21st Precinct 53-10-13 (015) Case of the Picture

Summary

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Podcast Summary: 21st Precinct 53-10-13 (015) "Case of the Picture"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Date: February 22, 2026
Original Broadcast: October 13, 1953 (Golden Age of Radio)
Episode Theme: A factual dramatization of a homicide investigation in New York’s 21st Precinct, focusing on the diligent, methodical work of the police in solving “The Case of the Picture.”

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Episode Overview

In this episode, listeners are transported back to postwar New York City to witness a day in the life of Captain Frank Kennelly and his officers at the 21st Precinct. The story details a waterfront emergency and the subsequent response to a late-night robbery and murder at a luncheonette. Through sharp dialogue, period-accurate details, and multiple shifting perspectives, the episode highlights the challenges, frustrations, and minor victories of police life as they track a cold-blooded killer and navigate witness confusion, false confessions, and administrative realities.

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Major Discussion Points & Key Story Beats

1. Waterfront Emergency & Administrative Pressures

• Timeframe: [00:24]–[05:31]
  • Captain Kennelly describes the 21st Precinct’s geography and responsibilities.
  • A citywide waterfront emergency triggers an “emergency chart,” shifting officers to a 12-on/12-off schedule.
  • Promotions within the department are anticipated, adding extra tension for the ambitious officers.
  • “All right, get the sector cars in here. Distribute them to the men on post.” — Captain Kennelly [03:55]

2. The Crime: Robbery and Shooting at the Luncheonette

• Timeframe: [05:31]–[10:15]
  • Officers respond to a shooting at 3361 Lexington Avenue.
  • Counterman Louis A. Ventella is found dead, shot by a lone stick-up man after a struggle.
  • Detective Lieutenant Matt King outlines the scene for Captain Kennelly.
  • Three witnesses are questioned, but their accounts are contradictory and confused.
  • “All I want is another cup of coffee, black. That’s all I want.” — Arthur J. Bookham, witness [06:56]
  • Mrs. Tressiter insists the suspect was balding, arguing with her husband on details.
  • The police note the inadequacy and unreliability of the witnesses’ statements.

3. Investigation Unfolds: Leads, Evidence, and a False Confession

• Timeframe: [10:15]–[16:30]
  • The police trace the murder weapon: it was stolen from a Yonkers machine shop, previously belonging to a night-watchman.
  • A former employee with a robbery record, Joe Eridge, emerges as the prime suspect.
  • A mysterious call comes into the precinct—someone claiming responsibility for the murder.
  • “I want to give myself up. I killed that dresser man last night.” — Anonymous caller [11:41]
  • Captain Kennelly and Matt King arrange to meet the caller at Central Park. The man who arrives, Selwyn Audley, offers extreme and inaccurate details, leading them to suspect he is mentally unstable and not the real killer.
  • “You’re not sending me to jail? You’re sending me to Bellevue. Well, we’ll go talk it over, Mr. Audley.” — Captain Kennelly [14:07]

4. Witnesses, Mugshots & Police Procedure

• Timeframe: [16:30]–[21:13]
  • Mr. Bookham, one witness, is brought in again, still unreliable (“If I was like this then and I was sober now, how could I remember what happened…” — Bookham [17:14]).
  • Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter review mugshots. Despite their earlier disagreements, both positively identify the same photograph as the suspect—Joe Eridge.
  • “As sure as I’m sitting here, this is the one.” — Mrs. Tressiter [20:13]
  • Lt. King assigns detectives to track down the now-identified suspect.
  • Department promotions come through, with much excitement and speculation among the ranks.

5. The Pursuit & Capture of the Killer

• Timeframe: [21:13]–[26:32]
  • Police locate Eridge via his girlfriend and another acquaintance who gives up his new address.
  • The precinct moves in, surrounding the building and covering the escape routes.
  • When police knock, Eridge tries to flee via the fire escape but is cornered.
  • “What do you want, what do you want?” — Joe Eridge, as he’s caught [26:04]
  • The suspect is apprehended, injured, and an ambulance is called.

6. Closing Reflections on Police Work

• Timeframe: [26:32]–[27:50]
  • The episode closes with Captain Kennelly reflecting on the never-ending cycle of police work.
  • “And so it goes, around the clock, through the week. Every day, every year. A police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh-and-blood merry-go-round. Anyone can catch the brass ring, or the brass ring can catch anyone.” — Captain Kennelly [26:58]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On frontline reality and witness frustration:
  • “You don’t need all these men here, Sergeant. Get some of them back on patrol. The emergency chart is in effect at midnight and notifications have been made.” — Captain Kennelly [06:05]
  • “Well he’s gonna be a big help. He sure is.” — Officer on Arthur J. Bookham [07:21]
• On witness memory:
  • “Sarah, it was my impression he had a full head of hair.” — Mr. Tressiter [08:04]
  • “Where’d you get that impression?” — Mrs. Tressiter [08:06]
• On the false confession:
  • “I stabbed him again and again and again. I was covered with blood from head to foot.” — Selwyn Audley [13:50]
  • “We have a nice jail for you, Mr. Audley.” — Lt. King [14:06]
• On routine police life:
  • “It’s like waiting for a baby.” — Sergeant on waiting for promotions [22:55]
  • “Well, at least the job’s near home. Congratulations, Lieutenant.” — Captain Kennelly [22:55]
• On the endlessness of the job:
  • “A police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh-and-blood merry-go-round.” — Captain Kennelly [26:58]

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Structure and Pacing

The episode follows the real-time unfurling of police procedure: emergency response, crime scene investigation, tracking leads, wrangling unreliable witnesses, and finally, tactical apprehension. Character-driven humor and frustration punctuate the process, especially in scenes with the bickering Tressiters and dazed Bookham. The emotional toll and routine grind of police life is underscored throughout by Captain Kennelly’s dry narration.

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Important Timestamps

• [00:24] — Captain Kennelly introduces the precinct and the emergency chart.
• [05:31] — Arrival at the crime scene.
• [07:00] — Interrogation of confused, comic witness Arthur J. Bookham.
• [08:04–08:15] — Tressiter couple argue about suspect’s appearance.
• [11:41] — Call from anonymous self-confessed “killer.”
• [13:32] — Central Park meet with Selwyn Audley, the unstable confessor.
• [17:01–18:29] — Bookham’s unreliable testimony in the precinct.
• [19:03–20:13] — Tressiters identify the murderer’s photograph.
• [22:46] — Officer promotion excitement.
• [24:38–26:14] — Final pursuit and arrest of Joe Eridge.
• [26:58] — Captain Kennelly’s closing reflection.

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Tone and Language

Delivered in crisp, stylized 1950s dialogue, the episode blends procedural seriousness with dry wit. The officers’ banter and the exasperating witnesses evoke naturalistic, sometimes comic, human moments amidst the gravity of homicide work. Captain Kennelly narrates with world-weary wisdom and understated care for both the men under his command and the city’s unending troubles.

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Conclusion

“Case of the Picture” offers a snapshot of police work in its most classic, dramatic form: a blend of suspense, bureaucracy, and gritty realism. Through missteps and dead ends, it celebrates the perseverance, camaraderie, and occasionally dark humor of those at the heart of the city’s fight against crime. This episode is a classic example of radio drama at its best—evocative, briskly paced, and layered with both suspense and humanity.

Transcript

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[Captain Frank Kennelly]

social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Klein, where's this 3361? How was he shot? How many hold up, men. Just one. You're in the muster room at the 21st Precinct, the nerve center. A call is coming through. You will follow the action taken pursuant to that call from now until the final report is written in the 124 room at the 21st briefing. All right, you just stay there. Yes, sir. That's right. Just stay there. You'll have assistance immediately. Yes, sir. Right away. 21st Precinct. Brought to you transcribed by Plymouth with an invitation for you to see the big, bright, beautiful new 1954 Plymouth. Coming Thursday. 21st precinct. Just lines on a map of the City of New York. Most of the 173,000 people wedged into the 9/10 of a square mile between Fifth Avenue and the east river wouldn't know if you asked them that they lived or worked in the 21st. Whether they know it or not, the security of their persons, their homes and their property is my job. My job and the job of the 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants of whom I'm the boss. My name is Kennelly. Frank Kennelly. I'm Captain in Command of the 21st. Now to 21st Precinct and Captain Frank Kennelly. Although the east river is one of its boundaries, the 21st is not, in the technical sense, a waterfront precinct. Most of our waterfront is park and parkway. The few docks are confined to the unloading of fuel intended for various power plants and the loading of garbage scouts by the Department of Sanitation. But a waterfront emergency is a citywide emergency. And although I was scheduled to be off duty, I came directly from a meeting of all commanding officers in the lineup room at Police Headquarters, 240 Center street to the 21st. It was 10:45pm when I walked into the muster room. Sergeant Klein was on duty on the telephone switchboard. Lieutenant Gorman was desk officer. Oh, hello, Captain. Sergeant. How was it doing, Lieutenant? Pretty quiet tour, Captain. Keep your fingers crossed for me, will you, Captain? Why, Sergeant, he heard that the Commissioner is making five captains, 12 lieutenants and 23 sergeants. Tomorrow. Where'd you hear that? Friend of mine in the chief clerk's office. I hope it's 12 lieutenants. I'm number 11 on the list. Just my luck, you only make 10. Then you'll be number one on the list. That's an honor in itself. Well, worry about it tomorrow, Sergeant. We've got other problems tonight. The emergency chart is going in. The waterfront situation. Yep. There'll be an order coming through any minute now. You better get out the emergency call cards. Yes. We'll be going on two platoons, 12 on and 12 off. That could be it. That is it. Here, the UF73 card. How many notifications have we got to make? 38, Captain. All right. Get the sector cars in here. Distribute them to the men on post. We'll dismiss the third platoon at midnight with instruction to return to duty at noon. Yes, sir. Return out the first platoon at midnight and they'll patrol until noon. Members of the 2nd Platoon will be held in reserve here at the house. Until we get instructions regarding what precincts they're to be temporarily assigned to. Yes? Oh, excuse me. 21st Precinct. Sergeant client. Where's this? 3000, 361. How was he shot? How many? Just one. Where'd he go? Where? All right. There'll be assistance there right away. Robbery and shooting, Captain. Okay. Get a car to take me there. Yes, sir. Hello, CB Sergeant Klein, the 21st at 3361 Lexington Avenue. Now, as well as the citywide emergency, there was an emergency within my own precincts. The Communications Bureau dispatched sector cars 3 and 4 to the scene of the shooting. And sent an ambulance for Metropolitan Hospital. Sergeant Klein, on TS, as he was required in such cases. Notified the 21st Detective Squad. He was told that Lieutenant Matt King, commander of the 21st Squad. Was on patrol with two detectives and had undoubtedly responded to the radio signal. While I waited for sector car number one to come by the station house for me. I gave my instructions regarding the distribution of the U.S. 73s. To the 38 members of the force residing in the 21st. These notification to report cards would be given to the sector men and men on post. For delivery to the homes of members of the force attached to other commands. A car came by and drove me to the scene of the robbery and shooting. Small all night Luncheonette. Despite the lateness of the hour, a considerable crowd had been attracted by the presence of three police cars and an ambulance.

[Lieutenant Matt King]

Come in, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What have we got, Sergeant?

[Lieutenant Matt King]

A stick up one man. He shot and killed the counterman. The victim's name is Ventella, Louis A. The holdup man went around behind the counter to get the money. Ventella started to fight with him. Two shots and he fell. He was dead when the ambulance got here. I notified the M.E. he's on his way. After he shot him, the stick up man threw the gun down, ran out.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

There it lays. Who are those people Lt. King is talking to?

[Lieutenant Matt King]

Witnesses, Captain. They were in the place when it happened, the three of them. The lieutenant was out on patrol and

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

heard the radio call. Well, you don't need all of these men here, Sergeant. Get some of them back on patrol. The emergency chart is in effect at midnight and notifications have been made.

[Lieutenant Matt King]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Detector car number three, white. All I'm asking you to do is tell. Oh, hello, Captain.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Are you a captain? Is a captain higher than a lieutenant? I make a perfectly straightforward statement, Captain, and this lieutenant won't believe me.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Now, Sarah, dear.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Sarah me.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

We'll go over it again in a minute with Ms. Tressiter. If you just sit down in that booth for a minute.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Well, that's the way it is.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Sarah, please.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

A lot of thanks you get for your cooperation.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

How many witnesses were there? Master and Mrs. Tressiter and that fellow there. Did you talk to him? I'm afraid he's not in a talking condition, Captain. You think he can tell me your name? Now, Mr. What's my name got to do with it?

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

All I want is another cup of coffee, black. That's all I want.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What's your name?

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

My name is Arthur J. Bookham. The J, believe it or not, is for January. Yeah, that's right. I was born in January, so my mother.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Did you see what occurred here tonight?

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Why?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Did you see what occurred here tonight?

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Well, yes and no.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

A no and yes.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

That is. All I wanted was a cup of coffee, black.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right, just sit here a minute. Well, he's gonna be a big help. He sure is. All right, Mr. Tressiter, now we can talk.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

It's certainly about time. I told you not to Sarah me.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Mr. Tressidair, how old would you say this man was? Oh, I couldn't say Exactly. Somewhere between 25 and 35.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Closer to 25.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You told me he was 5 foot 8 or 9 inches tall.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Who told you that? Not me. I distinctly said he was at least six feet. My husband said he was five foot eight or nine.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That's all he was, Sarah.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

He was six feet if he was an inch.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

He weighed about 160.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

I couldn't say what he weighed. I'm not judge of that.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

About 160. Blonde hair? Yes. Sort of balding.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Very thin on top.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Sarah, it was my impression he had a full head of hair.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Where'd you get that impression?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, I saw him when he went behind the counter.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

He wasn't that far from me. He was balding. I made a distinct point of remembering.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

But there we go, straightened out. Folks, let's not worry about that point now. Matt, can I see you for a minute? Yeah, sure, captain.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

When I say he was balding, why,

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

the victim is going to be more help. Listen, Matt, you know the emergency chart is in. Yes, I heard. We've got about 40 notifications to make. Wouldn't hurt you anyhow if I pulled off Sergeant Collins and his operator and got them back on patrol. That'll leave you to it. My men all right? Sure. That's fine, captain. Good. Well, looks like you've got a rough job here, Matt. Those witnesses aren't gonna be much help. No, sir, not much. At least they agreed on one thing with a man. Before I left, two detectives from Manhattan East Homicide arrived to aid the 21st Squad in their investigation. Also on hand in another few minutes were an assistant district attorney, a deputy medical examiner, fingerprinted ballistics experts from the police laboratory and a police photographer. The investigation was well underway when I was called to a meeting at division headquarters. At 2:40, I returned to the 21st and went on patrol. When I returned to the station house, I went to sleep on the couch in my office. At 7:30, the attendant woke me up according to instructions I had left. Brought in a cup of black coffee from the sergeant's locker room and the morning papers. The two tabloids played the homicide very big, and I drank the coffee. Then I went to the washstand to shave. All right, captain. Oh, hello, Matt. You got any place with your witnesses? Hardly any place at all. Mr. Arthur J. For January Bookham never was any help. And Mr. And Mrs. Tressiter. Oh, sorry, Matt. What'd you say? I said Bookham never was any helpful step. By the time we got a straight story out of Mr. And Mrs. Tressiter, it was too late to take them downtown to BCI to look at mugs. They're coming in today. All of them. Well, how about fingerprints? Oh, the gun? Well, no fingerprints that could help us, but there might be something to the gun. Yeah, it was purchased and registered by a machine shop in Yonkers. The night watchman is a retired cop. He carries it on the job. The gun was stolen out of his locker last week. Any idea who stole it? Yes, sir. A fellow quit his job and was shot that same day. A fellow named Joe Aridge. He's the one I'd like to talk to. Any reason outside of the fact that he quit his job? Yes, sir. He did a bit once before for armed robbery. Sounds good, man. You got an address on him? He's got an address, Captain, but he's not there. Hasn't been for a week. Excuse me. Very first briefing. Captain Kennelly, Sergeant Klein on ts. Captain. Yes, Sergeant? There's a man calling in who insists on talking to you. This is very important. But he won't give his name. What's it about? Would he say that? No, sir. Yes, but it's very important, and he won't talk to anyone else. All right, Sergeant, put him on. Yes, go ahead. This is Captain Kennelly. Are you captain of the precinct? That's right. Are you sure? I told you I was. What is it you want? I want to give myself up. I killed that dresser man last night. What's your name? Oh, no. You let me do the talking. All right, you do the talking, Matt. Get on it. Okay, good. Where. Where are you now, mister? Never mind where I am now. You said you wanted to give yourself up. You go to Central park and sit on the bench that faces 64th street outside the walls. Where? On Central Park west or on Fifth Avenue? On Fifth Avenue, you sit on the bench that ducks down 64th Street, Ben, and I'll meet you there in an hour. Give myself up? Yes, but listen. I won't listen. If you want me to give myself up, you be there. And be there yourself. I know who you are. Hello? Hello? We couldn't even get started, Captain, and I tried to keep him on the phone. Who was it? The man says he's the killer, wants to give himself up. I have to meet him in an hour. Well, that's the way it goes. You can break your back on these things and they walk in the front door. What difference does it make, man, as long as they walk in. There's very little that surprises a police officer. If a man calls in and says he's a killer, you believe him. Until you learn differently.

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[Captain Frank Kennelly]

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[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I was on the bench facing 64th street, just outside the Central park wall, five minutes early. Lieutenant Matt King had planted detectives behind the wall in automobiles on both 5th Avenue and 64th Street. And on the sidewalk. The weather was fair, the street full of strollers. I watched the approach of every pedestrian coming from either direction. They all passed. Finally, a carelessly dressed and hatless man who looked in his middle 30s turned off the walk and came toward the beginning. Excuse me. Yes? Do you mind if I share this bench? Well, if you're that captain, I'm the man you're waiting for. Oh. May I? Let's go right ahead. Thank you. Beautiful day. Just beautiful. But I still want to give myself up. I couldn't sleep a wink last night. My conscience. To think of that helpless soul lying in a pool of blood. What's your name? My name is Audley. Selwyn Audley. I don't know how I could have done it. I came from such a fine old family. It must have been a compulsive reaction. What did you do with the knife? What knife? The knife you stabbed him with. Oh, that knife. I threw it down the sewer. I don't remember where. I haven't any idea. You remember how many times you stabbed him? Several times. Again and again and again and again. I don't know. You should remember. Who were you waving to, please? Oh, just some friends of mine. I stabbed him again and again and again. I was covered with blood from head to foot. Everything okay, Captain? Yeah, just fine. How do you do? Matt, this is Mr. Selwyn Audley. How are you? He says he stabbed that counterman to death in cold blood. I belong in jail. Oh, we have a nice jail for you, Miss Audley. You do? Of course. I know where you're sending me. You're not sending me to jail? You're sending me to Bellevue. Well, we'll go Talk it over, Mr. Audley. I proved to them I was all right. I proved to them I was fine. You can't fool me. I've been there before. That's good, Matley. You know your way around. The police are always interested in help from citizens. But sorting the useful information from the irrelevant often takes hundreds of man hours of investigation. On the way back, Lt. King told me he had obtained mug shots of the principal suspect, Joe Ehrridge, from the Yonkers Police Department and had sent for the three witnesses for a further interview. Detectives of the Homicide squad and the 21st squad had paired off and were now at work trying to locate the suspect. At the station house, I walked around behind the desk to sign the blotter.

[Lieutenant Matt King]

How long do you think they'll keep the emergency chart in, Captain?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Until the trouble gets settled.

[Lieutenant Matt King]

Thank you, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Did those promotions come through yet, Sergeant? No, sir, not yet. Well, and so they. You don't think they'll hold them up because of the emergency, do you? Never mind. You got any idea where you'll be attached if you're maid? No, sir, I haven't any idea. But in the Bronx someplace, I hope. I could save 20 or 25 minutes traveling time each day. That'd be a help.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Hey, listen, where am I supposed to go?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What do you mean, where are you supposed to go?

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

My wife, she told me the detectives called and said I was supposed to come down here.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I was supposed to. Look, Mr. Bookham, you were a witness to a homicide last night. Why didn't you do the decent thing and sober up so you could help the detectives out? The.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

My dear sir, if I was like this then and I was sober now, how could I remember what happened when I was like this? Ah, would you answer me that?

[Lieutenant Matt King]

Shall I call upstairs and have them come get him? Captain?

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Come get me and take me where?

[Lieutenant Matt King]

Don't lean on the desk. Can't you read the sign?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Read it?

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

I can't even see it.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right, I'll take him up. Simon.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Ah, bless up. I keep asking you that question, and I cannot get a satisfactory answer. I just simply cannot get his face back to the answer.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, Mr. Booker, that puts us both in the same boat. Neither can we. I took the witness through the back room and helped him negotiate the narrow and worn stairs to the second floor. Inside the office of the 21st Squad. I walked him straight to Lieutenant King's door. Yes, Captain Kennelli and friend. Captain Kennelly and friend. Hello, Captain. Well, here's your witness, man. Good morning, Mr. Bookham.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Good morning. Good morning. It's a wonderful morning.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

It's boys, Mr. Bookham.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Well, what do I do? Tell me what I have to do and I'll pitch right in. I'll just pitch right in.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I think you ought to go home and pitch right in bed.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Hey, I just got up.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Howard Novak.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Yes, Sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

See that Mr. Bookham finds a comfortable place to wait. We need him. Go sit over there, Mr. Boom.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Over here.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

This way.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

That way, everybody.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, it's too bad, man. I've got Mr. And Mrs. Trer inside, Captain. I think they'll be helpful. You got time to come in? Yeah, soon. Mr. Mrs. Tressor, you remember Captain Canelli from last night.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Yes, of course.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Good morning, Captain. Good morning, Captain. I've told Mr. And Mrs. Tress. They're the. We have a suspect in mind in connection with what happened last night.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

You got him in mind, You've got

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

him in jail so far. Just in mind.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

That's two different things.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I know I have a half dozen photographs here. I'd like you to look at them and see if you can identify the man who held up the restaurant and shot Mr. Van Tullen.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

If you have his picture there, I'll identify him. All right, Richard.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, Sarah, you know what you said. All right.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Returned.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You remember that last night there was some question between Sarah and myself? I thought the man had a full head of hair and she said he was balding. Yes, I remember.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Do you remember too, Captain?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes, I remember. Well, after we got home, we had some discussion on the subject and I came to the conclusion that Sarah was right. He was bawling. Well, we'll see about that. Mrs. Troister, I'm going to ask you to look through these pictures and see if you can identify the men. Would you, please?

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Yes. No, not this one. This is not at all like him.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No?

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Well, this one has a full head of hair. That couldn't be him.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, this one.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

As sure as I'm sitting here, this is the one.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Richard. We'll get to him. You're positive, Mrs. Mr. Trester, I told

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

you, I'm sure as I'm sitting here.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes, all right. Thank you. May I have the pictures, please?

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Yes, thank you.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Now, Mr. Trestor, I'm gonna shuffle these. Yeah.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Richard, now, don't make a fool out of me.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Mr. Trestor, would you please look through these pictures and see if you can identify the man who shot Mr. Ventella? Yeah, you are? Well, it's not this one.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

He wasn't even sure he got a good look.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes, I wore a no.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Have you been in the police department very long, Captain?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes, ma'. Am. Quite a long time. No.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Do you enjoy your work? This is him.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

This is the man.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Which one?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Let's see. Mr. President.

[Lieutenant Matt King]

This one. Thank you.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Well, I see we agree. Richard, at last we agree on something.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I just picked out the man that did it, that's all. Well, I thank you both. You've been very helpful. Helpful?

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

A murder solved, it's all over.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Not quite, mister. We've still got to find the man. After the identification of the Suspects photographed by two witnesses, Lt. King assigned four additional detectives to the job of tracing Joe Herridge. He told me that with the help of Yonkers detectives, his men were checking on all the known friends and acquaintances of the suspect in that community just beyond the New York City limits. A few minutes later, I returned to the muster room. The teletype was clattering away. Both Sergeant Klein and Sergeant Collins were reading the communication as it found it out.

[Lieutenant Matt King]

The promotions are coming through, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh? What'd they make? Five captains, and so far, six lieutenants.

[Lieutenant Matt King]

Calm down your aunt.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I'll believe it when I see it. Pope. That's a friend of mine. We were partners in the tents for a while. What do the orders say? Code Signal 19. The following sergeants have been promoted to the rank of lieutenant, are transferred and assigned as indicated to take effect immediately. All are instructed to report to the office of the Chief Clerk at 9am for the issuance of Lieutenant Shields and swearing in ceremony. Collins. I'll take a turn. It's like waiting for a baby. 21st Street.

[Lieutenant Matt King]

Thanks, Sergeant Collins.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That's 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. All right. That's another friend of mine. He got what he wanted. The squad. Did they get to you yet? No, not yet. This is number 10. Coming.

[Lieutenant Matt King]

Oh, there you are. Congratulations, Lieutenant.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, thanks. All right, let's see what the job is.

[Lieutenant Matt King]

Assigned to 11th Division headquarters. That's plain clothes work.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, I. I don't know what I wanted at. You've got it, though. Well, at least the job's near home. Congratulations, Lieutenant. Thanks, Captain. I'm sorry to leave this job really silent. The teletype machine continued to pound out promotions and went through a list of 23 patrolmen made sergeants. One patrolman from the 21st glass was made and transferred to the 44th. As is customary, both men were relieved of their duties for the rest of the day in order to secure the uniforms and Insignia of their new rank in time for the swearing in ceremonies. Late that afternoon, Lt. King told me they had located a girlfriend of the homicide suspect and were questioning her in the hope of learning the whereabouts of Joe Eridge. She insisted she had not seen him, but she gave the detectives the name of another friend. A man. A man was found at his work in Long Island City. He admitted knowing Joe Eridge and told the detectives the suspect had recently taken a room on East 63rd Street. In the 21st briefing, detectives located the house. It was 10pm Not 24 hours after the homicide, when I met Lt. King on the street nearby in response to a call from him for assistance from the patrol force. Hello, man. Captain. Thanks for the men. Captain, we know this boy is in. The neighbors have heard him. I don't know what he's got up there. He lost a gun last night, but he might have another one. So we better get the street covered before we go up. Yeah, sure. You said okay. I've got men around in back and two went up to the roof of this building. They'll have a street covered. All right, let's go.

[Lieutenant Matt King]

Okay, Lieutenant.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Captain, thanks. Second floor, front. Captain. Klein got made a lieutenant. Yes, sir. I heard. I hate to lose him. He's a good man. This is it. Who is it? Police officers. Open up. Get away from there. Open up. Get away. Fire away. I'll kick it in. Get away. Stay away from me. There he goes, out the fire escape. Hold up there.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Come on down, Joe.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, no.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

I let him go.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

He's going up.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Come on down.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Right away. Get him, Matt. You hit him. Come on. Y. He's down. All. Right, Joe. What do you want? What do you want?

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Homie, where's that?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Where are you, head boy? Inside. What a deal? How'd I ever get in such a deal?

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Sergeant Collins.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. and Mrs. Tressiter, Arthur J. Bookham]

Bring in for ambulance.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes, sir. Don't pay. Just don't pay. Yeah, you're right. Only trouble is you found it out a little late.

[Lieutenant Matt King]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Collins. Who's missing?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Is that your wife?

[Lieutenant Matt King]

What's your name?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

How do you spell that?

[Lieutenant Matt King]

In or a nice.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Where is it you live? 502. What floor?

[Lieutenant Matt King]

How long?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

And so it goes around the clock through the week. Every day, every year. A police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh and blood merry go round. Anyone can catch the brass ring or the brass ring can catch anyone. First Precinct Transcribed in New York. A factual account of the way the police work in the world's largest city is presented with the official cooperation of the Patrolman's Benevolent association, an organization of more than 20,000 members of the Police Department, City of New York. Everett Sloan in the role of Captain Kennelly. Ken lynch as Lieutenant King. Featured in tonight's cast were Lawson Zerby, Jack Orison, Edgar Staley, Bob Dryden, Joe DeSantis and Barbara Weeks. Written and directed by Stanley Mith Produced by John Ives. Gaylord Avery speaking.

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[Captain Frank Kennelly]

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