Chief Desmond Gets en ny assistent

På mandag, December 15, 1902, St. Louis Politi assisterende chef for Detectives James H. Smith pensioneret fra politiet til at tage stilling i kulindustrien. Chef for Detectives William Desmond forsøgte at overbevise Smith at bo, men han besluttede at trække sig tilbage fra den kraft som hans fyrretyvende fødselsdag nærmede.

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Early St. Louis Police Badge from the Public Domain

Smith compiled a commendable record as Desmond’s Assistant. The St. Louis Police Department appointed Smith as a police officer on April 16, 1889, when Smith was 26 år. He was appointed a detective in 1892 prior to his appointment as Assistant Chief of Detectives in 1899.

John J. Keely was 29 years old and a St. Louis Police Clerk, when he was appointed to the department on March 20, 1895. Keely was appointed as a detective on December 6, 1898.

Juni 28, 1900, Dan Julian and “Biddy” Holden shot Detective Keely, who was attempting to arrest them over a shooting affray Downtown. Shot four times, Keely was in critical condition for several days in St. John’s Hospital before he pulled through.

John Keely would assume the duties of Assistant Chief of Detectives on January 1, 1903. He would hold the position until 1907, when he took over as Chief of Detectives from his friend and mentor William Desmond.

James H. Smith did very well in the coal business and owned a private residence on Newberry Terrace in the Lewis Place neighborhood. Born on February 13, 1863, Smith lived to be 72 år. He passed away from heart failure on August 19, 1935.

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Keely House on DeGiverville Avenue – Courtesy of Geo St. Louis

John J. Keely took his new position at a salary of $1800 a year. Keely would continue to protect St. Louis until retiring to a home in the 5900 block of DeGiverville Avenue. Bygget i 1912, the home still stands today. Keely was born on November 4, 1864. He passed away after a battle with cancer on April 20, 1939 ved 74 år.

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the-sherlock-holmes-of-saint-louis-book-cover

Cover of The Sherlock Holmes of Saint Louis: St. Louis Chief of Detectives William Desmond

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