In June of 1988, Kevin Tucker resigned as Philadelphia Police commissioner. A lot of the rank and file didn’t care for Tucker. He was brought in as a “reformer”, and the vast majority of the department didn’t like his re...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-debasement-of-willie-williams","title":"The Debasement of Willie Williams","summary":"In June of 1988, Kevin Tucker resigned as Philadelphia Police commissioner. A lot of the rank and file didn’t care for Tucker. He was brought in as a “reformer”, and the vast majority of the department didn’t like his re...","date_modified":"2026-09-18T00:26:39Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-girls-of-summer","html_content":"When I first arrived at the Police Academy in May of 1984, I found that there were already female recruits there, and in fact they were processed ahead of the males that were being appointed. This annoyed me to no end. I...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-girls-of-summer","title":"The Girls of Summer","summary":"When I first arrived at the Police Academy in May of 1984, I found that there were already female recruits there, and in fact they were processed ahead of the males that were being appointed. This annoyed me to no end. I...","date_modified":"2026-09-14T16:54:17Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/oh-home-on-the-range%E2%80%A6","html_content":"As a part of the training at the Academy, we were to spend 40 hours at the range. There we would be taught to shoot a .38 caliber revolver that was owned by the department. The classroom part of the instruction took plac...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/oh-home-on-the-range%E2%80%A6","title":"Oh, Home on the Range…","summary":"As a part of the training at the Academy, we were to spend 40 hours at the range. There we would be taught to shoot a .38 caliber revolver that was owned by the department. The classroom part of the instruction took plac...","date_modified":"2026-09-14T16:52:12Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/beating-the-box-with-albert-ball","html_content":"As part of the background before being appointed –I was told that I would have to take and pass a polygraph examination as administered by the department. Apparently, a lot of people had problems passing it, and that pre...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/beating-the-box-with-albert-ball","title":"Beating the Box with Albert Ball","summary":"As part of the background before being appointed –I was told that I would have to take and pass a polygraph examination as administered by the department. Apparently, a lot of people had problems passing it, and that pre...","date_modified":"2026-09-14T16:50:51Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-rocket-man","html_content":"The call was “At Broad and Lehigh in the Subway - Report of a stabbing – Man with a sword”. Now in North Philadelphia a report of stabbing was not all that rare, and as a Lieutenant once told me – “Jim, what house doesn’...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-rocket-man","title":"The Rocket Man","summary":"The call was “At Broad and Lehigh in the Subway - Report of a stabbing – Man with a sword”. Now in North Philadelphia a report of stabbing was not all that rare, and as a Lieutenant once told me – “Jim, what house doesn’...","date_modified":"2026-08-17T22:41:10Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-girl-with-the-husky-eyes","html_content":"I was dropping off some paperwork at the 9thDistrict, and when I approached the “48 Man” who was a woman. I was struck by her eyes. I was a sucker for blue eyes, but these were perhaps the most striking set of blue eyes ...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-girl-with-the-husky-eyes","title":"The Girl with The Husky Eyes","summary":"I was dropping off some paperwork at the 9thDistrict, and when I approached the “48 Man” who was a woman. I was struck by her eyes. I was a sucker for blue eyes, but these were perhaps the most striking set of blue eyes ...","date_modified":"2026-08-11T12:07:23Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/i-would-have-told-you-if-ya-asked%E2%80%A6","html_content":"Any good wagon crew would tell, you that no prisoner was put in the back of their wagon without being searched first. Sometimes out of excitement, sometimes out of laziness, arresting officers missed contraband.
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/i-would-have-told-you-if-ya-asked%E2%80%A6","title":"I would have told you if ya asked…","summary":"Any good wagon crew would tell, you that no prisoner was put in the back of their wagon without being searched first. Sometimes out of excitement, sometimes out of laziness, arresting officers missed contraband.","date_modified":"2026-07-30T18:32:40Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-rail-splitter-of-24th-nicholas","html_content":"When I first got to the 23rd I was given a heads up on many of the vice locations in the district. There was an old-fashioned corner store at 24th and Nicholas, that was considered a hot spot for drug sales. I was warned...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-rail-splitter-of-24th-nicholas","title":"The Rail-splitter of 24th & Nicholas","summary":"When I first got to the 23rd I was given a heads up on many of the vice locations in the district. There was an old-fashioned corner store at 24th and Nicholas, that was considered a hot spot for drug sales. I was warned...","date_modified":"2026-07-30T18:30:19Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-young-robber","html_content":"When a career criminal is arrested and brought to court, the public will often be informed that subject “…has a lengthy criminal record, dating back to his youth”, or that the criminals prior juvenile record “..was seale...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-young-robber","title":"The Young Robber","summary":"When a career criminal is arrested and brought to court, the public will often be informed that subject “…has a lengthy criminal record, dating back to his youth”, or that the criminals prior juvenile record “..was seale...","date_modified":"2026-07-28T10:55:03Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/wednesday%E2%80%99s-child","html_content":"There is a 19th Century Poem entitled:” Monday’s Child”. While there are several versions “Wednesday’s Child” is generally described as being “Full of woe”. I encountered what was surely a child born on a Wednesday.
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/wednesday%E2%80%99s-child","title":"Wednesday’s Child","summary":"There is a 19th Century Poem entitled:” Monday’s Child”. While there are several versions “Wednesday’s Child” is generally described as being “Full of woe”. I encountered what was surely a child born on a Wednesday.","date_modified":"2026-07-28T10:52:46Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/if-i%E2%80%99m-shot","html_content":"My first day in the 5th District the guy I worked with said to me: “If I’m shot don’t take me Roxborough Memorial”.
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/if-i%E2%80%99m-shot","title":"If I’m Shot...","summary":"My first day in the 5th District the guy I worked with said to me: “If I’m shot don’t take me Roxborough Memorial”.","date_modified":"2026-07-20T15:10:36Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/california-dreamin%E2%80%99","html_content":"I was invited to visit Los Angeles by a friend, and amongst the tourist spots I visited was the Los Angeles Police Academy. There I observed, amongst other things a plaque on a wall emblazoned “This Plaque Donated by Jac...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/california-dreamin%E2%80%99","title":"California Dreamin’","summary":"I was invited to visit Los Angeles by a friend, and amongst the tourist spots I visited was the Los Angeles Police Academy. There I observed, amongst other things a plaque on a wall emblazoned “This Plaque Donated by Jac...","date_modified":"2026-07-14T20:01:00Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/they-call-me-clarice","html_content":"There were some bizarre cases I witnessed both in the field and while in court, but one of the most bizarre cases I ever sat through was out of South Division, and brought into court by South Detectives.
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/they-call-me-clarice","title":"They Call Me Clarice","summary":"There were some bizarre cases I witnessed both in the field and while in court, but one of the most bizarre cases I ever sat through was out of South Division, and brought into court by South Detectives.","date_modified":"2026-07-07T19:52:08Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/mother-of-the-year","html_content":"We were working daywork when we got a report of kids sitting in an abandoned car. It was a very hot day. On arrival, what we found was a small boy, that could not have been more than seven or eight years old, sitting in...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/mother-of-the-year","title":"Mother of the Year","summary":"We were working daywork when we got a report of kids sitting in an abandoned car. It was a very hot day. On arrival, what we found was a small boy, that could not have been more than seven or eight years old, sitting in...","date_modified":"2026-07-07T19:49:13Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/sergeant-morris-needs-a-haircut","html_content":"During the mid-80’s, it was discovered that many of the buildings constructed in the late 1950’s contained asbestos. Asbestos was of course used as a fire-retardant insulator – it was used everywhere that the cops were –...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/sergeant-morris-needs-a-haircut","title":"Sergeant Morris Needs a Haircut","summary":"During the mid-80’s, it was discovered that many of the buildings constructed in the late 1950’s contained asbestos. Asbestos was of course used as a fire-retardant insulator – it was used everywhere that the cops were –...","date_modified":"2026-07-07T19:45:51Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/detective-depravity---how-may-i-help-you","html_content":"In my old neighborhood there is an apartment building at 6063 Roosevelt Boulevard, the “Oakland Terrace Apartments”. My old man who was a Letter Carrier delivered the mail to that building.
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/detective-depravity---how-may-i-help-you","title":"Detective Depravity - how may I help you?","summary":"In my old neighborhood there is an apartment building at 6063 Roosevelt Boulevard, the “Oakland Terrace Apartments”. My old man who was a Letter Carrier delivered the mail to that building.","date_modified":"2026-07-07T19:41:33Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-phantom-cop","html_content":"When I arranged the swap with Joe Arrison so I could go to the 23rd and he could go to the 5th – Joe ran into a problem. He related the following to me:
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-phantom-cop","title":"The Phantom Cop","summary":"When I arranged the swap with Joe Arrison so I could go to the 23rd and he could go to the 5th – Joe ran into a problem. He related the following to me:","date_modified":"2026-06-30T22:51:47Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-last-addicts","html_content":"I was working with Joe Escher on 2303, and as we rode down the street, he pointed out two black men that were sitting on the steps of a house. They were older guys, just sitting and talking. Escher said that he wanted to...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-last-addicts","title":"The Last Addicts","summary":"I was working with Joe Escher on 2303, and as we rode down the street, he pointed out two black men that were sitting on the steps of a house. They were older guys, just sitting and talking. Escher said that he wanted to...","date_modified":"2026-06-29T20:10:01Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/good-crack","html_content":"By the time I arrived in North Philadelphia, crack was king. In the 5th District, while we saw some crack, the drug of choice was “Meth” among the whites that dwelled in the poorer sections of Manayunk.
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/good-crack","title":"Good Crack","summary":"By the time I arrived in North Philadelphia, crack was king. In the 5th District, while we saw some crack, the drug of choice was “Meth” among the whites that dwelled in the poorer sections of Manayunk.","date_modified":"2026-06-29T20:08:38Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/something-i-ate","html_content":"A young woman had been brought into the district, who reported that she been raped. It was pretty clear something had happened. Her clothes were torn; he face was bruised and she was crying. She was sitting on the police...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/something-i-ate","title":"Something I Ate","summary":"A young woman had been brought into the district, who reported that she been raped. It was pretty clear something had happened. Her clothes were torn; he face was bruised and she was crying. She was sitting on the police...","date_modified":"2026-06-27T21:01:50Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/i-think-i-was-just-raped","html_content":"I was working last out and sitting at Broad and Girard when I was approached by a woman stating she thought that she had just been raped. She appeared to be homeless and was crying piteously. She was white, appeared to b...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/i-think-i-was-just-raped","title":"I think I was just raped","summary":"I was working last out and sitting at Broad and Girard when I was approached by a woman stating she thought that she had just been raped. She appeared to be homeless and was crying piteously. She was white, appeared to b...","date_modified":"2026-06-27T21:00:27Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-infamous-chicken-man","html_content":"When the common person hears the sobriquet “Chicken man”, they may think of the famous Philip “Chicken Man” Testa.[1] That is not the “Chicken Man” that I am referring to here. The “Chicken Man” was an infamous Philadelp...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-infamous-chicken-man","title":"The Infamous Chicken Man","summary":"When the common person hears the sobriquet “Chicken man”, they may think of the famous Philip “Chicken Man” Testa.[1] That is not the “Chicken Man” that I am referring to here. The “Chicken Man” was an infamous Philadelp...","date_modified":"2026-06-27T20:58:12Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/oh-tannenbaum","html_content":"It was not unusual for districts or units in the department to have Christmas displays set up around the holiday.
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/oh-tannenbaum","title":"Oh Tannenbaum","summary":"It was not unusual for districts or units in the department to have Christmas displays set up around the holiday.","date_modified":"2026-06-27T20:55:24Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/miss-ruby","html_content":"One of the first nights I was assigned to the 23rd, I was working with Joe Escher on 2303. Even though we were technically a west end wagon, Joe did not like to sit, and as far as he was concerned, everywhere in the 23rd...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/miss-ruby","title":"Miss Ruby","summary":"One of the first nights I was assigned to the 23rd, I was working with Joe Escher on 2303. Even though we were technically a west end wagon, Joe did not like to sit, and as far as he was concerned, everywhere in the 23rd...","date_modified":"2026-06-25T17:29:25Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/i-have-a-flat","html_content":"Unknown to probably most of the public, no patrol vehicle in the Philadelphia Police Department had a spare tire or the equipment needed to change a flat. Why? I was told it was in our contract that we were not to change...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/i-have-a-flat","title":"I Have a Flat","summary":"Unknown to probably most of the public, no patrol vehicle in the Philadelphia Police Department had a spare tire or the equipment needed to change a flat. Why? I was told it was in our contract that we were not to change...","date_modified":"2026-06-19T17:52:50Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/25-25-25-in-the-22nd","html_content":"As part of a wagon crew, it was not uncommon to be asked to take prisoners down to 8th and Race (AKA The Roundhouse) for further processing. Most of the time the prisoners in question were not people arrested by the wago...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/25-25-25-in-the-22nd","title":"25-25-25 in the 22nd","summary":"As part of a wagon crew, it was not uncommon to be asked to take prisoners down to 8th and Race (AKA The Roundhouse) for further processing. Most of the time the prisoners in question were not people arrested by the wago...","date_modified":"2026-06-02T14:07:18Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/a-handcuff-lesson","html_content":"According to the police directive on handcuffs, after the prisoner is handcuffed – the cuffs are to be double locked. This is pretty much the policy in every department I have ever encountered in my life. I cannot recall...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/a-handcuff-lesson","title":"A Handcuff Lesson","summary":"According to the police directive on handcuffs, after the prisoner is handcuffed – the cuffs are to be double locked. This is pretty much the policy in every department I have ever encountered in my life. I cannot recall...","date_modified":"2026-06-02T14:04:27Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/eastbound-and-down","html_content":"I was working a 23rd district wagon when we picked up a rather unusual call. We were to report to East Detectives at Front and Westmoreland – and pick up prisoners to go to 8th and Race. We were informed that a large num...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/eastbound-and-down","title":"Eastbound and Down","summary":"I was working a 23rd district wagon when we picked up a rather unusual call. We were to report to East Detectives at Front and Westmoreland – and pick up prisoners to go to 8th and Race. We were informed that a large num...","date_modified":"2026-06-02T13:24:40Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/directive-45","html_content":"Kenny Milgrom was a very controversial character. He was very busy, and certainly not lazy, but he was known for causing drama, and a lot of the guys did not care for that. He seemed to get involved in things that led to...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/directive-45","title":"Directive 45","summary":"Kenny Milgrom was a very controversial character. He was very busy, and certainly not lazy, but he was known for causing drama, and a lot of the guys did not care for that. He seemed to get involved in things that led to...","date_modified":"2026-05-25T14:29:49Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/over-under-or-through","html_content":"I had just arrived in the 23rd District as a replacement for Joe Arrison, and was assigned to work with Arrison’s old partner, Joe Escher. Their wagon was 2303, so that is where I was going to work. Escher was waiting to...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/over-under-or-through","title":"Over, Under or Through.","summary":"I had just arrived in the 23rd District as a replacement for Joe Arrison, and was assigned to work with Arrison’s old partner, Joe Escher. Their wagon was 2303, so that is where I was going to work. Escher was waiting to...","date_modified":"2026-05-25T14:26:28Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/albi%E2%80%99s-beat","html_content":"When I was assigned to the 5th District there was a daywork foot beat man on both Main Street and Ridge Avenue. But on Saturday nights someone, presumably the captain decided that a foot beat was needed on Ridge Avenue f...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/albi%E2%80%99s-beat","title":"Albi’s beat","summary":"When I was assigned to the 5th District there was a daywork foot beat man on both Main Street and Ridge Avenue. But on Saturday nights someone, presumably the captain decided that a foot beat was needed on Ridge Avenue f...","date_modified":"2026-05-25T14:24:54Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-high-road","html_content":""Sometimes the low road can take you places the high road can’t"
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-high-road","title":"The High Road","summary":"\"Sometimes the low road can take you places the high road can’t\"","date_modified":"2026-05-21T14:44:48Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/a-kensington-refugee","html_content":"I was working daywork when I saw what appeared to be a veritable flood of water appeared at 19th and Girard Avenues. It was actually beginning to slow traffic through the intersection. I followed the water down 19th and ...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/a-kensington-refugee","title":"A Kensington Refugee","summary":"I was working daywork when I saw what appeared to be a veritable flood of water appeared at 19th and Girard Avenues. It was actually beginning to slow traffic through the intersection. I followed the water down 19th and ...","date_modified":"2026-05-20T22:55:36Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/let-him-go-i-don%E2%80%99t-care-what-he-did","html_content":"![](\"https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/e3ed9784-3d1f-4a43-822c-e25d46dbea29/act-patch.jpg\"/)
I didn’t know too many guys that worked in the ACT unit. By the time I got on the job, ACT (Anti-Crime team) was a mere shadow of its former self. The job of the officers in ACT unit were special – they were plain clothe...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/let-him-go-i-don%E2%80%99t-care-what-he-did","title":"Let Him Go. I don’t care what he did.","summary":"I didn’t know too many guys that worked in the ACT unit. By the time I got on the job, ACT (Anti-Crime team) was a mere shadow of its former self. The job of the officers in ACT unit were special – they were plain clothe...","date_modified":"2026-05-20T22:52:49Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/highway-%E2%80%93-or-should-i-say-%E2%80%9Cno-way%E2%80%9D","html_content":"I wanted to go to Highway. You had to wait one year to apply for a special unit, and on my one year, I put my papers in. My captain, who was Joe Stine, interviewed me and approved the transfer, but warned me it probably ...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/highway-%E2%80%93-or-should-i-say-%E2%80%9Cno-way%E2%80%9D","title":"Highway – or should I say “No way?”","summary":"I wanted to go to Highway. You had to wait one year to apply for a special unit, and on my one year, I put my papers in. My captain, who was Joe Stine, interviewed me and approved the transfer, but warned me it probably ...","date_modified":"2026-05-17T18:47:15Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-empty-waistcoat","html_content":"Working in the Police Department, I encountered all kinds of people. In this instance I am referring to fellow officers. They represented all different areas of the city, neighborhoods, schools and educational background...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-empty-waistcoat","title":"The Empty Waistcoat","summary":"Working in the Police Department, I encountered all kinds of people. In this instance I am referring to fellow officers. They represented all different areas of the city, neighborhoods, schools and educational background...","date_modified":"2026-05-17T18:39:19Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-last-smile","html_content":"I would be lying if I said I knew him well. He worked in another squad of the 22nd. He was an older black guy, had a lot of time on. Very friendly and outgoing. I’m not sure I ever saw him angry or without a smile.
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-last-smile","title":"The Last Smile","summary":"I would be lying if I said I knew him well. He worked in another squad of the 22nd. He was an older black guy, had a lot of time on. Very friendly and outgoing. I’m not sure I ever saw him angry or without a smile.","date_modified":"2026-05-17T18:35:11Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/felton-sibley-act","html_content":"![](\"https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/e3ed9784-3d1f-4a43-822c-e25d46dbea29/IMG_8936.JPG\"/)
“What am I being arrested for?”, I would hear them say.
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/felton-sibley-act","title":"Felton-Sibley Act","summary":"“What am I being arrested for?”, I would hear them say.","date_modified":"2026-05-08T14:51:18Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-sick-south","html_content":"So, I was told by a veteran: …” if you ever work South Division – keep this in mind….”
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-sick-south","title":"The Sick South","summary":"So, I was told by a veteran: …” if you ever work South Division – keep this in mind….”","date_modified":"2026-05-04T17:52:00Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/i-wasn%E2%80%99t-wasting-a-free-hoagie","html_content":"At the suggestion of a fellow officer, I decided to pick up a hoagie at a small store that was just across the street from the Blumberg Housing Project. It was on Carl Simmon’s sector and I had never been in there before...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/i-wasn%E2%80%99t-wasting-a-free-hoagie","title":"I wasn’t wasting a free Hoagie","summary":"At the suggestion of a fellow officer, I decided to pick up a hoagie at a small store that was just across the street from the Blumberg Housing Project. It was on Carl Simmon’s sector and I had never been in there before...","date_modified":"2026-05-04T17:50:45Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/go-chase-them-squirrels","html_content":"I was working one day with the legendary Officer Frank Manley and we began to discuss the 5th District. I related how I really didn’t want to be there because it was “slow”. I wanted to be with my friends from the academ...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/go-chase-them-squirrels","title":"Go chase them squirrels","summary":"I was working one day with the legendary Officer Frank Manley and we began to discuss the 5th District. I related how I really didn’t want to be there because it was “slow”. I wanted to be with my friends from the academ...","date_modified":"2026-04-30T12:29:05Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-%E2%80%9Cun%E2%80%9D-united-way","html_content":"I was attending the FOP meeting which was on Spring Garden Street back then. I had never attended a union meeting, but since I had the night off, I figured I’d sit in. If memory serves, it was the only one I ever attende...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-%E2%80%9Cun%E2%80%9D-united-way","title":"The “UN” United Way","summary":"I was attending the FOP meeting which was on Spring Garden Street back then. I had never attended a union meeting, but since I had the night off, I figured I’d sit in. If memory serves, it was the only one I ever attende...","date_modified":"2026-04-28T13:31:40Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/wrong-corner-right-pocket","html_content":"“Man with a gun – 28th and Master"
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/wrong-corner-right-pocket","title":"Wrong Corner, Right Pocket","summary":"“Man with a gun – 28th and Master\"","date_modified":"2026-04-28T13:30:24Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/found-money","html_content":"I was working in the 5th District when I got a call to go a local bank[1]. The bank was about to close, and a customer had locked himself in a small room, and was now not answering the door. The room was a private one in...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/found-money","title":"Found Money","summary":"I was working in the 5th District when I got a call to go a local bank[1]. The bank was about to close, and a customer had locked himself in a small room, and was now not answering the door. The room was a private one in...","date_modified":"2026-04-25T15:50:40Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-watcher-at-29th-and-girard","html_content":"“That boy has two speeds, fast and faster” – a comment in reference to me.
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-watcher-at-29th-and-girard","title":"The Watcher at 29th and Girard","summary":"“That boy has two speeds, fast and faster” – a comment in reference to me.","date_modified":"2026-04-25T15:48:04Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-siege-of-st-bonaventure%E2%80%99s","html_content":"I was off duty seeking information about my Irish forebears when I showed up at St Bonaventure’s. The church was at 9th and Somerset. What had once been a thriving white working-class neighborhood had slid into what the ...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-siege-of-st-bonaventure%E2%80%99s","title":"The Siege of St Bonaventure’s","summary":"I was off duty seeking information about my Irish forebears when I showed up at St Bonaventure’s. The church was at 9th and Somerset. What had once been a thriving white working-class neighborhood had slid into what the ...","date_modified":"2026-04-24T01:29:46Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/bomber-command","html_content":"The confrontation with the radical “Back to nature” group MOVE took place twice, once in 1978 and once in 1985. In the 1985 confrontation a decision was made to drop an explosive device onto the building MOVE occupied. I...
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/bomber-command","title":"Bomber Command","summary":"The confrontation with the radical “Back to nature” group MOVE took place twice, once in 1978 and once in 1985. In the 1985 confrontation a decision was made to drop an explosive device onto the building MOVE occupied. I...","date_modified":"2026-04-24T01:25:43Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/easy-there-john-wayne%E2%80%A6","html_content":"One evening about four hours into the shift, there was a radio call – “Report of a stabbing, victim is at St Joe's- no further”.
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/easy-there-john-wayne%E2%80%A6","title":"Easy there, John Wayne….","summary":"One evening about four hours into the shift, there was a radio call – “Report of a stabbing, victim is at St Joe's- no further”.","date_modified":"2026-04-15T23:00:01Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/one-and-only","html_content":"Even though I only visited it once, I remember St. Barnabas Church at 63rd and Buist for several reasons.
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/one-and-only","title":"One and Only","summary":"Even though I only visited it once, I remember St. Barnabas Church at 63rd and Buist for several reasons.","date_modified":"2026-04-12T15:36:53Z"},{"id":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-blown-call","html_content":"Now I hated it when I got “Bagged” with a call that wasn’t mine. If you were a decent cop, you would do everything you could to avoid sticking a fellow officer with a call that should have been handled by you.
","url":"https://policestories.net/the-5th-district/f/the-blown-call","title":"The Blown Call","summary":"Now I hated it when I got “Bagged” with a call that wasn’t mine. If you were a decent cop, you would do everything you could to avoid sticking a fellow officer with a call that should have been handled by you.","date_modified":"2026-04-12T15:30:22Z"}]}