05 Sep

Police Docket Books

Today in Baltimore Police History 5 Sept 1951 the department ended its 110-Year-Old practice of using police docket books. This system had been in place since well before the Civil War where vital statistics of Baltimore's lawbreakers were recorded using longhand within the pages of these old books https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/bpd-units/records.html #BPD_History

05 Sep

Fallen - Serge Michael McSweeny

On this day in Baltimore Police History 5 Sept 1934 we lost our Brother Police Serge Michael McSweeny to an on the job illness To learn more please visit the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/item/1108-serge-michael-mcsweeny.html #‎BPDNeverForget‬

07 Sep

Sean Mayo, passed away

Sean Mayo, that he passed away on 7 Sept 2022

08 Sep

BPD Announced it's plans to Organize an Internal Investigative Squad

On this day in BPD history 8 September 1965 Baltimore Police department announced it's plans to Organize an Internal Investigative Squad; Recommendations of Police Chief Unanimously Adopted A comprehensive new system to ensure full and accurate reports on crime will be instituted in the Baltimore Police Department. Furthermore, the department will soon have an Internal Investigative Squad whose full-time duties will be to look into charges of misconduct or dereliction of duty on the part of the Police Department Personnel. These two changes in the department were recommended yesterday by the survey team from the International Association of Chiefs of Police which has been studying the local department since the spring.

For more information click here - https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/bpd-units/internal-investigations.html #BPD-History

09 Sep

Officer James Tolson

On this day 9 Sep 2019 in BPD History, our Brother Officer James Tolson took his own life, I would like for us all to take a moment to remember Officer Tolson and to think of our police, while we pray they find peace in their lives while trying to keep the peace to our communities. This is happening way to often, we need to keep a close eye on or police family.

09 Sep

Officer Alphonso Wright - Injured

Officer Alphonso Wright - Traffic Officer Hurt September 9th, 1970, Officer Alphonso Wright On September 9th, 1970, Officer Alphonso Wright, assigned to the Traffic Enforcement Section, suffered extensive injuries while assisting a stalled motorist

10 Sep

Fallen Police Officer John B. Bealefeld

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 10 Sep 1945 we lost our Brother Police Officer John B. Bealefeld based on the following. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/655-officer-john-b-bealefeld #‎BPDNeverForget‬

11 Sep

Fallen Police Officer Walter Patrick Matthys

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 11 Sep 1964, we lost our Brother Police Officer Walter Patrick Matthys based on the following. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/764-officer-walter-p-mathys #‎BPDNeverForget‬

11 Sep

11 September: The Attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City

On this day in Baltimore Police History, September 11, 2001, like all of America, we were in shock at the brutal attacks on the twin Towers in New York, The Pentagon in Washington, DC, and the Pennsylvania Field, where the Passengers stood up to the hi-jackers, giving their lives to prevent and attack, which many believe would have been into the White House. Members of the baltimore Police department traveld to New York City to take part in the rescue and recovery efforts https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/september-11-2001 #BPDNeverForget #September11

11 Sep

11 Sept - Capt. Charles Giddings took his life

Today in Baltimore Police history 11 September 1916 Ret. Capt. Charles W. Giddings took his life after a long illness. Capt. Giddings retired in December of 1911

12 Sep

National Police Woman Day

National Police Woman Day is celebrated each year on 12 September every year. The day acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of female police officers who enforce law and order around the country. Today only roughly 10% of the police force in the United States is made up of women. National Police Woman Day hopes to rectify that by encouraging more women to join the service. Campaigns and events are organized to urge more women to take up law enforcement roles. Along with expressing gratitude to these officers, the day also hopes for a future where law enforcement bodies will have stronger female representation.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL POLICE WOMAN DAY

1912 - The first Women Officers hired under the title of Policewomen were Mary S. Harvey, E.O.D. of 19 June, 1912, her hiring was followed by that of Margaret B. Eagleston 22 July, 1912.
1914 - The first female officer shot in the line of duty was Policewoman Elizabeth Faber. She was shot during an undercover purse snatch decoy case on 17 Oct 1914. As she and her partner, Patrolman George W. Popp were attempting to arrest a pickpocket on the Edmondson Avenue Bridge.
1925 - Oddly enough it would still take until 28 March 1925 before the first two of our female members were given lessons in pistol shooting. 11 years after Policewoman Faber was shot and nearly killed, Still it took more than a decade to start training our women. Lieut. James O. Downes, explained the use of pistols to the two policewomen. Mrs. Mary J. Bruff and Miss Margaret B. Eagleston both students appeared at the Central police station for the start of their training.
1973 - 8 June 1973 - Gladys Aye became the first woman officer to enter the academy after the designation Policewoman was dropped and both men and women officers went by the single title of 'Police Officer' this also gave female officers the opportunity to be promoted above the rank of Lieutenant. The change from Policeman and Policewoman was in the works for nearly two weeks before it was officially announced on 11 June 1973
1973 - 12 June 1973 - The Civil Service Commission authorized the single classification of 'Police Officer' to replace the dual designation 'Policeman / Patrolman' and 'Policewoman / Patrolwoman'. This reclassification was a continuation of the department's efforts in the area of equal employment opportunity. (Female 'Police Officers' now had the same prerogatives and responsibilities as their male counterparts. Now only one competitive test for promotions is necessary. Thus, a single career ladder was established for all sworn members.)

For more information visit our Baltimore Police history site, Women and the Baltimore Police Department page at the following Link
https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/bpd-history/women-police.html

12 Sep

General Assembly arrested by Union soldiers

12 Sept. 1861, Severn Teackle Wallis of Baltimore, and other members of General Assembly arrested by Union soldiers at Frederick.

12 Sep

The Battle of Baltimore 1814

Today 12 Sept 1814 kicked off The Battle of Baltimore (September 12–15, 1814) was a sea/land battle fought between British invaders and American defenders in the War of 1812. American forces repulsed sea and land invasions off the busy port city of Baltimore, Maryland, and killed the commander of the invading British forces. The British and Americans first met at the Battle of North Point. Though the Americans retreated, the battle was a successful delaying action that inflicted heavy casualties on the British, halted their advance, and consequently allowed the defenders at Baltimore to prepare for an attack properly.

The resistance of Baltimore's Fort McHenry during bombardment by the Royal Navy inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the poem 'Defence of Fort McHenry,' which later became the lyrics for 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' the national anthem of the United States.

Future US President James Buchanan served as a private in the defense of Baltimore.

Until April 1814, Britain was at war against Napoleonic France, which limited British war aims in America. Meanwhile, the British primarily used a defensive strategy and repelled American invasions of the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. However, the Americans gained naval control over Lake Erie in 1813 and seized parts of western Ontario. In the Mississippi Territory, in an area in modern central Alabama General Andrew Jackson destroyed the military strength of the Creek nation at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814.

Although Great Britain was unwilling to draw military forces from the war with France, it still enjoyed a naval superiority on the ocean, and vessels of North America and West Indies Squadron, based at Bermuda, blockaded American ports on the Atlantic throughout the war, strangling the American economy (initially, the north-eastern ports were spared this blockade as public sentiments in New York and New England were against the war). The Royal Navy and Royal Marines also occupied American coastal islands and landed military forces for raids along the coast, especially around the Chesapeake Bay, encouraging enslaved blacks to defect to the Crown and recruiting them into the Corps of Colonial Marines.

Following the defeat of Napoleon in the spring of 1814, the British adopted a more aggressive strategy, intended to compel the United States to negotiate a peace that restored the pre-war status quo. Thousands of seasoned British soldiers were deployed to British North America. Most went to the Canadas to re-enforce the defenders (the British Army, Canadian militias, and their First Nations allies drove the American invaders back into the United States, but without naval control of the Great Lakes they were unable to receive supplies, resulting in the failure to capture Plattsburgh in the Second Battle of Lake Champlain and the withdrawal from US territory), but a brigade under the command of Major General Robert Ross was sent in early July with several naval vessels to join the forces already operating from Bermuda. The combined forces were to be used for diversionary raids along the Atlantic coast, intended to force the Americans to withdraw forces from Canada. Some historians claim that they were under orders not to carry out any extended operations and were restricted to targets on the coast. However, the British had in fact launched three major operations targeting the three largest ports of America at Baltimore, New York City (via Lake Champlain and the Hudson River), and New Orleans from August 1814 to February 1815 despite the Treaty of Ghent negotiations that started in August 1814. Each of these three expeditions had over 10,000 British Army troops, many of them the best soldiers and officers from the Peninsular War, so they were not just minor diversionary raids. Britain had already captured most of modern-day Maine and re-established the Crown colony of New Ireland in September 1814 and this could have been a blueprint of what they had in mind for New York City, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, West Florida, and the whole Louisiana Territory. Britain and their ally Spain voided all treaties and land deals made by Napoleon after his defeat in 1814, especially the Louisiana Purchase. The original British goal was to annex New Ireland permanently as well as other possible territories from the United States, but they failed to take New York City, Baltimore, and New Orleans. As a result they had to return New Ireland/Maine back to the United States after the ratification of the Treaty of Ghent in February 1815.

An ambitious raid was planned as the result of a letter sent to Bermuda on 2 June by Sir George Prévost, Governor General of The Canadas, who called for retaliation in response to the 'wanton destruction of private property along the north shores of Lake Erie' by American forces under Colonel John Campbell in May, the most notable being the Raid on Port Dover. Prévost argued that,

... in consequence of the late disgraceful conduct of the American troops in the wanton destruction of private property on the north shores of Lake Erie, in order that if the war with the United States continues you may, should you judge it advisable, assist in inflicting that measure of retaliation which shall deter the enemy from a repetition of similar outrages.

The letter was considered by Ross and Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane (who had replaced Sir John Borlase Warren earlier that year as the Commander-in-Chief of the North America and West Indies Station of the Royal Navy, headquartered at Admiralty House in Bermuda) in planning how to use their forces. Cochrane's junior, Rear Admiral George Cockburn, had been commanding ships of the squadron in the operations on the Chesapeake Bay since the previous year. On 25 June he wrote to Cochrane stressing that the defenses there were weak, and he felt that several major cities were vulnerable to attack. Cochrane suggested attacking Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia. On 17 July, Cockburn recommended Washington as the target, because of the comparative ease of attacking the national capital and 'the greater political effect likely to result'.

On 18 July, Cochrane ordered Cockburn that to 'deter the enemy from a repetition of similar outrages ...' You are hereby required and directed to 'destroy and lay waste such towns and districts as you may find assailable'. Cochrane instructed, 'You will spare merely the lives of the unarmed inhabitants of the United States'.

In August, the vessels in Bermuda sailed from the Royal Naval Dockyard and St. George's to join those already operating along the American Atlantic coast. After defeating a US Navy gunboat flotilla, a military force totaling 4,370 (composed of British Army, Royal Marines, and Royal Navy detachments for shore service) under Ross was landed in Virginia. After beating off an American force of 1,200 on the 23rd, on the 24th they attacked the prepared defenses of the main American force of roughly 6,400 (US Army soldiers, militiamen, US Marines, and US Navy sailors) in the Battle of Bladensburg. Despite the considerable disadvantage in numbers (standard military logic dictates that a three-to-one advantage is needed in carrying out an attack on prepared defenses) and sustaining heavy casualties, the British force routed the American defenders and cleared the path into the capital (President James Madison and the entire government fled the city, and went North, to the town of Brookeville, Maryland).

On 24 August 1814, British troops led by Rear Admiral George Cockburn and Major General Robert Ross entered Washington and captured the city with a force of 4,500 'battle-hardened' men, during the burning of Washington. British troops, commanded by Ross, set fire to a number of public buildings, including the White House and the United States Capitol. Extensive damage to the interiors and the contents of both were subsequently reported. The British forces subsequently returned to the ships.

The British also sent a fleet up the Potomac to cut off Washington's water access and threaten the prosperous ports of Alexandria, just downstream of Washington, and Georgetown, just upstream. The mere appearance of the fleet cowed American defenders into fleeing from Fort Warburton without firing a shot, and undefended Alexandria surrendered. The British spent several days looting hundreds of tons of merchandise from city merchants and then turned their attention north to Baltimore, where they hoped to strike a powerful blow against the demoralized Americans. Baltimore was a busy port and was thought by the British to harbor many of the privateers who were raiding British shipping. The British planned a combined operation, with Ross launching a land attack at North Point, and Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane laying siege to Fort McHenry, which was the point defensive installation in Baltimore Harbor.

Baltimore's defenses had been planned in advance and overseen by the state militia commander, Major General Samuel Smith.

13 Sep

Fallen Police Officer Edward Sherman

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 13 Sept 1975 we lost our Brother Police Officer Edward Sherman based on the following:

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/823-officer-edward-s-sherman #‎BPDNeverForget‬

14 Sep

Fallen Detective John H. Richards

On this day in Baltimore City Police History 14 Sept 1871, we lost our Brother Detective John H. Richards based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/839-detective-john-h-richards #‎BPDNeverForget‬

14 Sep

'The Gaither' placed in Commission

Today in Baltimore Police History 14 Sept 1940 - 'The CHARLES D. GAITHER' was placed in commission with the Baltimore City Police Department's Marine Unit. Named Commissioner Charles D. Gaither – Known as the General was born in 1860, he was 60 years old when he became the first commissioner of the modern system. Prior to Commissioner Gaither, we had a panel of commissioners, where 3 commissioners would be appointed to the seat. In 1920 Gov Richie appointed the general to the position, a position he would hold for 17 years from 1920 until 1937 https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/bpd-units/marine-unit.html #BPD_History

14 Sep

The Narcotics Task Force was created

1981 - 14 September 1981 - The Narcotics Task Force was created on September 14, 1981. Officers from the Criminal Investigation Division, the nine Police Districts and the Tactical Section, came together in a coordinated effort to impact upon illicit drug trafficking in Baltimore.

The Task Force has attacked the narcotics problem on three levels. First, the Task Force has increased efforts to seek out and arrest street level dealers. Secondly, detectives have successfully conducted investigations to reach into the centers of the organizations which bring narcotics into the area. Just one of these investigations recently resulted in the elimination of the largest heroin organization in the history of the city. Finally, the Task Force has reached into the community to offer information and assistance to parents who believe that narcotics have invaded their households.

15 Sep

Fallen - Patrolman John T. Tuohy

On this day in BPD History 15 Sept 1910, we lost our Brother Patrolman John T. Tuohy to a Heart Attack. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/803-patrolman-john-t-tuohy #BPDNeverForget

16 Sep

Fallen Sergeant Joseph F Smyth

On this day in Baltimore Police History 16 September 1911 we lost our Brother Sergeant Joseph F Smyth in the line of duty to heart failure based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/821-sergeant-joseph-f-smyth #‎BPDNeverForget‬

16 Sep

National Thank the Police Day

17 Sep

Baltimore's First Recall Light

Today in BPD History 17 Sept 1922, a program that was initiated in 1921 gets off the ground, going from a trial or introductory program to a full-fledged operational program. - A signal light on top of or nearby call boxes were installed, the location was on the southeast corner of Baltimore and Charles Streets. The signal was made up of an electric light bulb, with a washbasin added to shade the lamp and a Marine lens to protect it. The mechanism to operate the light was located in the old Central District Station House on Saratoga near Charles Street. The device consisted of an alarm clock to make the lamp flash. This method of notifying an officer that he was wanted, proved to be very successful. By 1945 there were 269 recall lights in operation throughout the city, of course, they were much more refined by that time compared to the more primitive design of the makeshift lamps in 1921 by 1945 they had gone to a full-fledged market lamp. The 1945 recall system consisted of one commercial sign flasher in each of the then 8 district station houses, which carried 110V to each of the recall light locations on or near the area Call Boxes, and were operated with a steady, or flashing light by the telephone operator in each district.

Note: These 'Recall Lights' were initially handmade by our maintenance crew. Police of the Central District began operating the new police Recall System. At the time, every uniformed man from the inspector to the patrolman was enthusiastic over the results. The first week of the 'Magic Blinkers' had created a demand from other districts, to other jurisdictions and then around the country to other departments... the system would eventually be installed in nearly all police department in the United States at a reasonably fast rate.

https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/bpd-units/item/663-recall-light-system.html #BPDHistory

18 Sep

Air Force Birthday

The Air force was officially founded on September 18 1947 when President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act.

19 Sep

Fallen Officer Robert K Nelson

On this day in Baltimore Police History 19 Sept 1958, we lost our Brother Police Officer Robert K Nelson based on the following; https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/k2/item/976-officer-robert-nelson.html #‎BPDNeverForget‬

19 Sep

Kimmy's Birthday

19 Sep

National Thank a Police Officer Day

National Thank a Police Officer Day is recognized every year on the third Saturday of September. (Not to be confused with Police Week in May or Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in January.)

20 Sep

Fallen Officer Robert Alexander

On this day in Baltimore Police History 20 Sept 1986, we lost our Brother Police Officer Robert Alexander based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/783-officer-robert-alexander #‎BPDNeverForget‬

21 Sep

Fallen Patrolman Herbert Bitzel

On this day Baltimore City Police History 21 Sept 1915, we lost our Brother Patrolman Herbert Bitzel in the Line of Duty based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/44-patrolman-herbert-bitzel #‎BPDNeverForget‬

21 Sep

Fallen Officer Ira Neil Weiner

On this day Baltimore City Police History 21 Sept 1992 we lost our Brother Police Officer Ira Neil Weiner to gunfire based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/794-officer-ira-neil-weiner #BPDNeverForget

21 Sep

Detective Ernell C. Thornton - Injured

Detective Ernell C. Thornton - Off Duty Detective Shot September 1976, Detective Ernell C. Thornton, Property Crimes Section, was shot four times on September 22, 1976 while off-duty in the 1700 block Pressman Street.

25 Sep

National Daughters Day

National Daughters Day falls on September 25. There are many similar holidays that fall around the same time, with World Daughters Day on September 28 and and some other countries choosing to celebrate National Daughters Day on October 1.

Daughters' Day 2022: Daughters' Day, as the name suggests, is dedicated to the daughters in the family. While different countries celebrate it on different days, it is usually observed on the fourth Sunday of the month of September.

Happy Daughter day to my girls,

Jamie Lynn
Patricia Lynn

Brittany
Lisa

27 Sep

Fallen Officer James Earl Fowler III

On this day in Baltimore police history 27 Sept 2010, we lost our Brother Police Officer James Earl Fowler III to an auto accident based on the following.https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/922-officer-james-e-fowler-iii #‎BPDNeverForget‬

27 Sep

Final Roll Call - P/O Donald R. Chase

Today in Baltimore Police History 27 Sep 2019 our Brother Retired Police Officer Donald R. Chase passed away. Don had a line of duty injury that was serious enough for him to have been awarded PSOB Benefits. These injuries came as he was nearly choked to death by a prisoner during transport. The suspect came up from behind him after having slipped his legs through, with his hands now in front of his body and still cuffed, he reached over the back seat, and began choking Officer Chase as he drove. Officer Chase passed out, thinking he had killed him, the suspect let go of the hold he had, giving Don a chance to fight. But before long Don had found his injuries were too serious and in fact caused Don to have a stroke on scene. With this the suspect fled. The stroke was not the least Don's problems, he would also end up with severe brain damage to a point that he often didn't have control of his own thoughts, or words.
This cost him friends and family over the years. But the majority of his Brothers and Sisters in blue, were by his side, and while it was a tough road for Don, his wife and sons they understood Don's sacrifices, so while it wasn't always easy, they too stood by his side with their heads held high. Because they knew what we all know.
Retired Officer Don Chase is another of today's Police Officers, that made a sacrifice for our city; and while the city won't recognize his sacrifice, We his Brothers and Sisters of the Baltimore Police department will.
As our Brother, he will not be forgotten, his sacrifice nor he will ever be forgotten.
Image may contain: text that says 'BALTIMLICE CITY NG HAN LINE LINE OF DUTY INJURED'

27 Sep

Patty's Birthday

27 Sep

Fallen Patrolman William R Myers

On this day in Baltimore Police history 27 Sept 1933 we lost our Brother Patrolman William R Myers to a heart attack. Based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/item/1126-patrolman-william-r-myers.html

27 Sep

Fallen Sergeant Charles E. Gross

27 Sep - Fallen Sergeant Charles E. Gross
On this day in Baltimore Police history 27 Sept 1957, we lost our Brother Sergeant Charles E. Gross who took his life due to fear and intimidation. Based on the following https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/component/content/article/562-sergeant-charles-e-gross #‎BPDNeverForget

28 Sep

National Sons Day

National Sons Day is celebrated on September 28. It is a day to show appreciation for the boys in our lives, and for the parents of boys to reflect on how we are raising our sons.
The official National Sons Day is on March 4, but it is also celebrated on September 28

Happy Sons Day

Kennith James
James Patrick

Kyle
Josh

29 Sep

Fallen - Officer John R. Phelan

On this day in Baltimore police history 29 Sept 1956, we lost our Police Officer John R. Phelan based on the following: https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/847-officer-john-r-phelan #‎BPDNeverForget‬

29 Sep

Fallen Capt. Benjamin Franklin Kenney

On this day in Baltimore Police History 29 Sept 1883 we lost our Brother Capt. Benjamin Franklin Kenney to heart failure. https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/951-capt-benjamin-franklin-kenney #‎BPDNeverForget‬

29 Sep

Feast Day for St Michael the Archangel

Today 29 September The Baltimore Police Historical Society would like us to pause in honor of the Feast Day for St Michael the Archangel, Patron Saint of Police Officers. Regardless of our beliefs, we ask that he protect all police, and help the world see them as true warriors that are fighting the evils in this country. “Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God”