Dragnet 50-12-21 22 Rifle for Christmas

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Dragnet 50-12-21 “.22 Rifle for Christmas”

Original Air Date: December 21, 1950
Podcast Release: December 7, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Theme:
A somber examination of tragedy during the holiday season, this Dragnet episode—“.22 Rifle for Christmas”—tells the story of a missing boy, a neighborhood on edge, and the unforeseen consequences of giving a gun as a Christmas present. Rooted in Golden Age radio drama tradition, the episode unfolds as a police procedural and a cautionary tale about children, firearms, and family heartbreak.

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Main Theme and Purpose

The episode dramatizes the investigation into the apparent disappearance of a nine-year-old boy, Stanley Johnstone, shortly before Christmas. As Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero search for the missing boy, evidence mounts—blood stains, a missing rifle, and ultimately, another missing child—culminating in a heartbreaking revelation about a tragic accident and the perils of giving a gun to children.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Flow

1. Case Introduction & Setting the Scene (02:37–05:03)

• Intro: Listeners are introduced to a homicide investigation. Sgt. Joe Friday and Ben Romero respond to a call about a missing nine-year-old boy, Stanley Johnstone, with suspicion of foul play.

• Narration: "You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to homicide detail. A small boy is reported missing from his home. His age, 9 years. Foul play is suspected. Your job, find him." (00:55–01:08)

• The officers arrive at the Johnstone home, meet with Lieutenant Lee Jones (crime lab), and begin collecting evidence.

• Initial findings: a trail of new blood stains in the backyard and an empty .22 caliber shell casing.

2. Interviews and Escalating Concern (05:03–09:56)

• Mother’s Interview: Sgt. Friday questions Mrs. Ruth Johnstone, who describes Stanley as a good boy, not in the habit of running away, but uneasy about his length of absence:
  • "He's been gone about four hours now and I have a funny feeling about it." – Mrs. Johnstone (07:32)
• Officers learn of a .22 rifle bought as a Christmas present for Stanley, now missing—with only the gift box remaining.
• The missing gun, blood stains, empty shell, and boy's disappearance raise anxiety.

3. Widening the Search and Second Missing Child (10:25–13:07)

• Police organize a neighborhood-wide search; additional details arrive to help.
• The missing rifle matches the shell found.
• Chief Brown: "There's a missing boy and a missing gun. There's blood on the ground and an empty shell. That's enough for me... I hope it's not the hearts of that kid's parents." (11:58–12:44)
• Case takes a sadder turn: another boy, Stephen Morheim, age eight, is missing. Details begin to interlock.

4. Revelation and Tragedy (17:39–22:44)

• After hours of searching, Stanley returns home, dirty and withdrawn.
• Powerful, intimate dialogue between Stanley and his parents illustrates a child under immense emotional strain.
• The emotional centerpiece:
  • "I killed him. I killed Steve with the .22. We were only playing. But I killed him." – Stanley Johnstone (20:46)
  • In a broken voice, Stanley describes how the accident happened—he and Stevie had been playing with the unwrapped, loaded rifle. It fell, discharging into Stevie's chest.
  • "I was praying. I was praying for God to make him alive again." – Stanley (22:44)
• Friday and Romero confirm the story as accident through evidence and testimony.

5. Aftermath and Grief (23:27–27:07)

• Officers break the news to Stevie’s father, who poignantly lists the Christmas gifts he had bought;
  • "We got you a lot of nice things for Christmas. Everything you wanted. I got you the three new cars for the train..." (24:44–25:20)
• Mr. Morheim, grief-stricken yet compassionate, tells Stanley:
  • "I know it wasn't your fault, Stanley. Wonder if you'd do something for me... I want to give them [the presents] to you Christmas Eve." (26:44–26:58)
• Mrs. Johnstone reveals they were going to instruct Stanley in gun safety, but tragedy intervened.

6. Reflection and Caution (27:17–27:21)

• Sgt. Friday with a final, memorable admonition:
  • "Don’t give a kid a gun for Christmas." (27:21)

7. Resolution (27:31–28:27)

• The coroner’s inquest concludes the shooting was accidental; Stanley Johnstone is absolved.
• Episode ends, reinforcing the episode’s somber message and police procedural authenticity.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Emotional Highlights and Lessons

• The Parent’s Pain:

  • "[Stanley's] been gone about four hours now and I have a funny feeling about it." – Mrs. Johnstone (07:32)
  • "I was praying. I was praying for God to make him alive again." – Stanley Johnstone (22:44)
  • "We got you a lot of nice things for Christmas... I want to give them to you, Christmas Eve." – Mr. Morheim (24:44–26:58)

• Warning to Listeners:

  • "Don’t give a kid a gun for Christmas." – Sgt. Joe Friday (27:21)

• Officer’s Reflection:

  • "There's a missing boy and a missing gun. There's blood on the ground and an empty shell. That's enough for me... I hope it's not the hearts of that kid's parents." – Chief Brown (12:34–12:44)

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Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 02:37 | Investigation begins—scene set, police gather evidence | | 06:51 | Interview with Mrs. Johnstone | | 09:50 | Discovery: gift rifle intended for Stanley is missing | | 11:56 | Police realize gravity—discussion of kids and guns | | 13:07 | Another boy (Stephen Morheim) reported missing | | 20:46 | Stanley confesses: "I killed him. I killed Steve..." | | 22:44 | Stanley: "I was praying. I was praying for God..." | | 24:44 | Mr. Morheim lists Christmas presents for son | | 26:44 | Mr. Morheim’s forgiveness: "I know it wasn’t your fault" | | 27:21 | Friday’s caution: "Don’t give a kid a gun for Christmas." | | 28:27 | Episode’s resolution—the coroner’s verdict |

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Episode Tone and Style

Dragged in Dragnet’s signature procedural realism, the episode is understated yet deeply affecting, marked by brief, matter-of-fact police dialogue, punctuated by moments of heart-wrenching emotion—especially from the grieving parents and the traumatized Stanley. The cautionary tone becomes explicit in Friday’s closing moral: a direct address that lingers.

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Conclusion

"Dragnet: .22 Rifle for Christmas" stands as one of the most sobering and powerful Golden Age radio dramas, blending crime investigation with a potent social message. For listeners old and new, the episode is both a gripping mystery and an urgent reminder about gun safety, responsibility, and the small tragedies that can deeply scar a community.

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Transcript

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Hey, this is Sarah. Look, I'm standing out front of a.m. p.m. Right now and, well, you're sweet and all, but I found something more fulfilling. Even kind of cheesy. But I like it. Sure, you met some of my dietary needs, but they've just got it all. So farewell. Oatmeal. So long, you strange soggy.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Break up with bland breakfast and taste.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

AM PM's bacon, egg and cheese biscuit.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Made with K tree eggs, smoked bacon and melty cheese on a buttery biscuit.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

AM PM Too much good stuff.

The story you're about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to homicide detail. A small boy is reported missing from his home. His age, 9 years.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Foul play is suspected.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Your job, find him.

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[Narrator/Announcer]

Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes. In cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case. Transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It was Thursday, December 22nd. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the night. Watch out. A homicide. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. My name's Friday. I was on the way into work and it was 3:55pm when I got to room 42. Homicide.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Hi, Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Ben.

Well, here's the file on the Webster case.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

And a bottle of follow up's been made.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I'll get it.

Homicide, Friday.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

This Levinson, unit 113J. Got something for you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, Harry, what's doing?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Doherty and I are out here on Collis Avenue. 4656, trying to track down a nine year old boy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah? What's the story?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

The kid's missing. Suspicion of foul Play.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How long has he been gone?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

About two hours. Looks like a job from the side.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you figure?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

The kid was last seen playing in the backyard of his home. Yeah, we checked over the yard.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you find anything?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Blood stains. Lots of them. They look new.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Ben and I left a message for Chief of Detective Stad Brown. Then we went over to the crime lab and picked up Lieutenant Lee Jones and drove out the Arroyo Seco Freeway to Collis Avenue. It was an average neighborhood. Number 4656 was a one story, green stucco residence situated on the corner of Collis Avenue and Harrison Drive. Beyond the backyard was a tract of undeveloped land covered with scrub oak. Harry Levinson from Highland Park Juvenile was waiting for us in front of the house.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Back this way, fellas. Coming, Link. Well, I got my bag.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Who notified you that the boy was missing, Harry?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Mother said she went out to do some Christmas shopping about 11 this morning. Left the boy home. She came back about 2 this afternoon. He was gone. What's the name? Johnstone. Kid's name is Stanley. Nine years old. Mm.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Was this gate open like this when you got here? Yeah.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

I haven't touched the thing. You hear the stains over here, Lieutenant Jones? Along the edge of the wash, See?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Let me see.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Quite a few stains, huh?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Yeah.

Looks like it might be blood. Try some benzidine on them.

There we are.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

See what happened? Where's the kid's mother now, Harry?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

In the house. D's talking to her.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you talk to any of the neighbors?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

People next door? The ones on this side. They couldn't tell us anything. There it is, fellas.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yelly.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

These spots I covered with benzidine are turning blue. Blood stains, all right. Can't say definitely whether it's human or animal blood.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do you have to go back to the lab to run it through?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Yeah. Biological precipitant test. Hand me one of those glass files from my bag, will you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure.

[Stanley Johnstone]

Okay.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Here you go. Thanks.

Scrape some flakes off for a test.

There we are. How soon can you tap the blood force link? Precipitant test won't run more than 20 minutes. It'll take three or four hours to run a blood grouping. Oh.

That'S it. Anything else you want to check, Levinson?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Anything else?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Yeah, right here in my handkerchief. Empty shell. That marker over there by the rose bush. That's where I found it from a.22, huh? Yeah. Might tie in. Might not. Mark it and dump it in this envelope. Mm.

There you go.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you get out a missing broadcast on the boy here?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Doherty did about a half an hour ago.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Here's a description.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you. Will Mother know about the blood stain?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

No, we didn't tell her. She's worried enough already.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

She has no idea what might have happened to her boy, huh?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

No more than we do. She checked all her friends and relatives. We're covering the neighborhood in the trace. So far, not much to go on. Blood stains, empty cartridge.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, it could mean a hundred things.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Any ideas?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Friday Just one, and I don't like it.

4:30Pm Thursday, December 22nd. The neighborhood search for nine year old Stanley Johnstone continued. Lee Jones went back to the crime lab to start the precipitant test in the blood grouping. Levinson and his partner Doherty from Highland Juvenile stood by. We called Chief of Detectives Thad Brown and he ordered up a special detail to aid in the search for the missing boy. Ben and I questioned the boy's mother, Mrs. Ruth Johnstone, a woman in her early 40s. She seemed fairly calm under the circumstances.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Ms. Johnson, is your boy standing in the habit of wandering off without telling you where he's going?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

No, he's not in the habit of wandering off, but he has done it before.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, when was the last time, Ms. Johnson?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

You don't have any children, do you, Sergeant Friday?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma'.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm not married.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Well, there comes a time in every young boy's life when he feels that it's time to leave home, go out on his own. Usually happens somewhere around 8 to 10.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Think I know what you mean.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I have a boy.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Well, then you know how it is. My husband and I scolded standing one afternoon after school. He was quite put out about it. Thought George and I weren't fair. Packed a few of his things and left.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How long was he gone?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Oh, no time at all. About two hours. I was worried about him, but my husband said to leave him alone. Said every boy had to go through that stage.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, then you think that he's run away from home again this time?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Yes, I think so. He's been gone about four hours now and I have a funny feeling about it.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Did you and his father have some misunderstanding with the boy recently?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

That's just it. We haven't. I don't mind telling you, now that we're talking about it, I am getting worried.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Is there any place around that he might like to visit? A hobby shop, playground, Someplace he might be?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Yes, there's Jensen's model Shop. Little Shannon Burroughs. But I've already called there and he hasn't been seen all day. I've Called all his friends and they have no idea where he is either.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'd like a list of all of his friends and the places that he was known to frequent.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

That's all right. I'll give them to you.

[Stanley Johnstone]

Where do you suppose he is?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Where's your husband now, Ms. Johnson?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

At work. George works for the city. He's a fireman.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

What house is he staking there?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Engine company 12. He's working the A platoon. He'll be home tomorrow morning. I haven't told him his Danley's gone.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, is there any chance that the boy might be down at the firehouse with his father?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

No, he seldom goes down there anymore. No, I don't think he's there.

I'm awfully worried. May I call my husband?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Certainly. Go right ahead.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

I know George will be worried.

Engine company 12, please. Stanley's been gone too long.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hello?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

May I please speak with George Johnstone? This is Mrs. Johnstone. Thank you. I hate to call George at his word.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'? Am. Does your husband own a gun?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Yes, he does.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What caliber do you know?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

It's a.45 automatic. You got a knot. George, this is Ruth. George is standing down there with you, by any chance? Oh, no. I can't find him anywhere. He wasn't here when I came home from doing my shopping. There are two policemen here. No. I said there are two policemen here. No, dear. I'll call you if we don't find him soon. All right, dear. Yes, you too. Goodbye.

I didn't think he'd be with George at 45.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Is that the only gun in the household? Yes.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Why are you asking about guns? Has anything happened that you're not telling me about?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma'. Am.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Just routine checking.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll have to take a look at that. 45. If you don't mind.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Maybe I should tell you we do have another gun in the house, but it's all wrapped up. George bought it for Stanley's Christmas present.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What if we could see it, please?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Yes. Well, will you have to unwrap it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, I think so.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

It's in the closet.

[Stanley Johnstone]

I think I can reach it.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

He had to hide it. Let me see.

Well, here's the paper it was wrapped in. He's standing up. The founder.

[Stanley Johnstone]

It's gone. You see?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Here's the gift card and the box the gun came in. The rifle.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I wonder if I could look at that box, ma'. Am.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about it, Joe?22 caliber.

Thursday, December 22nd, 5:15pm was getting dark. The search for the missing boy Continued. We checked the list of Stanley Johnstone's friends. None of them or their parents had any idea of his whereabouts. We talked with Levinson again. He'd been in touch with the detail combing the neighborhood. They'd found nothing. We went down to Collis Avenue and 10th Street. Service station on the corner.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

One nick on you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, I got one. Will you watch for Thad?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

City hall, 2667, please.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

2667.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Crime lab. Jones.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hi, Ellie. Joe Friday.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Yeah, Joe, any sign of the Johnson kid?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, not yet. How are you coming?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Finished the precipitant test. It's human blood. Yeah, Working on the blood group now. You know what type the Johnson boy has?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I didn't want to upset his mother. Thought I'd reel the last thing. We're in the neighborhood.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Check with the family physician. That way you won't disturb him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I figured on that. Just a minute. Lee.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, babe, Monster's pulled up.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Okay.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thad Brown's out here now. Check you later, Lee, huh?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Hi, Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Bye.

Oh, there's William.

Gentlemen. How's it going?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We just checked with Lee Jones.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Yeah, I know. It's human blood. What do you think? We talked with the boy's mother. Mrs. Johnstone.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Found a gun missing. Yeah. Caliber's the same as the empty casing Levinson found.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

It's.22. Said the gun was missing.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, the Johnstones were gonna give it to the boys. A Christmas present. They had it hidden, but it's gone.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Any idea who took it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, it's the Christmas wrapping behind.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

I think it was the.22 rifles. Nine year old boy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What is he going to learn?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

First, it's carbide Cannons. On the 4th of July, the city issued ordinance after ordinance. A few thousand kids around the country had to lose their eyes, fingers, hands before their parents would give us their full cooperation.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Outlaw.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

I know what you mean. Sure you do. You and every other cop in the country became the heavies trying to clamp down on them. Oh, it's the same story this time. It's Guns for Christmas.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I know what you're thinking, but we're not sure yet.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Listen, Friday, there's a city ordinance against giving a gun to a kid. You know that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I know that.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

There's a missing boy and a missing gun. There's blood on the ground and an empty shell. That's enough for me. You're only gonna stay with it. Something's got to break. Yeah, I hope it's not the hearts of that kid's parents.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hi, Chief.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Been looking for you Friday.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you got, Harry?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Found the gun. New.22 rifle. I'd say it's been fired recently. Where'd you find it, Levinson? Back up there in that scrub oak behind the Johnstone house. Mrs. Johnstone identified it. Buckley took it down the crime lab.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thanks, Harry. Ms. Johnstone okay?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Pretty sick now. Doherty came up with something else. What's that? There's another one missing. An eight year old boy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

6:30Pm we talked with Officer Doherty about the other missing boy. He told us that his name was Stephen Morheim, 8 years old. His family had just moved into the neighborhood. It seemed that no one besides the Morheim family knew that the boys played together. Mrs. Morheim told us that Stephen told her that he was going out to play. We'd be home by 6 o' clock for dinner. She told us that he was an unusually prompt boy and almost never overstayed his playtime. We got a description of the Morheim boy and put out a missing broadcast. We called the Johnstones family doctor. He told us that Stanley's blood was typo. At 7pm we talked again with Mrs. John Morheim.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Are you sure Mrs. Johnstone doesn't know where the boys are?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

She has no idea, Mrs. Morgan.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Oh, this is terrible. Just awful. I feel there's more to this thing. Something you're not telling me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There's no use to upset you until we know a few things for sure.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Then you're holding back something.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well now please try not to worry, Ms. Morhaim. There are certain things that we're going to have to ask you. Routine questions in any kind of investigation.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Is there anything else you want to know?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

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Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What is your boy's blood type?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Funny question. Do you think anything's happened to him? Have you found him and you're not telling me?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma'. Am, we haven't found him and we don't think anything's happened to him.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

It's blood type.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Am.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

I think I have it written down in Stevie's baby book.

Yes, here it is. It's type O.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I wonder if I might use your phone?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Yes, of course. It's in the hall.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'll be right back, Ben.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Okay.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Teddy Howell, 2667, please.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

2667.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Ground lad. Thank you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hello, Ray? This is Joe Friday.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Is Lee there? Just a minute. Joe. Take two.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Lee.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Joan speaking.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Checking back.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Lee, did you get the blood types on the two missing boys?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, both typo.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

The stains, Joe. Typo.

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They sure are.

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[Sergeant Joe Friday]

8:00Pm Thursday, December 22 still no sign of either of the missing boys. Chief Detective Staff Brown went back to headquarters to direct the search. From there, he dispatched another detail of 50 men to aid in the hunt for the missing youngsters. 8:30pm was getting colder. The citrus growers were warned to expect a freeze. We went up the block to see Mrs. Johnstone. Her husband quit work early and returned home. We talked with him. He could tell us nothing more than we already knew. We still have not informed either of the families about the blood stains in the empty cartridge case which had been discovered in the backyard of the Johnstone home. It was more than possible that they had a right to know about our findings. But Ben and I felt there was no cause to add to the distress of the two families at this time. If the two missing boys were found alive and well. Then the blood stains in the cartridge would be of no concern to the relieved parents. At 8:40pm Ben and I left the Johnstone house and went to the home of Mr. And Mrs. John Morheim.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Ms. Morhaim, you said your husband worked in a market?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Yes. He telephoned about 15 minutes ago. Said he was closing up right away. He'll be here any minute.

Do you wish Stevie would call? Come home? So cold out tonight. All he had on was a thin cotton jacket.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll try not to worry. We're doing everything we can. He'll be all right.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Stevie's father's such sensitive man. He and the boy are so close. I know he's terribly upset.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Now, you're sure there's no place you might have forgotten? Someplace where the boy might be?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

No. No place. No. If anything's happened to the boy, it'll just kill John.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

No, you sit still.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'll get it. Ms. Mor.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Joe. Larry Johnstone kid. He's been found.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

He's homeschooling, Sergeant. He's come home. Thank God he's all right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where's he been? Did he tell you?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

No. No, he didn't. His clothes are all dirty and he's acting strange. Never seen him like this.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you mean, Ms. Johnson?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

He just came to the front door and said, hello, Mom. He sat down a chair and stared at the floor. We'll talk to his father and me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You mind if I talk to him?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

No, go ahead. I asked him about the little Morhaim boy, but he wouldn't tell me a thing.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where is he now?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Right over there in the living room.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Looks all right.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Yes.

Son.

Son, this is a police officer. He wants to talk to you.

Don't be afraid, dear. He only wants to ask you some questions.

Son.

You see, Sergeant Stanley.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Look at me, son. Come on, youngster. Get your head up.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

There.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's better. He has your mother pretty worried, you know that? Want to tell us where you been?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

We should try to get him to eat a little something.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You hear that, son? Want something to eat?

Stanley, there's another little boy up the studio who hasn't come home. You know where he is? His father and mother are worried about him, too. Just like your folks were. We're gonna ask you to help us find him.

[Stanley Johnstone]

I killed him. I killed Steve with the.22. We were only playing. But I killed him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you know you killed him? Maybe he's only hurt now, isn't that it?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

No.

[Stanley Johnstone]

He's dead. I know he's dead. The gun went off. We forgot we put bullets in there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where is he, Stanley?

[Stanley Johnstone]

I hit him. I was scared. I didn't want anybody to find him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where did you hide him, son?

[Stanley Johnstone]

In a cave up on the hill. I didn't mean it. He was my pal.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do you want to show us where, Stanley?

[Stanley Johnstone]

Yes, I'll show you. Please don't send me to jail.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

9:15Pm Thursday, Dec. 22 9. Told Stanley Johnstone led the way up the hill behind the backyard of his. He showed us the wagon. He moved the body in. His father came along with us. About 50ft from the crest of the hill. The boy pointed to a thicket of scrub oak. There we found a small cave holding the body of Stephen Morheim. There was a single bullet wound in his chest just below his heart. He was dead. Recovered the body.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Stanley, how did it happen?

[Stanley Johnstone]

I knew my folks were gonna give me the gun for Christmas. I knew where it was and I got it. There was a box of bullets with it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Were you pointing the gun at Stevenson?

[Stanley Johnstone]

No, sir. No, sir, I wasn't. It was Steve's turn to play with it. I was chasing him. Tripped over that stump there and he fell. Gun hit him in the stomach and it went off.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, why do you think you killed him if you're telling us the truth?

[Stanley Johnstone]

I'm telling the truth. That's the truth.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I believe you, son. But why do you think you killed him?

[Stanley Johnstone]

It was my gun, Steve. He'd still be alive if I didn't go and get it. Should have waited till Christmas. It's all my fault.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where have you been all this time?

[Stanley Johnstone]

In the cave with Steve.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What were you doing in there, son?

[Stanley Johnstone]

I was praying. I was praying for God to make him alive again.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

After a thorough investigation, Ben and I were convinced the shooting of Stephen Morhaime was accidental. Lt. Lee Jones finding substantiated the Johnstone boy story even to the smallest detail. We put in a call to the coroner's office and acquainted him with the facts. He designated a local mortuary to handle a body pending autopsy and granted us permission to remove the body to the Morheim home. Mrs. Morhaim collapsed. The family doctor was called. Ben and I sat in the living room to wait for John Morhaim, the dead boy's father.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Edith.

Edith.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mr. Morheim?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Yeah. You're the police? Yes. Where's Edith? Where's my wife.

Has my boy come home?

Have you found him?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Where is he?

Steve?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Stevie.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Where's Steve?

He's hurt, isn't he?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, he is.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Well, where is he? I want to see him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He's hurt bad, Mr. Morrow.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Where is he? I want to see him.

How bad?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Pretty bad.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

He's dead.

All right if I go in?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, if you want to.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Will you go with me? Sure.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Don't make it any harder on yourself, Mr. Mor.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

I want to see my boy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mr. Morhaim.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Listen to me, son.

We got you a lot of nice things for Christmas. Everything you wanted.

I got you the three new cars for the train.

And one with a search light on. It really work, son.

Got you that new switch you wanted.

A lot more drag.

Oh, now you can have a big layout.

And you know that new baseball mitt we saw?

I got it for you. The cowboy outfit you wanted? I kept it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mr. Moore. Honey. Come on, you.

What happened?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

It was an accident. He was playing with a Johnstone boy up the street.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Playing with a gun? It went off.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

What was the other boy's name? Stanley Johnstone. It was an accident, Mr. Morhaim.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where are you going?

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

I want to see. See that boy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We had no idea what the dead boy's father had in mind. We didn't feel that we should try to restrain him. We went along with him up the street to the Johnstone home.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

I'm Stevie's father. Where's your boy?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

I'm sorry.

We bought the rifle. We were going to tell him not to use it unless his father was with him until he learned how to treat firearms.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Where's your boy?

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Right here. Would you come in?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It's all right, Ms. Johnson.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

You the boy that was with Stevie?

[Stanley Johnstone]

Yes, sir.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

What's your name?

[Stanley Johnstone]

Stanley.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

I know it wasn't your fault, Stanley.

Wonder if you'd do something for me.

[Stanley Johnstone]

Yes, sir.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

I've got a lot of nice presents for Stevie. I know he'd want you to have them.

I want to give them to you Christmas Eve, Mom.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

I think that'd be a fine idea, son.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on, man.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

Well, once it all proved yo you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Don'T give a kid a gun for Christmas.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Narrator/Announcer]

On December 24, 1948, a coroner's inquest was held in the county morgue. City and county of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that inquest.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Now here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you to get year round. Thanks for the gift you give this Christmas cartons of Fatimas to every long cigarette smoker on your list. Christmas Fatimas in the special royal blue slip over jacket make a perfect gift just as is. And my friends who sell Fatimas, the retail dealers and the wholesale distributors all over America, to each one of you a special season's greeting and to everyone, a Merry Christmas.

[Narrator/Announcer]

At the coroner's inquest, it was officially recorded that Stephen Morhaime's death was the result of an accident. Stanley Johnstone was absolved of any legal responsibility for his friend's death.

You have just heard Dragnet, the series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

This is Bob Hope. Can we steal a second Chesterfield?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Chesterfield always wins first place.

[Mrs. Ruth Johnstone]

Half mile or mild tobacco never leaves an after.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

So open a pack, give him a.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Smell, then you smoke them. Don't forget to give Crosby for Christmas.

[Lieutenant Lee Jones]

I mean the Chesterfield Christmas carton with Bing as Papa Santa Claus. See you Tuesday.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Fatima cigarettes. Best of all, long cigarettes has brought you Dragnet. Portions transcribed from Los Angeles.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We the People is next with more Good times on NBC.

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