21st Precinct 55-03-02 (086) The Dowager

Summary

Podcast Summary: 21st Precinct 55-03-02 (086) "The Dowager"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: February 27, 2026
Original Broadcast Date: March 2, 1955
Show: 21st Precinct
Episode: "The Dowager"

---

Episode Overview

This episode of 21st Precinct, "The Dowager," vividly portrays the ethical dilemmas and human stories at the heart of New York police work in the 1950s. The main theme revolves around a patrolman, Dylan, who receives an anonymous $100 gift as gratitude from an elderly woman he once assisted. The narrative follows Captain Kennelly and his staff as they trace the source of the gift, ultimately confronting questions of gratitude, rules, personal conscience, and the unbending code of police conduct.

---

Key Discussion Points & Narrative Breakdown

1. Discovery of the Anonymous Gift

• [00:35–03:45]
  • Patrolman Dylan receives an envelope with $100 and a note: "With much gratitude to a fine young public servant." No name or return address.
  • Dylan reports the incident to Captain Kennelly, explaining he found the envelope after his shift.
  • Captain Kennelly reminds Dylan of department rules against accepting gratuities:

    "Between you and me, Dylan, it's also contrary to the rules to think about it overnight." – Captain Kennelly [02:10]

2. Investigating the Origin

• [03:45–10:40]
  • Dylan and the Captain reconstruct possible encounters. Based on the handwriting and note, they deduce the giver is an older woman.
  • Sergeant Waters recalls accepting an envelope for Dylan from an elegantly dressed elderly lady.
  • Dylan traces his interactions back to incident in December: he helped an older woman after a minor taxi accident.
  • "Sometimes a kind word can go a long way." – Sergeant Waters [12:50]

3. Verifying the Woman’s Identity

• [13:49–17:39]
  • Sergeant Waters visits 783 E. 70th St., the address linked to the woman (Mrs. Edna Coleskill).
  • The opulent scene underscores her wealthy–dowager status.
  • Sergeant Waters returns the money, explaining police regulations.
  • Mrs. Coleskill protests:

    “If I want to give someone a hundred dollars, that’s between me and the person I gave it to.” – Mrs. Coleskill [16:57]

  • She expresses frustration at being unable to thank Dylan as she wishes.
  • "Now, you're not going to deny an old lady a small pleasure." – Mrs. Coleskill [18:43]

4. Resolution and Stubborn Resolve

• [22:17–24:59]
  • Displeased, Mrs. Coleskill visits Captain Kennelly at the precinct.
  • She argues Dylan went above and beyond his duty; Kennelly insists accepting anything would risk Dylan's career.
  • Mrs. Coleskill, revealing her eccentricity and willfulness, states her intent to "get around the rules":

    “I can name the boy in my will and there’s not a thing you can do about it. And I want to tell you that the amount will be many times the puny $100 you wouldn’t let him take.” – Mrs. Coleskill [24:29]

  • Captain Kennelly acknowledges he cannot control her last will.

5. Reflections on Duty, Temptation, and Integrity

• [25:03–End]
  • Dylan reiterates he did not regret doing the right thing, even if nobody else would have known.
  • Kennelly reassures him:

    "Take my word for it, you did exactly what you should have done. It might take a little while for you to get absolute proof of the fact. But you get it. I guarantee you will." – Captain Kennelly [25:40]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Captain Kennelly (to Dylan, about police ethics):

  "Well, I'm glad you understand it's contrary to the rules to accept gratuities." [02:05]

• Mrs. Edna Coleskill:

  "If I want to show my gratitude, that's up to me." [17:48]

• Mrs. Coleskill (on eccentricity and wills):

  "If I weren't so wealthy and so old, people might say I'm unbalanced. But with age and money, they're kind enough to call it eccentricity." [23:24]

• Captain Kennelly (on the moral test):

  "You did exactly what you should have done... you get absolute proof of the fact. But you get it. I guarantee you will." [25:42]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------|--------------| | Dylan reports the envelope | 00:35–03:45 | | Investigating the source | 03:45–10:40 | | Recalling the December incident | 10:41–13:15 | | Sergeant Waters visits Coleskill | 13:49–17:39 | | Mrs. Coleskill returns to the station | 22:17–24:59 | | Kennelly counsels Dylan | 25:03–End |

---

Tone and Language

The episode maintains the measured, procedural tone characteristic of 21st Precinct. Exposition is factual, clipped, and pragmatic, with occasional warmth and humor—especially from Mrs. Coleskill, who blends indignant upper-class stubbornness with genuine gratitude. Captain Kennelly is firm but quietly compassionate, embodying the ethos of ethical policing.

---

Conclusion

"The Dowager" deftly explores the intersection of human kindness, bureaucratic constraints, and personal integrity. The episode leaves listeners reflecting on the hidden heroism of everyday public servants, and on the odd, sometimes frustrating ways that rules interact with simple human gratitude.

---

For fans of classic radio, police drama, and warm–hearted character studies, this is a quintessential 21st Precinct episode: ethical, observant, and beautifully written.

Transcript

[Ninja Luxe Cafe Announcer]

Now serving the entire cafe right from your countertop with the Ninja Luxe Cafe. Espresso, drip coffee, cold brew. If you can crave it, you can brew it. No barista badge required. Barista Assist technology handles the hard grinding, weighing, brewing. So you can take the credit, top it all off with velvety dairy or plant based microfoam. Hot or cold, all hands free. Naturally, you bring the craving, you bring the company, we'll bring the cafe and maybe the bragging rights. Now serving the Ninja Luxe Cafe shop. Now.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

21st. Preaching, Sergeant Waters. What do you mean, suspicious men? Where are they? They both sit in the car. What kind of a car? Yeah, yeah. You are by transcription 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 this minute until the final report is written in the 124 room at the 21st Precinct. Okay, I'll send the officers over there to have a look now. You don't have to worry about that. All right. Yeah. 21st Precinct. It's 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 homes, their persons and their property is the job of the men of the 21st Precinct. The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the board. My name is Kennelly. Thank Canelli. I'm Captain in command of the 21st. I was working my day tour, 8am to 6pm it was 7:25 when I arrived at the station house. I signed the blotter and went into my office where I changed into uniform. Then, since it had been 24 hours since I was last on duty, I sat down at my desk to glance over reports and communications covering that time in order to bring myself up to date on conditions in the precinct before I turned out the 8 to 4 platoon, 21st person. Captain Canelli, Sergeant Rosen on P.S. captain. Yes, Sergeant? Patrolman Dylan is out here. He'd like permission to talk to you. Is he working the 8 to 4? Yes, sir. All right, tell him to come in. Okay, Captain. Okay, Dylan. All right. Sagin. Yes, sir? Is Lt. King in the house yet? I haven't seen him come in, Captain. All right, let me know when he does. Captain, Come in. Oh, Come in, Dylan. Catch me. Morning, Captain. Dylan. One of it. There was an envelope left for me at the station house yesterday, Captain. Yeah? It had a hundred dollars in it. In cash? Yes, sir. Oh, that's it? I don't know, sir. There was no name. Where was it left? At the desktop, Captain. It was in the mail rack. Were you on the job yesterday? Yes, sir. When did you find it in the rack? When I came off the tour. Exactly what was in the envelope? 5$20 bills and short notes. I wanted the note say the church said, with much gratitude to fine young public servant. No signature? No, sir. No return address on the envelope? No, sir. How is the envelope address? I just had my name and my seal number on it. Was it handwritten or typed? Handwritten. A note to. Where are they? I have them here. All right, let's see them. All right. Pretty good paper. Yes, sir. Nice. Nice and heavy. This is just how it came. It was sealed, Captain. Yes, I understand that. You have any idea who brought it in? Osa. Why didn't you turn it into the desk officer as soon as you received it? Well, Captain, I didn't open up the envelope until I got home. You mean there was a letter in the rack for you and you didn't open it until you got home last night? No, sir, I didn't. You saw what it was and you decided to bring it right in to me this morning? Yes, sir. Well, I'm glad you understand it's contrary to the rules to accept gratuities. Yes, sir, I understand it. Between you and me, Dylan, it's also contrary to the rules to think about it overnight. I didn't open up the envelope until I got home, Captain. I couldn't come back with a last night. Yes, I understand. You haven't any idea where this Hunter Daleks came from? North me. Lieutenant Gorman was on the job as desk officer yesterday during the aid to fall, wasn't he? Yes, sir. And who had TS duties? Sergeant Waters the first four hours and Sergeant Tierney the second four. Well, which one of the three of them received this envelope? I don't know, Captain. Sit down, Dylan. Okay. First precinct. Sergeant Rosen. Sergeant. Is Lieutenant Gorman out at the desk yet? No, sir, he just came in. He's changing. Did you see Sergeant Waters around there? I see Sergeant Waters in the back room. Yes, sir. All right, go get him and ask him to step into my office. Yes, sir. What about Lieutenant Gorman? You want to see him? I'll let you know after I talk to Sergeant Morris. Yes. You. You have no idea where this money came from, huh, Dylan? No, sir. You mean you've been a fine young public servant on so many occasions that it would be just impossible to recall one particular incident? No, sir. It's just that. Well, it's not that. I just have no recollection of anything I did that might lead to this. Well, it appears to be a woman's handwriting. Does that help any? Oh, sir, I went through every page of my memorandum book back for the last four or five weeks. There wasn't a thing in there nor anything else that I could recall. Mm. Yeah, it's pretty good paper, all right. Real heavy stuff. Yes, sir. And Brandon, new 20s. Come in. Guide your rose and said you wanted a. Yes, Sergeant. Come in. Yes, sir. Hello, gentlemen. Sergeant. Warden. What time did you have telephone switchboard duty yesterday, Sergeant? Known to the end of the tour, Captain. You recognize this envelope? Oh, yeah. Lieutenant Gromo was busy booking a prisoner one of the detectives brought down. Woman came in the front door, and I asked her if I could help her. Said she wanted to leave an oath for Patrolman Dylan. This was it. I took a bite and put it in the rack. Did the woman leave her name? No, sir. You didn't recognize her as anyone you know? No, sir. How old a woman was she? Well, late 60s or early 70s, I'd say, captain. She wasn't young. Does that make it easier for you, Dylan? Oh, sir. What'd she look like, Sergeant? Well, she was pretty well dressed. She had on a fruit coat. I imagine she was 53 or 5 4, rather. On the thin side. Gray hair and she wore glasses. There was a little bit of class about it. What'd she say to you, Sergeant? She asked if you could leave an envelope for Patrolman Dillon. I said, yeah, sure. She wanted to know if he'd be sure to get it. I told her we're working on that soon. I'd leave it in the mail rack, let everybody check the mail rack when they come in off the job. She have anything else to say? Well, nothing important. Lieutenant was booking a narcotics prisoner, and I could see she was a little bit fascinated about that. She would try and make small talks if around a few minutes longer. What kind of small town? Well, she was telling me about a trip she just got back from Nashville. She spent about six weeks down there. Said she went before Christmas. Yes, sir. Told me she traveled all over the world by herself at one time or another. The only continent she hadn't been to was Australia. Pretty interesting doll dame. Did she tell you exactly when she got back? Monday I think she said, yes, sir. Monday. There's nothing you can recall Monday or Tuesday, is there, Dylan? No, sir. I was off Monday and Tuesday. What about yesterday? I was saying yesterday, Captain. Well, it must have been before she went away. Yes, sir. The woman left a gratuity of $100 for Dylan, Sergeant. Did she? Don't you have any idea who it was? I'll see. Must have been before Christmas. You still have the pages in your memorandum book that go back that. Yes, yes, they're down to my lobby. Well, without referring to your memorandum book, do you have any recollection of any occurrence involving a woman such as Sergeant Waters described? Any recollection of anything that occurred before Christmas sometime? No, sir, not. Not offhand. Were you assigned to your present post then? No, sir. I was on number seven. I was on number seven for about two months before the first of the year. Wait a minute. Yes, there was something that happened right around the middle of December that might have a connection. What's that? Well, I don't know whether this is it or not. What? I was on post there and I saw a woman flag a taxi. A woman such as Sergeant Waters described? Yes, sir. The cab pulled into this bus stop. The driver opened the door and she started to get in. Just as she was getting in a car, Tom Buck came up and bumped the cab in the back. Not hard, was stopping. There was a nice patch in the street. I guess the driver missed. Anyway, it knocked the cab forward a little bit and threw her into the gutter. Well, I went across and I picked her up. She wasn't hurt bad. Skinned the palm of her hands, I think, and one knee worn, a pair of stockings and a pair of gloves. Yeah, I know. There wasn't any damage to the bus and none to the cab either. I got the name of the bus driver and let him go. I sat the lady in the back of the cab and asked her if she wanted to go to the hospital. She said she wasn't hurt, but I tried to talk on her going to the hospital. You think this might have been the woman? Well, Captain, it's the only instance I remember. But to tell you the truth, I don't see why she'd be grateful. $100 worth. He was the victim of an accident and I was there. I just did what I could. And you make out an aided car? Yes, sir, but she refused medical aid. About December 15, you say? Yes, sir, about the middle of December. Cabin before Christmas. Sergeant, will you see if you can find that UF6 in the final okay, Captain. Was it our 66 or 65th, Dylan? 66, Sergeant. Bus was eastbound if I remember. 6ft 6 to Madison, I think. Okay. I got the pages from my memorandum book down in my locker cabin. Her name and address should be on the. On the six. Yes sir, they are. I don't see why she should be the one though, Captain. I didn't do anything for her. Sometimes a kind word can go a long way. 21st Precinct. Captain Canali. Sergeant Rosen on P.S. captain, Lieutenant King is ringing down for you. Okay. Hello, Matt. Yes, Captain. Listen, Matt. I came in this morning and the desk officer told me we had a call about two suspicious men in an automobile parked on 89th street in Lexington. This morning about three. He sent a car over there to take a look and it turned out to be two detectives from the Safe and Lock squad on a plant. Now we're supposed to get notification when there's a plant in this precinct. This is the first I've heard of it, Captain. When we get a call about two suspicious men in an automobile at 2:30 in the morning, we've got to send over there and look into it. Supposing whoever they were watching there saw these uniformed officers stop. Well, that might spoil a collar for the detectives. I didn't even know they were in the precinct, Captain. I'll check into it and see why the Tesla officer wasn't notified. Well, you go ahead and check into it, Matt. I'm going to send a 49 downtown anyway. Okay, Captain. Let you know what they say. I'd be interested. See you, Matt. Yes, sir. Did you tell your wife about the envelope, Dylan? Yes, sir. What'd she have to say? Well, come in. Oh, come in for that. Yes. I found it, Captain. December 16th. That's about right. What's the woman's name? Edna Coskill, 67 years old. 783 East 70th 3. Oh, yeah, yeah. When are you on TS today, Sergeant. The early part of the tour. All right. Soon as you go out on patrol, take a ride over and see Mrs. Coleskill. You know if it's the same woman who left the envelope? Yes, sir. Well, now you're excused, Dylan. Better change in the uniform. That's it. Thank you, Captain. You're welcome. Color? I'm much obliged, ser. I will if it's the same woman. Here you are, Sergeant. If it's her, get her to see. Yes, sir. Oh, I know that house. That's a private residence. One of those old mansions. I. I think this lady's going to turn out to be a rich dowager. Yeah, well, you make her $100 richer. You're listening to 21st Precinct.

[Greenlight Advertiser]

Did you know that parents rank teaching financial literacy as the toughest life skill? That's where greenlight comes in. The debit card and money app made for families. With greenlight, you can send money to kids quickly, set up chores automate allowance and track spending with real time notifications. Kids learn how to earn, save and spend responsibly while parents have peace of mind knowing smart money habits are being built with guardrails in. Try greenlight risk free [e-mail]. try Greenlight. That's Greenlight.com. try Greenlight.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

A factual account of the way police work in the world's largest city. Sergeant Waters finished his telephone switchboard duty at noon and was relieved by Sergeant Tierney. After his meal, he went on patrol of the precinct, supervising the men on the job. Pursuant to my instructions, he had his operator, Patrolman Jacoby, drive through 783 E. 70th St. A four story white limestone mansion built in the early part of the century. When the car pulled in front of the house, he told Jacoby to wait. Sergeant Waters got out, crossed the sidewalk, mounted the marble steps and walked to the huge iron grill door. He rang the bell, waited a moment, then rang a second time. Through the glass, he saw a butler of boats.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Good afternoon.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Is this the residence of Ed Nicole's? Yes, it is. Is he home? I'd like to talk to him. Is there some trouble? No, I'd just like to see him. Would you come in, please? Yes. Does he expect you, Sergeant? No.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

You are, Sergeant?

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Sergeant Warren? Yes. Mrs. Co is in the upstairs sitting room. Oh. This way, please. This is quite a place. Yes, it is. Reminds me of City Hall. Upstairs, please. One becomes accustomed to it. My mat. Mrs. Coastal came here as a bride in 1907. You. You don't have any alarming news, do you? No, nothing like that. This way, please. Thanks. Would you wait right here a moment, please? I shall nudge you. Oh, yeah. It'll just be a moment. Sergeant Waters of the police department, madam. Yes, madam.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

All right.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Here. Mrs. Call will see you, Sergeant. This way, please. This would be some place to throw a party. There it is. Some throne here. Sergeant Waters. Come in.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Come in, please. Andrew, would you please tell Myra that the menu for dinner is fine?

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Yes, madam. Yes?

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Pardon.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Hello, Mrs. Coldew.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Oh, you and I had that nice talk yesterday.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

That's right.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

At the police station. Yes, ma'.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Am.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Well, I'm so glad you came. Won't You, Suzanne.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

I didn't tell you my name. How did you find out who I was?

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Mrs. Coleskill, I came to give you back your hundred dollars.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Doesn't that boy want it?

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Well, it's not a question of whether he wants it or not. He's not allowed to take it.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Oh, now, that's ridiculous. It's my money. If I want to give him a hundred dollars, I just give it to him.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

It's contrary to the regulation, but it's

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

still my hundred dollars.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

I know.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

If I want to give someone a hundred dollars, that's between me and the person I gave it to.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Don't you think that's what I think?

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Mrs. Colcher, you can and tell me the boy isn't allowed to accept $100. It must be what you think.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

I was sent here to give it back to you.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

By whom?

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

By the captain.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Well, then why didn't the captain come here himself? Why did he have someone else to

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

do his dirty work? It's not the captain's fault. Oh.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Now, in a minute you're going to be up to President Eisenhower. And I know he had nothing to do with it.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

No, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Now, I want you to go back and tell that captain something. I want you to tell him that I was perfectly delighted with the young policeman. He couldn't have been more solicitous. He was concerned about me. He wanted to help me. He wanted to get an ambulance. He was just determined to see that I was taken care of.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

It's all part of his job.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

If I want to show my gratitude, that's up to me.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Mrs. Colby, I'm an old woman.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

I have no family anymore. I live in this big house all alone. I'm just fortunate to have a considerable amount of money. Now, he did not. You had no way of knowing it. I just wanted to show him how I felt.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

We do the same thing for everyone.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Well, that's good. I congratulate you. Now, tell the captain to let the boy keep the hundred dollars and let's forget the whole thing.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

I'm sorry, Mrs. Colson.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Well, you certainly don't seem sorry.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

That's not what I mean exactly. I. I mean, I'll have to return the money.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Supposing I don't want to take it. I was long enough giving it to him. Heaven knows, the very next day after I went to my house in Nassau. I've been thinking about that young man ever since. Now, I just got that Monday, and one of the first things I did was to go over and leave that envelope. I wanted to do it. I just had to show my gratitude. Now, you're not going to deny an old lady a small pleasure.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

I'm not denying you anything, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

You certainly are. Don't give me any more of those excuses about that captain and President Eisenhower because I won't believe a word of it.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

What's his name anyway? Kenelly. Captain Frank Kenelly.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Well, who does he think he is?

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Look, Mrs. Coleskill, I want you to take this money and sign a receipt for it.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Well, I can see I won't get anywhere with you. There's a pen on that desk chair if you'd be good enough to get it.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

I got a pen.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Thank you. Is that Patton there now?

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Yes, ma'. Am. He'll be there until 6 o'. Clock.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

There you are. Captain Carrier Tonelli.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

20, 40, 60, 80 and 110elli.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Well, you tell him to expect me. I'm going over there this afternoon and find out what this is all about.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Talking indeed. He can't tell me what to do. No, but he sure can tell me. And he did. Sergeant Waters left the mansion on East 70th street and resumed patrol of the precinct. At 3:15, the men who would be working the night tour began to stream into the station house. They walked in the front door, through the back room and down to the lockers to change the uniform. After they dressed, they came upstairs to the back room where they copied posted alarms for wanted persons and automobiles into their memorandum books and were inspired inspected by the patrol sergeant of the oncoming tour. Promptly at 4pm the desk officer hit the bell and the men marched out into the muster room for the turnout. After the roll call, I gave them special instructions and on command of the sergeant, they marched out the front door to take over their posts, relieving the men who had been working the 8 to 4. Following the turnout, I remained behind the desk for a few minutes Talking to Lt. Snyder, the oncoming desk officer. Then as I crossed the Musker Room toward my office, I saw Sergeant Waters come in the front door. Sergeant. Yes, sir. Did you get to see that Mrs. Co Sergeant? Yes, sir, I did. Had an awful time getting her to take the money back. She took it, didn't she? Fire me? Yes. All right. Face to receipt in the property book. Okay, Captain. Oh, she didn't come in to see you, did she?

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

No.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Did she say she was going to? What? You told me she hasn't been here yet. Well, you got something to look forward to, Captain. Captain Elliott. Yes, Lieutenant. Kenya. Bringing down for you from upstairs. All right, I'll take you to my office. All right, Sergeant. I'll see you. Okay. Captain. 21st Precinct. Captain Canale. Lieutenant King. Captain. Yes, Matt? I check downtown on those two detectives. Detectives who were on a plant here last night. Yeah. They didn't know they were going to plant that building. They had a suspect under surveillance and he went in there waiting for him to come out. It wasn't time to let the death officer know they were on a plant. Oh, okay, man. Thought it might have been something like that. Captain, the Safe and Love Squad's pretty good about letting us know what they're doing. They don't want to take a chance on spoiling a collar anymore. And you don't want to spoil us a little. Yeah. All right, man. Ever. 21st place in Captain Canali. Thon Roseman. P.S. captain? Yes? There's a Mrs. Cole out here to see you, Captain. All right. Ask her to come in. Yes, sir. Oh, and Sergeant. Yes, sir? I want to see Patrolman Dylan when he gets in off post. Okay, Captain.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Are you Captain Kelly?

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

That's right, Miss Coarskill. Would you come in, please?

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

First, I must say, you don't look like such a monster.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Don't I? Would you like to sit down? Thank you. Yes.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Ms. Coskill, I understand that you're the one who deprived that young man of

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

what I gave him. I didn't deprive him of anything, Mrs. Coleslaw.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

What do you call it, then?

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

It's contrary to the rules for a member of the force to accept a gratuity for the performance of his duty.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

It was more than a performance of his duty. He went out of his way to be extraordinarily considered of me. He wanted to help me and get an ambulance and a doctor and make sure I was all right.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

That's exactly what he was supposed to do.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

And you won't let him take the money?

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

I can't let him take the money. If he did, I'd be the to prefer charges against him.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

I see.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

No, I don't think you do, Mrs. Co. Well, I'll tell you, Captain, I

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

decided that I would do something for that young man, and I'm going to.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

He can't accept anything from you.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

You may not know it, but I have a reputation for being slightly eccentric. If I weren't so wealthy and so old, people might say I'm unbalanced. But with age and money, they're kind enough to call it eccentricity. Now, because of your silly Rule, you've made me all the more determined.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

I can assure you, Mrs. Goldskill, you are no more determined than I am.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Well, you don't know how determined I can look. You see, after that sergeant came this afternoon and practically forced me into taking the hundred dollar shot I just came. Got my eccentricity up, did you? I decided there must be a way and I was determined to find out what it was.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

There's no way to give him money.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Oh, isn't there?

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

No.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

I can certainly leave it to him. I've checked with my attorney. I had him on the telephone for an hour this afternoon. I can name the boy in my will and there's not a thing you can do about it. You know the whole police department or anyone, is there?

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Well, I suppose we can't tell you how to dispose of.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

And I want to tell you that the amount will be many times the peony. $100. You wouldn't let him take many times the amount. My attorney is already preparing a cotter sale. I'm going to sign it tomorrow, so you needn't try to talk me out of doing it.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

I can't try to talk you out of it, Mrs. Scill.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Well, that's all I've got on my mind. I hope you're satisfied. I'm sure that young man, Patrolman Dillon, will.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

As I said, Mrs. Colesfield, we can't tell you how to draw your will.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

I know very well you can. I know that very well.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

You wanted to see me, Captain? Yes, Dylan.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Oh, hello there, young man.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Mrs. Coldfield, I. I certainly appreciate what you tried to do, but I had to turn the money back against the rules.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

So I understand. I've just been talking to him.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

But don't you want worry.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

You're a very nice young man and I'm sure you'll do very well for yourself in life. Don't you think so, Captain?

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Yes, I think so.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

Goodbye, Captain, Mrs. Cole. And goodbye, young man.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Goodbye, Ms. Cole.

[Mrs. Edna Coleskill]

It was a pleasure knowing you.

[Narrator / Captain Kennelly]

Yes, sir. Come inside. Hello, Gullah. You spent eight hours on post today, isn't that right? Yes, sir. And for eight hours you've been thinking maybe you were a fool for turning in that hundred dollars because no one would ever have known about it except you and her. No, Captain, I wasn't thinking that. Not exactly. All right, Take my word for it. You did exactly what you should have done. Captain. A might take a little while for you to get absolute proof of the fact. But you get it. I guarantee you will. 21st Precinct, Sergeant Waters. Yeah, that's right. Armed robbery in the 24th. Well, we don't know much more about it. Here we got the car. And so it goes around the 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. 21st Precincts transcribed the 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. Harold Stone as Sergeant Waters. Featured in tonight's cast were Ethel Everett, Bill Quinn and Iver Francis. Written and directed by Stanley Nitz. Stuart Metz speaking.