Chief Desmond Gets a New Assistant

On Monday, December 15, 1902, St. Louis Police Assistant Chief of Detectives James H. Smith retired from the police department to take a position in the coal industry.  Chief of Detectives William Desmond attempted to convince Smith to stay but he decided to retire from the force as his fortieth birthday approached.

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 years old.  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.

On June 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 years old.  He passed away from heart failure on August 19, 1935.

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.  Built in 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 at 74 years of age.

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