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Officers Frank W. Whitby

Friday, 01 November 2019 08:54
Officers Frank W. Whitby

FRANK WARREN WHITBY JR

49-E: 8
End of Watch: May 5, 1974
Baltimore City, Maryland, P.D.
Shortly after 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, 1974, Officers Frank Whitby and William Nowakowski, working 311 post, received a call to back-up a unit, which was handling a call for an armed person in the 1900 Block of Lanvale Street. Officer Whitby took the shotgun from the trunk of his patrol car and approached the door of the house with his fellow officers. The three officers confronted the woman who answered the door. She assured them that the suspect was in the house but was not armed. Carefully, they entered the dwelling, Officer Whitby in the lead. Suddenly, a volley of shots erupted from the far end of the hallway. Officer Whitby was struck three times and fell to the floor. His fellow officers obtained cover and returned fire. Officer Whitby crawled from the hallway to the safety of the street. Additional back up units arrived and the business of getting the suspect out of the house began. The 42-year-old suspect finally surrendered to Police Officers after several minutes of negotiations. Officer Whitby, a 22-year-old father of two small daughters, succumbed to the massive abdominal wound on May 5th at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 5 May, 1974
City, St. 1900 Block of Lanvale St
Panel Number 49-E: 8
Cause of Death Gunfire
District Worked Eastern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Officer William Wilder

Friday, 01 November 2019 08:53
Officer William Wilder

Police Officer William Wilder

On June 20 1969 we lost our brother, Police Officer William Wilder in the line of duty. During a struggle Officer Wilder suffered a heart attack and died.  Officer Wilder was off duty when he responded to a family disturbance involving teenager in his neighborhood, placing himself on-duty to help stop the disturbance a struggle ensued, it was during that struggle that Officer Wilder suffered a massive heart attack and died. Due to circumstances of his being off duty and placing himself on duty it took nearly a year for his death to be determined a Line of Duty death. But in the end because he came to the aid of one of his neighbors, his death was determined to be a line of duty related death.

We his brothers and Sisters of the Baltimore Police Department won’t let him be forgotten, RIP Officer Wilder - May you never be forgotten - "Your service "Honored" the City of Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department"

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 mail pics to us at 8138 Dundalk Ave. Baltimore Md. 21222 

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

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 20 June, 1969
City, St. City, St.
Panel Number 1
Cause of Death Heart Attack
Published in Fallen Heroes

Officer John C. Williams

Friday, 01 November 2019 08:50
Officer John C. Williams

Officer John C. Williams

Officer Williams was seated inside his radio car writing a report as his partner was fueling the vehicle at the Northern District. (Keswick and 34th St.) The car suddenly caught fire and exploded, severely burning Officer Williams. He died several weeks later as a result of the injuries sustained. On this day in Baltimore police history we lost our brother police Officer John C Williams - Officer Williams was killed when his patrol vehicle caught fire as his partner was filling it with fuel. Officer Williams was sitting in the car writing reports when the incident occurred and he became trapped inside.

Officer Williams had been with the agency for 19 years. As his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore police department we will keep his memory alive, thank him for his service and may God rest his sole.

Robert Yamin I had just parked my unmarked car about 40 feet from the Car being fueled. I was almost in the building when the fire erupted and the car was completely engulfed in flames. Another Officer was immediately calling KGA. The Flames and heat was so intense from 30 to 40 feet away it was impossible to get closer. Our cars were not equipped with Fire Extinguishers at that time. I ran thru the archway to the front of the building and pulled the Fire Alarm, and waited to direct the first arriving Fire truck to the archway. Was a horrible incident to observe? There was absolutely nothing any of us who were there could do. This occurred at the old ND, Keswick and 34th.

 

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch August 21, 1967
City, St. Keswick and 34th St.
Panel Number 35-E: 16
Cause of Death Fire
District Worked Northern
 
 
 
 
 
Published in Fallen Heroes

Officer Brian Winder

Friday, 01 November 2019 08:48
Officer Brian Winder

Officer Brian Winder

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Biographical Info Age: 36 Tour of Duty: 10 years Cause of Death: Gunfire Date of Incident: Saturday, July 3, 2004 Weapon Used: Handgun; 9 mm Suspect Info: One committed suicide; One apprehended. 

Officer Winder was shot and killed by two men, one of which he had arrested earlier in the week for selling illegal copies of CDs and DVDs. Officer Winder responded to a 911 call at approximately 2100 hours, in which the caller asked authorities to remove someone from their residence. When Officer Winder arrived, he was warned that one of the men might be armed. The officer spotted two people who fit the description and called out to them. Both suspects fled into a liquor store on Edmondson Avenue. As Officer Winder approached the store, the suspects opened fire from within, striking Officer Winder twice in the legs and once in the chest just above his vest. One suspect then exited the store and continued firing at the officer. He was able to escape, but the second suspect was captured after responding officers fired at him. Officer Winder was transported to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center where he died. The suspect who escaped was located in a Baltimore motel on the morning of July 7. He committed suicide as the Baltimore Police Department's Quick Response Team entered his room. Officer Winder had served with the Baltimore City Police Department for 10 years, and was assigned to the Southwest District. He is survived by his wife, two sons, and a stepdaughter.

Police  Officer Brian Donte Winder Baltimore City Police Department EOW: Saturday, July 3, 2004 Cause: Gunfire

On this day in Baltimore Police History 2004 we lost our brother - Police Officer Brian Donte Winder to gunfire based on the following:

Officer Winder was shot and killed by two men, one of which he had arrested earlier in the week for selling illegal copies of CDs and DVDs. Officer Winder responded to a 911 call at approximately 2100 hours, in which the caller asked authorities to remove someone from their residence. When Officer Winder arrived, he was warned that one of the men might be armed. The officer spotted two people who fit the description and called out to them. Both suspects fled into a liquor store on Edmondson Avenue. As Officer Winder approached the store, the suspects opened fire from within, striking Officer Winder twice in the legs and once in the chest just above his vest. One suspect then exited the store and continued firing at the officer. He was able to escape, but the second suspect was captured after responding officers fired at him. Officer Winder was transported to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center where he died. The suspect who escaped was located in a Baltimore motel on the morning of July 7. He committed suicide as the Baltimore Police Department's Quick Response Team entered his room. Officer Winder had served with the Baltimore City Police Department for 10 years, and was assigned to the Southwest District. He is survived by his wife, two sons, and a stepdaughter.

What follows is a Sun Paper Artle on these events

As family, friends mourn, police seek 2nd suspect in officer's death

Vigil held at liquor store where Winder was killed

July 05, 2004|By Ryan Davis | Ryan Davis,SUN STAFF

Baltimore police were searching yesterday for the man they believe fired some - if not all - of the bullets that killed a Southwestern District officer Saturday night while he was patrolling the neighborhood that was his lifelong home.

Immediately after the shooting in the Edmondson Village area, another man was arrested by an officer who fired at him and cornered him inside a nearby liquor store. Jermaine Gaines, 31, was charged yesterday with first-degree murder and handgun offenses in the death of 36- year-old Officer Brian D. Winder, police said.

Gaines has told detectives that the man who fled fired the shots that hit Winder, according to police. They obtained an arrest warrant yesterday naming the second suspect as Charles Bennett, 33, of the 3900 block of Flowerton Road in Edmondson Village.

Winder, a 10-year veteran of the department, was hit by three shots - including one in the left chest, just above his bulletproof vest, police said. He was pronounced dead at Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where officers and his family gathered to grieve early yesterday.

"We lost a member of our family," Police Commissioner Kevin P. Clark said during a news conference yesterday afternoon. "It cuts deep."

The commissioner also used the news conference to lash out at the city's criminal justice system. Both Bennett and Gaines have been arrested several times and convicted of felonies, he said.

"Why are these people out on the street?" Clark asked repeatedly, and called the assailants "terrorists."

Domestic incident

The events that led to the fatal encounter began at 8:41 p.m. with a 911 call about a domestic incident from a West Baltimore woman who said she wanted a man out of her house, police said.

When Winder arrived at 8:48 p.m., police said, the woman told him that the man she had called about was Jermaine Gaines. She described the direction he went and said that he was armed, police said.

Winder, searching the area, spotted two men who matched Gaines' description about 9 p.m. outside G&G Village Liquors, a brick- and metal-front store in the 4600 block of Edmondson Ave., Clark said.

Winder called out to the men, who then entered the liquor store - and were cornered in its roughly 100-square-foot area where customers place orders through a security barrier.

As the men entered, Winder made a radio call requesting a back-up officer, police said. Like nearly all Baltimore police officers, he patrols alone in his car.

Within a minute after making the call, Winder entered the store and was shot three times: in the chest and in the legs. He never fired his gun, police said.

"He was clearly ambushed," Clark said.

The liquor store owners have said they heard four or five shots, and the first one sounded much louder than the others - suggesting that the first shot may have been fired inside, and the others as the two suspects were leaving. But police said most of the shooting occurred inside the store.

Winder called on his radio to report shots had been fired, left the store and collapsed on the pavement outside, police said.

Just as the shooting was ending, Officer Ed Lane arrived and fired at the two men. Gaines ran inside the store, unhurt, police said, while the other man ran away. It was unknown yesterday whether the other suspect was wounded.

Police recovered a 9 mm handgun inside the store, they said yesterday.

The description of events provided yesterday by police differed from the initial account provided to the media Saturday night.

Yesterday, yellow roses rested on the broken pavement where weeds grow from the cracks alongside Edmondson Avenue. Next to the roses were a discarded medical face mask and a splotch of dried blood.

George McKnight approached the store shortly after noon. He was sobbing.

"I just wanted to see where they killed my brother-in-law," said the 49-year-old neighborhood resident.

Winder, a 1985 graduate of Carver High School, joined the police force in 1994 and spent most of his career patrolling the streets in the Southwestern District, which includes the Edmondson Village area where he was raised. He served a brief stint in the department's internal affairs unit, returning to his home district in June 2003.

McKnight said he told his brother-in-law that internal affairs seemed like a good job.

"I need to be on the street," Winder responded, according to McKnight.

"He wanted to make a positive impression on the young people and get these drug dealers off the corner," McKnight added.

Winder was married and had two sons, Corey Winder, 15, and Brandon Winder, 7, and a 24-year-old stepdaughter, police said. The names of his wife and stepdaughter were not available.

Seven others killed

He was the first Baltimore officer killed in connection with his police work since November 2002, when Thomas G. Newman, a 12-year veteran, was shot while off duty at a Southeast Baltimore tavern. His killing was apparently in retaliation for having testified against two men who shot him in an attack the previous year.

Six other city officers have been killed in the line of duty since 2000. Officer Crystal D. Sheffield, the first female officer killed on the force, was fatally injured in a car crash in August 2002 while responding to a call to help a colleague. In 2001, a police officer was shot to death; and in 2000, four officers were killed in three separate collisions involving police cruisers.

The commissioner said Winder was shot because police officers are the only people criminals fear. "They don't worry about what happens to them after they get arrested," Clark said.

Bennett has been arrested 12 times, according to a criminal record obtained from police. The charges, which date to 1987, include handgun and drug offenses. He was convicted in 1994 of armed robbery and received a 15-year sentence with all but eight years suspended, police said. Bennett was paroled before serving his full sentence.

Less than five years after the crime, he was arrested on another charge, police said.

Clark said yesterday that Bennett is considered "armed and dangerous."

Gaines, of the 800 block of N. Monroe St., has been arrested at least four times, according to police. Three times in the past 12 years he has been convicted of drug charges, they said.

"I just don't understand what's wrong with these people," McKnight said yesterday, adding that Winder "was just out here to try to help people."

`Tremendous void'

Yesterday evening, police barred traffic from the eastbound lanes of Edmondson Avenue between Swann Avenue and Old Frederick Road as Winder's colleagues held a candlelight vigil at the site of the shooting.

"This is our opportunity to be the kind of officer that Brian was," said Maj. Deborah Owens, commander of the Southwestern District. "He would want us to go on."

The vigil lasted about an hour, and dozens of Winder's colleagues turned out to remember him. They praised him as a compassionate officer who played the role of stern disciplinarian and caring social worker.

"That's a special combination," said Northwestern District Deputy Maj. Mary Eilerman, who had worked with Winder at Southwestern. "His loss leaves us with a tremendous void. He always took exceptional steps to show the compassion he had. He took extra time to listen to people and get to know them."

Officer Tomecha Johnson, who was one of the first to arrive at the shooting scene Saturday, sobbed as she begged fellow officers to find Winder's killer.

"I held him in my arms," she said of Winder. "Please catch [the killer]. He has to be brought to justice. Please just catch him. That's all I want."

Sun staff writers Lynn Anderson and Kelly Brewington contributed to this article.

We his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department will not let him be forgotten. God Bless and rest in Peace. His service "Honored" the City of Baltimore and the Police Department - RIP Officer Lanahan

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch July 3, 2004
City, St. Edmondson Avenue
Panel Number 63-W: 24
Cause of Death Gunfire
District Worked Southwestern
Published in Fallen Heroes

Flight Officer Barry Winston Wood

Friday, 01 November 2019 08:45
Flight Officer Barry Winston Wood

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1998 we lost our brother Flight Officer Barry Winston Wood to a flight accident based on the following:

All too often police officers face life of death situations alone. During a typical tour of duty, and they run after dangerous criminals, confront armed people in the dark, deserted alleys, and pray for fellow officers to arrive during those difficult moments. Police officers claimed the Arching Angel Michael as their patron saint and in Baltimore the sound of the beating blades of a helicopter they call Foxtrot represents the closest manifestation to a guardian angel, an unequaled source of comfort as it tracks criminals from the sky.

When an officer needed a reliable protector, Flight Officer Barry Wood always did his utmost to provide that assistance. That the beam of his powerful searchlight brought daylight into darkness. His soothing voice, hallmark of the fox trot crew, removed allayed the fears of officers on foot. As flight officer wood patrol the skies over this city, he never took lightly the duty of watching over the neighborhood below as his aircraft, but he also knew that he and his crew had a still higher mission: to safeguard the city’s protectors.

On 4 November 1998 as Baltimore mourned the loss of Officer Harold Carey and hundreds of highly polished police cars formed a long procession that would lay him to rest, Barry Wood took to the skies over Pratt Street to answer another call for help. Minutes later, trainees directing traffic listened in disbelief as their radios crackled:

“Signal 13, a Signal 13, 1050 a RED, Foxtrot has Gone Down.” The wail of sirens pierced the crisp morning air, and officers raced to help, what had begun as a routine for call for assistance over Pratt Street ended with engine failure and a catastrophe. An attempt to land his aircraft with a maneuver called “autorotation”, Barry tried to touch down in the B&O Railroad Museum Parking Lot. Foxtrots tail rotor apparently struck either a power line, or a tree which changed the altitude helicopter and drove it into the ground, killing one of Baltimore’s finest. Though severely injured, Barry’s partner and aerial observer Mark Keller would survive the crash, most credit Barry with Mark’s survival, I am sure Mark leads the group of those that praise Barry in saving his life.

When the time came to lay Barry to rest, helicopters from many different agencies flew overhead in tribute as an officer below saluted his flag draped coffin. In the background, a speaker broadcast the dispatcher’s last call for him, “KGA to Foxtrot - KGA to Foxtrot - Foxtrot 10-5 not acknowledging.” The loss of flight officer wood profoundly affected every officer in the Baltimore Police Department because the Foxtrot fleet remained grounded during the extensive follow-up investigation, leaving Baltimore City’s Police Officers to face danger zone until a new fleet of aircraft arrived and resume the role of guardian angels.

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.

Flight Officer Barry Wood was killed in a helicopter crash. Flight Officer Wood experienced a catastrophic engine failure while answering a call for service over Pratt Street. Because of this mechanical failure, Flight Officer Wood attempted to land the aircraft with a technique called auto-rotation. It is speculated that Flight Officer Wood was attempting to touch down in the B & O Railroad parking lot when his tail rotor struck either power lines or a tree. This collision with a fixed object created a change in attitude driving the aircraft into the ground. Flight Officer Barry Wood’s partner, Aerial Observer Mark Keller survived the crash.

January 31, 1986 Flight Officer Barry Wood was in command of the "Foxtrot" helicopter on routine patrol over the city and developed a mechanical problem with the airship. His vast knowledge of helicopters and in the interest of the safety of his observer and those on the ground below, he searched for the closest area to land. Looking down he saw a clear spot on Frankford Ave between Moriva Park Primary and the Frankford Elementary Schools. He double checked the area for any persons on the ground and for any hazards that could affect the landing. He notified the Communications Division about the need to bring the helicopter down (10-50 Red). Communications Division immediately notified ground units to respond and secure the area along with notifications to the Fire Department to be on scene if needed. Officer Wood brought the helicopter down safely without any injuries or damage to the helicopter. He remained a true hero as not only did he concern himself more with those on the ground and the observer with him, he also kept the one thing on his mind that was the only reason he did anything, his wife, he was concerned with getting home to her, and he did, the next he was back in the air, because nothing scared him away from fulfilling the oath he made to protect the citizens on Baltimore and nothing could keep him out of the air or from doing his job. 

On this day in 1998, twelve years later, he developed another mechanical problem this one more severe than the last, one of the department's helicopter took his life. As in the earlier incident, using his experience and training he tried to bring the airship down without any injury to the persons on the ground or to his observer. He was able to bring the helicopter down on a clear lot, positioning the helicopter to land with impact on his side so as not to injure the observer too severely. The observer sustained some major injuries, possible lifelong injuries, but not life threatening injuries, Barry did all he could to see to that. So on this day 15 years ago today, we in the Baltimore Police department lost one of our very best.

The following are just a few of the reports from the Sun papers

Police pilot gets hero's farewell; Officer Barry Wood 2nd member of force to die in 5 days
An article Nov. 11 about the funeral of Officer Barry W. Wood, who was killed in a helicopter crash at the B&O Railroad Museum, reported that in 1970 during the Vietnam War, Wood had declared safe a helicopter that later crashed and killed two of his friends. In fact, Woods had declared the helicopter unsafe.
Vietnam veteran Wood joined police force to fly; Officers remember fallen colleague
Barry W. Wood didn't join the Baltimore Police Department to cruise city streets. He joined to fly over them. Coming straight from the battlefields of Vietnam, the then 23- year-old came to Baltimore less than a month after he was honorably discharged from the Army in 1971 -- part of a bold experiment for building a police helicopter unit. "When we started, we said, `Why not get the best pilots available?' " said Frederick Police Chief Regis Raffensberger, who started the city chopper unit known as "Foxtrot" and made Wood one of his first hires.

Crash kills pilot of city police helicopter; Second officer aboard seriously injured as unit chased stolen car
A Baltimore police officer was killed and his partner was seriously injured yesterday when their helicopter crashed at the B&O Railroad Museum after nearly clipping the dome of the historic roundhouse while searching for a stolen car. The pilot, Barry W. Wood, 50, is the second city officer to die in five days. The crash occurred as the funeral for Harold J. Carey ended, sending officers dressed for a burial racing from a cemetery to the wreckage on West Pratt Street. Wood, a 27-year veteran who flew a helicopter during the Vietnam War, was rushed to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Dr. Thomas M. Scalea, chief of trauma surgery, said Wood's heart and lungs had stopped, but doctors were able to resuscitate him.
Funeral planned for police pilot who died in crash
A section of Harford Road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow for the funeral of Flight Officer Barry W. Wood, a helicopter pilot who died when his aircraft crashed Wednesday, a Baltimore Police Department spokeswoman said yesterday.

Further reports said:
November 4,1998 a Baltimore Police helicopter piloted by Flight Officer Barry W. Wood experienced mechanical problems while chasing down a car thief, and crashed into the parking lot at the B&O Railroad Museum on West Pratt St. According to witnesses, a loud bang came from the helicopter and plumes of smoke were seen pouring out the back. Remaining calm and courageous until the end, Officer Wood dispatched a distress signal over his radio, declaring "10-50 RED, 10-50 RED" which indicates that a crash is imminent. Then, the former Vietnam War Pilot, did all he could to maneuver his aircraft away from people on the ground. There were more than 60 people inside the museum at the time of the crash. A ten year old boy playing near the accident site said, “It was coming down with smoke. When I saw it hit the gate, I ran because I was so scared." Fortunately no one on the ground was hurt. On the way down, the helicopter struck a light pole and then crashed through an iron fence in the museum parking lot before coming to a rest on its side. The cockpit was destroyed. The two Officers were immediately removed from the helicopter and rushed to Shock Trauma Center. Flight Officer Wood, 50, made it into surgery, but was pronounced dead at 5 p.m., less than three hours after the accident. Officer Keller, 43, suffered a number of serious injuries, including a broken elbow and a spinal fracture, but survived the accident. At the funeral Barry was compared to "David, the Warrior," a Biblical figure who was renowned for the love, compassion and strength of character he exemplified. Officer Wood's wife of 28 years, Martha, spoke eloquently and powerfully at the funeral. She praised her husband as a great planner and excellent provider, and talked about the special relationship they had. "No one on earth has ever experienced the love that Barry and I shared. He was a loving, caring man who touched everyone that he came in contact with" Officer Keller expressed great admiration for his partner of more than a year and a half when he said, "Barry laid down his life for a friend. Our family will always love him and so will I." Officer Barry Wood's Service, Dedication to Duty, and Compassion Honored the City of Baltimore and the Police Department
A Man Who Loved To Fly
 If your thoughts go to him and they go sad
Just remember this,
He has no barriers anymore,
For now the clouds aren’t closed doors.
He has no limits
It does not matter how high he flies.
The Good Lord has set him free.
And remember this, if it is a shooting star you see,
Think of him and you will know
That his heart and soul will never die,
For he now lives in the sky,
What a wondrous thing for a man who loved to fly.

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 4 November, 1998
City, St. B & O Railroad Museum parking lot
Panel Number 3-E: 21
Cause of Death Auto Accident
District Worked Aviation
Published in Fallen Heroes

Officer William Woodcock

Friday, 01 November 2019 08:43
Officer William Woodcock

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1943 we lost our Brother Police Officer William Woodcock, as he was beat with his own Espantoon, and punched, stomped and kicked while he lay unconscious on the ground, based on the following.

On June 12, 1943 at approximately 10:37 p.m., Officer Woodcock responded to 1004 Brentwood Avenue to investigate an assault or threat thereof. During the investigation, Officer Woodcock took the suspect into custody and was responding to the victim’s house when the suspect Ronald Harris attacked the officer, taking his Espantoon and using it to knock Officer Woodcock unconscious, still while on the ground the officer was kicked, punched and stomped. Some witnesses say, Harris had three friend join him in the beating.

Witnesses said, Harris (39) first struck Officer Woodcock in the face, and knocked him to the ground, he then used Officer Woodcock’s espantoon against him. In fact, Officer Woodcock was taken to the ER where he later died, I tend to think he may have told investigators he was struck with his stick, as we know he came to and gave a statement to Captain Joseph Itzel, in which he gave an account of events to the Captain while naming suspect Harris. Others say Harris was joined by three of his friends who also took part in beating Officer Woodcock in about the head, while kicking and punching him as he lay unconscious and defenseless on the ground. From the newspaper – “Reports say Officer Woodcock regained consciousness at the hospital just long enough to identify one of suspects to Captain Joseph Itzel. Identified was Ronald Harris, 39 at the time was held without bail for grand jury action on a charge of murdering Patrolman William J. Woodcock.” This verse from the papers using the quote “long enough to identify one of suspects” let us know there was more than one suspect. That is all dropped as the case goes on. A hearing was held before magistrate Elmer J. Hammer in Central Police Court. Harris was held in $1,000 bail on each of two charges of assaulting two men who lived near his home in the 400 block East Eager Street. The assault charges were brought by John J. Mulgrew, of the 1000 block Brentwood Avenue, and Salvalor Costa, of the 600 block East Eager Street.

Arrested On June 12, Harris was on the front steps of his home about 9.30 P. M. His Attorneys were James E. Tippett, and Bernard S. Melnicove, who asked for a jury trial on the assault charges, didn’t really need a trail, there are three attorneys in a courtroom, aside from the Prosecuting attorney, and the Defense Attorney, there is the Judge, he is supposed to be impartial but this judge (Eugene O’Dunne) was pro-defense, he already had a disliking for police, and what he believed to be, “a willingness to use their Espantoon”, or as he said to “over use it”, so of all cases he to make a point, O’Dunne, picked this one. To make his point, he let a Police Killer go free, a case of an officer killed in the line of duty, would make headlines and get his point across… 5 Oct 1943, Judge Eugene O'Dunne acquitted Ronald Harris, the so called "maniac bandit," of a charge of Murdering Patrolman William J. Woodcock, holding that Woodcock's attempt to arrest Harris was illegal, and that the defendant did not use “unreasonable” force to repel the arrest. Judge O'Dunne contended that the officer attempted to arrest Harris without a warrant for a mere misdemeanor, which he did not see (i.e. not committed in his presence) was illegal. He pointed out the attempted arrest was based on the complaint of a mother who was not the victim, reported Harris threatened to beat her son. NOTE: If Harris would have admitted to this misdemeanor to Officer Woodcock, the arrest would have been legal, and his resisting wouldn’t have been justified. That said, the judge in this case was still wrong, because the resisting should have only been enough to escape the said “false” arrest, once free he should have gone, but by coming back, or continuing the assault, he was like an officer that uses excessive force, (the judge even eluded to it when he said, “the defendant did not use “unreasonable” force to repel the arrest” But he did, Woodcock made a statement, he told who his killer was, and that while, “down he was hit, kicked and stomped” by the defendant and three of the defendant’s friends. We already know he is guilty of a crime if more force is used than is needed, and if that crime leads to death, he should have been found guilty of at the very least manslaughter. I have read a lot of the judge’s words, and it was obvious he was not a fan of police, and it seems he used his powers, and dislike to free a POS, Police Killer.

The day after being acquitted Harris was arrested for drunk and disorderly. When taken before an afternoon judge, (he was still too drunk for morning sessions) he was asked by the judge if he had ever been arrested for drunk and disorderly, he answered, “I don’t think so?” so he was fined and given no jail time. In December (the 11th 1943) he was involved in a fight where he would be arrested and charged with assault, the courts again were lenient giving him just 60 days. In March of 1944 Harris was arrested with three friends for Theft and Burglary charges Harris wasn’t in court as he was too ill, so he was taken to the hospital, but his partners were sentenced to 4 and 5 years for their part in the crimes. Those arrested were Vince Bateman 21, Withrow Thompson 22, Joe Williams 25… All three signed affidavits saying they refused to assist Harris on a Robbery scheme he cooked up for an area Tavern Owner, that was crippled, Harris called all three, “Chicken Hearted” and told them, “when you go in to rob a man, rob him, and get it over quick!” a soldier who was AWOL was also arrested with Harris, but he was turned over to the military (He is probably getting out of the brig sometime within the next few years)

March 1944 Harris accused of theft of auto twice, the first February 24th and then again on the 28th these would be two auto theft charges, they stole a third from reliable Motors on the 27th of February Ronald Harris was sentenced last night to ten years in the Penitentiary after his conviction by a Criminal Court jury· on charges of larceny, receiving stolen goods and unauthorized use of an automobile. "Your record is extremely bad. Superlatives hardly describe it, "Judge .John T Tucker told the 40-year-old defendant in imposing sentence. "As soon as you get out of one difficulty, it seems you are in another." Convicted On Four Counts Judge Tucker imposed four-yearterms on each of two automobile larceny charges, and one-year terms on charges of receiving stolen goods and unauthorized use of an automobile. The sentences are to be served consecutively. Three other men indicted jointly with Harris on one or more of the charges received sentences ranging from four to five years when tried before Judge Tucker several Weeks ago. They were. Vincent Bateman and Withrow F. Thompson, each 1 given five years, and Joseph F. Williams, who received a four-year I term. According to statements by Joseph G. Finnerty, Assistant State's Attorney, Harris was the "ring leader" of a gang which rode the streets of Baltimore in stolen automobiles seeking places to "slick up." Began Operations In February the evidence disclosed that the defendants began operations last February 20 when Thompson stole the automobile of Robert Farnell Jr., of the 5400 block Jonquil Avenue, parked it on a side street in Westport and then joined the others in a
West Fayette street tavern
Their witnesses said, Harris told them of a man in the tavern who had $500, describing the owner of the money as a "good man to roll." Harris added that an automobile would be necessary before the robbery could be committed, and Thompson then informed the group of the stolen car in Westport and they went there by taxicab to get it, it was testified. When they returned to the tavern, the man had left. So the group rode around the city and nearby counties looking for places to stage holdups, the court and jury were told.
Cars Recovered
Famell's car was recovered on February 26, but prior to that time the gang had gone to a lot in the rear or the 300 block Monastery Avenue and stolen the high powered automobile of Newton Dale Johnson, the evidence disclosed. Witnesses said Mr. Johnson's automobile was recovered on February 27 from a location where it had been parked by the defendants, but the next day they’re turned to the lot and again stole Johnson's automobile. Mr. Finnerty contended they wanted the car because of its' high speed. Harris also was convicted of receiving property stolen from the third-floor apartment of Randolph Hoffman and his wife in the 200 block North Greene street. Criminal Record Read Mr." Finnerty read Harris' criminal record to the court. It follows:

1918- One year In St. Mary's Induatrial School for Larceny.

1923- Nine months in Wilmington, Del., for breaking and entering.

1923- Slx months forreceiving stolen goods

1924- Three years on six burglary charges

1925 - Committed to Spring Grove State Hospital

1925- Escaped Spring Grove State Hospital

1925- Ten years for shooting at four policeman, burglary, assault and

robbery, larceny and receiving stolen goods

1925 - Committed to Spring Grove State Hospital

1925 - Escaped Spring Grove State Hospital (Apprehended In South Carolina.)

1928 - Committed to Spring Grove State Hospital where he remained until 1933

1934 - Two, to five years In Philadelphia for breaking and entering.

1938 - $25 and costs for assault.

1940 - Suspended sentence for assault.

1940 - Elghteen months on two assault charges.

1942 - Elghteen months forassault and robbery.

1943 - Slxty days for disorderly conduct and assault.

1943 - September, Judge Eugene O’Dunne acquitted Harris of a charge of murdering a policeman after ruling that Harris was justified in resisting arrest because the arrest was illegal. What a sick son of a bitch and worthless judge. He went on to make a statement during another trial to try to explain his verdict, it came across as liberal judge with a disliking for police that wanted to make a statement. Judge O'Dunne, in the course of his statement, mentioned his recent acquittal of Ronald Harris, charged with the murder of a policeman, on the ground that the defendant had been justified in resisting arrest because the arrest was unlawful. The case attracted widespread public interest. "May I take advantage of this occasion," the jurist said yesterday, "to say a few words. "Baltimore has just cause to be proud of its Police Department. It is headed by Commissioner Hamilton R. Atkinson, a man risen from the ranks to the head of the department a man beloved by his force and enjoying the confidence and respect of the community.

Puts Them In Two Classes

"I would like the commissioner and the Police Department as a whole to feel that the Criminal Court is disposed to stand behind the department in the just enforcement of law and order, and to compel respect for its members as the representatives of law and order and to promote a feeling that the uniform is a badge of authority and entitled to be respected, and its officers obeyed - when acting within their legal rights. "I am equally anxious to have them know and realize , that the courts will not protect them in illegal arrests, begotten either of ignorance or arrogance; nor will it tolerate them building up a case in court to warrant their illegal action, by the use or false and perjured testimony” Judge O'Dunne stated that from his experience he has observed that police officers fall into two classes. 1 'They are, "Those who are conscious of their power and of its correspondingresponsibility; men who are self-poised, self-restrained and disposed to be firm but polite in the exercise of official duty.
His Second Type

"The other class of policemen may be described as those conscientious in the discharge or duty, zealous in its performance, anxious to make arrests on all possible occasions, ignorant of the law of when arrests may be legally made

without a warrant, fresh and arrogant in the exercise of their authority; utterly oblivious as to what constitutes a disturbance of the peace; men who regard themselves as the public peace, and in their minds, any disturbance of the police, or any question of their authority, is in itself, a crime-the “I am the law” type. "What they call 'back talk,' to such an officer, warrants slapping them in the face, white or colored. They feel free themselves to use any kind of opprobrious language to the victim, and goad him into loss of temper, then they assault or arrest him without warrant of law, and charge him with assault on an officer at the slightest resistance and then come to court and lie out of the facts so as to justify their conduct.

Mullin Case Ruling ·

"There. are comparatively few men on the police force, even from the higher rank down, who know what constitute: disturbing the public peace. They fail to put

the accent on public. Too many are infused with the idea that cursing the police under any circumstance, at any time or place, is not only a greater sin than cursing God, but mounts up to a public crime." Judge O'Dunne ruled that in arresting Mullin on the complaint or his wife and in her presence, the police were acting within their authority. He said that any beating which Mullin received at the hands of the police was provoked by the defendant because of his strenuous resistance.

Still he let a killer go free, because as he said in another statement

Judge Eugene O'Dunne yesterday acquitted Ronald Harris, so called "maniac bandit," of a charge of murdering Patrolman William J. Woodcock, 'holding that Woodcock's attempt to arrest Harris was illegal and that the defendant did not use unreasonable force to repel the· arrest Judge O'Dunne contended that the officer attempted to arrest Harris 'without a warrant for a mere misdemeanor which he did not see. He pointed out the attempted arrest was based on the complaint of a mother who reported Harris threatened to beat her son.

We all saw Harris’ record, and know he was arrested at least four times within the year after being released of Killing Officer Woodcock, the last case of robberies, theft’s etc. he was given 10 years. I was unable to find anything further. Some record indicate he may have gone back into Spring Grove State Hospital, but it is unclear if it is the same Ronald Harris.

Officer Woodcock is no longer with us, but he will never be forgotten. May he rest in Peace, and May God Bless Him.

 

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 13 June, 1943
City, St. 1004 Brentwood Avenue
Panel Number 18-E: 9
Cause of Death Knife
District Worked Central
Published in Fallen Heroes

Watchman George Workner

Friday, 01 November 2019 08:41
Watchman George Workner

On this day in Baltimore Police History 1808 we lost our brother Night Watchman George Workner – Ofc. Workner was stabbed to death during a jail break of nine inmates from the Baltimore Jail. The inmates made a set of keys and picked the locks to their cell doors. Then they attacked the guards with a small knife one of the inmates had obtained. Watchman Workner was stabbed in the side during the escape and died from the wound the following day. Four of the nine inmates were apprehended and sentenced to death for Watchman Workner's murder. Their execution date was set for April 22, 1808, but they again attempted to escape two days beforehand. That escape attempt failed and they were hung in the jail's courtyard at noon on April 22, 1808

We his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department will not let him be forgotten – RIP Officer George Workner

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 15 March, 1808
City, St. Baltimore Jail
Panel Number 33-W: 24
Cause of Death Knife
District Worked Central
Published in Fallen Heroes

Patrolman Thomas H. Worthington

Friday, 01 November 2019 08:38
Patrolman Thomas H. Worthington

4 March 1909 - Patrolman THOMAS H. WORTHINGTON,  was killed by a "live" wire at Mount Royal Avenue and McMechen Street early this morning. He was carrying a"dead" wire to the sidewalk from the street when a second wire fell. He died instantly. Officer Worthington was about 50 years old, and had been on the force about 12 "years, most ·of the time serving in the Northwestern district: He lived with his wife and children on Braddish Avenue, near the Wabash railroad tracks. (*4)

More details

NameDescription
End of Watch 4 March 1909
City, St. Mount Royal Avenue and McMechen Street
Panel Number N/A
Cause of Death Electrocution
District Worked Central
Published in Fallen Heroes

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