1001 Radio Crime Solvers

Episode: THE CASE OF THE COWBOY KILLERS and THE CINCINNATI NARCOTICS RING (Gangbusters Feature)

Release Date: November 23, 2025

Host: Jon Hagadorn
Source: Gangbusters episode, dramatizations based on authentic police case histories

Episode Overview

This episode brings listeners two hard-boiled true crime dramatizations from the notorious Gangbusters series:

1. The Case of the Cowboy Killers – the wild spree and eventual downfall of a violent New York gang.
2. The Case of the Cincinnati Narcotics Ring – the international chase to bring down a heroin and gun-smuggling operation stretching across US and Canadian borders.

Both stories highlight classic 1940s radio storytelling: rapid-fire dialogue, gritty action, and introspective glimpses into law enforcement and criminal psychology. They emphasize teamwork between agencies and the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of clever, ruthless criminals.

PART ONE: The Case of the Cowboy Killers

Main Theme

A gang of reckless New York holdup men known for their speed and brutality, dubbed the "Cowboy Killers," embark on a rapid series of armed robberies that rock Brooklyn. Their chaos is met with equally determined and methodical police work, ultimately unraveling their camaraderie and freedom.

Key Discussion Points and Story Beats

1. Introduction to the Gang (01:25 – 04:00)

• Chief Sullivan (narrator) introduces the case: a notorious gang terrorizing Brooklyn using tactics reminiscent of the Wild West.
• The gang meets at the Osborne apartment. Russ, the leader, lays out their next job: not just a single saloon, but a series of seven bar-and-grill stickups in one night.
  • Russ: "Instead of one, we knock over seven. In one night." (05:59)
  • Vic (the skeptic): "You're nuts. We'll have every cop in Brooklyn on our trail." (06:13)
• The plan relies on outpacing police radio response. Each job ups the stakes—and the risk.

2. Execution of the Stickups (07:00 – 10:00)

• The gang carries out the robberies in rapid succession, threatening staff and patrons with violence.
  • Russ: "Anybody who wants to get wise gets more than what he got in that gun." (08:17)
• A foiled robbery at a bar where an off-duty cop, Jim Madden, resists and shots are exchanged.
  • Bartender: "He just bought the place. Give him a break." (08:33)

3. Aftermath and Collapse (11:09 – 15:00)

• The chaos and injuries begin to fracture the gang; one member is wounded in the getaway and tensions boil over about how to get medical help without betraying their location. The group disperses, suspicious and fearful.
  • Russ (threateningly): "If you're even thinking about double crossing, remember—it'll take the cops a couple of minutes to bust in here. And you'd be surprised what I could do to her in a couple of minutes." (11:09)
• Narration notes the gang "scattered like frightened rats," leaving police to piece together their trail.

4. Police Investigation and Interrogation (15:00 – 18:00)

• Detective Sergeant Guilford coordinates the hunt, confident thanks to witness IDs.
  • Sgt. Guilford: "We got 24 witnesses who’ve identified one of the killers from a rogues’ gallery. He’s an ex-con. We’ll get him in 48 hours." (16:15)
• Police locate Vic, a gang member, wounded and hiding. The interrogation is relentless.
  • Guilford: “We got you cold... It adds up to sure conviction. And you're gonna be awfully lonely up there without your friends.” (17:06)
  • Vic: “I ain't saying nothing.” (17:14)
• Vic cracks when the threat of medical intervention is raised. He confesses and provides names and safehouse addresses.

5. Rounding Up the Gang (18:13 – 24:00)

• The remaining killers are tracked across state lines. The police pressure Ferdie and Stella Osborne, who helped the gang unwittingly, into cooperating with the investigation despite their terror of reprisals.
  • Sgt. Guilford: “You're going to live in terror of him all your life? Because if you are, you're going to spend most of it in jail.” (22:25)
• Russ flees to Houston, Texas, but is recognized thanks to a Gangbusters radio alert.

6. Final Showdown and Resolution (24:00 – 26:30)

• Houston police, tipped off by a factory worker’s recognition of Russ, coordinate with New York detectives to capture him at his new job.
  • Officer (to Russ): “Come on, Donahoe. We’ll have a nice long talk at headquarters in private.” (24:30)
  • Russ (protesting): “Who you talking about? My name’s Douglas. Robert Douglas.” (25:10)
• The violent spree ends: David Donahoe dies before trial, the rest serve life sentences.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the wild pace of the stickups:
  • Russ: “If we work fast and quick, we’ll always be ahead of them. I got a bunch of cowboys on the loose.” (06:21)
• Cynicism about the gang’s profit:
  • Sgt. Guilford: “They killed one man and stuck up seven taverns for a grand total of $600. Put that amongst all of them—what’s it amount to? Not much.” (16:56)
• On fear and loyalty:
  • Sgt. Guilford (to Stella): “You’re more frightened of him than you are the whole police force.” (22:54)

Key Timestamps

• 01:25 – Introduction of the Cowboy Killers and their MO
• 05:59 – The gang’s “big plan” to rob seven bars in one night
• 08:30 – First stickup goes down, shots fired
• 16:15 – Sargeant Guilford on witness IDs and confidence
• 17:06 – Interrogation of Vic; pressure and confession
• 22:25 – Police confront Ferdie and Stella Osborne
• 24:15 – Houston police tipped off; Russ’s arrest

PART TWO: The Case of the Cincinnati Narcotics Ring

Main Theme

A transnational task force made up of US and Canadian police and federal narcotics officers teams up to take down a sophisticated heroin smuggling ring. The story balances tense criminal dealings, a femme fatale, and a nail-biting final shootout.

Key Discussion Points and Story Beats

1. The High-Stakes Drug Deal in Toronto (29:26 – 34:00)

• Big Jim Labard (Canadian dealer) and Sonny Wilton (American buyer) haggle over a dangerous heroin shipment. Jim refuses to risk a border run without extra cash.
  • Jim: “You can run the border for nothing, Sonny... It won't cost you a dime.” (31:02)
• Lucille Beauvais, a desperate young woman, stumbles into the plot when she attempts to rob Jim’s hotel room, only to be caught and manipulated into joining the smuggling operation.
  • Big Jim: “Didn't you say you wanted car fare to Montreal? You got a job, Lucille.” (34:02)

2. Setting Up for the Smuggle (35:08 – 36:15)

• Lucille is to play the part of Jim’s wife and help sneak the heroin across to Detroit.
• Romantic manipulation: Jim uses Lucille’s desperation and gratitude to secure her loyalty, despite the danger and her hesitations.

3. Chased Across the Border (36:16 – 42:26)

• A sequence of near-captures: police are closing in across Windsor, Ontario; Lucille is detained but quickly released.
  • Big Jim: “Meet me in an hour. Victoria Park, under the Queen's statue. Change cabs a couple of times.” (38:36)
• Lucille and Jim attempt the border crossing by boat, narrowly avoiding a patrol inspection.
  • Big Jim: “I don't throw 15 grand overboard. I fight for it.” (42:08)

4. US Investigation and Takedown (42:56 – 49:33)

• Federal Narcotics Agent Laney (from Washington) liaises with Cincinnati police, tracking Sonny and Big Jim based on Canadian Mountie intelligence and intercepted mail.
  • Agent Laney: “The Canadian Mounties… want Labard, and want him bad.” (44:24)
• In Cincinnati, Big Jim plans to move his operation into gun-running. Lucille expresses growing fear and disillusionment.
  • Lucille: “Didn't you make enough money?” (45:36)
  • Big Jim: “There's never enough money. And listen, baby, wake up.” (45:37)
• Sonny, scared of the mounting heat, betrays Big Jim’s location.

5. Final Confrontation (48:57 – 49:33)

• Police storm the apartment as Jim tries to pack up his new illegal wares.
• An explosive shootout ensues, ending with Big Jim being fatally wounded. Lucille is left remorseful and alone.

6. Case Closure (49:33 – End)

• Lucille is deported to face charges in Canada; Sonny completes his prison term for parole violation.
• The case is praised as an exemplar of international cooperation in law enforcement.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tense dialogue at the heart of the deal:
  • Sonny: “It’s the first time I ever paid 400 an ounce. And the last.” (29:53)
• Jim’s manipulation of Lucille:
  • “Little Lucille is going to carry [the heroin] across the border for me.” (35:08)
• On the thin line between desperation and crime:
  • Lucille: “I didn’t know what to think of you—bringing me from Toronto, wanting to take me to the States. Especially when you caught me robbing your room. I thought maybe you fell in love with me.” (39:39)

Key Timestamps

• 29:26 – Heroin deal set up in Toronto
• 34:09 – Lucille recruited, becomes unwitting mule for the ring
• 38:33 – Lucille and Jim narrowly escape a sweep at the border
• 42:56 – US federal and local law enforcement join the chase in Cincinnati
• 45:36 – Gun-running plot introduced; Lucille's disillusionment
• 48:57 – Police close in, culminating in the final deadly shootout

Conclusion

This double-feature immerses listeners in the high-stakes world of mid-century American and Canadian crime, where desperation, betrayal, and violence go head-to-head with the stubborn doggedness of law enforcement.

The* Cowboy Killers* saga showcases how even the tightest criminal loyalty splinters under pressure—and how witness courage and coordinated policing close the net.
The* Cincinnati Narcotics Ring* tale spotlights international teamwork and the tragic collision between broken dreams and hardened crime.

For True Crime and Golden Age Radio Fans

If you crave clever criminals, relentless detectives, and dialogue straight from a classic noir, these dramatizations will more than satisfy. They echo larger truths about fear, loyalty, and the ultimate reach of justice in America's darkest alleys and across international lines.

For more, visit www.1001storiespodcast.com and tune in Sundays at 5PM ET.