcement. He was promoted to sergeant in 1965 and to lieutenant this past March. At that time he was transferred from the crime laboratory to the Southern district.

Survivors include his wife, the former Frances Kowalewski; two stet-sons, Patrick Webster, serving in Vietnam with the Army, and Charles Webster, of Baltimore, and a sister, Mrs. Helen McDermett, of Baltimore.

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13 Killed, Others Missing As Storm Lashes State

The Sun (1837-1989); Aug 8, 1971; pg. D15

13 Killed, Others Missing
As Storm Lashes State
At least 13 persons were killed and an unknown number reported missing in the torrential waters from thunder storms that flooded the region Sunday night.

The downpour washed out or flooded hundreds of streets, left some 41.000 persons without electric power, 10,000 telephone subscribers without service and produced a barrage or emergency calls that jammed the switchboards of city and county police and fire departments. The city Fire Department received some 200 calls during the night reporting flooding’s, dangerous erosion and malfunctioning traffic signal. The heaviest rainfall by late Sunday was registered in Parkville a total of 10.32 inches for the weekend. Baltimore's weekend total was 7.5 inches.

In White Marsh a creek known as White Marsh Run overflowed and knocked out a 30-yard section of a four lane bridge on Belair road. And about 100 person in the same area were forced to evacuate their homes when an 8-inch gas main burst from flooding. The bodies of four mute flood victims were recovered Tuesday in the vicinity of Route 40 and the Gunpowder River, where eight persons were swept into the flooded river and drowned Sunday night.The fourth body, recovered in a stream near Chesaco and Old Philadelphia roads, was identified as that of Lt. Martin E. Webb, a Southern District policeman whose empty car was found in the same area after Sunday’s storm.

At least four persons were still missing and presumed drowned in the Gunpowder River and in the flood-swollen Loch Raven Reservoir. The second wave of severe thunderstorms in 48 hours struck Maryland Tuesday night from Baltimore county to Montgomery county, flooding roads and forcing the evacuation of about persons in Laurel. As the locks at two dams were opened, the Patuxent River overflowed its banks, washed over one bridge on U.S. l, flooded the Laurel Racetrack and closed Route 198 there, and threatened riverside residences and businesses in Laurel


We his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department will not let him be forgotten – RIP Lieutenant Martin Webb, may God Bless You - For your service "Honored" the City of Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department" #BPDNeverForget

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.


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deviders our fallen

NOTICE

How to Dispose of Old Police Items

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

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

Anyone with information, photographs, memorabilia, or other "Baltimore City Police" items can contact Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. follow us on Twitter @BaltoPoliceHist or like us on Facebook email 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 9 August, 1971
City, St. Baltimore, Md
Panel Number 39-E: 17
Cause of Death Drowning
District Worked Southern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Patrolman George Weichert

Friday, 01 November 2019 09:02
Patrolman George Weichert

 

1 March 1946 - Patrolman GEORGE H. WEICHERT, On this day in Baltimore Police History 1 March 1946 we lost our Brother Patrolman George H. Weichert to heart attack while on duty… based on the following Baltimore Sun paper article dated 2 Mar 1946 reports the following:

Patrolman Stricken Fatally on Street

Stricken at Pratt and Paca streets while on duty yesterday Patrolman George Weichert, 51 years old father of seven children, died before he could be taken to University hospital. At the hospital, physician’s tentatively attributed his death to heart attack. Patrolman Weichert, a veteran of World War I, he joined the Police Department in the spring of 1924. He served in the Eastern and Western districts, and in 1939, he was commended for outstanding service. He lived at 5816 Greenhill Ave. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. May Weichert; a son, Private Adrian Weichert USMC, who is stationed in Japan, and six daughters, Lucille, Georgette, Catherine, Mrs. Leonard Greig, Mrs. Irving Sweeting and Mrs. Michael Thurfield, all of Baltimore. Funeral services will be held at St. Anthony’s of Padua Catholic Church at 9 AM Tuesday. Burrell will be carried out in the Baltimore national Cemetery.

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

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 1 March 1946
City, St. Pratt and Paca Streets
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Heart Attack
District Worked Central
 
 
 
 
 
Published in Fallen Heroes

Officer Ira Neil Weiner

Friday, 01 November 2019 09:01
Officer Ira Neil Weiner

Officer Ira Neil Weiner

On this day Baltimore City Police History 21 Sept 1992 we lost our brother Police Officer Ira Neil Weiner to gunfire based on the following:

After responding to a call for service at 1929 W. Mulberry Street, without provocation or warning, Officer Weiner was savagely attacked and stabbed repeatedly with the ice pick. The suspect then grabbed Officer Weiner’s pistol, ripped it from his holster and fired it into Ira as he stood over his now lifeless body. Officer Weiner was stabbed and shot multiple times, but that wasn’t enough, the coward then leaned down and shot him a single time in the back of his head. The suspect then began an exchange of gunfire with the responding backup units. Those backup officers would proceed to cut him down in the hail of gunfire that he deserved.

The Sun paper would report - “A drug-crazed man stabbed Officer Ira N. Weiner multiple times with an ice pick before he took the officer's pistol and shot him in the back of the head, according to the state medical examiner's office.” and “Officer Weiner, 28, was fatally wounded when he answered a call at a West Baltimore house on Saturday. Apparently, the Western District officer was unable to draw his 9mm Glock pistol because he was overwhelmed by his assailant. After stabbing Officer Weiner, the assailant used the officer's handgun to shoot him in the back of the left side of the head, a wound that proved fatal, Ms. [Tori Leonard] said. Additional stab wounds occurred after the shot, officials said.”

Ira was well known, well liked and well respected, he will be missed. 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. 

Shomrim Society to honor fallen officer

3:35 PM, Sep 21, 2012

3:37 PM, Sep 21, 2012

BALTIMORE - Twenty years ago Baltimore Police Department officer Ira Neil Weiner was assaulted, shot and died in the line of duty. Sunday, his death will be commemorated by the Shomrim Society of Maryland.

The Shomrim Society of Maryland was organized to unite members of the Jewish faith in the field of public safety across the State of Maryland. It was founded in 1978 and has since worked to raise awareness and honor officers who pay the ultimate price for ensuring the safety of others.

The special memorial service or officer Weiner will be held at the Oheb Shalom Memorial Park at 1 p.m. Sunday. The park is located at the intersection of Nicodemus Road and Berryman's Lane in Reisterstown.

All members of the community are invited to attend.

#‎BPDNeverForget‬

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 21 Sept 1992
City, St. 1929 W. Mulberry Street
Panel Number 44-E: 18
Cause of Death Gunfire
Weapon - Handgun
District Worked Western
Published in Fallen Heroes

Patrolman Arthur Weiss

Friday, 01 November 2019 08:56
Patrolman Arthur Weiss

 

Patrolman Arthur Weiss

23 June 1951

Traffic Officer Stricken Fatally Ill on Duty

Patrolman Arthur Weiss, Traffic Division, was taken ill while directing traffic at Camden and Howard Streets this morning, and died a short while later at Mercy Hospital.

Officer Weiss complained of feeling ill to his sergeant while on duty and, after being taken to the hospital, suddenly said, “Everything’s getting dark.” He lapsed into unconsciousness and was pronounced dead.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and a son, Arthur, 13.

The Weis Home is at 1839 E’s 29th street.

The Evening Sun Sat Jun 23 1951 Weiss

.

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 23 June 1951
City, St. Camden and Howard Streets
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death LOD Illness
District Worked Central
Published in Fallen Heroes

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