Dragnet: The Big Overtime (EP4929)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio – "Dragnet: The Big Overtime" (EP4929)

Date: March 12, 2026
Host: Adam Graham
Featured Audio Drama: Dragnet – "The Big Overtime" (Originally aired December 13, 1951)

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio highlights a 1951 Dragnet case: "The Big Overtime." Host Adam Graham presents a tense, step-by-step police procedural in which Sgt. Joe Friday and Det. Ben Romero investigate the kidnapping and ransom demand surrounding the daughter of a bank official. Following the drama, Adam provides commentary on the evolution of Dragnet’s storytelling, differences from earlier adaptations, and insights into cast and listener feedback.

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Key Discussion Points and Episode Breakdown

1. Case Introduction and Opening Events

(02:28–06:30)

• Victim: Judith Sullivan, 22, daughter of bank executive Martin Sullivan, is abducted after being lured out of her business school by a supposed friend of the family.
• The first ransom note arrives, demanding $30,000 for Judy’s safe return, signed "The Wolf."
• Initial investigation reveals little: the abductor used a blue sedan, only a general physical description is known.

Notable quote:

“I have your daughter, Judy. Get $30,000 quick. If you want her back alive, don't call police or I'll kill her. Contact you later. Sign the Wolf.”
– Detective Ben Romero reading the ransom note (06:35)

2. Police Strategy and Second Contact

(06:30–10:37)

• A second note is delivered: Sullivan is told to bring the money to Elysian Park at 5 AM, alone. Joe Friday and Ben Romero hide in Sullivan’s trunk for the meeting.
• The suspect calls at the last minute to cancel, ups the ransom to $50,000, and informs police he knows they're involved.

Notable quote:

“A couple of things. Number one, he wants more money. Number two, he knows we're working the case. What was the reaction? Claims he doesn't care. We'll never get him anyway.”
– Detective Ben Romero (10:22)

3. Break in the Case: Prints and Identity

(10:37–13:35)

• Police efforts intensify, notes are dusted for prints.
• Latent prints identify the suspect as Donald Alfred Kiefer, former bank clerk arrested for forgery after being exposed by Martin Sullivan.
• Kiefer is connected to a similar crime in Omaha, has a criminal past, and a possible motive for revenge.

Notable quote:

“Donald Kiefer. The Wolf. Same handwriting.”
– Handwriting analysis by Don Meyer/Sergeant Friday (14:08)

4. Ransom Payment and Discovery of the Crime

(16:26–20:10)

• Sullivan slips police surveillance, tries to pay Kiefer himself.
• He meets Kiefer in Laurel Canyon, delivers the money, and is told where to find his daughter.
• Tragically, Judy is found dead, wrapped in newspaper with news stories about the kidnapping cut out.

Notable quote:

“He said Judy was all right. I believed him. I wanted her back... I drove out here at 6:00. I waited.”
– Martin Sullivan, recounting the ransom drop (18:27)

5. Dragnet and Pursuit of the Suspect

(20:10–23:22)

• Citywide manhunt is launched: APBs, surveillance, and forensic work at the Greenway Apartments (where Kiefer lived and evidence was found).
• Ransom bills begin turning up in local businesses, tightening the search grid.

6. Climax: Theater Raid and Apprehension

(23:22–27:25)

• Kiefer is reported in a Hollywood Boulevard theater.
• Police block every exit, halt the film, and announce the search to the audience row by row.
• Kiefer tries to escape through the backstage but is cornered and arrested after a brief chase.

Memorable moment:

“We're police officers. Maybe you've read about it in the papers. A girl by the name of Judy Sullivan was abducted and murdered day before yesterday. We think we've traced the man who murdered her to this theater... For the benefit of the man we're looking for, don't try to escape. Every exit is covered.”
– Chief Thad Brown’s announcement to theater audience (25:14)

7. Case Resolution and Aftermath

(27:35)

• Kiefer is tried and convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to death.
• Justice is swift; a reminder of the "just the facts" methodology Dragnet is known for.

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Host’s Commentary & Listener Feedback

Insights into Dragnet’s Evolution

(29:29–32:15; summarized)

• Adam Graham reflects on the differences between this 1951 script and the 1949 original. Earlier versions were more melodramatic and judgmental toward the victim’s father; this retelling is more procedural and less moralizing.
• The killer’s prior conviction being directly tied to the father’s actions is omitted in this adaptation, focusing more on procedure than personal vendetta.

Notable quote:

“There’s a sense in which you get a lot less melodrama and a lot more just straightforward, documented case of how the crime was solved. This is kind of a testament to how Dragnet had refined itself since the beginning.”
– Adam Graham (30:20)

TV Series Announcement

• Adam also notes upcoming Dragnet TV episodes, soon to air in alternation with Gangbusters on television while radio episodes continue.

Listener Questions

(32:15–41:25; highlights)

• Engagement with listener feedback via Spotify and email, including discussions of:
  • Dealing with police and the value of legal counsel.
  • Partial cast credits and changes in script technique.
  • Comparisons between the more pulpy and more realistic tones across Dragnet’s eras.
  • Hypotheticals about producing detective series in the 1950s and favorite potential castings.

Memorable moment:

“Plus, griping about the job is practically Romero’s favorite pastime. Plus, as we’ll learn later, Romero was actually the detective who helped bring Friday along on the force... you don’t pull that on a mentor unless you want a very dirty look.”
– Adam Graham, discussing character dynamics (36:12)

Patreon Supporter Thank-Yous

• Recognition of supporter Richard at the Psalmist level.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Abduction, first ransom note | 02:44–06:30 | | Second note, failed ransom exchange | 07:11–10:37 | | Fingerprints, suspect ID | 11:54–13:35 | | Sullivan goes rogue; Judy found dead | 16:26–20:10 | | Dragnet narrows search, ransom bills appear | 20:45–23:22 | | Theater bust and arrest of Kiefer | 23:22–27:25 | | Case outcome and recap | 27:35 | | Host commentary on episode differences | 29:29–32:15 | | Listener feedback and podcast Q&A | 32:15–41:25 |

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Notable Quotes

• On the abductor:
  “He's got a 22-year-old daughter. Or he had one. She's gone.”
  – Sgt. Joe Friday (04:47)
• On police frustration:
  “He claimed he doesn't care. Says we'll never get him anyway.”
  – Det. Ben Romero (10:22)
• On methodology:
  “We knew he was somewhere in the city. 450 square miles of it. We knew we had to find him.”
  – Sgt. Joe Friday (10:37)
• Emotional impact:
  “Lord, let me find him. Oh, Lord, let me kill him.”
  – Martin Sullivan, after finding his daughter (19:57)

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Summary: Tone and Style

The Dragnet episode exemplifies the no-nonsense, documentary flavor that came to define its legacy. The narrative is direct, focused on painstaking police work, forensic details, and a high-stakes manhunt, culminating in a realistic if somber resolution. Adam Graham’s commentary preserves this approach, offering measured insights and honoring the roots and evolution of radio detective drama.

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For those who missed the episode, this summary delivers the full arc of “The Big Overtime”: from abduction to pursuit, and ultimate justice, as well as Adam Graham’s thoughtful contextual notes—capturing both the drama’s suspense and the craft behind its storytelling.

Transcript

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[Adam Graham]

Foreign. Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Dragnet. But first I want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Our listener support and appreciation campaign continues. You can become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. Just go to patreon.greatdetectives.net and I want to thank our latest Patreon supporter. Thank you to Brad coming on board at the psalmist level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Brad. And now, from December 13, 1951, here is the big overtime.

[Narrator]

The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You're they're assigned a homicide detail.

[Detective Ben Romero]

A 22 year old girl has been abducted.

[Narrator]

Her family receives an anonymous message.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The abductor demands $30,000 for the safe

[Detective Ben Romero]

return of the girl.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Your job.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Get him.

[Narrator]

Dragnet the documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles 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 Tuesday, October 18th. It was cloudy in Los Angeles. We were working the early morning watch out of homicide. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. My name's Friday. I was on the way back from the stats office and it was 3:26am when I got to room 42. Homicide. Hi, Brian.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Hi. Got those mug shots you wanted, Joe.

[Narrator]

Here you go.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, thank you. The captain leave yet?

[Detective Ben Romero]

They're waiting for me in the garage. You call Ben?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm going to right now. Yeah, okay.

[Detective Ben Romero]

I guess I better hustle it. See you out there, huh? Right. Brian. Hello?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm sorry to wake you, Ben. This is Joe. How you feeling?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Oh, hi, Joe. What time is it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

3:30am How's a sore throat?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Oh, it's a lot better. Ought to be back to work tomorrow.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We need you now, Ben. You want to be ready in about 20 minutes, I'll pick you up.

[Detective Ben Romero]

20 minutes. Okay. What's the matter?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Man by the name of Martin Sullivan. Official down at the Third National Bank.

[Detective Ben Romero]

What about it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He's got a 22 year old daughter. Or he had one. She's gone. Less than 14 hours before. At one o' clock the previous afternoon, Judith Sullivan was last seen driving off in a car with a man who'd represented himself as a friend of her father. At 11 o' clock that night, the Sullivan family received an anonymous letter demanding $30,000 for the safe return of the girl. It had been the only contact made thus far by the abductor. As soon as we got word of what had happened from the girl's father, a broadcast and an APB had been gotten out. The entire force throughout the city had been alerted. 3:44am I pulled up in front of Ben's house.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Good morning.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hi.

[Detective Ben Romero]

You made good time. Hey, where are we headed?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Sullivan? Home out on Castro Boulevard. Thad Brown's out there now with Brian.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Any leads to go on?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, not so far. The girl disappeared a little before one o' clock yesterday afternoon. Note from the abductor came through last night. They're asking 30,000.

[Detective Ben Romero]

I don't get it. Sullivan hasn't got that kind of money.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I know. That poor guy's almost out of his mind. Mrs. Sullivan too. They're all broken up.

[Detective Ben Romero]

He filled me in. How'd it happen?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, the girl was taken from a business school that she goes to. Man had her called out of class. He told her father was sick. Said he was a friend of the family.

[Detective Ben Romero]

How about the teachers? What was their story?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, they said the girl didn't want to go with the man at first, but he finally talked her into it. Kept telling her her father was dying.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah, lousy thing. Did he use a car?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, blue sedan. That's all we Know witnesses didn't get the make or the license number.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Any description on the man?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, they say about 5ft, 960, brown suit and dark hair.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Is that all?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's it. Here's a copy of the letter that the Sullivans got. You can read it. It's the usual.

[Detective Ben Romero]

All right, thanks. I have your daughter, Judy. Get $30,000 quick. If you want her back alive, don't call police or I'll kill her. Contact you later. Sign the Wolf. Who's he? Kid?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I don't know. I could think of a better name. Here we are.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah. Who's got the original note, Joe?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The Crime lab. They're checking it for prints and handwriting.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Hi. Joe Romero in the living room. Thank you, Tom. That's the way I see it, Mr. Sullivan. You understand exactly what you have to do now?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Detective Ben Romero]

I'll do as you say. All right, sir. Here are the two men who help you. Sergeant Friday and Romero, Central Homicide. Hi, Mr. Sullivan. Introduced Mr. Brown. Are you sure about all this? I keep thinking he might get frightened. He might do something to her. Believe me, Mr. Sullivan, it's the only way. I know how he must feel, but we can't do anything else. All right. I want to see Mrs. Sullivan first. Will you excuse me? I'll be ready in a moment. All right, fine. What is it, Chief? Any development back here in the dining room?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's it.

[Detective Ben Romero]

On the table. Second note from the guy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

When'd it come?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Half an hour ago. Guy had it delivered by a special messenger. Used a plain envelope. Messenger? Kid didn't know anything about it. Doesn't remember what the guy looked like. Let's see. Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I'll read. It says, meet me in Elysian Park, 5 o' clock this morning, near Balkan Drive. Come alone. Bring 30,000. We'll return. Girl. Don't tell the cops. I'll kill her if you do. It's the same signature, Wolf.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Not much time, Chief. It's 4am Now. I know. We'll have to do as he says. There's no other way.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Sullivan's going out there alone, is he?

[Detective Ben Romero]

You're going with him. You and Romero. He'll be hidden in the trunk of his car. All right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Anything else? Any plan you want us to follow?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Get him. That's all.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

4:15am Ben and I went out back to the the garage where Mr. Sullivan's car was parked. We jammed ourselves into the trunk compartment and Brian closed the door on us. The latch was rigged so that we could push open the door from the inside. A few minutes later, Mr. Sullivan came out, got in the car and we drove off. At three minutes to five, we pulled up at the designated meeting place up in Elysian Park. We waited. Nothing happened. Five minutes past 5am still nothing. Outside, it started to thunder.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Rain starting.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Man, it's windy.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Joe, are you here? Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Car coming up the road toward us. Sounds like.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah. Wait a minute.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Coming over this way. Yeah. Sounds that way. Doesn't. Are you ready?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Easy. Coming back here. Watch it now.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Friday, come out. Chief, is that you? Yeah. Come on out. Meetings off. In my leg.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There we go.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Mr. Sullivan, you want to drive back home? We'll contact you there. Yes, sir. All right. Come on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let's get over the car. What's the story? Did he scare off?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Guy had no intention of following through with the meeting. How come? He told us he phoned a couple of minutes before 5am we tried to trace the call. He wouldn't stay on the line long enough.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you have to say?

[Detective Ben Romero]

A couple of things. Number one, he wants more money. Number two, he knows we're working the case. What was the reaction? Claims he doesn't care. We'll never get him anyway.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, how's the thing stand now?

[Detective Ben Romero]

$50,000. He wants it in the next 12 hours.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

More than 16 hours had passed since word of Judy Sullivan's abduction had been phoned into Homicide. During that time, an APB containing the descriptions of the suspect, his car and his victim had been dispatched to law enforcement agencies throughout the entire area. The same descriptions were being broadcast every hour. The Sullivan home had been placed under strict surveillance and Mr. Sullivan instructed not to contact the suspect without the knowledge of the police. The girl's father had raised almost $10,000 in cash to buy him off. And the serial numbers on each one of the bills had been copied by a police stenographer and rechecked by a Homicide officer. So far, the Wolf, as he called himself, had made three separate contacts. But he'd covered his tracks well. We knew he was somewhere in the city. 450 square miles of it. We knew we had to find him. 6:18am we checked back into Homicide.

[Detective Ben Romero]

What's Dylan, Brian? Here's a copy of the letter, fellas. Special delivery came in about 25 minutes ago. Let's see, Tom.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It's the same handwriting. It looks like.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Check the postmark. Joe must have mailed it right after he grabbed a girl.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let me see. Stay away from Sullivan. If the girl's found dead, it's your fault. Stay away, Wolf.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Can't seem to make up his mind. No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

They checking the original of this for Prince? Tom?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah. No word yet. How about that second note? Anything on that? Uh huh. Stahl lifted a couple of prints. Running them through R and I. Who's watching Sullivan House now?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Gomez and Thaxter. Chief's out there, too. He's still afraid the girl's father will try to make a deal with the guy.

[Detective Ben Romero]

He tried it yet?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, not yet. Well, you couldn't blame him if he did. He's worried sick.

[Detective Ben Romero]

I got it. Homicide. Romero. Yeah, I try. Mm. How do you spell it? Okay. Right. Yeah. Thanks a lot. Record Bureau. Those two prints Stall lifted from a letter. Ran them through the single print file.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Any luck?

[Detective Ben Romero]

They got a make.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The fingerprint that was lifted from the suspect's letter was identified as belonging to a Donald Alfred Kiefer, WMA. Age 29. 5ft, 8 inches, 170 pounds. Brown eyes, dark brown hair. He had one previous arrest for forgery in Los Angeles 10 months before. the time of his arrest, Keeper's occupation was listed as bank clerk at the Third National Bank. Well, I went down the hall to the Record Bureau to pull the crime report. Brian checked by Leighton Prince to see if they'd gotten anything off the last note from the suspect. Ben went to check with Don meyer in handwriting. 7:23am Chief Thad Brown got back to the office. I showed him Kiefer's crime report.

[Detective Ben Romero]

All right. What's the rundown on it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, at the time, Kiefer pulled a forgery job at the bank. Mr. Sullivan was one of the vice presidents. He was the one that preferred charges against Kiefer, and he saw that he was prosecuted.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Where's this Kiefer now?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let me check that. He was placed on probation on May 16 this year. He returned to his home in Omaha, Nebraska. That's 1380 Mackinac Avenue.

[Detective Ben Romero]

You call Omaha?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I got the call in. Now, Ben took an exemplar of Kiefer's handwriting from the package. Don Meyer's going over it now.

[Narrator]

Chief.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Hi. What about that last note? I got the report right here. How's it look? Well, Stahl lifted some prints off it. Brought him out with the iodine fume gun. They match with the first. There's something else. What's that? They examine the paper for watermarks and texture. Both notes are written on the same paper. Impressions show both pieces of paper from the same tablet. Check the density of the carbon in the pencil he used. Both specimens match same pencil. Joe. Oh, hi.

[Narrator]

Skipper.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Hi.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you catch up with Don Meyerbet?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah, he went over the handwriting. Looks pretty good. What's the word? It's as close as you can get. Here are the two exemplars. Mm. Slants, his crosses, double loops, His L open A's pressure on the downstroke. Donald Kiefer, the wolf. Same handwriting.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

By noontime, Donald Kiefer's description had been broadcast throughout the entire area. Bulletins were dispatched to all departments and a supplementary APB was gotten out. Special details were stationed at every post office in the city to watch for notes from the suspect that might come through the mail. The bus depots, railroad terminals, the airports and all main roads leading out of the city were kept under strict surveillance. The entire Los Angeles area was broken down into single square mile districts and a house to house canvas was started. A squad of men were assigned to cover each square mile. Outlying towns and cities were requested to do the same. By 4 o' clock that afternoon, one of the greatest dragnet operations in the history of the city was underway. We were sure Donald Keeper was somewhere inside. 5:12pm we got the call back from the Omaha police.

[Detective Ben Romero]

That so? Again, please. What was that? 6X Ray 419, Nebraska plates. Right. Fine, Lieutenant. Thank you. Bye.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

They made the car?

[Detective Ben Romero]

That and a lot more. The Omaha cops are looking for Kiefer too. They want him for a robbery there two months ago. He used a stolen blue sedan in the robbery. 1939 model, Nebraska plate 6X Ray 419.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What about his family and friends? Have they been checked? Yeah.

[Detective Ben Romero]

They say Kiefer left Omaha about six weeks ago. I don't know where he was headed.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We better get that car. Description of communications, huh? APB and a radiogram.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah, right. Friday.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Romero. Yeah.

[Detective Ben Romero]

What are you tied up with? Just got a call back from Omaha. Macon Keefer in the car. Give it to me. You two get out to Sullivan the house fast as you can. See Harris out there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay. What happened?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Mr. Sullivan? He's disappeared.

[Narrator]

You are listening to Dragnet authentic stories of your police force in action.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Wednesday, October 19, 5:48pm Ben and I drove out to the Sullivan home where we checked with Bert Harris, the man who'd been assigned to watch Mr. Sullivan. He told us that at about 3 o' clock that afternoon, the father of the missing girl had a phone call. He said he had to go down to the bank and Harris went with him. While they were at the bank, Mr. Sullivan succeeded in decoying Harris with a fake telephone call. While Harris was answering the call, Sullivan disappeared.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Did Mr. Sullivan get any more money while he was at the bank, Burr?

[Adam Graham]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

$5,000. Did you get the serial numbers off the bills?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Uh huh. Shouldn't have let him get out of my sight. Forget it. Right now we gotta find out where he's gone to meet Kiefer.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you talk to Mrs. Sullivan about it, Bert?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Says she doesn't know anything about it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where's she now?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Back in the sitting room lying down.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now let's try her again, huh? She might be able to help.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Okay, it's back this way. What time you got, Joe?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It's five minutes past six. I'll get it.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Hello? How's that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, where are you?

[Detective Ben Romero]

What? Oh.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, where are you? Where are you? All right, we'll be right out. Yeah, Mr. Sullivan, he met with Kiefer out in Laurel Canyon.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Did he get his daughter back?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, he did. Wrapped in newspaper. All units in the area were notified immediately that a contact had been made with the suspect, Donald Keefer. We got in the car and we drove out to Laurel Canyon. The entire area had been blocked off. We found Martin Sullivan standing in the middle of the road. At the end of east winding way. 500ft down the hill was a private residence where Sullivan had telephoned us. The only building in the immediate vicinity. A few yards beyond the point where East Winding Way ended back in a clump of tall grass, we found the body of 22 year old Judy Sullivan. We notified the crime lab chief, Thad Brown and the coroner. Despite the severe emotional shock, Mr. Sullivan told us the story.

[Detective Ben Romero]

He said Judy was all right. I believed him. I wanted her back. Judy. I tricked the officer, the one watching me. Kieffer said to come alone. No police. Did you see his car, Mr. Sullivan? I wanted her back. I wanted Judy back. I did as he said. I drove out here at 6:00'.

[Narrator]

Clock.

[Detective Ben Romero]

I waited. I put the money on the front seat like he said.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did he get the money, sir?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Then I got out. I left the parking lights on. I stood up there by the end of the road and I waited. And then he drove up. He took the money and then he came up to me. He had a gun. I wanted Judy back. He had a gun.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you see his car?

[Detective Ben Romero]

He said she was up there beyond the road. She was tied to a tree, he said. I wanted her back.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now look, Mr. Sullivan, did you see his car?

[Detective Ben Romero]

I went to look for Judy. He drove away. She wasn't there by the tree. I couldn't find her none. Way back I saw the mum on the way.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Lord, let me find him. Oh, Lord, let me kill him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Before he collapsed completely. We showed the dead girl's father a picture of Donald Kieffer. And he identified him? Definitely. The information was immediately relayed back to Central Division and rebroadcast over our entire radio system. Teletypes were dispatched to sheriff's offices and communications sent to law enforcement agencies throughout the country. 9:52pm the house to house search was intensified. The dragnet operation in which we hoped to trap the killer was drawing slowly inward. A few minutes before midnight, Ben and I drove back downtown to the crime lab to check with Lieutenant Lee Jones.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Hi, fellas. Come on back. Anything yet, Lee? Just checking over these tiles here. Found them wrapped around the girl's body inside the papers. Funny thing about them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Detective Ben Romero]

All yesterday's papers. Every story about the girl's disappearance has been clipped out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about the towels? Any laundry marks at all, Lee?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Nothing so far, Joe. Every one of them clipped off. Morgue post the body yet? They're doing it now. Nasty one.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, it sure is. Any footprints or tire marks out where they found the body?

[Detective Ben Romero]

No, lots of them. Got two of the men checking them now. One thing. What is it, Lee? I don't know. Under the seam here. This towel.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Wait a minute.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Give me that pair of snippers, will you, Joan?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Here you go. Thanks. Press back onto the seam here. There. That's one tag he missed.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. Can you read the marking?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Greenway apartments, Los Angeles,

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

12:34am we located the Greenway Apartments in the East Wilshire district and we checked with a manager. He identified Kiefer's mug shot, but he said he hadn't been home to the apartment since the day before. We called the crime lab and we went up to check the suspect's apartment. One look was enough. Lt. Lee Jones found specimens of the Sullivan girl's blood in the wash basin and the bathtub drains in an adjoining garage. We found the car, which Kiefer had used. A blue sedan, NE plates 6X Ray 419. A cancellation of the want order for the car was issued and a stakeout placed at the apartment in the garage in case Kiefer decided to return. All that night and into the next day, the citywide dragnet went on. Was no sign of the killer. At 10 minutes past 2 that afternoon, the first piece of ransom money showed up. It was at a used car lot on the corner of Beverly and Naylor streets. Two hours later, another piece of the money turned up at a busy Downtown department store. In both cases, the man who passed the stolen money was finally identified as Donald Kiefer. Details were strengthened in both areas where the money appeared. The search went on 6:42pm Ben and I got a call to meet Chief Thad Brown at the Hollywood Division station. Tommy Bryan from Central Homicide was with him.

[Detective Ben Romero]

This is the way it stacks up now. This pin map over here, this is where we're concentrating to search this area here. How about the lead we had on him downtown? Didn't it work out? No. The last 20 minutes we picked up three possible leads on the man. Out in this neighborhood here. East of vine, south of Franklin, west of La Brea, north of Santa Monica.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

More ransom money show up.

[Detective Ben Romero]

You got it there, Brian.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Read it off.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Detective Ben Romero]

5:35 Sunset in Highland. Newsboy thought he saw a key for crossing the street. Twenty minutes later, a sales girl in a dime store up on Hollywood Boulevard thought she saw him. Ten minutes after that, he was reported seen near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard in Las Palmas.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You figure the reports are reliable?

[Detective Ben Romero]

They were all checked out. Didn't put too much faith in them until a few minutes ago. How's that? Five dollar bill was passed at a cigar store. Hollywood Boulevard in Hawthorne. Ransom money. We've already doubled the number of men in cars in the area. Men stationed at every intersection to keep an eye on pedestrian traffic. We're covering everything. Streets, stores. Covering the whole neighborhood. For her. I'll get it. Homicide. Brian. Yeah, just a minute. You Chief? Oh, that Brian?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Uh huh. Where? When was that? No, stay there. We'll be right there. Goodbye. Another piece of ransom money.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where'd it turn up?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Theater on Hollywood Boulevard between Fairview and Hawthorne.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Who passed the money? They think it was Kiefer.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Positive. They say he's in the theater right now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The information on Kiefer was phoned into communications immediately and within a few minutes men and cars converged on the neighborhood. The 1/2 mile area around the theater was completely blockaded. Every exit and entrance to the theater was covered. 7:23pm Ben and I, along with Chief Thad Brown and Tom Bryan, met in the theater manager's office. Brown outlined our plan of operation. At 7:32pm a detail of 14 men walked down the side aisles on the main floor of the theater and took up their posts on either side of the orchestra pit. The picture was stopped and every light in the theater was turned on. Chief Brown, Brian, Gomez, Thaxter, Ben and myself went down the aisle and up onto the stage. Chief Brown made the announcement Ladies and

[Detective Ben Romero]

gentlemen, will you hold it quiet for a minute, please? We're sorry to interrupt the picture, but this is a very important matter. We're police officers. Maybe you've read about it in the papers. A girl by the name of Judy Sullivan was abducted and murdered day before yesterday. We think we've traced the man who murdered her to this theater. We believe he's in this theater. Now, we're going to search the theater row by row. And we'd like to ask your cooperation. No need to be panicky or afraid. Those who wish to leave now may do so. Leave by the main entrance. Each one of you will be checked as you go out the door. For the benefit of the man we're looking for, don't try to escape. Every exit is covered. The entire area is blockaded. Don't place any more lives in jeopardy. All right, now. Hey, right there. There he goes. There. Outside exit.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on, Ben.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Backstage Joe. We can make it from here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, come on through here. Down here.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Right with you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

In here. Come on over here.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Air conditioning unit for the theater?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. I don't see them, do you?

[Detective Ben Romero]

He can't get out. There's just two exits. We got them both covered.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Look out.

[Detective Ben Romero]

There he is. All right, Keeper, hold it. All right, throw your gun over here. Come on, throw it out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay, I got it.

[Adam Graham]

You got it?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Don't shoot.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, let's take him.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah. All right.

[Narrator]

Okay.

[Detective Ben Romero]

You got my gun?

[Narrator]

I didn't mean to shoot at you.

[Detective Ben Romero]

You forced me to put the cuffs up. Yeah, right. Get your hands off of me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, Keeper.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Got the same for you, too. All right, now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hold it. All right, Ben.

[Detective Ben Romero]

You all right? Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, try the cuffs on him now, huh?

[University Maintenance Worker]

Yeah.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Huh? Got him, huh? Yeah. It's a rough one. Hey, it's starting to rain again. It's really pouring out there.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Guess we better get him out the car, huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's the hurry?

[Detective Ben Romero]

How do you mean?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why spoil a good rain?

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On January 19, trial was held in Superior Court Department 87, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. Donald Alfred Kiefer was tried and convicted of murder in the first degree. And on the recommendation of the jury, he received the death penalty. He was executed in the lethal gas chamber at the State Penitentiary, San Quentin, California. You have just heard, Dragnet. A series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department. Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben Romero. Also heard were Whit Connor and Vic Perrin. Script by Jim Moser. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Counterspy fights international intrigue Next on NBC.

[University Maintenance Worker]

This is the story of the 1. As a maintenance tech at a university, he knows ordering from multiple suppliers takes time away from keeping their arena up and running. That's why he counts on Granger to get everything he needs, from lighting and and H vac parts to plumbing supplies all in one place. And with fast, dependable delivery, he's stocked and ready for the next tip off. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Now, this episode sounded familiar to me, and not just in the sense that I've heard it a few times already, but that it sounded like another episode. And indeed it was. And you actually have to go back to 1949 and one of the very early episodes of Dragnet. This was just when the Fatima sponsorship had started back on September 10, 1949, in the Sullivan kidnapping. Now, this wasn't so much a script reuse as you often hear on many detective programs, programs, but it took the same case. But there were some key changes that were made, and a lot of these are minor, but they add up to quite a bit. One thing is that when the ransom was paid, this was back when Raymond Burr was playing Ed Backstrand and it made the papers after she'd been killed. And he said that he hoped that it would stick in people's minds as a reminder, we don't make deals with killers. So essentially offering a bit of a condemnation of the victim's father for making the payment. In the 1949 episode, it's established that the killer had been sent to jail for forgery on the basis of the actions of the father. So this was a bit of revenge. And that's not in the 1951 version. And there's also more of the killer being like, I'm so much smarter than police. That was referenced once, but it was a much bigger element in the 1949 case. And there's a sense in which you get a lot less melodrama and a lot more just straightforward, documented case of how the crime was solved. This is kind of a testament to how Dragnet had refined itself since the beginning with these little adjustments in tone and style. Obviously, the big statement about not paying killers could come off as preachy. And Dragnet had kind of. And that was not the direction the show was going, particularly in comparison to many other programs on the air in the same genre. Now, of course, an important announcement about the launch of the Dragnet TV series. They had two episodes that were already filmed and ready for air, and Dragnet would end up on in every other week schedule for this first season, alternating with the TV version of Gangbusters, while still continuing the radio version. Well, now we turn to listener comments and feedback and we have some comments. We start on Spotify regarding the big affair, mechanic66 writes, I disagree about how to deal with the police. You politely but firmly state, I want to cooperate with you officer, but first I will need to consult with my attorney and also have him or her present at all times. That's certainly a valid approach, probably the safe approach, and again, better than sitting there trying to just snow the police with an obviously false story. And of course, there are episodes of Dragnet where with no lawyer present, the guilty person keeps giving contradictory statements to the police, which is not something that you would want brought up in court. And then Harrison adds, wow, partial cast credits is a welcome addition. It's nice when we get them. And then we have Another comment from mechanic66. This one is regarding the big Bungalow. Friday should have given the informant speech to Romero when he complained about paying for Red's lunch. I can understand the sentiment, but no, explaining it to the listener as the voice of the police is one thing, as he is informing us as people who are outside the police and have been exposed to various media myths and portraits trails what the situation with informants is with Ben Romero. He already knows. And imagine if you're a police officer and you make a complaint to your partner, he says you ought not to complain about it. The informants play this vital role in the police department. We have to respect them and we should be glad for the service they provide. That is annoying. That is not Joe Friday in the 1950s. That's Joe Friday in the 1987 movie. Plus, griping about the job is practically Romero's favorite pastime. Plus, as we'll learn later, Romero was actually the detective who helped bring Friday along on the force and really is the only partner that had an equal rank with him. You don't pull that on a mentor unless you want a very dirty look. And of course we should mention that this is Barton Yarborough's last episode that we'll hear him as Ben Romero and we'll talk more about that next week. Regarding the big hands, James says in response to one of the comments that you read. I distinctly remember an episode that took place after Miranda rights became a thing. It made for some interesting dialogue between Joe Friday and the Chief. Now, I thought of the Dragnet 1966 TV movie, but I think James was referencing an episode of the radio program which wouldn't have been referencing Miranda versus Arizona since that was decided in 1966. There was another California case in regards to the admissibility of evidence that had a big impact on Joe Friday. And it was one of the last radio episodes. The big ruling. And then the Butcher5032 asks you travel back in time to 1950. You have to produce a detective radio program and you have an unlimited budget. Give me five cast members, the theme song, the show writer, and it would be fact or fiction. Did I leave anything out? Well, no, it's tough to say because it's tough to come up with an original concept. In terms of non fiction. I don't know if there's a particular thing that stands out as a story that must be told. In terms of fiction, I think I would probably lean on a couple of adaptations. I'm not going to try to create my own noir detective. I would honestly want to make a second season of the new Adventures of Nero Wolf with Sidney Greenstreet, but I would want them to be closer to the book in terms of the tone of the story and to actually adapt stories of Rex Stout. And as I said, I'd want Greenstreet back in the main role. Honestly, I love Bob Bailey as Archie Goodwin. I think he's got a great voice for it. I love Tim Hutton in a near Wolf mystery, but the voice is very, very New York. And does it match with the profile of Archie Goodwin? As someone who comes from the Midwest, I think Bailey would evoke that better. For Inspector Kramer, I'd want Ed Begley, and for Fritz, I'd go with Hans Conrad. And if you want one that is out of this world, I would produce a Martian Manhunter radio program. Now, if you're aware of the Martian Manhunter at all, you're aware of him as a Justice League superhero from dc. However, when he was introduced in comics, he was not only a Martian, but he was a detective stranded on the planet who solved mysteries. And I think a weekly series about a Martian in mid-1950s America solving mysteries, that would be fascinating. And I think I'd have the Martian Manhunter played by Michael Rennie. Now, in terms of who would write. If you were talking about a Nero Wolf series, I'd probably pair someone who had a lot of experience with adaptation like John C. Wilson or Ernest Kanhoy with a talented mystery writer. And I'd probably want to compare samples to get just the right person. And then for Martian Manhunter, it would probably be Robert Rife and Ernest Kanhoye theme song. I would have them write an original theme tune. I would not even. Yeah, I would not pick stock music or something already existing. No, somewhere I'll find you or anything like that. We would. We would have something original, but I don't know what it would be since I wouldn't be the one writing the music. But thanks so much. Appreciate the question. Now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day. Thank you so much to Richard, patreon supporter since October 2025, currently supporting the podcast at the Psalmist level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Richard. And that will do it for today. If you are enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We'll be back next Thursday with another episode of Dragnet, but join us back here tomorrow. For yours truly, Johnny Dollar, where two

[Detective Ben Romero]

years ago, you had Curly sent up to the pen. That's right, for the Maelys department store job he pulled. Then just a few days ago, he swore that he'd get you for that, that he'd kill you, didn't he? So what happened when he escaped and came here to Hartford a few days ago? I know all about that from thanks to some quick thinking on your part, the police nabbed him instead.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Plus the loot from the department store robbery.

[Detective Ben Romero]

You know who deserves a real credit for that? The girl I had a date with tonight. Until you spoil things with your phone call. Johnny, as you know, either you or the police wounded Curly Waters, which is why he was taken to the hospital and placed under guard instead of being locked up. So, well, Mr. Wells, I see you managed to locate him. Yes, Lieutenant. You okay, Dollar? Any reason why I should shouldn't be? Howie, has Mr. Wells told you what's happened? No, but I think I can guess. Curly Waters escaped from the hospital. Yes. I had three good men there watching over him, but he managed to get by them. How? With help. One of his old cronies, Gimpy Taylor. Yes, Gimpy created a disturbance out in the hall, and when they went after him, Curly crashed out through the window. When they went back in after him, Gimpy took it on the lamb. Three good men did you say, I

[Adam Graham]

hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box13eightdetectives.net Follow us on Twitter radiodetectives. Check us out on Instagram instagram.com greatdetectives From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham signing off.

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