Dragnet: The Big September Man (EP4859)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Dragnet - "The Big September Man" (EP4859)

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host: Adam Graham
Date: December 4, 2025
Original Episode Air Date: September 27, 1951
Series: Dragnet – Classic Police Procedural

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Overview

In this episode, Adam Graham presents the Dragnet radio drama “The Big September Man,” plunging listeners into a 1950s homicide investigation in Los Angeles. A brutal murder of a young secretary, Adele Pryor, propels Sgt. Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero into a search for truth amid red herrings, psychological complexity, and a suspect whose religious language belies darker motives. Graham follows the audio drama with insightful commentary on the episode's themes, storytelling approach, and listener feedback.

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Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

1. The Murder and Investigation Begins

[03:27–08:49]

• Set-up: Attractive blonde secretary Adele Pryor is found brutally beaten in a downtown office. The only initial clue is a steel pipe wrapped in paper.
  • “You’re a detective sergeant. … Your job: Get him.” (Joe Friday, 03:27)
• Early Leads:
  • The murder weapon yields only the victim's fingerprints.
  • No sign of forced entry or robbery.
  • Suspect Robert French is picked up nearby, heavily intoxicated and self-deprecating.

2. Interrogation of Robert French

[08:49–12:20]

• French claims to know Adele through her ex-husband; she sometimes loaned him money.
• He recounts visiting her office for a loan on the night of her death, leaving her with another man in the reception area.
• Blood-stained clothes found in his hotel room are sent for analysis.
  • “She was always pretty good that way. Nice kid. Don’t know why anybody’d want to kill her like that.” (Robert French, 09:31)
• Despite the circumstantial evidence, French's character and evidence present contradictions: drinker but not violent, no clear motive.

3. Focus Shifts: The Other Man

[13:45–15:42]

• A stats search connects the description of the man French saw with Adele to William Tanner, previously a suspect in a similar murder.
  • “Well, the same thing that killed Donaldson, killed Adele Pryor... Piece of steel pipe wrapped in paper.” (Ben Romero, 15:35)

4. Tanner’s Troubled Profile

[17:11–19:44]

• Tanner’s brother recounts his erratic post-mother’s-death behavior: drinking, womanizing, finally “distorted” religious obsession.
  • “He’s an odd guy. Even finds ways of distorting the Bible.” (Martin Tanner, 18:05)
• Tanner was infatuated with Adele; their breakup left him unstable.
• He moved out of their apartment building suddenly, aspired to leave for South America (unconfirmed by consulates).

5. Closing In: The Revival Hall Interrogation

[21:31–26:44]

• Detectives find Tanner at a gospel revival meeting.
• He’s evasive, speaks in religious quotations, and simultaneously condemns and expresses longing for Adele.
  • “I found the truth, Sergeant. The everlasting word. ... That’s the everlasting Word, Sergeant. The Holy Book.” (William Tanner, 21:51)
• Under pressure, he reveals his obsession with Adele's alleged sins, casting blame for her murder on religious "necessity.”
• Eventually, Tanner confesses:
  • “In the name of God and in the name of our Lord. Amen. I killed her.” (William Tanner, 26:46)

6. Aftermath and Confessions

[26:55–28:41]

• Tanner admits to also murdering Louise Donaldson a year prior and attempting to bomb a hotel the previous September, all acts occurring around September.
  • “September’s always been the time, that’s all. ... Seems to be the best time to get rid of them. ... It’s always September.” (William Tanner, 28:04)
• Points to an obsessive, possibly ritualistic pattern tied to his psychological state.

7. Resolution

[29:04–29:42]

• Tanner is found sane, convicted of first-degree murder, and executed.
  • “Tanner was convicted of first degree murder and received the death penalty. He was executed in the lethal gas chamber...” (Joe Friday, 29:22)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:27 | Joe Friday | “You’re a detective sergeant… Your job: Get him.” | | 09:31 | Robert French | “She was always pretty good that way. Nice kid. Don’t know why anybody’d want to kill her like that.” | | 15:35 | Ben Romero | “Well, the same thing that killed Donaldson, killed Adele Pryor… Piece of steel pipe wrapped in paper.” | | 18:05 | Martin Tanner | “He’s an odd guy. Even finds ways of distorting the Bible.” | | 21:51 | William Tanner | “I found the truth, Sergeant. The everlasting word… That’s the everlasting Word, Sergeant. The Holy Book.” | | 26:46 | William Tanner | “In the name of God and in the name of our Lord. Amen. I killed her.” | | 28:04 | William Tanner | “September’s always been the time, that’s all… Seems to be the best time to get rid of them… It’s always September.” | | 29:22 | Joe Friday | “Tanner was convicted of first degree murder and received the death penalty...” |

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Post-Episode Commentary by Adam Graham

[30:34–End]

• Themes:

  • The episode illustrates detectives’ need to look beyond superficial evidence and unravel deeper psychological complexities.
  • Tanner’s use of religious language is portrayed not as a genuine motive, but as a self-justifying rationalization—emphasized by the fact that he committed earlier crimes long before developing religious fixations.
    • “…he had committed these two other crimes before he had gotten into religion or started using religious language. This isn’t a case where a suspect did something out of a religious motivation. It’s a case where he used religious language to justify his own inclinations.” (Adam Graham, 30:37)
  • The timing of the broadcast (aired in September about "The Big September Man") was a rare, seasonally-appropriate scheduling choice for Dragnet.

• Listener Feedback & Trivia:

  • Listener Mechanic 66 comments on character actor Herb Butterfield’s voice versatility.
  • Listener Eric questions another Dragnet episode’s plausibility and historical timeline; Adam responds, providing context about the show’s grounding and source material.
  • Special thanks given to Patreon supporter Daniel.

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Important Episode Timestamps

• Introduction and Case Setup: 03:13–04:20
• First Suspect Interview (French): 08:49–12:20
• French's Alibi & Second Suspect Identified (Tanner): 13:45–15:42
• Interview with Tanner's Brother: 17:11–19:44
• Arrest and Interrogation of Tanner: 21:31–26:46
• Full Confession and Pattern Revealed: 26:55–28:41
• Resolution and Sentencing: 29:04–29:42
• Host Commentary and Listener Feedback: 30:34–End

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Tone and Style

• Tone: Authentic, procedural, psychological—true to Dragnet’s understated realism and focus on police work. Dialogue is terse, often clipped, but intensely revealing.
• Host’s Approach: Adam Graham maintains an informative, appreciative tone, balancing historical context with critical insights and warm listener engagement.

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Summary Flow

This episode guides listeners step-by-step through a perplexing murder investigation, highlighting Dragnet’s trademark realism. The mystery gradually unfolds as Friday and Romero move from an initially plausible suspect toward a far more complex and disturbed perpetrator. The killer’s justifications and delusions are explored with sensitivity, showcasing the show’s nuanced storytelling. Adam Graham’s analysis afterward draws out key themes and responds to listener curiosity, rounding out a rich, engaging journey for both nostalgia seekers and detective story fans new to old-time radio.

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Transcript

[Sarah / Adam Graham]

Hey, this is Sarah.

[Joe Friday]

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 Break up with bland breakfast and taste AM PM's bacon, egg and cheese.

[Ben Romero]

Biscuit made with Ktree eggs, smoked bacon.

[Joe Friday]

And melty cheese on a buttery biscuit.

[Ben Romero]

AMPM Too much good stuff.

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[Sarah / Adam Graham]

Hey, this is Sarah.

[Joe Friday]

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. Use strange soggy Break up with bland breakfast and taste AM PM's bacon, egg.

[Ben Romero]

And cheese biscuit made with K tree.

[Joe Friday]

Eggs, smoked bacon and melty cheese on a buttery biscuit AM PM Too much Good stuff.

Foreign.

[Sarah / Adam Graham]

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 do want to let you know that if you're enjoying the podcast, you can follow us using your favorite podcast software and and today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time basis by mailing a donation to Adam Graham, P.O. box 15913. That's P.O. box 15913, Boise, ID 83715. You can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. Just go to Patreon.

But now, from September 27, 1951, here is the big September Man.

[Joe Friday]

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

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail, an Attractive blonde secretary is found beaten to death in a downtown office building. You've only one lead to start with. A length of steel pipe wrapped in heavy paper. There's no trace of the killer. Your job. Get him.

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.

[Ben Romero]

It was Wednesday, September 28th. It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of homicide detail. My partner's Ben Romero, the boss. Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. My name's Friday. I was on the way back from the crime lab and it was 11:48pm when I got to room 42. Homicide. Romero. Ben. Hey, Romero.

[Joe Friday]

Not here. You Brady?

[Ben Romero]

Oh, yeah, Lopey.

[Joe Friday]

How are you?

[Ben Romero]

You seen Romero around the last half hour? Supposed to meet him here.

[Joe Friday]

He's come and gone. Still around the building though. Got a call.

[Ben Romero]

What was it about? Do you know?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I was on that killing tonight. Call came from one of the cruiser cars checking the neighborhood down where it happened.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah? Did they find something?

[Joe Friday]

Picked up a guy about three blocks from the murder scene. Acting suspicious men in the cruiser car. Figured maybe you'd want to talk to him.

[Ben Romero]

They're bringing the man in now.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. You've been over checking with the crime lab?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, there's not much. Murder weapon's about all we got so far. It's a piece of pipe with heavy manila paper wrapped around it.

[Joe Friday]

Uh huh. Light prints do any good?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, they lifted a lot of fingerprints. They all belong to the victim. None of them are foreign.

[Joe Friday]

Hey, you got a toothpick Joe and corn on the Cobner?

[Ben Romero]

No, I haven't. Why don't you try the top drawer over there in Mike Pena's desk? He usually has some.

[Joe Friday]

Oh yeah, thanks.

I understand it wasn't much to look at. The killing, I mean.

[Ben Romero]

It was a pretty vicious thing. The girl took a terrible beating.

[Joe Friday]

Oh. Who found the body?

[Ben Romero]

One of the scrub women in the building. It was an office up on the 9th floor. Import export company. Victim was a secretary there. She's a pretty girl.

[Joe Friday]

Mm. She dead long?

[Ben Romero]

Must have happened around 7 o' clock tonight. That's my figure. It's just a guess.

[Joe Friday]

What's the girl's name? Been identified yet?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, Adele Pryor. Her boss is out of town. She was working in the office alone. Was no one Suspicious. Seen entering or leaving the office around the time of the murder. There's no one we know of anyway.

[Joe Friday]

It's going to take a lot of checking.

Any idea what the motive could have been?

[Ben Romero]

Well, it wasn't robbery. They didn't keep any cash in the office. As far as we know, the girl wasn't carrying much money. We'll start making the rounds in the morning, checking with her friends, see what we can pick up.

[Joe Friday]

Joe Friday, you around?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, I'm right here. Back here, Ben.

[Joe Friday]

Oh. Oh, hi, Joe. Lovely. Hi. They bring the guy in, Ben? Mm. Welpy briefly about it, Joe.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. A cruiser car picked up a suspicious looking guy near the murder scene. Is that about the size of it?

[Joe Friday]

Little more than that. They found the man beating his head against a brick wall in the back alley about two blocks from the office building where we found the body. Guy had been drinking heavily and when they picked him up, he's pretty far gone. Kept mumbling something about how he didn't deserve to live, how he's a murderer. Killer. Not too coherent. I asked him about the dead girl, Del Prior. Yeah, but the stuff he said didn't make much sense. He sobered up a little since he picked him up. We might as well see what we can get out of him before we book him in, huh? Got him in the interrogation room now.

[Ben Romero]

Okay. Give it a try anyway. Any calls come in, you know where to find us. Lopey.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure. Right, sir.

[Ben Romero]

Thanks a lot.

[Joe Friday]

Did you check with the crime lab, Joe?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, but all we're sure of is the murder weapon. No prints, no other physical evidence.

[Joe Friday]

Maybe it won't matter. Got half an idea we might have the killer now.

[Ben Romero]

The guy they picked up. How'd he figure?

[Joe Friday]

Just a hunch. I don't think he's as drunk as he pretends.

[Ben Romero]

We're gonna have to place him a lot closer to the murder scene than two blocks away. You can't prove a thing the way it stands.

[Joe Friday]

I was downstairs when they brought the man in. I talked to him while they were bringing up to the interrogation room.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Told me he knows the dead girl all right. Said he was with her an hour before she d.

[Ben Romero]

Shortly before 8 o' clock that night, a scrub woman in a downtown office building near the intersection of 8th and South Grand Avenue entered an office on the 9th floor of the building to do her usual cleaning chores. Lying face down behind a desk in the small office, she found the body of 28 year old Secretary Adele Pryor, beaten to death. When we arrived at the scene routine investigation began, but almost immediately we found ourselves down a blind alley. Repeated questioning of all persons in or about the office building failed to turn up anything in the way of leads. Thorough investigation of the murder scene. But the crime lab crew met with the same kind of luck. They knew they had the murder weapon. That was all. The deputy coroner arrived and removed the body to the morgue for posting at 10 o' clock that night, three hours after the approximate time of the prior girl's death. Officers in a cruiser car patrolling the area were found a drunken man butting his head against a cement wall and muttering incoherently about a murder. He was picked up and taken immediately to the interrogation room where Ben and I questioned him. We'd talked to him a full hour before he began to make sense. He gave his name as Robert French, age 34, an unemployed electrical engineer. While we questioned him, two men from Homicide were sent to check the hotel room where French told us he was staying.

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. I guess I had three or four drinks at Dusty's place and I went down the street to the Blue Canary. Had some more drinks there. I don't remember what happened after that. I wasn't feeling so good. You say you were drinking at Dusty's place around 7pm Is that right, Frank? Suppose so. I wasn't watching the clock. I guess it was around 7.

[Ben Romero]

Well, did you talk to anybody while you were in the bar?

[Joe Friday]

No, just the bartender. His name's Sarge. I don't know his last name. He'll tell you. I was there.

[Ben Romero]

What time was it when you got to Dusty's place, French?

[Joe Friday]

I couldn't tell you for sure. About 6:30, maybe. Sarge could probably tell you. The bartender. When you were coming up in the elevator, you told us you knew Adele Pryor. Yeah, I knew her. Used to work for her husband. Her ex husband, I mean. They've been divorced seven, eight years now. Mm. You said you saw Adele Pryor in her office late this afternoon, French. What was the reason for the visit? I borrowed a couple of dollars from her. She was always pretty good that way. Nice kid. Don't know why anybody'd want to kill her like that.

[Ben Romero]

Well, how about the show that you were putting on out in the street tonight, French? Beating your head against that wall? What was that all about?

[Joe Friday]

Drunk. Really drunk. Felt so low I wanted to kill myself. Just lay down and die.

[Ben Romero]

How's that? You remorseful? Felt sorry for something you'd done?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. I don't think of Any special reason for it? When I get that way, I just keep thinking I want to die. Haven't got the nerve for it, though. I know that. Like my old man always used to tell me, I haven't got the nerve to do anything right. Just wasn't born that way, I guess. That's it. Do you use narcotics, Wrench? No. I haven't even got the nerve for that booze, that's all. It's good enough for me.

You think we could go out for a cup of coffee? Maybe I could use it.

[Ben Romero]

We'll have some brought up, huh? Ben, would you mind going down the hall and check with Lope? Ask him to have some coffee brought up, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, okay.

[Ben Romero]

And see if those two men would check back in yet, will you?

[Joe Friday]

Right.

Appreciate it, Sergeant. Sure gonna be mean when all this booze wears off.

[Ben Romero]

I'd like to ask you a little more about the prior girlfriends. Just how well did you know her?

[Joe Friday]

Not too well. Guess I used to see her maybe once a month.

[Ben Romero]

Mm. Up there at her office.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right. She was a nice girl. Whenever I was broke, I could always depend on her for a couple of bucks. I liked her. A nice person.

[Ben Romero]

Did you ever go out with her?

[Joe Friday]

No. No, never did. No romance stuff? I didn't like her that way. She was just a good person. We got along okay. Mm.

[Ben Romero]

You want a cigarette?

[Joe Friday]

No. No, thanks. My mouth's full of cotton already.

[Ben Romero]

How about this business of Adele Pryor lending you money? She think quite a bit of you?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, I did her a couple of favors once when I was working for her husband. She was still married to him. She was going out with a guy she liked on the side. She was out with this guy once, and I saw him together. She asked me not to say anything, so I didn't. Before she got a divorce, I used to cover up for her all the time. She never forgot it, I guess.

[Ben Romero]

How about when you saw her in her office tonight? Franchise. She seemed all right to you?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, same as ever. I asked her if she could lend me a five, and she did. I left. It was about a quarter after six, I guess.

[Ben Romero]

Anyone else in the office when you left?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Was a guy waiting in the little reception room there. Didn't know who he was.

[Ben Romero]

You remember what he looked like?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, tall fella, about my size, my age.

Joe, can I see you?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Dorothy and Brian have checked in and just got back from going over French's hotel room.

[Ben Romero]

They find anything?

[Joe Friday]

White shirt, a pair of bronze shoes, pair of dark trousers.

[Ben Romero]

What about them.

[Joe Friday]

Blood stains on all of them.

[Ben Romero]

The stained pieces of clothing found in the suspect's hotel room were delivered to Lieutenant Lee Jones at the crime lab for detailed examination. Coffee was brought in and Ben and I continued to question French until about 4am he denied any knowledge or complicity in the killing of 28 year old Adele Pryor. He told us the blood stained clothing in his hotel room was the result of an accident he'd been in two weeks before when he'd been drinking heavily. He was checked through R and I while we talked to him, but he had no previous criminal record. French kept insisting that we check on the tall dark haired man who'd been waiting in the reception room of the prior girl's office the night before when French left her. We gave the description of the suspect along with the MO to the stats office, requesting them to furnish us with any information regarding any assaults or any solved or unsolved murder. At 4.15am, we booked in Robert French at the main jail on suspicion of 187pc murder. The next morning at 10am, the legwork began. Lopez and Doherty from Homicide started checking on the background, an alibi of the suspect, Robert French. It didn't hold much water. None of the people at either of the bars where French said he'd been drinking at the time of the murder could definitely vouch for his presence. But they all volunteered the information that no matter how much he drank, French was never violent toward other people, only himself. Lopez and Doherty continued investigating the suspect while Ben and I checked on the background of the victim, adele Pryor. At 8:25pm we got back to the office.

[Joe Friday]

Hi. Been waiting for you two. Loping. You and Doherty do any good? Nothing to celebrate over. Long day. Tired feet.

[Ben Romero]

What'd you find out, Lope? Anything new at all?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, maybe French is our man. Can't prove it by me. Every place we checked, everybody we talked to, same answer. He's a smart guy with a good education. He's on the bottle and he's out of work. Everybody seems to like him. He gets drunk but he never bothers anybody. That's about the worst anybody could say about him. Drinks too much.

[Ben Romero]

Well, how about his being friends with the dead girl? Did you dig up anything there?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. It only proves he was telling you the truth though. As far as we could find out, there was nothing going between the two of them. Everything we got only verifies what he told you. He had no interest in a girl except a bar offer when he was broke.

[Ben Romero]

You got in Touch with the girl's ex husband, did you?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, he couldn't add anything. All clear there. Hey, by the way, Lee Jones called from the crime lab just before you came in. What'd he have? Lope finished testing the blood stains. And those clothes they found in French's hotel room, none of the stains on them match the victim's blood type. It's another dead end.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, sure. Hard to figure. You got anything else, Lopey?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah. You're good at me stuff. A report for you from the stats office.

[Ben Romero]

Oh, thank you.

[Joe Friday]

You asked to make a run for you last night, didn't you?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, I did.

[Joe Friday]

What's it look like?

[Ben Romero]

Just a minute. Yeah, it doesn't help much. Looks like more legwork.

[Joe Friday]

What's that, Joe?

[Ben Romero]

Well, French told us when he left Adele Pryor last night, there was a man in the reception room waiting to see her. He gave us the guy's description, and the stats office made a run on it for us. This is the best one they got?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

Guy's name is William Tanner, WMA, 33 years old. Six' four but £195. Dark hair, dark complexion.

[Joe Friday]

Fits the description French gave us of the guy.

[Ben Romero]

The rest of it's a lot closer to home.

[Joe Friday]

How do you mean?

[Ben Romero]

William Tanner was a prominent suspect in the Donaldson murder last September. Testimony of friends and relatives subsequently cleared him. Donaldson's murder is still unsolved.

[Joe Friday]

Well, what's the point?

[Ben Romero]

Well, the same thing that killed Donaldson, killed Adele Pryor.

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Ben Romero]

Piece of steel pipe wrapped in paper.

To the working detective assigned to examine a criminal case, the element of coincidence, when it occurs, generally serves to complicate any investigation toward the solution of the crime. Coincidence may mean a lot, or it may mean nothing. In any event, it can't be dismissed. This time we had two examples of coincidence to deal with. A girl had been beaten to death in an office building within two blocks of the murder scene. We found a man fairly well acquainted with the victim who admitted seeing the girl within an hour of her death. Primary investigation uncovered some facts which tended to incriminate the man, some facts which tended to prove him innocent. Was his presence in the immediate neighborhood of the killing only coincidental? Or was he there at the particular time for the purpose of murder? We didn't know. By the same token, a man by the name of William Tanner was suspected one year before of beating an elderly woman to death with an identical murder weapon, a length of steel pipe wrapped in paper. This same person, William Tanner, matched the description of A man reportedly seen entering Adele Pryor's office shortly before she was murdered. Tanner also had a criminal record of one conviction for assault. Maybe it was a lead. Maybe it was nothing. It had to be checked out. We showed Tanner's mug shot to our first murder suspect, Robert French, but he failed to identify it. We went to William Tanner's last known address, but he'd moved. We checked with his next of kin, his brother, Martin Tanner. He was with the city fire Department. We found him on duty at the neighborhood fire station on Norwich Avenue.

[Joe Friday]

No, I'm afraid not, sergeant. I haven't seen my brother Bill in three weeks. Now, if he's not at his apartment, I couldn't tell you where to find him. We tried the last address we had on him. He wasn't there. 8625 Norman Road. Oh, no, no, he moved out of there six, seven months ago. I got his new address in my locker. I can give it to you if you want.

[Ben Romero]

We'd appreciate it. Yeah, okay.

[Joe Friday]

Back this way and then upstairs.

[Ben Romero]

All right.

[Joe Friday]

What's it about, sergeant? My brother in some kind of trouble again, I guess, huh, Paul?

[Ben Romero]

It's just a routine check.

[Joe Friday]

You sound like you almost expect your brother to be in trouble, Tanner. To tell you the truth, I guess I do. I don't know what. Excuse me a minute.

No, it's not our call.

[Ben Romero]

Well, how would you mean that, Tanner? What's happened to your brother?

[Joe Friday]

Well, to tell you the truth, I don't know. Bill and I used to live together with our mother. Ma died about two years ago. I don't think Bill ever really got over it. He was a lot closer to Ma than I was. I see. After she died, he drank quite a bit for a while. Then he tried women, lots of them. After that, he turned to religion. We thought that had helped. Would have, too, except that he's an odd guy. Even finds ways of distorting the Bible. I guess he's still pretty religious. He goes to all the revivals, attend meetings, all that kind of thing.

[Ben Romero]

Do you know any of his women friends?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I do. Two or three of them.

[Ben Romero]

How about the name Adele Pryor? That mean anything to you?

[Joe Friday]

Would she be kind of a pretty girl, blonde hair, nice clothes?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, that's right.

[Joe Friday]

Have you met her, Tanner? Yeah. Bill had me meet her once. He seemed to like her quite a bit. Why? Was he pretty serious about her, or would you know that? Yeah, he was serious about her, all right. He told me that. I don't think it worked both ways, though. Looked to me, like she was playing the field. Bill took it way too serious.

[Ben Romero]

How do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Well, they went together steady for a while, and then they broke it up. She did?

[Ben Romero]

I mean, how'd your brother take that?

[Joe Friday]

Not so good. I remember the night about a month ago. Never saw Bill like that before. Real bad shape. Wasn't drinking either. Is that so? Never saw a Bill like that in my life. Like what?

[Ben Romero]

Tanner.

[Joe Friday]

Off his head, he could have gone out and killed a girl.

[Ben Romero]

Before we left the fire station, we got William Tanner's new address from his brother, Martin. It was the same address as that of the murdered girl, Adele Pryor. An apartment house close by the intersection of Wilshire and La Brea. Tanner's apartment was on the third floor, just down the hall from the prior girl's apartment. But Tanner wasn't there. The apartment manager told us he'd moved out the night before without leaving a forwarding address. Ben put in a call to the suspect's place of business, an industrial chemical company where Tanner was employed as assistant office manager.

[Joe Friday]

What was the reason, sir? Oh, I see. Huh. Yeah. Well, all right. Thanks very much. We'll be checking with you later. Bye.

[Ben Romero]

What'd they say?

[Joe Friday]

Tanner left yesterday. Quit without giving any notice. Told him he had a better job lined up.

[Ben Romero]

Where?

[Joe Friday]

South America.

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

[Ben Romero]

Saturday, October 1, 8am we got out a broadcast and an APB on murder suspect William Tanner. We checked with a local US State Department office, but they had no record of granting a passport recently to a William Tanner to travel in a South American country. We talked to the various consulates in the city representing South American nations, but none of them had issued a visa to a William Tanner recently or anyone answering his description. Together with Brian and Lopez from Homicide, Ben and I continued the search for the missing suspect. The deeper we checked into his background, the more we became convinced that, mentally, Tanner was far from normal. Most of the people who knew the suspect told us the same story his brother had given us. In recent months, Tanner had taken strongly to religion. He attended revival meetings and similar religious exercises every night in the week. He talked nothing but repentance. He quoted the scriptures constantly. He adopted the habit of carrying a Bible with him wherever he went, reading from it aloud every chance he got. He kept urging his friends to join him in being saved. On Monday, October 3rd, we began a check of the various revival halls. On Wednesday, October 5th, we found him. He was attending a gospel revival in a meeting hall in the south end of the city. He told us he had a room in a small hotel directly above the meeting hall. But he seemed reluctant to take us up there. While Lopez and Brian got a pass key from the manager and went up to check the room. Ben and I questioned Tanner downstairs in the lobby of the meeting hall.

[Joe Friday]

I'm sorry to hear about Dell. What happened to her. It's a terrible thing, isn't it? Yes, sir. We understand you knew Adele pryor Fairly well, Mr. Tanner. Is that correct? Yes, that's correct. I liked her quite a bit at one time. You said a lot of each other. I was engaged to her, you know.

[Ben Romero]

Well, how is it you never married, Tanner? Did she break off the engagement?

[Joe Friday]

No. No, I was lucky. I found out in time. I broke off with her.

[Ben Romero]

How do you mean, you found out in time? What'd you find out?

[Joe Friday]

I found the truth, Sergeant. The everlasting word. For know this and understand that no unclean person or covetous one has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. For these have given themselves up in despair to sensuality. Greedily practicing every kind of uncleanness. Do not then become partakers with them. That's the everlasting Word, Sergeant. The Holy Book. Yes, sir. I'm not quite sure of folly. Open your eyes and ears to the everlasting word. And you will know and understand all things. It's very simple, officer. I don't want to say anything uncharitable about her. Adele wasn't for me. I'm glad I found out in time, that's all. When's the last time you saw her, Tanner? Do you remember? No, I don't. Not exactly. I think I saw her a week or so before it happened. Before they found her dead. Where was that that you saw her? How's that? I say, where was it the last time you saw her? On the street. It was downtown somewhere. I passed her on the street.

[Ben Romero]

Used to live in the same apartment house she did. Isn't that right? Just down the hall from her?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, I did. Why?

[Ben Romero]

And for a full week, you didn't happen to see the Prior girl around the apartment building at all?

[Joe Friday]

No, that's right. When I broke off with Adele, that was it. I had no reason to see her anymore. Well, it's not too clear, Tanner. It doesn't jibe with what we've been told about you and the Prior girl. Well, the lies, of course. I suppose you know that Adele was a beautiful girl. Very beautiful. A lot of men she knew were jealous of him.

[Ben Romero]

Well, the Way we understand it, Tanner, you never did break off with Ms. Pryor. You were going around with her, and you were seen with her right up to the day of her death.

[Joe Friday]

Well, that's certainly a lie. And I can prove that. As soon as I found out about Adele. That was weeks before she was killed. As soon as I found out that was the end, I broke off with her right away.

[Ben Romero]

Like to know what you're referring to, Tanner. You found out what?

[Joe Friday]

Adele. Adele. She was one of those, huh?

[Ben Romero]

I'm sorry.

[Joe Friday]

She was a sinner. I almost went out of my mind when I found out. She knew it was wrong. She must have known it was right there in the book for anybody to read. Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts.

[Ben Romero]

Now, look, Tanner, what are you trying to tell us?

[Joe Friday]

It was terrible. She sinned all the time. She committed terrible sins.

Will you come out of the side room over here? I can tell you all about her. I'd just as soon not talk about it here.

[Ben Romero]

Sure.

[Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

Get in here.

[Ben Romero]

All right.

[Joe Friday]

Just one question before you get started, Tanner. Yes. Did you ever visit Adele Pryor at her place of business downtown? At her office? No, I never did.

[Ben Romero]

Why did you visit Adele Pryor at her office the day she was killed?

[Joe Friday]

The Lord is my witness, sergeant. I have nothing to fear. Why should you ask me that question?

[Ben Romero]

We have a report that you were seen going into the office less than an hour before the Pryor girl was murdered. Like to have you clarify that for us, if you would.

[Joe Friday]

Certainly. It's a lie. You're sure you weren't in that office with her just before she died? Well, let me tell you about her sins. There was never anything as evil as this, sergeant.

[Ben Romero]

Is that right?

[Joe Friday]

Yes. It was a terrible shock. I liked Adele. I think I loved her. We'd been going out for two months. Sometimes I'd take her here so that she could learn about the everlasting word. So that she could know about the terrible sins some people commit. Or drinking and parties and carryings on things no one should do. Especially girls like Adele. Beautiful girl.

[Ben Romero]

How can you be sure she was doing anything wrong, Tanner? Do you have any real proof of that?

[Joe Friday]

Everything, sergeant. I knew. Just knowing that she was sinning against the Lord. Did you know any of the other men she went out with? They were sinful. I knew that they only liked Adele because she was beautiful.

[Ben Romero]

Did you know any of the men, Tanner? Did you know for a fact that there was anything wrong?

[Joe Friday]

I knew everything, sergeant. She Was a beautiful girl. And I thought she was a woman of the Lord. And I wanted her for my wife. But she gave in to sin.

[Ben Romero]

Now, I guess that's her business, Tanner. How she lived. We're trying to find out how she died.

[Joe Friday]

Well, just let me tell you about it. I'd lie there in the dark in my room upstairs. And I'd wait to hear her come in down the hall. It was always late. 2 and 3 o' clock in the morning. I'd hear her come in. You still haven't told us, Danny. What about the men she went out with this program. Slaves of the devil, every one of them. I thought I'd go out of my mind right now.

[Ben Romero]

Come on, you want to tell us, mister? How about it? Is that what made you do it?

[Joe Friday]

No. Wait a minute. You don't want to wait to listen. You say made me do it. Made me do what?

[Ben Romero]

I think you know what we mean, Tanner. You want to tell us now?

[Joe Friday]

It's a terrible thing, all this sin around us. It's a grave thing. The whole world. There is not one just man. There is none who understands. There is none who seeks after God. There is none who does good. No, not even one. The throat is an open sepulchre. With their tongues they have dealt deceitfully. The venom of asps is beneath their lips. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Destruction and misery are in their ways. And the path of peace they have not known. There's no fear of God before their eyes. No fear of God. Yes, sir. We're still like an answer to our question. Maybe we could talk a little better downtown. The wisdom and the knowledge is here and now. I knew Adele and her terrible sins. They had to be paid for. Adele had to pay for every one of them.

[Ben Romero]

You want to get to the point, mister? Now? What is it? What are you trying to tell us?

[Joe Friday]

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the charity of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. So she sinned and so she died.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

In the name of God and in the name of our Lord. Amen. I killed her.

[Ben Romero]

William Harold Tanner was brought downtown immediately, where he volunteered a complete statement admitting full guilt for the murder of Adele Pryor. Blood stained clothing found in his room corroborated his story. It was obvious that the man was mentally unbalanced. He gave us the details of how he murdered Adele Pryor. Because she spurned his attentions. We began questioning him about the Donaldson murder, which had taken place more than a Year before and which was still unsolved. The victim, 64 year old Louise Donaldson, had met death in the same manner as Adele Pryor?

[Joe Friday]

No, I didn't know the old lady. But she had money. I'd been told that I was broke and I needed the cash. So I thought it'd be a good thing. This was in September, a year ago, that you murdered her? Yes, sir. September, all right. She was all alone. She didn't have anybody. She was sick. I probably did her a favor.

[Ben Romero]

Your package here says that you figured in the investigation on the plot to blow up the Rexmoor Hotel about three years ago. Homemade bomb planted in the basement of the hotel.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, that was mine. Three years ago in September. Never could have traced him. Too bad the bomb didn't go off. I hated those hotel people. Is that right? What was the matter? I worked at that hotel once, you know. Worked hard, too. One Saturday they held up my paycheck. I didn't get it till next Tuesday. Never forgot that. September.

[Ben Romero]

September. Now what's that got to do with it?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know, really. September's always been the time, that's all. I work into some kind of trouble. Last four years. Every September. I don't know what it is. Seems to be the best time to get rid of them. Yeah. September. It's always September. I didn't really want to kill Adele. Wasn't anything else I could do. She was a sinner.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Drinking, running around. She committed sins all the time. Worst kind of sins.

[Ben Romero]

Terrible, let me tell you. Maybe you better check the book, Tanner. You're way ahead of her.

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Ben Romero]

What kind of sin's worse than murder?

[Joe Friday]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On January 10, 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.

Further investigation proved beyond a doubt that William Tanner, besides murdering Adele Pryor, had also taken the life of 64 year old Louise Donaldson the year before. And that he was responsible for the attempted bombing of the Rexmoor Hotel the year before that. After examination by three psychiatrists appointed by the state, the suspect was found to be sane at the time of the murders. Tanner was convicted of first degree murder and 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. Stay tuned. For counterspy next on NBC.

[Sarah / Adam Graham]

Hey, this is Sarah.

[Joe Friday]

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.

[Sarah / Adam Graham]

So long, you strange soggy.

[Joe Friday]

Break up with bland breakfast and taste.

[Ben Romero]

AM PM's bacon, egg and cheese biscuit.

[Joe Friday]

Made with ktree eggs, smoked bacon and melty cheese on a buttery biscuit. AM PM2ME much good stuff.

[Sarah / Adam Graham]

Welcome back to admit that this is one of those cases where doing video theater can present a challenge, because we played this on video theater about six months ago, and the main points I can offer would be kind of repeating themselves as what stands out here is the need for the police to look beyond what's obvious and to dig deeper to find the truth, as well as the overall sensitivity with which the way that the suspect twisted religion was used. And that's perfectly illustrated, I think, by the fact that he had committed these two other crimes before he had gotten into religion or started using religious language. This isn't a case where a suspect did something out of a religious motivation. It's a case where he used religious language to justify his own inclinations. The only other thing that I noticed here is that this is probably the only time that they had this episode air in September, and it's a little unusual for a Dragnet episode like this to be seasonally appropriate. Now, of course, you do have the Christmas episodes that aired at Christmas, but those were really an exception. There were many crimes that occurred at Christmas or Passover or New Year's, and they essentially just, you know, aired whatever part of the year they aired. So to make sure that the Big September man aired in September, that's an interesting choice, although it wouldn't be repeated on television. Listener comments and feedback now and we have a comment regarding the big waiter from Mechanic 66 who writes on Spotify, all the talk about food made me hungry. Herb Butterfield may not play Lean Jones when he plays other characters, but I've certainly heard him play multiple parts many times on different shows, and I think that's definitely true. He was one of those radio actors who was just so valuable to have around because he could double and triple up quite easily. Admittedly, I think it happens more on the shows where he doesn't have a regular role, but even on dangerous assignments, for example, because the commissioner was generally, after the first few episodes, only in the first scene of the show, he could easily come back and provide a second voice. He was just an incredible character actor, and my appreciation for him has only grown in recent years. And then we have a comment over on YouTube from Eric regarding the Big Crazy. That was a strange one. Did this episode come from a case in the late 1800s? How else could Friday and Romero not get fired after that? I really, really did not like that in that story. In the very grounded world of Dragnet, are you sure you didn't accidentally play an episode of Inner Sanctum or the Whistler? Well, Eric, it was Dragnet, but I get the feeling that it was, to borrow a phrase from Mr. Spock, dragnet as we know it. I don't know for sure when this case, the one that the Dragnet episode was based on, actually occurred, but there are at least three episodes of Dragnet that have been traced definitively to the 1920s. And of course, just two days ago, we played an episode of the Big Story, which aired in 1947, but was based on an incident that occurred in 1950. I think that I could buy that this occurred in the first quarter century of the 20th century. Eric was thinking it had to be sometime in the 19th, but I think modernity creeps slowly, and the difference between late 19th and early 20th century is probably not as profound as one might think. Think. But thanks so much. Appreciate the comment and get where you're coming from. Totally. All right, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to thank Daniel, patreon Supporter since June 2024, currently supporting the podcast at the rookie level of $2 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Daniel. That will actually do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. If you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and mark the notification bell. All those great things that help YouTube channels grow. We'll be back next Thursday with another episode of Dragnet, but join us back here tomorrow for yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Joe Friday]

Where I'll be very honest with you, doctor. His insurance company thinks your opinion of death from natural causes might be wrong. My tentative opinion, Mr. Dollar, Lamont Scofield suffered from. Well, rather than bore you with a lot of medical terminology, let's say he had a heart condition. One that required that he take it easy. And, of course, medication. What kind of medication? Digitalis, for the most part, to limit the frequency of his heart Contractions. More recently, he's been receiving intravenous injections of Cedillamid. His nurse gave him the injections? Yes, under my orders. I understand she's an old burlesque queen. Some years ago, he starred Mary in one of his Broadway productions. It was a flop. But shouldn't he have had a regular, licensed, registered nurse? She was a registered nurse, Mr. Dollar. Is she still a good looker? Over the years, Lamont kept himself pretty well, surrounded by. Well, some of them were very pretty girls. But not this Mary. So I doubt they were all after his money. Including Mary. Well, Mr. Dollar, I told you my tentative opinion was death due to natural causes. So the papers reported. But now, let's face it, Doctor. If she hastened his demise by, say, an overdose of one of those injections, I learned. And while acting under your orders, by using something that you put into her hands. Now, just a minute. It could look pretty bad for you, too, couldn't it?

[Sarah / Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box Thirteenreatetectives.net follow us on Twitter Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram instagram.com greatdetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

[Ben Romero]

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