Fall River, MA., like so many other cities across the nation struggling to provide necessary services in the face of ominous budgetary shortfalls, is laying off 149 employees. Even worse, 98 of those are policemen and firemen. Now when a city lays off “first responders” you know it’s in trouble.
With its unemployment already nearly 14% (and we all know with high unemployment comes an increase in crime) Fall River is reverting back to its 1976 levels of uniformed police coverage. Even Lizzie Borden would not be pleased.
From the Fall River Police Department website here is their Uniform Police Compliment of 1976.
In 1976, they had 12 men in patrol cars, 10 on walking beats and 1 K-9 unit. The Fall River Herald News reported there would be only 10 patrol cars, no walking beats, and special police services cut or eliminated altogether. This is not good news, and my heart goes out to those men and women losing their jobs. An unpopular mayor is looking at restructuring departments, and outside challenges to look closer at salvaging some of these jobs is still being raised.
Having worked for the Long Beach (Ca.) Police Department for 11 years in a non-sworn capacity (Vice, Narcotics and the Deputy Chief’s office) and having a father who’s a retired Watch 3 Captain (night Chief) and several cousins who are police officers and sheriff’s, I know about the “culture of cops”, aka “the brotherhood.” Unless you are a law enforcement officer or someone in your immediate family is one, it’s very difficult for the average citizen to truly realize and appreciate the job they do.
Old Station on Bedford Street
I’ve met several Fall River police officers over the years, beginning in 1977 at the old station on Bedford Street. Police Chief Henry Ramos led the Department during the turbulent times of the mid and late 1970’s and was, in fact, the incumbant Chief when I was first there. I remember going inside the old Station, cramped and dingy as it was, and inquired if they had any police records on the Lizzie Borden case. And yes, I got the eye-rolling look but the officer at the counter near the front door was courteous and chatted up the case with me for some time before directing me to the public library.
During Lizzie Borden’s Day, the image below was the Central Police Department from officers were dispatched to 92 Second Street. After investigations, trial and her acquittal, those officers progressed within the department, several becoming Police Chiefs, and Lizzie outlived most of them. But can you imagine the conversations these men had over the decades talking about that incredible case in which they all took part. Would love to see some of *their* private correspondence!
Central Police Station
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City Marshal Rufus B Hillard (1886-1909) Arresting officer of record Lizzie Borden |
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City Marshal John Fleet (1909-1915) |
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NOTE: This is the transition period from City Marshal to Chief of Police.
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Chief William N Medley (1915-1917) |
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Chief Martin Feeney (1917-1931) |
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Other officers involved in the case:
Captain Patrick H. Doherty (1896)
Captain Desmond
Captain Francis L. Edson
Tattered Fabric: Fall River's Lizzie Borden 
randy
April 6, 2009 at 4:56 PM
that is so cool the dued is the first cop in fall river!!!!!!!!!
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Caroline
May 18, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Did Lizzy ever confess to commiting the murders of her father and step-mother?
phayemuss
May 19, 2009 at 7:59 AM
No. Never. And if she had we would not be sleuthing through the myriad of threads of this compelling mystery the past 117 years. When Lizzie was asked at the Coroner’s Inquest if her father had any enemies, she named her uncle, Hiram Harrington – who was married to Andrew’s sister. But this was posed to her after Mr. Harrington’s newspaper interview where he described Lizzie as “haughty and domineering” and that money was the motive….practically implicating her. Lizzie took it to her grave.
phayemuss
September 6, 2018 at 2:35 PM
Reblogged this on Tattered Fabric: Fall River's Lizzie Borden.