Thursday, February 27, 2003

"Pretty much all the honest truth-telling there is in the world is done by children."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes


SUPPORT SERVICES

A simple check in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary reveals the following definitions:

Support: assist, back, to take sides with; to provide assistance to

Obstruct: To block by an obstacle; to impede an action or the operation of; hinder

How often have you encountered that which is supposed to �support� does it�s best to �obstruct�?



30TH ANNIVERSARY: HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION TEAM

The NYPD�s Hostage Negotiation Team is making plans for its upcoming 30th Anniversary celebration.

As noted in an earlier posting, this will take place on Thursday, April 3, 2003 starting at 0800 Hours.

Location: John Jay College of Criminal Justice - Grand Auditorium
899 Tenth Avenue - (bet. West 58 Street and West 59 Street)
Manhattan

This looks to surely be a great time for all HNT people. Hoping everyone can attend!



MULTIPLE AWARDS OF THE NYPD MEDAL OF HONOR

Since 1912, only three officers have received the NYPD Medal of Honor twice.

The first multiple award was to Detective Timothy J. Connell who was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1922, after he was wounded during a shoot-out in which he killed a hold-man. He also received a posthumous award of the medal in 1926, after he was killed in another shootout with three criminals in 1924.

The second multiple award was to Detective John Cordes. Cordes� exploits have been recounted on this site previously. He received the medal in 1924 after a shootout in which he was wounded five times after walking into a robbery in progress on Lexington Avenue. He was also awarded the Medal in 1928 for another shootout.

The third recipient was Police Officer Robert Bilodeau, Street Crime Unit, who was awarded the medal twice, posthumously, at the 1981 medal day ceremony. The first award was for an incident on April 5, 1979, when while making an arrest his throat was slashed, an injury that required 63 stitches. Bilodeau was working as a decoy at the time.

The second award to Bilodeau was for an incident on Feb. 12, 1980, when Officer Bilodeau chased a gunman into an alleyway. The gunman turned and shot Bilodeau three times. Before he died he was able to wound his assailant.


INTERESTING WEB SITES

Times Around the World! Synchronize your watches�

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/


Want to check on your doctor? Try this site.
www.trustmydoctor.com



BURKING

To �BURKE� is a medical examiner�s term which refers to a murder by suffocation in a way that leaves few or no marks of violence.

This name comes from an 1829 case in Edinburgh, Scotland in which William Burke and William Hare committed fifteen murders after which they sold the bodies to the university�s medical school to be used for anatomy classes!

Their method of murder involved putting a hand over the nose and mouth of the intended victim while sitting on the victims chest, thus preventing breathing and minimizing any struggle.



IN MEMORIAM: PTL. JOSEPH KEENAN

The department�s Memorial Roll notes that on February 23, 1930, Ptl. Joseph Keenan, PA, was shot in an accidental discharge.

A review of this incident, though, reveals the circumstances to be different.

The Department, under G.O. 8 of April 15, 1931, indicates that the Department Medal of Honor was posthumously awarded to Probationary Patrolman Edward P. Keenan, Shield No. 5113, of the Police Academy,
Recruits' Training School.

At about 1.45 a.m., on February 23, 1930, while off duty and in civilian clothes, Ptl. Keenan attempted to frustrate a holdup at 6th Street and First Avenue, Manhattan, and was shot and killed.

As noted by Ret. Det1 John Reilly, many of the details records by the department�s Memorial page contain inaccuracies, this being one of them. Certainly a lot different from an �accidental discharge�.



HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION TEAM SEGMENT ON �48 HOURS� CHANGED

In an earlier posting I noted the date/time of an upcoming �48 Hours� segment that focused on the Hostage Negotiation Team of the NYPD and their 30th Anniversary.

There is an update and a correction to this date of the TV show�s airing.

Apparently to make room for an interview of Robert Chambers, the segment on HNT has been changed to March 5 at 10PM.

This show is one week later than the earlier reported air date. As noted, it appears that the network finds that an interview with Robert Chambers will be more popular for that time frame during what is �sweeps week� for the networks. Goes to show you!

So, if you�ve already marked your calendars than make the necessary changes. If not, than try to make plans to view this episode. (The one on HNT, NOT the one on Chambers!). It should be quite interesting.



IN AND AROUND THE BORO�

Some good news in Brooklyn North this week. Several deserving promotions being handed down at a ceremony on Friday, February 28, to Brooklyn North Detectives.

Congratulations to Lt. Patrick Johnston of the 88 Sqd, who is receiving the Commander Detective Squad designation. Brian McNulty, of the 94 Sqd, is receiving the Sergeant-Supervisor Detective Squad designation. Congratulations!

Detective designations bestowed on Brooklyn North Detectives this week went to:
George Fahrbach, 79 Sqd, Promoted to Detective First Grade
Avery Howard, 79 Sqd, Promoted to Detective Second Grade
John Kristoffersen, Brooklyn North Homicide, Promoted to Detective Second Grade

All the activity going on in the Boro Office is keeping PO Heather Stechman quite busy. She�s trying to recover from ankle surgery, and needs a pair of roller skates to keep moving among all of the action.


LINKS LISTING

Although I don�t know how to add actual �Links� on this site, I am listing those sites which I think you�ll find interesting (and would be on a �Links� list if I knew ho to do that!). You can utilize cut & paste for this purpose.


REMA: Retired Emergency Man�s Association
http://hometown.aol.com/truck8tony/NYPD-REMA.html

National Police Support Network Inc
www.policesupport.com

E-Investigator (Info and people-search links)
http://www.einvestigator.com/

Organized Crime information
http://205.180.85.40/w/pc.cgi?mid=16573&sid=8835

Tom Natoli�s Transit Police Web Site
http://www.geocities.com/tomn2137/index.htm

NYS Shields
http://www.nyshields.com/

NY Cop Online Magazine
http://www.nycop.com/

John E. Reid & Associates, Investigative support
http://www.reid.com/

Retired Guardian�s, Transit Police and NYPD
http://www.retiredguardians.org/index.html

NY Transit Police Florida Reunion & Info Site
http://www.nyctpflare.com/

Cigar Afficionado
http://www.cigarafficionado.com/

Manhattanville College Mens Lacrosse
http://www.mville.edu/athletics/sports/mlax/mlaxhome.html

Villanova University Women�s Lacrosse
http://villanova.ocsn.com/sports/w-lacros/nova-w-lacros-body.html


Monday, February 24, 2003

CAR RADIOS

The use of radio motor patrol cars or RMPs dates from 1932, when cars began receiving transmissions from the department's radio station WPEG.

In the first six months, officers in radio-equipped cars responded to more than 5,000 calls and made 377 arrests. The department began experimenting with two-way car radios in 1937, but, because of the shortage of radio parts during World War II, the entire fleet of RMP�s was not equipped with two-way radios until 1950.


HOW DOES THE STATE DNA DATABANK WORK

DNA evidence is collected from a crime scene, and analyzed by a forensic laboratory accredited in DNA testing. A scientist develops a DNA "profile" and uploads it to the state DNA Databank.

That profile is then run against the convicted-offender DNA profiles in the State Databank to determine if a match exists. In addition, profiles from other unsolved cases are compared against it to identify serial crimes.

If no match occurs on the state level the profile is uploaded to the Federal DNA Index System for comparison with DNA profiles from other states. DNA profiles remain in the Federal Databank and are regularly searched against new profiles as they are added to the system.


INTERESTING WEB SITES

UPDATED INVESTIGATIVE NEWS STATION
http://www.pimall.com/nais/nf/nfset.htm
News on the hour every hour for investigators with specialized subject categories has just been updated.

The PI Portal!
A Start Page For All Investigators!
http://www.piportal.com
News-forums-searches-aids-reviews and much more!


IN MEMORIAM: TRANSIT POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
FEBRUARY SADNESS

Over the years the month of February has been especially harsh on the Transit Police. Three Transit Police Officers have been killed in the line of duty during this month, two of them within four days of each other in 1980, and a third in 1970.


SERAPHIN CALABRESE: February 24, 1980

On February 24, 1980, PO Seraphin �Sammy� Calabrese was at the Columbus Circle subway station, outside of District 1. He stopped a fare evader who turned on him, seized his gun and shot him fatally. A Transit PO eating lunch in the area heard of the shooting on his radio, spotted the suspect walking down the street with the officer�s gun and arrested him.


MICHAEL MELCHIONA: February 28, 1970

PO Melchiona, who was 29 years old at the time and on the job four years, was on patrol at the 50 Street-Broadway IRT station when he encountered a man in the rest room. While examining identification papers for a summons the man drew a gun, removed the officers gun and fled with Melchiona in pursuit and shouting for help. The gunman shot and killed Melchiona and was himself killed in a shootout that followed.

Many Transit cops will remember Michael�s brother, Henry, who worked at the TPD Range at Gold Street and taught many of us how to shoot a gun. Henry retired in 1986.


IRVING SMITH: February 29, 1980

Four days after the death of Sammy Calabrese, PO Irving W. Smith was off duty in a bar in Brooklyn after the Calabrese funeral. Gunmen entered the bar in a robbery attempt, and Smith was killed in the shootout that followed as he tried to thwart the robbery.



NEW YORK CITY WARDS

By the beginning of the 18th century the city had been divided into wards and constables were appointed in each ward.

In 1730 there were sixteen constables, one to a ward except for the Bowery which had two. In 1731, a main watch house or police headquarters was built at Wall and Broad Streets.

As the population increased, the watch system was expanded. In 1800, the cost to the city was $25,000 in salaries for the year in a budget of $130,000. There were 120 men on the force, each ward being under the command of a Captain.

The first blotter appeared in 1803 when Captains were required to keep a roll of men who performed duty each night. Good arrests were rewarded by appropriation of the Common Council, $23 being paid in 1803 for the capture of a murderer.

The first reference to watchmen as police was in 1812 when 4 police districts were established and a Standing Committee of Police appointed in the Common Council (City Council) to promote police efficiency.

On duty, watchmen wore a varnished leather hat and were called �leatherheads� by the public. Their only weapon was a 33 inch club. In 1844 the state legislature expanded the police force, and the power to prescribe a distinguishing badge and dress was established.


LEST WE FORGET�� The NYPD Memorial

February 26, 1988 PO Edward Byrne, 103 Pct, Shot: Assassinated guarding a witness
February 28, 1928 Ptl John Hubbard, Traffic A, Auto accident on patrol
February 28, 1952 Sgt Paul Brooks, GCP Pct, Motorcycle accident
February 28, 1970 Ptl Michael Melchionna, TD-1, Shot-Investigation
February 29, 1980 PO Irving Smith, TP-PA, Shot-off duty robbery


REMEMBER... TO CONTACT THE MINISTER OF INVESTIGATION

With comments, criticisms, or suggestions... can be accomplished by sending e-mail to:

LTJAC77@yahoo.com


Thursday, February 20, 2003

PTL. DANIEL MURPHY AND THE SIGNAL 32 CONNECTION

Regular readers will recall previous postings concerning the fictional book �Signal 32� by MacKinlay Kantor, and how well it presents a picture of patrol in the 1940�s � 50�s NYPD.

I recently was contacted by Ret Det1 John Reilly, who noted that he recently picked up another copy of the book after these postings, and re-read it. Having read it over 40 years ago, John enjoyed the book, and its realism in topics presented concerning departmental procedures.

What he found most interesting, and shared with me, was the final chapter concerning the character in the book, Ptl. Joe Sherland, and its similarity to a true life incident.

It seems as if Kantor had taken this action from an actual incident in the NYPD.

The NYPD awarded the Medal of Honor to Ptl. Daniel B. Murphy, who later rose to Detective First Grade. John Reilly worked in the same squad as Det. Murphy from 1971 to 1973, in the 1st Detective District Robbery Squad. While Dan Murphy never talked about the shoot-out, other men who knew him would. It was well known that Murphy almost lost his life.

Murphy, a Patrolman at the time assigned to the Midtown Squad � Headquarters Division had seen a perp fleeing from a robbery at a jewelry store. He followed the perp onto a city bus and after confronting him he was shot by him. Although he was seriously wounded, Murphy got out of the bus and then, while moving along the outside of the bus, fired through a window at the culprit, wounding him. While Murphy was leaning against the bus he heard someone say "The cop is dying, send for a priest." Hearing this Murphy said to himself, "If I'm going then that son-of-a-bitch is going with me." He re-entered the bus and fired more shots at the perp, killing him. Two guns were recovered at the scene.

When an ambulance arrived Murphy was put in it, and because traffic was so bad, at times they had to drive on the sidewalk to get around vehicles blocking the roadway. Dan Murphy survived his wounds but only after part of his intestines were removed.

Daniel B. Murphy was appointed to the NYPD on November 21, 1942. He was made a Detective after the incident, and was assigned to the 80 Squad (Brooklyn East) before returning to Manhattan. He retired from the Manhattan Robbery Squad on March 5, 1974. He died on July 7, 1997.



30TH ANNIVERSARY: HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION TEAM

The NYPD�s Hostage Negotiation Team is making plans for its upcoming 30th Anniversary celebration.

The first class of hostage negotiators graduated on March 30, 1973.

This coming celebration should see a gathering of many current and former members of this elite team.

All current, and former, Hostage Negotiators should mark their calendars, and make plans, to attend this memorable event.

Date: Thursday, April 3, 2003

Time: 0800 Hours

Location: John Jay College of Criminal Justice - Grand Auditorium
899 Tenth Avenue - (bet. West 58 Street and West 59 Street)
Manhattan

Notices should be going out soon. You are asked to please contact the current C.O. of the Hostage Negotiation Team, Lt. Jack Cambria, at (646) 610-8763.

There will be a small registration fee, to as yet be determined, to assist in the payment of commemorative gifts.

There will be many police officials present, with opening ceremonies orchestrated by the NYPD Ceremonial Unit.

There will be presentations by some of the Hostage Negotiation Team Founders, Ret. Capt. Frank Bolz and Ret. Det. Harvey Schlossberg, as well as other former Commanders of the Team.

This looks to surely be a great time for all HNT people. Hoping everyone can attend!



MAJOR TRIAD FROM TAIWAN: UNITED BAMBOO

United Bamboo is the major triad from Taiwan. It numbers approximately 10,000 members, mostly second-and third-generation mainland immigrants. Their activities include construction, security services, debt collection, loan sharking, gambling dens, hostess clubs, restaurants, small businesses.

It�s interesting to note the �Code of Ethics� of the United Bamboo Triad:

1. Harmony with the people is the first priority. We have to establish good social and personal connections so as not to create enemies.
2. We have to seek special favors and help from uncommitted gang members by emphasizing our relationships with outside people. Let them publicize us.
3. Gambling is our main financial source. We have to be careful how we handle it.
4. Do not take it upon yourself to start things and make decisions you are not authorized to make. You are to discuss and plan all matters with the group and the elder brother first.
5. Everyone has their assigned responsibility. Do not create confusion!
6. We must not divulge our plans and affairs to outsiders, for example to our wives, girlfriends, etc. This is for our own safety.
7. We have to be united with all our brothers and obey our elder brother's orders.
8. All money earned outside the group must be turned over to the group. You must not keep any of it for yourself. Let the elder brother decide.
9. When targeting wealthy prospects do not act hastily. Furthermore, do not harass or threaten them. Act to prevent suspicion and fear upon their part.
10. If anything unexpected happens, do not abandon your brothers. If arrested, shoulder all responsibility and blame. Do not involve your brothers.



AIDED/ACCIDENT INDEXES

Did you know that you can access, through the MIS Application, the Aided and Accident Indexes?

The Accident Index can be accessed via �AAME�, for all accident reports filed from 1996 up to present.

The Aided Index, �AAID�, has all aided reports filed from 1996 to present.

Looking for someone and can�t find them? Check these indexes. If they had an accident, or were an aided, chances are they gave the �correct� info at that time. Certainly worth checking out!


DEPARTMENT AUTOS

Did you know that in order to make police cars more visible on the streets, the NYPD, in 1938, began painting the car roofs white, with the body of the vehicle green, and the fenders black?

The "Green and Whites," and especially the highly visible white top - set a worldwide standard for marked police vehicles.

In 1973, the color scheme changed to blue and white for even greater visibility and because the lighter blue kept the police cars cooler in hot weather.


�LEST WE FORGET�� The NYPD Memorial

February 21, 1920 Ptl. Henry Immen, 53 Pct, Shot-burglary in progress
February 21, 1982 PO George Werdann, 47 Pct, Shot-Robbery, off duty
February 22, 1925 Ptl Maurice Harlow, 13 Pct, Shot by prisoner
February 23, 1930 Ptl Joseph Keenan, PA, Shot-accidental discharge
February 24, 1930 Ptl George Coughlin, Motorcycle Dist, Auto accident on patrol
February 24, 1968 Ptl John Augulis, 83 Pct, LOD Heart attack
February 24, 1980 PO Seraphin Calabrese, TD-1, Shot-arrest
February 25, 1938 Ptl Henry Masterson, 11 Pct, Injured on patrol

Monday, February 17, 2003

CHIEF OF DETECTIVES WILLIAM ALLEE RETIRES

With an acknowledgement to the STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE, the following story ran concerning the retirement of WILLIAM ALLEE as Chief of Detectives. Allee served as Chief of Detectives from 4-4-97 to 2-15-03. His retirement date of Saturday, February 15 was topped off with a ceremony on Friday, February 14, at 1 PP.

William Allee, the Chief of Detectives since 1997 and a 40-year veteran of the NYPD, bid an emotional farewell to the police force, saying he felt it was now time "to stop and smell the roses."

As the NYPD Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band sounded "Give My Regards to Broadway," the 61-year-old Allee, decked out in his uniform and white gloves and accompanied by his tearful wife, Diane, exited One Police Plaza, shaking hands with the long line of police brass and rank and file respectfully seeing him off.

At one point, the veteran cop stopped briefly to chat with his boss Commissioner Raymond Kelly.

"It's been an honor serving with you," he told the commissioner as he saluted. A smiling Kelly told Allee to "stay in touch."

"William Allee is a true professional and is leaving a lasting legacy," Kelly later told reporters.

The commissioner said Allee would be particularly remembered for the "sensitive way in which he led the recovery efforts at Ground Zero and Fresh Kills."

"He oversaw a massive undertaking," Kelly said. "And he showed great sensitivity in making sure the objects of victims were returned to survivors. People should understand that recovery operation is still going on."

"This has been a fantastic job," he said.

Over four decades of a long policing career Allee investigated a huge number of high profile cases but was at a loss to say which investigations he felt topped the list.

"Every investigation was important," he explained. "I think every person has the right to the best investigation and I think that's a legacy I leave behind."

Allee started with the NYPD on Feb. 15, 1963. Four years later he was promoted to detective. When he made chief of detectives in 1997, he told the many that it was the dream job for him.

The veteran cop previously headed Detective Borough Brooklyn. He has commanded the Seventh and Midtown North precincts and Brooklyn North Narcotics. He began his career in the Tactical Patrol Force. Past assignments include the First, Seventh, and both Midtown precincts; Detective Borough Brooklyn, 100th Precinct Detective Squad; Safe, Loft and Truck Squad; Manhattan South and Brooklyn South Narcotics; Brooklyn North Organized Crime Unit; Brooklyn North Public Morals Division; Bronx Sex Crimes Squad; 12th Homicide Zone; Brooklyn North Narcotics, and Patrol Borough Staten Island Operations.


HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION: 48 HOURS TV SHOW

Tune in to CBS� 48 HOURS on Wednesday, February 26, at 10pm, when they broadcast a segment that deals with the NYPD�s Hostage Negotiators.

On Oct. 19, 2002, NYPD Sergeant Wally Zeins got a call that a man in Queens had shot three people and taken a houseful of hostages, one of them his own baby daughter. Zeins, one of the NYPD�s hostage negotiators, rushed to the scene, where an extraordinary life-and-death drama unfolded.

Over the next six hours, the hostage team conducted intense negotiations with the shooter, 23-year-old Jarrett Jordan. Led by Lt. Jack Cambria, Zeins serves as the primary negotiator and Sgt. Mike Fanning as the backup-negotiator, CBS does a nice job portraying the fine work this unit performs daily.

If you get a chance, tune in to this special segment on HNT.


NATIONAL POLICE SUPPORT NETWORK

The National Police Support Network Inc. is a non-profit organization representing the needs of Active/Retired Law Enforcement Officers and their families who are coping with a catastrophic illness.

The organization was started by Det. Nelson Dones, who in 2000 was diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin�s Lymphoma. Nelson, an NYPD Detective, was a former Transit MOS who was working at the Transit Bureau�s Special Investigations Unit subsequent to the merge.

Nelson found it quite reassuring when he was hospitalized in Houston undergoing cancer treatments, to be visited by local law enforcement officers lending their support. �The sight of a uniformed officer stopping by to visit is a welcome sight when you are lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to 8 bags of cancer fighting drugs�.

It was during his stay in Houston that it occurred to Nelson that there are instances when officers must leave their home state for treatment. Knowing first hand the isolation these people � and their families � feel, he decided to create a support group.
The concept is that �Law Enforcement Officers and their families who must leave their state for medical reasons will be greeted at their destination by their counterparts. This process provides support, guidance and information on available resources. By having a centralized network containing hundreds of departments throughout the United States, we can pool our resources together�.

Nelson, currently in remission, continues to make hospital visits whenever he can. Perhaps you can help.
To find out more, check their web site at:

www.policesupport.com

You may also contact them at:
National Police Support Network Inc.
93 Maple Street
Croton on Hudson, NY 10520
914-271-5094
Toll-Free: 866-644-6776

Membership requires no dues. Perhaps you can lend support at some time, helping out a fellow officer and family during their time of need. Please look into this worthwhile group.

�No matter the distance between the members home and the treatment location, they are not alone during a time of need�.



INTERESTING WEB SITES

CRIME TIME PUBLISHING: Publishing company offering books and other resources for investigators, including free online searches.
http://www.crimetime.com/


TRIPLE I

You often hear the term, �Triple-I�, and you probably know what information it provides.

But, do you know what it means?

Triple-I is the �Interstate Identification Index (III).

This program contains the criminal records of over 31 million people, and counting (like the McDonald�s hamburger count).
It contains all persons born in 1956 or later with an FBI number.

It also contains persons born prior to 1956 whose first arrest fingerprint card was submitted to the FBI on July 1, 1974 or later.
Numerous older records converted to the automated system in the Criminal Justice Information Services Division Manual Conversion Project, as well as certain fugitives and repeat offenders, are also included.

It should be noted that if the fingerprint cards were not sent to the FBI, then the record will NOT be in here.

The following states provide records for the III system:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

That being the case, look who does NOT provide criminal records: (good for copy/paste for your PalmPilot)

Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont,


TRIADS: PART 3

At its most basic level, the hierarchy of triad members matters little except in each individual relationship between two members, each based on ties between the 'Dai-Lo,' or big brother, and 'Sai-Lo', or little brother. The big brothers give work, protection, and advice to the younger brothers, who give loyalty, support, and money in exchange. In many cases, this is the only relationship that matters.

But there is a triad hierarchy. It is not really known to what extent it is still used. Most analysts agree the lower level ranks are still commonly in place, but how many triad groups use the more complicated higher rankings and to what extent cannot be accurately measured. Along with the names of each rank, triad ranks also have numbers, all beginning with the number 4, which represents the four oceans which were said to surround China in ancient times, and so signifies the universe as a whole.


�LEST WE FORGET�� The NYPD Memorial

February 16, 1918 Det John Quinn, DetDiv, Assaulted during arrest
February 16, 1923 Det John Donohue, DetDiv, Shot by EDP
February 16, 1923 Ptl Joseph Reilly, 21 Pct, Shot by perp
February 16, 1941 Ptl Leon Fox, 60 Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
February 17, 1921 Det Joseph Bridgetts, DetDiv, Shot-GLA arrest
February 17, 1996 PO Charles Oddo, Hwy 2, Struck by auto
February 19, 1931 Det Christopher Scheving, 13 Det Sqd, Shot-burglary in progress
February 19, 1968 Ptl Anthony Graffia, 106 Pct, Shot-robbery
February 19, 1971 Ptl Horace Lord, Manh North PEP Sqd, Shot-investigation
February 20, 1921 Ptl George Smith, 96 Pct, Line of duty accident
February 20, 1971 Det Erle Thompson, 114 Pct, Shot-off duty Dispute

Friday, February 14, 2003

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Welcome to the annual Valentines Day edition of The Squad Room! Regular readers to this site will realize that this is the first time they�ve seen the Valentines-Day edition � so let�s just say it�s the first installment of the regular annual edition.


ST. VALENTINES DAY MASSACRE

"Only Capone kills guys like that!" said Bugs Moran after learning that seven of his men had been killed in a warehouse on Clark Street.

The warehouse was located at 2122 North Clark Street in Chicago. It was here, on Valentine's Day 1929, that the most spectacular mob hit in gangland history took place.

The St. Valentine's Day Massacre.

The building was called the S-M-C Cartage Company and was a red, brick structure on Clark Street. The events that led to the massacre began on the morning of the 14th. A group of men had gathered at the warehouse that morning, set up by a Detroit gangster who told Moran that a truck was on its way to Chicago. Capone set up the plan, and "Machine Gun" McGurn was given complete control of the hit.

McGurn's plan was a creative one. He had a bootlegger lure the Moran gang to a garage to buy some very good whiskey at an extremely attractive price. The delivery was to be made at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, February 14. McGurn's men would be waiting for them, dressed in stolen police uniforms and trench coats as though they were staging a raid.

One of them was Johnny May, an ex-safecracker who had been hired by George "Bugs" Moran as an auto mechanic. He was working on a truck that morning, with his dog tied to the bumper, while six other men waited for the truck of hijacked whiskey to arrive. The men were Frank and Pete Gusenberg, who were supposed to meet Moran and pick up two empty trucks to drive to Detroit and pick up smuggled Canadian whiskey; James Clark, Moran's brother-in-law; Adam Heyer; Al Weinshank; and Reinhardt Schwimmer, a young optometrist who had befriended Moran and hung around the liquor warehouse just for the thrill of rubbing shoulders with gangsters.

Bugs Moran was already late for the morning meeting. He was due to arrive at 10:30 but didn't even leave for the rendezvous, in the company of Willie Marks and Ted Newberry, until several minutes after that.

While the seven men waited inside of the warehouse, they had no idea that a police car had pulled up outside, or that Moran had spotted the car and had quickly taken cover. The assassination squad got into their police uniforms and drove over to the garage in their stolen police car. Playing their part as police raiders to the hilt, McGurn's men went into the garage and found seven men, including the Gusenberg brothers who had tried to murder McGurn.
The bootleggers, caught in the act, did what they were told: they lined up against the wall obediently. The four assassins took the bootleggers' guns, and opened fire with two machine guns, a sawed-off shotgun and a .45. The men slumped to the floor dead, except for Frank Gusenberg who was still breathing.
To further perpetuate this charade, the two "policemen" in trench coats put up their hands and marched out of the garage in front of the two uniformed policemen. Anyone who watched this show believed that two bootleggers in trench coats had been arrested by two policemen. The four assassins left in the stolen police car.

May's dog, inside of the warehouse, was barking and howling and when neighbors went to check and see what was going on... they discovered a bloody murder scene.
Moran's men had been lined up against the rear wall of the garage and had been sprayed with machine-guns. They killed all seven of them but had missed Bugs Moran. He had figured the arrival of the police car to be some sort of shakedown and had hung back. When the machine gunning started, he, Marks and Newberry had fled. The murders broke the power of the North Side gang and Moran correctly blamed Al Capone. No one will probably ever know who the actual shooters were, but one of them was probably Machine Gun McGurn, one of Capone's most trusted men.

Surprisingly, while Moran quickly targeted Capone as ordering the hit, the authorities were baffled. Capone had been in Florida at the time of the massacre and when hearing the news, he stated, "the only man who kills like that is Bugs Moran". At the same time, Moran was proclaiming that "only Capone kills guys like that".

Moran was right.... Capone had been behind the killing and this was perhaps the act that finally began the decline of Capone's criminal empire. He had just gone too far and the authorities, and even Capone's adoring public, were ready to put an end to the bootleg wars.



WHAT�S GOING ON HERE?

So it�s Valentine�s Day � and it�s Friday as well . To many that means the opportunity to spend a night out at a nice restaurant, having a fancy dinner with the one they love. No work on Saturday, you can stay out extra late, maybe have a few drinks after dinner, a good cigar and a glass of Courvoisier, then a chance to settle down with your special Valentine. To others, it means a long day of buying flowers, delivering flowers, buying more flowers, delivering more flowers,� it never ends!

But let�s get real! You work in the Squad in Brooklyn North; Valentines Day on a Friday only means the extra potential for violence on your tour. Why others are imagining fancy French restaurants with rose petals adorning their table, you see it as the potential for old-boyfriend and new-boyfriend to take it out on each other at the girl�s place; her brother will get involved, next thing you know you�re walking the crime scene trying to get someone to talk to you. Yea, Happy Valentines Day to you, too. Here�s hoping your Valentines Day is full of peace and quiet. And maybe someone will send YOU some flowers!


AT THE BORO

Things are certainly changing over at BNDO these days. What with Vince gone, there�s no one around to fill those dignitary details, hence the calls are sure to be coming from Paul Molloy to fill those OT spots. Let�s face it, dignitary details may have been pretty good, pretty good, pretty good to some, but for most of us it just means a scheduling nightmare and a loss of (already depleted) manpower for a few sets of tours. Lots of luck!

Just the other day, Sgt. Christine Lampitelli was seen strolling into the Det Ops Office for a cup of coffee, pulling her (rather stunning looking) hair out of her head trying to figure out how she was going to fill six hundred overtime spots with a pool of four hundred PO�s. That could only mean one thing � get ready, Paul Molloy, for the �Detail� rosters to fill.

You have to feel even a little bit bad for Paul Molloy. He gets it from all ends. He�s the one that you scream at when he calls you up to fill a detail � �we don�t have enough people, I just sent people on a detail, why do you keep calling me� � he must hear this eleven times in an hour. Sure, we scream at him, hang up on him, curse at him � and he�s just the messenger! Then, three hours later, we call him back in our best voices, asking him for a �log number�. Yea, it�s not easy being Molloy. Then he has to sit there and listen to Gates rant on about the Rangers and the Mets � two good choices, I might add, unless you�re an Islander fan! Then here comes Captain McAndrews, who�s trying to figure out Overtime Accounting 101 � just like all of us. For example, if I was $2,000. under my YTD budget last period, and I came in $700 under budget this period, how come my YTD figure is now OVER by $4,000??? (Overtime budgets cannot be understood by mere mortals � we just do the best we can.) Through all of this, Gates and Fogarty are playing catch with the rubber ball that just knocked over the bulletin board as it flew out the window. Police work at its finest!

So, take it easy on Paul Molloy. He�s not dignitary trained, he doesn�t play on boats, and he�s an Islander fan. He doesn�t lose your communications, and he�ll give you your log number with a smile. (Just stop calling us with those details!)

I�d also like to send out a �Get Well Soon� to Mark Pouria, who�s recovering from a bout with a bad back injury. That�s what you get shoveling snow by yourself. I understand he tried to get Jimmy Leake over while he was home bound, to send him out for lunch, but Jimmy was busy at the time (?). Mark was going to send him out for pizza, and to the bank, just like old times� but Leake couldn�t find his way to Bethpage. His car only knew how to get from Suffolk to the 77 Pct; no deviations, or he�d end up in LaGuardia Airport (again).



AAPLE LUNCHEON ANNOUNCEMENT

The American Academy for Professional Law Enforcement (AAPLE) announces that, at their February Luncheon on Tuesday, February 23, 2003, Louis Anemone will be the guest speaker.

The luncheon, which will be held at The Downtown Association (60 Pine St), will begin at 12 noon. Anemone, the former Chief of Department, is currently the Director of Security for the MTA. You can RSVP to the AAPLE hotline at (917) 579-7593.

Mark your calendars for this special event.



Tuesday, February 11, 2003

CODIS
The FBI Laboratory's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) blends forensic science and computer technology into an effective tool for solving violent crimes. CODIS enables federal, state, and local crime labs to exchange and compare DNA profiles electronically, thereby linking crimes to each other and to convicted offenders.

CODIS began as a pilot project in 1990 serving 14 state and local laboratories. The DNA Identification Act of 1994 (Public Law 103 322) formalized the FBI's authority to establish a national DNA index for law enforcement purposes. In October 1998, the FBI's National DNA Index System (NDIS) became operational. CODIS is implemented as a distributed database with three hierarchical levels (or tiers) - local, state, and national. NDIS is the highest level in the CODIS hierarchy, and enables the laboratories participating in the CODIS Program to exchange and compare DNA profiles on a national level. All DNA profiles originate at the local level (LDIS), then flow to the state (SDIS) and national levels. SDIS allows laboratories within states to exchange DNA profiles. The tiered approach allows state and local agencies to operate their databases according to their specific legislative or legal requirements.

CODIS generates investigative leads in crimes where biological evidence is recovered from the crime scene using two indexes: the forensic and offender indexes.

The Forensic Index contains DNA profiles from crime scene evidence.

The Offender Index contains DNA profiles of individuals convicted of sex offenses (and other violent crimes) with many states now expanding legislation to include other felonies.

Matches made among profiles in the Forensic Index can link crime scenes together; possibly identifying serial offenders. Based on a match, police in multiple jurisdictions can coordinate their respective investigations, and share the leads they developed independently. Matches made between the Forensic and Offender indexes provide investigators with the identity of the perpetrator(s). After CODIS identifies a potential match, qualified DNA analysts in the laboratories contact each other to validate or refute the match.

All states are participating in NDIS except for the following:
Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Hawaii.

CODIS's primary measuring stick, the "Investigation Aided", is defined as a case that CODIS assisted through a hit (a match produced by CODIS that would not otherwise have been developed). As of November 2002, CODIS has produced over 6,000 hits assisting in more than 6,400 investigations.



FROM THE ROLODEX

If you ever find yourself in need of an �expert� on Chinese gangs and/or Chinese organized crime, the person to contact is Bill Oldham.

Bill is a retired Detective, from Major Case, where he specialized in these topics. He is now an Investigator with the Eastern District US Attorney�s Office. You can�t do any better!

Bill Oldham 718-254-6393 Investigator, Eastern District US Attorney


INTERESTING WEB SITES

Yet another multi-link site, containing public database links, most of them free.

http://www.searchsystems.net/index.php over 11,986



MORE ON THE TRIADS

Joining a triad can be a great advantage to a person who wishes to engage in criminal activity.

Immediately upon entering a triad, they will have greater access to resources and be able to more easily partner with other members of the triad to pull off their money-making schemes. Not only that, claiming membership in a large criminal fraternity backs up an individual criminal and increases his status. Victims of extortion are much less likely to protest when they feel that the powerful and mysterious triads, who have tentacles all over the world, are leaning on them, as opposed to just feeling picked on by some 14 year old punk without much in the way of future prospects. The street punks themselves find greater self-respect in the fanciful idea that they belong to a fraternity of noble warriors whose history extends back hundreds of years. Although there is not necessarily a direct benefit to senior members of triad fraternities from the actions of junior members, benefits do move upward especially through monetary and other gifts given by junior triad members to their seniors on special occasions such as the Chinese New Year and other holidays.

Although triads originated in China, Hong Kong is the undisputed capital. Triad activity is most concentrated there. Triads do have international scope, however, with members in nearly every country in the world, especially strong in China, southeast Asia, and the United States. Triad criminal activity includes but is not limited to street-level crime like gambling, extortion, and prostitution, and international activities such as narcotics trafficking, counterfeiting, and smuggling goods and people.

D.E.C.S

The Drug Enforcement Coordinating System

This system has no case information on a subject. Rather, it will put you in touch with other investigators from within this department as well as other outside agencies who are also looking for the same subject.

It should be noted that each state has their own DECS, and that they are NOT connected.

You can conduct a DECS query by checking:
1. By DECS record number, or
2. By Address, or
3. By subject�s last name, or
4. By subjects alias, or
5. By group search

Access to the DECS can be done through the Intelligence Division. Contacting the Borough Intelligence Team may facilitate such an inquiry.


IN MEMORIAM: PTL. FRANK WHITE

Ptl. Frank White #1647, 35 Pct (63 Pct)

As listed in the NYPD Memorial, Ptl. Frank White of the 35 Precinct died almost five months after being shot.

On February 10, 1926 Ptl. Frank White #1647 of the 35 Pct (63 Pct) died from injuries sustained in the line of duty. It was around 1:00 a.m. on October 15, 1925, that White saw a man behind a tailor�s shop at 3009 Newkirk Ave., Brooklyn. When he followed the man and then ordered him to halt, the man turned and fired two shots at the officer.

White was shot in the mouth and the neck. A passing taxicab driver found the police officer lying on the sidewalk and took him to Kings County Hospital. He remained in the hospital for four months, and then was allowed to return to his home where after a week he suffered a relapse and was returned to King�s County Hospital where he died from his wounds on February 10, 1926.

Ptl. White was 40 years old, married, and had been on the police force for twenty years.

On February 12, 1926, the body of the slain patrolman was taken from his late residence at 978 East 39th St. Brooklyn to the Vanderveer Park Methodist Episcopal Church, 31st St. and Glenwood Road, Brooklyn. Over 100 police officers, led by the Police Band, escorted the casket to the church. At the church a Methodist Episcopal service was held, during which members of the Police Glee Club sang a number of hymns. Following this service both a Masons and Elks rituals were held. During the night the body of the officer, guarded by two patrolmen, remained in the church. The next day the casket and remains were taken to the Atlantic View Cemetery at Manasquan, New Jersey.

At the 1927 NYPD medals award ceremony, Ptl. White was posthumously awarded the NYPD Medal of Honor. The medal was presented to his widow Mrs. Mabel White.



QUESTIONS�

If you arrest a mime, do you tell him he has the right to remain silent?

If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?


�LEST WE FORGET�� The NYPD Memorial

February 12, 1930 Ptl George Miller, 22 Pct, Auto accident on patrol
February 12, 1936 Ptl James Young, Mounted, Shot-robbery
February 12, 1940 Ptl John Holt, 28 Pct, Shot-off duty burglary
February 12, 1980 PO Robert Bilodeau, SCU, Shot-investigation
February 13, 1918 Ptl Samuel Rosenfeld, 102 Pct, Shot-robbery in progress
February 14, 1921 Ptl John Sheridan, 70 Pct, Line of duty injury
February 14, 1925 Det Chester Hagan, DetDiv, Shot-investigation
February 14, 1963 Ptl Vincent Zichetella, 14 Pct, Shot-robbery
February 14, 1984 PO Thomas Ruotolo, 41 Pct, Shot-robbery
February 14, 1999 PO Matthew Dziergowski, 123 Pct, Auto accident
February 15, 1917 Ptl Samuel Cunningham, 42 Pct, Shot-GLA arrest
February 15, 1932 Ptl James Goodwin, 34 Pct, Shot-off duty robbery
February 15, 1971 Det Joseph Piciano, 41 Sqd, Shot by prisoner


Friday, February 07, 2003

TRIADS

The term 'Triad' was given by the Hong Kong government to Chinese secret societies. This was based on the triangular symbol which once represented such societies. The symbol is the Chinese character 'Hung,' encased in a triangle, representing the union of heaven, earth, and man. So Triads even today are sometimes referred to as the 'Hung Society' or the 'Heaven and Earth Society.'

It is important to note that the Triads are not synonymous with Chinese criminal syndicates. That is to say, not all syndicate members or criminals are automatically triad members. On the other hand, all triad members are criminals, if only because membership alone is considered a criminal offence under Hong Kong's 1994 Organized & Serious Crimes Ordinance. But even though everyone who is part of a triad is breaking the law through membership alone, most triad members are not otherwise criminally active. So membership in a given Triad may be estimated at 20,000, but only 2000 of those would be designated as 'active' -- i.e., engaged in criminal activity. On the other hand, a small street-level gang may have no Triad affiliation at all. Children who grow up to enter a street gang have usually made some triad contacts and it is likely they would join for the protection and status membership provides.

The triads then are not at all like the Mafia. The Mafia is known for strong familial ties, and a rigid pyramidal hierarchy. Triads on the other hand, are loose affiliations in the extreme. Although there is a hierarchy to Triad leadership, those lower on the ladder have much more freedom of lateral movement. In fact, rarely are the movements and activities of smaller gangs directed by the leaders of a triad. Triad members do not typically have to secure permission from the head of a triad in order to engage in a criminal activity, even if the activity involves partnering with people who are not members of the triad or are even in fact members of a different triad.



A BIZARRE STORY:

The NYPD Memorial Page notes that on January 20, 1935 Ptl. John J. Hopkins of the 14 Precinct was killed in the line of duty. The story of Ptl. Hopkins� death is quite bizarre.

At around 1:55 pm on that date, Ptl. Hopkins joined Ptl. John J. Masterson, both on duty, for a meal period in a bar & restaurant at 350 10th. Ave, near 30th St.

Hopkins and Masterson had adjoining posts on 10th Ave. Masterson had entered the bar first and had had three drinks before Hopkins joined him. Hopkins had two bowls of soup. Then both patrolmen moved over to the bar. After a short while Hopkins turned to leave the bar. Masterson called after him, �Wait a minute! You can�t get away with that.� Hopkins turned, as he was about to go out a side door and smiled back at his companion. Masterson drew his revolver, fired two shots at Hopkins and then one shot into his own temple, killing himself. Ptl. Hopkins was hit by one bullet, which ranged downward through the abdomen and lodged near his spine. Ptl. Hopkins was taken to French Hospital, which was located on West 30th Street, Manhattan, where he died later.


GLOSSARY OF FORENSIC TERMS RELATED TO A DEATH INVESTIGATION

Rule of Sixes - A method of determining the distance from which a shotgun was fired. At close range (less than six feet) the wound appears as a central hole. A blast fired from a distance of up to six yards leaves a central hole with satellite entry wounds. Beyond six yards, the wound appears as only a pattern of scattered shot, with no central hole.

Trajectory - the path a projectile makes through space under the action of given forces such as thrust, wind, and gravity. Ballistics and trace evidence experts can determine the trajectory of objects (ammunition, explosives, etc) by examining a body's entry and exit wounds.

Trace Evidence - Any type of non-biological evidence that may be collected from the crime scene, such as hair, fibers, soil, glue, or paint.



MORE ON THE MOTORCYCLE PRECICNTS

In the 1930s, the NYPD�s Motorcycle Squads became Precincts.

Motorcycle Precinct #1 was reassigned to the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx. Motorcycle Precinct #2 was reassigned to the boroughs of Brooklyn and Richmond. Motorcycle Precinct #3 was reassigned to the borough of Queens, and was designated as the Grand Central Parkway Precinct. It was referred to as Motorcycle "G.C.P."

In 1955, the Indian Motorcycle Company stopped manufacturing the red motorcycles used by the NYPD, and it was then that the NYPD went to the silver Harley Davidson Motorcycle.

It was in the 1970�s that the Motorcycle Precincts were re-designated as Highway Patrol Precincts.


�LEST WE FORGET�� The NYPD Memorial

February 1, 1935 Sgt George Nadler, ESU, Explosion-investigation
February 2, 1975 PO Frank Bugdin, Midtown North, Shot-investigation
February 4, 1933 Sgt Eugene Monahan, 34 Pct, Shot: Robbery pursuit
February 6, 1914 Ptl Edward Murtha, 147 Pct, Shot-Robbery investigation
February 6, 1944 Ptl Eugene Mahoney, 5 Det Sq, Auto accident on patrol
February 9, 1963 Det Richard Arundell, DetDiv, LOD Heart attack
February 10, 1926 Ptl Frank White, 35 Pct, Shot-Burglary in progress
February 11, 1966 Ptl Stanley Butch, Harbor, Fell from boat
February 11, 1982 PO James Carragher, PSA1, Shot: Off duty robbery

Tuesday, February 04, 2003

GHOSTS OF THE PAST: NYPD STATION HOUSE HISTORY

30 Precinct

The Former 30th Precinct station house was located at 1854 Amsterdam Avenue, at the southwest corner of West 152nd Street.

This building was built in 1871-72 as a station house for the 32nd Precinct.

When this station house was opened in 1872, much of the precinct area was open fields. Horsemen covered most of the posts. On May 1, 1898, the precinct number was changed to 33rd Pct. On Jan 1, 1908, the precinct number once again changed to 40th Pct. The designation changed again on July 18, 1924, to the 15th Pct, and was finally designated the 30 Precinct on July 3, 1929.

In 1973, the building closed, and the 30th Pct moved to new station house at 451 West 151st Street. Later the building was sold to St. Luke A.M.E. Congregation Church. In 1986, the N.Y.C. Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the building a City Landmark.



FROM THE DEPARTMENT�S REPORT: 1920

A glance at the 1920 Annual Report of the Department reveals that, in 1920, the rank of Police Matron was abolished and the new rank and designation for female officers was �Policewomen�. Prior to that law, Police Women were changed to Patrolwomen, on May 11, 1920.

Police Academy training consisted of four and a half hours of instruction divided into two periods of instruction on department policy, patrol, observation, crime classification, arrests, traffic, animals, fires and accidents, ordinances, court procedure, election law, reports, public morals and Sabbath law.



IN MEMORIAM: PTL. EDWARD MAHER

On January 14, 1941, Ptl. Edward F. Maher Sh# 8953, Traffic C (Man. Traffic Area), was shot by �The Mad Dog� Esposito brothers who were fleeing from a robbery committed at 6 East 34th St.

The Esposito brothers had just shot and killed Alfred Klausman for a $649 payroll, then wounded a bank guard. The Esposito�s were chased through Altman�s Department store to Madison Ave. It was there that Ptl. Maher took up the chase into 35th St. As Angelo Esposito was running west, Maher saw a chance for a clear shot, and he fired two shots. One shot hit Angelo Esposito in the right leg. After he dropped to the sidewalk, Ptl. Maher dropped to one knee alongside the gunman. Esposito drew from under his body a revolver, jammed it against Maher�s coat and pulled the trigger and mortally wounded him.

The Esposito brothers were executed in the electric chair at Sing Sing Prison on March 12, 1942. Ptl. Maher was appointed to the NYPD on June 11, 1912. He was 52 years old at the time of his death. His son Edward survived him. At the 1942 NYPD annual medals award ceremony Ptl. Maher was posthumously awarded the NYPD Medal of Honor.



INTERESTING WEB SITE

Great criminology links, from the Fresno State College Criminology Dept.

http://www.csufresno.edu/criminology/crim.htm




GLOSSARY OF FORENSIC TERMS RELATED TO A DEATH INVESTIGATION

Odontology (Forensic) - Odontology is the study of teeth. In a death investigation, identity has sometimes been established through analysis of the teeth and accompanying dental prosthetics, fillings and compounds.

PERK - The Physical Evidence Recovery Kit, or PERK, is used to collect evidence at a crime scene.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) - When forensic detectives have only a miniscule amount of DNA to work with, such as saliva on a cigarette butt, a new process is used to generate a sizable sample. Called PCR--or Polymerase Chain Reaction, the technique allows small pieces of DNA to be cloned. Put simply, in about 20 minutes the PCR process makes it possible to make millions of copies of the tiny original DNA sample so that there is more than enough DNA to test.



MOVEMENT IN AND AROUND BROOKLYN NORTH

Recent promotions, on Friday January 31, saw some Brooklyn North people getting the receiving the nod.

Robert Goerke, of the 94 Sqd, was promoted to Lieutenant, and will be moving on.

Getting their gold shields were Matthew Hutchison of the 75 Sqd, Alan Killigrew and Vincent Scott of the 73 Sqd, Thomas McKiernan of the 77 Sqd, James Budinoff and George Harvey of the 79 Sqd, Malcolm Bell and Michael Stumpf of the 83 Sqd, Luis Ramos of the 84 Sqd, Louis Auriemma of the 90 Sqd, and Barry Schnell of the 94 Sqd. Congratulations to all!

Edwin Young, most recently the XO of the Borough and Commander of Patrol Operations, has been transferred to the Chief of Department�s Office. Ed, a long time Brooklyn North leader, will be missed by all at Wilson Avenue. His replacement has not yet been announced.

It�s also noted that James O�Brien, the Brooklyn North Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, was promoted to Inspector. Captain Kevin Kerley, the 79 Pct. XO, was transferred to OCID, as the C.O. of the Joint Organized Crime Task Force.

Word has it that Det Vince Coleman from BNDO is retiring shortly. Is he leaving for a career as a photographer? Vince is leaving, Jimmy Rizzitello is awaiting orders to ship out as the Coast Guard Reserve gets activated, and Heather Stechman is at work, but recovering from ankle surgery. What�s Bobby Gates going to do??

Did you happen to catch the latest SPRING 3100? There�s a photo of Sgt Joe Klobus, on duty in active service with the Coast Guard, in the Persian Gulf. Joe was leaving NYPD decals on the buoys in the Persian Gulf, with a message to �Remember the Heroes�. Joe has been on active duty for over a year already. We wish you the best, and look forward to your return!

Here�s wishing all the best of luck in their new endeavors!