“There are no extraordinary men… just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with.”   

William Halsey 

 

Wool uniforms worn year ‘round, thirty hour work shifts, separation from family…all facts of life when working for the Connecticut State Police in the Victorian era.   Prior to the birth of the State Police force, the  all consuming matters of prohibition, the vice squad, labor disputes and “who stole Mrs. O’Leary’s  cow” were handled by an under resourced and frequently corrupt sheriff’s department.

What drove such men to this life of dedication and sacrifice?  If it were not for     “a few good men who cared,” the remnants of history would have been lost forever. The Connecticut State Police Museum  was authorized and created in __ and was the brainchild of former Sargent Jerry Longo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8ymRdL1FKE&feature=youtu.be.

The Museum serves as an education center, genealogical resource, an academic repository and an inspiration for youngsters and elders alike!    Years later, this rich history was captured in print as well, meticulously documented by Sargent Longo.   http://www.amazon.com/Connecticut-State-Police-Images-America/dp/1467120219

Shattered Lives Radio  took a stroll down memory lane with Jerry to learn more of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of the premier State Police force in the county.

 

   LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

 

• Announcement regarding the two year- two hour Anniversary Special for “Shattered Lives” Radio
• Introduction to our guest
• Our friend, Tim Palmbach
• A thumbnail sketch of  the beginnings of the Connecticut State Police- A hard choice getting started
• In 1903 – $3.00 per day and other struggles
• Discussion – fast forward to 2014 and their reputation with the massacre of Sandy Hook
• “Just being there”…You don’t understand
• A retrospective – What was life like for the police in the Victorian era?
• Example: a Henderson Excelsior Motorcycle: http://www.hendersonmotorcycle.com/History%201918.htm;
• A very rough life……  Signing on for 20 to 30 years
• Ladyjustice asks about the police response with the Hartford Circus Fire.
• https://donnagore.com/2011/11/26/the-dogged-pursuit-by-badge-33-for-little-miss-1565/
• https://donnagore.com/2012/12/06/the-first-the-proud-and-the-many-the-connecticut-state-police/
• The evolution of the Connecticut State Museum – a fifth generation “Pack-rat” and making a promise
• Judge John Danaher- multi-generational
• http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000025
• http://federalism.typepad.com/crime_federalism/2007/02/congratulations.html
• “I’m running out of numbers and I need ten years to build my building”
• An audio description of some of the best artifacts in the museum-marble replication of their first badge, John Dillinger’s capture, First car two way radio system: http://www.wb6nvh.com/Motadata.htm
• Charles Lindberg and Amelia Earhart-  and the “Three L’s”
• Amelia Earhart and the Connecticut Connection – Her official Website-
• http://www.ameliaearhart.com/about/bio.html
• Badges, parches, weapons , uniforms,  a memorial to fallen officers etc.
• A “focused interest” to preserve history, a genealogical center
• Ladyjustice asks about Jerry’s work with cold cases
• Jerry’s work with Author Michael Dooling and Mike’s connection to law enforcement https://donnagore.com/2012/07/23/clueless-in-new-england-author-michael-dooling-guest-on-shattered-lives/
• A couple of Dr. Henry Lee stories
• Delilah asks about the difference between the several police jurisdictions – “layers of law enforcement.”  Who does what when and where?
• Jerry discusses the above question and rationale for all of the police departments
• Who responds when you dial 911?  It depends….
• South Carolina, Florida and Georgia differences
• Ladyjustice asks, Do you really need all of the departments in one area?
• How did Jerry’s book develop through Arcadia Publishing:
• http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/9781467120210/Connecticut-State-Police
• 1240 copies…and generating money…
• Book Info also available at Arcadia or the CT Museum: http://www.amazon.com/Connecticut-State-Police-Images-America/dp/1467120219Info:
• The possible second book:  Re Zola Bennett Stenographer, First Female Trooper  &”Secret Agent”
• See #5 in this Article: http://top10middlesex.blogspot.com/2011/05/top-10-historic-facts-about-connecticut.html
• Contact Info:  The Museum is located at the Leo J. Mulcahy Complex, 294 Colony Street,  PO Box 1945, Meriden, CT and is open to the public Friday from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm and Saturday from Noon to 4:00 pm. Call 203.440.3858 for appointments and tour information.
• Jerry’s Parting Message: The humanity of the officer – “a heart beating the chest of the shirt”

Questions At “Roll Call”

• What was the impetus for a State police force, anyway?

• The State Police Force came  in second to what other important need?
• What kinds of new duties were common for the police in 1903?
• What agency played a pivotal role at Sandy Hook who was not publically  recognized?
• How did the public distinguish regular vehicles from the police in the 1920s?
• Who attended the Hartford Circus Fire that helped mobilize the response?
• What were the barriers to the start of the museum?
• How much did the lease cost for the building?
• What were the circumstances of Amelia Earhart’s ties of Connecticut and getting stopped by the police?
• Why are there only a few police museums across the country?
• What was the “surprise” that Dr. Henry C. Lee needed years ago from Jerry?
• What is the difference between the various police jurisdictions?
• Why do sheriff departments exist?
• What were the trails and tribulations  encountered by publishing Jerry’s book?
• Who was the female “Secret Agent” that Jerry discovered?

The comments expressed on this website or on the broadcasts of Shattered Lives do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the hosts, producers, or other guests.

The Best Predictor of Our Future is a Respect for History:

Lessons from the Connecticut State Police