Dragnet: The Big Streetcar (EP5009)

Summary

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The Great Detectives Present Dragnet: The Big Streetcar (EP5009)

Host: Adam Graham
Episode Date: July 2, 2026
Original Dragnet Air Date: April 3, 1952

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Episode Overview

In this episode of "The Great Detectives Present Dragnet," Adam Graham revisits “The Big Streetcar,” an intense homicide investigation from the Dragnet old-time radio series. The story follows Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ed Jacobs as they work to track down a suspect who shot her husband during a heated domestic dispute. The episode is notable for its methodical police work—particularly the clever use of a streetcar’s timing to locate the fugitive—and for its nuanced portrayal of domestic violence and the laws surrounding prosecution.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Opening Scene: Police Cantina Banter and Call to Action

• The episode opens with lighthearted conversation among the detectives about poor cafeteria food and family troubles—giving the squad room an air of realism and camaraderie. This groundwork is swiftly interrupted by a call about a shooting on Kirkman Ave.
• Notable Quote:
  • “That's one good thing about this job.”
    “How do you mean?”
    “Trouble. You don't know what it is till you hear about other people's.”
    — Detective Al Shambra & Detective Friday, [06:20]

2. The Shooting: The Investigation Begins

• Detectives arrive to find Wallace Radford critically wounded, shot multiple times outside his apartment. They’re met by Ernest Whitley, a neighbor who recounts hearing an argument and shots, and witnessing Wally stagger out of his cottage.
• Observation: Immediate efforts to secure the crime scene and gather witness testimony set the tone for a procedural, fact-based investigation.
• Notable Quote:
  • “You heard the shots outside of Radford's cottage, is that right?” — Friday, [07:19]

3. Identifying the Suspect: Domestic Tensions Explode

• Neighbor Ernest Whitley confirms a day-long fight between Wally and his wife, Stella. He expresses shock but confirms that Wally, before losing consciousness, identified his wife as the shooter.
• The detectives realize the seriousness of the domestic situation and discuss the couple’s troubled history as well as Stella’s unfamiliarity with guns.

4. Stella Radford's Threat and Apparent Escape

• The team attempts entry into the Radfords’ cottage. Expecting a standoff, they find Stella gone—having slipped away in the confusion after the shooting. She had phoned a neighbor, warning that she would shoot anyone who tried to apprehend her.
• Memorable Moment:
  • The urgency and peril are palpable, as they rush and search the cottage: “Let’s make it all together, huh? Just wait for a signal…” — Friday, [12:39].

5. The Manhunt: Tracking By Telephone and Sound

• Investigators find few leads on Stella’s whereabouts, until she calls Whitley’s apartment, obsessively demanding to know if her husband survived and threatening anyone who follows. Detectives monitor these calls in hopes of tracing her location, but Stella proves elusive—using a non-traceable phone prefix.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Couldn’t be. I shot him four or five times. How could he be all right?” — Stella Radford, [16:58]
  • “I'm leaving with my boyfriend in half an hour. You can tell Wally I hope he dies.” — Stella Radford, [17:47]

6. The Streetcar Clue: Detective Ingenuity

• The turning point comes when Friday notices the sound of streetcars during Stella’s calls matches the passing streetcars outside their own location, with a consistent delay of 1 minute, 38 seconds. He deduces Stella is calling from a phone roughly eight blocks away on the same streetcar line.
• Memorable Detective Reasoning:
  • “Well, there's only one way to figure here. She's phoning from somewhere in the neighborhood, and she’s fairly close, wouldn’t you say?” — Friday, [23:44]

7. Confrontation and Arrest

• Tracking the streetcar timing, Friday and Jacobs trace the calls to a closed service station’s phone booth, where they find Stella Radford. After a brief pursuit, she is taken into custody—shocked her plan unraveled due to such “impossible” detective work.
• Notable Moment:
  • “How'd you know I was here? It was Ernie, wasn't it? Him and his friends. He told you?” — Stella Radford, [26:13]

8. Case Resolution: Judicial Outcome

• The story concludes with court results: Wally Radford recovers and declines to press charges, but the state prosecutes Stella for assault with a deadly weapon. She is convicted and sentenced under Section 245 PC.
• Final Narration:
  • “Assault with a deadly weapon is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a term not less than one nor more than 10 years.” — Dragnet Narrator, [27:10]

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Adam Graham’s Commentary & Analysis

(Main commentary begins at [30:47])

1. On Dragnet's Realism and Detective Methods

• Graham points out the cleverness of the streetcar timing clue as an example of Dragnet’s realistic detective work:
  • “A nice clue and bit of detective work that could have worked in a fictional story… it seemed to me that on a very basic level, you could have had one of the two detectives outside monitoring streetcar traffic…” — Adam Graham, [30:47]
• Graham acknowledges the method might be dramatized for tension, and confesses it’s the first time he noticed the possibility for greater efficiency in the plan.

2. Domestic Violence and Legal Misconceptions

• Graham notes the significant end-point where Wally Radford, despite recovering, won’t press charges against his wife. He uses this to address a common legal misconception:
  • “Sometimes we get misled by fictional crime programs and get the idea that a victim’s decision to press charges… is determinative… that’s just not the case.” — Adam Graham, [32:01]
• The decision to prosecute is usually up to the state, not the victim, especially in serious cases like assault with a deadly weapon, where evidence and risk to public safety override personal wishes.

3. On Prosecution Policy

• Graham outlines factors that influence prosecutorial discretion, especially in cases without a cooperating victim.
• He affirms the police had ample evidence independent of the victim’s willingness to testify, making prosecution necessary and credible.

4. Support and Closing

• Thanks Patreon supporter Rochelle.
• Reminds listeners about following, reviewing, and upcoming episodes.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | [06:20] | “Trouble. You don't know what it is till you hear about other people's.” | Al Shambra | | [16:58] | “Couldn’t be. I shot him four or five times. How could he be all right?” | Stella Radford | | [17:47] | “I'm leaving with my boyfriend in half an hour. You can tell Wally I hope he dies.” | Stella Radford | | [23:44] | “She's phoning from somewhere in the neighborhood, and she’s fairly close, wouldn’t you say?” | Friday | | [27:10] | “Assault with a deadly weapon is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a term not less than one nor more than 10 years.” | Dragnet Narrator | | [30:47] | “A nice clue and bit of detective work that could have worked in a fictional story…” | Adam Graham | | [32:01] | “…that’s just not the case. It is usually the decision of the state as to whether they’re going to prosecute…” | Adam Graham |

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:52] – The shooting is reported and background on the victim given.
• [08:00] – First witness account from neighbor Ernest Whitley.
• [09:00] – Wally Radford identifies his wife as the shooter.
• [10:55] – Details of the crime scene and Mrs. Radford’s disappearance.
• [16:42] / [17:45] – Phone conversations with Stella, attempts at negotiation and psychological manipulation.
• [23:28] – Friday discovers the streetcar timing clue.
• [26:13-26:25] – Stella is found and arrested.
• [27:00-27:23] – Legal outcome and sentence.
• [30:47] – Adam Graham’s analysis.
• [32:01] – Legal clarification on prosecutorial discretion.

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Episode Tone and Style

• The episode maintains Dragnet's trademark procedural realism: clipped, matter-of-fact dialogue, understated emotion, and a focus on methodical police technique.
• Adam Graham’s commentary continues in a conversational, analytical tone, offering legal context and subtle humor (e.g., recurring jokes about cafeteria food).

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Summary for New Listeners

“The Big Streetcar” is a standout Dragnet episode demonstrating how persistent, creative police work can crack a tough case—even when a suspect moves quickly and uses subterfuge. The detectives’ method of tracking phone calls by matching the audible streetcar timings is an especially noteworthy moment of procedural ingenuity. Along the way, the episode provides a nuanced look at domestic violence, the legal process, and the limits of victim control over prosecution.

Adam Graham supplements the episode with insightful commentary on both the realism of Dragnet's methods and the public’s misconceptions about who governs prosecution decisions in criminal law—making this podcast episode accessible, informative, and engaging even for those unfamiliar with the original broadcast.

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Transcript

[McDonald's Announcer]

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[Detective Friday]

Refreshers contain caffeine.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. Now, I was looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited Premium Wireless for $15 a month is back. So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills, but it turns out that's very illegal. So there goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment

[Mint Mobile Voiceover]

of $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for a 12 month plan. Required $15 per month equivalent taxes and fees. Extra initial plan term only greater than 50 gigabytes. Me slow when network is busy, see terms.

[Detective Friday]

SAM.

[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 encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, to please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show by mailing a donation to Adam Graham, RAM, P.O. box 15913. That's P.O. box 15913, Boise, Idaho, 83715. Now, from April 3, 1952, here is the Big Streetcar.

[McDonald's Announcer]

All new drinks are now at McDonald's with refreshers like the Strawberry Watermelon Refresher and the Mango Pineapple Refresher with Pineapple Popping Boba to crafted sodas like the Sprite Berry Blast with berry flavors and cold foam. Who knew ice cold drinks could be so fire six? All new drinks are here now at McDonald's.

[Detective Friday]

Refreshers contain caffeine.

[Detective Al Shambra]

The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed. Protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. A man is shot down in the street of a residential neighborhood. He's critically wounded. You don't know who the assailant is. You don't know where he is. Your job. Get him

[Stella Radford]

Foreign.

[Narrator (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.

[Detective Friday]

January 20th was mild in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of Homicide detail. My partner's Ed Jacobs. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. My name's Friday. I was on the way back from dinner and it was 9:57pm when I got back to the City Hall. Room 42. Homicide detail.

[Detective Joe]

All right. Make it in time?

[Detective Friday]

No, they were closed up.

[Detective Joe]

That's too bad.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Where'd tea all that?

[Detective Friday]

Cafeteria down the street was terrible.

[Detective Joe]

Nothing at all, huh?

[Detective Friday]

Well, I figured I'd be safe with a corned beef hash. Even that wasn't much soggy, you know. Probably standing all day.

[Detective Joe]

That's too bad. I asked Johnny if he'd stay open a couple minutes late. Told him you were coming right over.

[Detective Friday]

Place was closed tight when I got there. Couldn't raise anybody.

[Detective Joe]

Tough luck. Short ribs were really good tonight. Some great pie, too. Boysenberry.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Best ahead, anyway.

[Detective Friday]

Say, you got any of those bicarb meals in your locker?

[Detective Al Shambra]

I could sure use one.

[Detective Joe]

I'm afraid not. Gave the last one to Gene Bechtel tonight. He ate at the cafeteria, too.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Ayat, I say.

[Detective Joe]

Any phone calls for me yet? Muriel down at the Stat's office called. That run you asked for. They got it ready. It was the only call, huh? Yeah.

[Detective Friday]

What is it, Al? Something wrong?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

No.

[Detective Joe]

Why?

[Detective Friday]

You've been moping around like you lost your best friend. What's the matter? You mad at the world?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

No.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Just my in law's wife had her

[Detective Joe]

father and mother over for lunch today.

[Detective Al Shambra]

The old man's getting to be a real pain in the neck.

[Detective Joe]

Don't get along with him, huh?

[Detective Al Shambra]

I keep trying to. Doesn't seem to do much good. All he can think of is money. It's all he can talk about.

[Detective Joe]

Why let it bother you? My in laws have been talking about it for years. Forget it.

[Detective Al Shambra]

He won't let you. The minute he puts his foot inside the front door, it's the first thing you hear. Crusty old guy, that pipe he smokes enough to knock you over.

[Detective Friday]

Why don't you duck out when they come over? Tell them you got a call, you

[Detective Joe]

have to go to work.

[Detective Al Shambra]

The wife's onto that one. She makes me hang around. Keeps telling me. Your father and mother like me.

[Detective Joe]

You never know.

[Detective Al Shambra]

What. The old guy's a real tyrant. See, the wife comes from a big family. Every time I see her old man, he has to make a point of telling me how smart his other sons in law are. How much dough they're making.

[Detective Friday]

Yeah, same.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Yeah, same routine every time. One of his daughters married a Carpenter, he's making $20 a day. One of them married a hot carrier, he's making $25 a day. Always ends up asking me how much I'm making.

[Detective Joe]

Why don't you tell him it's none of his business?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

I did today.

[Detective Al Shambra]

That's what started the argument.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

I walked out.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Crusty old guy.

[Detective Friday]

Yeah, well, I get it. Homicide, Friday. Yes, sir. Where?

[Detective Al Shambra]

Mm. Would you repeat?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Yes, sir, I have it.

[Detective Friday]

Fine, thank you. Yes, sir, right away. Shooting Kirkman near Alpine.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Let me grab my code, no details.

[Detective Friday]

Man down on the sidewalk, apparently hurt bad. Neighbor said it was a family fight tomorrow. We better hustle it out. Let's go.

[Detective Al Shambra]

That's one good thing about this job.

[Detective Friday]

How do you mean?

[Detective Al Shambra]

Trouble. You don't know what it is till

[Detective Friday]

you hear about other people's. Sergeant Al Shambra, Ed and I drove out to the scene of the shooting. Code three, red light and siren. We located the victim lying on the sidewalk approximately 50ft from the intersection of Kirkman Avenue and Alpine Street. He was a dark haired man, looked to be in his early 40s. Tan complexion, well built. He'd been shot several times in the chest, once in the shoulder. He appeared to be unconscious. A handful of curious neighbors were standing by. One of them, a short balding man, identified himself as Ernest Whitley. He said he was the victim's next door neighbor.

[Detective Joe]

What's man's name, Mr. Whitley?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Wally Radford. Lives right next door to me. They're my neighbor for years.

[Detective Joe]

Where do you live?

[Detective Al Shambra]

This apartment.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Court right here. I live in the cottage next to the end. When they're number eight. Wally lives at number nine one. Right in the end there. Facing us?

[Detective Al Shambra]

Yeah.

[Detective Friday]

What do you know about the shooting, Mr. Whitley?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Well, I didn't have anything to do with it. I was watching television with a wife. I heard the shots outside. You can ask the wife, she'll tell you.

[Detective Friday]

You heard the shots outside of Radford's cottage, is that right?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Yeah, that's right. Where's the ambulance? Why don't they come?

[Detective Joe]

They've been notified. They're on the way.

[Detective Friday]

Well, who did the shooting? Whitley. Would you know that?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Well, not for sure. We were watching television like I said. When I heard the shots. Wife and I. First I heard the shots and then I heard somebody yell. I thought it was some high school kids in a Hot rod or something, you know, Horsed around outside. Wife told me to get up and take a look anyway, so I did. On the way to the door, I heard another shot. Then somebody yelled out again like they were hurt. Must have been six or seven shots. Anyway, just as I opened the door, I saw Wally go running past. I didn't know what was coming off. He ran right out toward the street here, weaving back and forth. Looked like he'd had a couple of drinks. I didn't know what it was.

[Detective Joe]

You didn't see the actual shooting? You didn't see anyone with a gun?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Well, no. The only one I saw was Wally. He ran right by me, holding his hands up to his chest. I yelled to him, but he didn't stop. I didn't know if he was drunk or what. When he got out here to the sidewalk, I saw him fall down.

[Detective Friday]

I went after him.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

It was terrible. Say, either one of you got a smoke?

[Stella Radford]

Yeah, sure.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Look, I'm still shaking like a leaf.

[Detective Friday]

There you go.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Swell.

[Stella Radford]

Thank you.

[Detective Friday]

Want a light?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Yeah, please.

[Detective Joe]

Mm.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Thanks.

[Detective Friday]

You're welcome. Was Radford still conscious when you reached him, do you know?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Just about. Yeah. I don't know how many times he was shot. He was rolling around on the ground. Pain was terrible. Whole front of his shirt was all stained. I yelled to Mike Desmond, one of the other neighbors. He called you fellas.

[Detective Joe]

Did Radford say anything to you, how it happened?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

I kept moaning about the pain that made me sick. It was a relief when he passed out.

[Detective Friday]

Did he tell you how it happened?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Yeah. His wife. I figured that was it when I saw what was wrong with him.

[Detective Friday]

He told you his wife shot him?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Well, they had a big fight today. Wally and his wife. Started this afternoon. Been going on all day, all night. Yelling at each other, throwing things around. I never expected this, though. Something must have snapped. She must be out of her mind.

[Detective Joe]

Where's his wife now?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

I don't know. Still back in her cottage, I guess. I've been here since the shooting. I didn't see her leave.

[Detective Joe]

Joe.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Yeah, we got our hands full now.

[Detective Friday]

What do you got?

[Detective Al Shambra]

Just talking.

[Detective Joe]

One of the neighbor women back in

[Detective Al Shambra]

the court here, she said a Mrs. Radford phoned her about five minutes ago. Identified herself as the victim's wife. Cottage number nine.

[Detective Joe]

What? Ms. Radford went with the neighbor.

[Detective Al Shambra]

She said she was giving fair warning. She wanted to pass the word alone.

[Detective Friday]

What do you mean?

[Detective Al Shambra]

Claim she's going to kill anybody that comes after.

[Detective Friday]

10:28pm the ambulance arrived and the attendants Administered first aid to the victim of the shooting, Wallace Radford, before he was rushed to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital for further treatment. Radford regained consciousness long enough to confirm the fact that it was his wife who shot him. That was about all he could tell us before the sedatives took effect. The two officers and two of the radio cars which were standing by were detailed to keep the crowd away from the apartment court where the shooting took place. In particular, Cottage nine, where the Radfords lived. The blinds were drawn in the house. There were no lights showing. We called the Radford cottage on the phone, but there was no answer. Al, Shambra and Ed circled around and back for a closer look at the place. I continued interviewing the Radford's next door neighbor, Ernest Whitley.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

I guess I should have known it had come to this someday. The way they've been fighting lately. Wally and his wife. They've been doing nothing but wrangling day in, day out.

[Detective Friday]

Well, you any idea where Mrs. Radford got the gun?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

She must have used Wally's, I guess. Don't know where else she'd get her hands on one.

[Detective Friday]

He keeps a gun in the house, does he?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Yeah, long as I've known him. He has.38 automatic. I don't know the make, though.

[Detective Friday]

Do you happen to know if Mrs. Radford was used to handling a gun?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

No. Typical woman. I remember Wally and Stella were over for cards one night. Stella? That's Mrs. Radford. I don't know how it came up, but Wally and Stella started arguing about him keeping a gun in the house. Stella didn't like it a bit. Said she was afraid of guns. Didn't even like to have him around. I'm surprised she even knew how to pull the trigger.

[Detective Friday]

You said the Radfords had a big fight today. What was it about, you happen to know?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Same old thing, I guess. Stella was always accusing Wally of running around with other women running around town drinking. As far as I know, it wasn't true. Matter of fact, it was just the opposite. If anybody was on the town, it was Stella. I happen to know at least one guy she was making eyes at. Oh, here's your friend.

[Detective Friday]

Hi. What's it look like?

[Detective Joe]

Not good. House is pitch dark. Can't hear anyone moving around inside.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Won't be easy to get her out of there, Joe, the way the cottage is situated.

[Detective Friday]

Why? What's the problem?

[Detective Al Shambra]

The rear of the house backs up against that hill there. Just a small space between the end of the house and the Hill. No back door, just windows. One of them's open a few inches.

[Detective Friday]

You mean the front door's the only way in the place, huh?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

No.

[Detective Joe]

There's a side door on the left of the house there. Left hand side.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

That's a kitchen door, Sergeant. Leads right into the kitchen. Just like our place. All the cottages are laid out the same.

[Detective Friday]

The living room's just inside the front door then, huh?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Yeah, that's right. Bedrooms in the right rear, kitchen in the left rear. A small bathroom leading off the bedroom leads to the left.

[Detective Al Shambra]

She won't come out peaceably. How about a tear gas shell? That ought to bring her out.

[Detective Friday]

Well, I don't know if we'll need it, Al. Might be a waste of time. Whitley here was just telling me Mrs. Radford isn't familiar with guns. You think she'd know how to reload the automatic? Whitley?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

No, sir. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't. I don't even know if Wally had another clip of shells around the house. Even if he did, Stella wouldn't know what to do with it.

[Detective Joe]

Well, how about the clip that's already in the gun? Good chance you got a couple of shells left.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

She fired more than half a dozen of them. I know that. She must have gone crazy. There were at least seven or eight shots.

[Detective Friday]

Just about emptying the gun. How about it? You want to try rushing the place? It's good.

[Detective Joe]

Okay with me.

[Detective Friday]

All right. You better stay out here for the time being, Mr. Whitley. Might be some shooting to notice. You taking any chances?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Friday]

Sure.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Okay, Sergeant. I'll be right back here if you want me.

[Detective Friday]

Thank you very much. All right, let's try it.

[Detective Joe]

How do you want to handle it?

[Detective Friday]

Why don't you and Al take the side door? I'll go in the front.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Want to see if we can get

[Detective Friday]

a rise out of her first? Yeah. Might be she'll give it up without a fight. I'll call out to her a couple of times first. If there's no answer, we'll rush the place.

[Detective Joe]

Okay.

[Detective Friday]

Now, let's make it all together, huh? Just wait for a signal. I'll call it out.

[Detective Joe]

All right. That's it. I'd do it just behind the scrub over there. Give us a little time to get around it, huh?

[Detective Friday]

Yeah. Now, when I call out the rush, make it fast. The only thing we got in our favor. We'll try and surprise you.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Right. See you later.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Be careful,

[Detective Friday]

Mrs. Radford. Ms. Radford, can you hear me? Police officer. You've got your place Surrounded. We want you to come out. Can you hear me, Ms. Radford? We want you to come out, Ms. Radford.

[Narrator (Dragnet)]

All right, let's go.

[Detective Friday]

Hit the door.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Joe.

[Narrator (Dragnet)]

Joe, you all right?

[Detective Friday]

Yeah. What about you?

[Stella Radford]

In the kitchen.

[Detective Joe]

It's empty.

[Detective Friday]

Okay, just a minute. Living room's empty. Not in here.

[McDonald's Announcer]

And in the bedroom.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Nothing here.

[Detective Joe]

Yeah, how about that?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Hey, Joe. Back here. Where are you?

[Stella Radford]

Bedroom.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Straight back.

[Detective Friday]

Right. Have a look, would you? Check the bathroom and all the closets.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Everything.

[Detective Joe]

She's gone.

[Detective Friday]

10:46pm we double checked the cottage, all the buildings and possible hiding places adjoining the Radford house, and then we combed through the immediate neighborhood around the apartment court. There was no trace of the suspect, Stella Radford. In the apartment, we found a picture which neighbors told us was a good likeness of Mrs. Radford. Al Shambra got to a phone, called the office and a local broadcast and an APB was gotten out on her. We figured she probably slipped out of the house without being noticed. During the general excitement immediately after the shooting, her phone call to one of the neighbors warning that she'd kill anyone who came after her only served as a stall to give her more time for a getaway. 10:55pm Ray Tinker and the crime lab crew arrived and began their preliminary investigation. Judging from the blood stains found on the furniture, in the rug, in the living room, and on the front steps of the cottage, Radford had first been shot while he was in the living room, and then, apparently, he ran out the front door to escape the gunfire. A trail of seven empty shells ejected from a.38 caliber automatic seemed to indicate that his wife followed him out the front door, still firing at him as he tried to get away. We checked the apartment court garage, but the Radford's car was still there. We remained at the apartment court, interviewing the neighbors and trying to get a line on some of Mrs. Radford's known friends and associates. Joe, how'd you make a Not much out? Neighbor I talked to hardly even knew the Radfords. How about you?

[Detective Al Shambra]

Not much better. The only apartment up the way. Name's Joanne Taylor. She told me she knew Radford's wife fairly well. Says she has a sister in town. Doesn't have any idea where she lives, though.

[Detective Friday]

How about the boyfriends Mrs. Radford's supposed to be running around with? Do you know anything about that?

[Detective Al Shambra]

She thinks she's been doing a little running around.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

She doesn't know who the men are, though.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Hear anything about Radford's condition?

[Detective Friday]

Yeah, I checked with George's Street a couple of minutes ago. It's pretty critical. I don't know if he's gonna make it or not.

[Detective Joe]

Joe. Al.

[Narrator (Dragnet)]

Back here.

[Detective Friday]

Hustler. Come on. What do you got?

[Detective Joe]

Radford's neighbors next door. Whitley's just got a call from Mrs. Radford. She's talking to Mr. Whitley on the phone right now.

[Detective Friday]

Let's go.

[Detective Al Shambra]

I know what this is all about.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Oh, yes, Sergeant. I was just gonna run and get you.

[Detective Friday]

You have Mrs. Radford on the phone?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

I did, yeah. She hung up just before you came in. Wouldn't talk, though.

[Detective Joe]

Did you tell you where she is?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

No. She sure sounded funny. I think something snatched. She's a little crazy.

[Detective Al Shambra]

What'd she say? Why'd she call you?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Said she wanted to find out if her no good husband was dead yet. That's all I could make out.

[Detective Friday]

While Ed and I waited with Mr. Whitley in his apartment, Al Shambra got to another phone in one of the adjoining apartments, called our business office and gave them the number of the Whitley's telephone. He asked them to make arrangements as soon as possible to have all incoming calls at the Whitley's trace to their origin. Meantime, Ed and I were briefing Ernest Whitley as to what he should say if and when the suspect, Stella Radford, called him back. There was no phone extension in his apartment, so the only way we'd be able to monitor the conversation would be for Whitley to share the receiver with one of us. We waited. 11:30pm 11:45, midnight, 12:15am

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Sorry.

[Detective Al Shambra]

All right.

[Detective Friday]

Try and keep the receiver tilted so we can listen.

[Narrator (Dragnet)]

Sure.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

I hope I got it straight.

[Detective Friday]

Okay.

[Stella Radford]

Hello, Ernie, this is Stella. Did you find out what I told you to?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Yeah. Yeah, I called the hospital. Wally's a lot better. It's not as bad as they thought it was.

[Stella Radford]

What do you mean, it's not bad? You're trying to kid me.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

No, it's the truth, Stella. It's not half bad at all. Wally's gonna be all right.

[Stella Radford]

Couldn't be. I shot him four or five times. How could he be all right?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

I didn't say he was all right.

[Detective Al Shambra]

I said he was gonna be all right.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Look, it's nothing serious. Not half as bad as they thought.

[Stella Radford]

You're lying. You know you're lying.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Come on, snap out of it, will you, Stella? It's gonna be all right. Wally forgives you. Believe me, he does.

[Detective Friday]

Now, look, why don't you come home?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

We'll get the whole thing Straightened out. There won't be any trouble.

[Stella Radford]

Why don't you stop trying to kid me? It's not gonna be all right. I've seen the last of you and the last of Wally. Still, I'm with my boyfriend now. We're getting out of town.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Now, wait a minute, Stell. Use your head, huh?

[Detective Al Shambra]

Don't go rushing in anything you don't

[Stella Radford]

have to to tell me. I know what I'm doing. I don't care if that dumb husband of mine lives or dies. But just tell him he'd better not try to follow it. Oh, still, my boyfriend's an ex con. He's got a gun and he knows how to use it.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Well, Stella, will you listen a minute?

[Stella Radford]

You can tell that to the cops, too. In case they're going to follow us. They try and stop us and they're going to have a fight in there.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Look, you keep talking. Will you listen for just a minute? Where are you now? Let me come down and talk to you.

[Stella Radford]

Not a chance. Just be a waste of time. I'm leaving with my boyfriend in half an hour. You can tell Wally I hope he dies.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Wait a minute, Stella. He gave me a message for you, honey. He left something with me. Wants you to have it.

[Stella Radford]

What?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

His wallet.

[Detective Friday]

He gave it to me just before

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

he left for the hospital. Got $94 in it. Says he doesn't care what you think of me. Wants you to have the money.

[Stella Radford]

$94?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Yeah.

[Stella Radford]

He didn't have that much money with him. Where'd he get it?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Well, I don't know anything about that, but it's right here in his wallet, just the way he gave it to me. He wants you to have it. That's all I know.

[Stella Radford]

I don't get it. He didn't have that much money.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Well, what do you want me to do? Take it back to him? Tell him you didn't want it? Look, give the guy a break, huh, Stell? It's the only way. He's got to show you how he feels about you, Stell. Isn't that right? Well, how about it, Stell?

[Stella Radford]

You got the money with you?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

I told you. Yeah, pick it up anytime you want.

[Stella Radford]

No, you bring it down here. I'll pay your cab fare. Buy you a drink. You can meet my boyfriend.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Yeah, Stell. Hello, stell.

[Stella Radford]

Yeah, about 12:30 now. I'll be down here in half an hour, huh? I'm in a bar right on the corner. You can't miss it.

[Detective Friday]

Where?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

What corner?

[Stella Radford]

Ninth and Avalon.

[Detective Friday]

As soon as the suspect, Stella Radford hung up. We went to the apartment cottage next door where Al Shambra was on the phone in constant communication with our business office. He told us that somehow there'd been a slip up. They were unable to trace the call to its point of origin. 12:36am According to plan, Ernest Whitley left his apartment, called a taxi and headed downtown to keep his appointment with the suspect, Stella Radford. Ed Jacobs and Lt. Tony Ruiz from Homicide followed him. Al Shambar and I stood by at the apartment. More waiting.

[Detective Al Shambra]

1:00am 1:32am Think they'd call us anyway? Wonder what the hitch is.

[Detective Friday]

It's kind of hard to figure out. These are a bum steer. They ran into some kind of trouble.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Maybe Mrs. Radford she really warmed up to the idea when the money was mentioned.

[Detective Friday]

Apparently. Yeah. I was listening in when Whitley gave her the story. She seemed to go for it. Kind of hard to tell the way this whole thing shapes up.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

She thinks might be them now.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Give a look,

[Detective Joe]

Joe.

[Detective Friday]

Oh, yeah. What happened? How'd it go?

[Detective Joe]

We covered the border closing cruise the neighborhood. Gave her plenty of time. No luck. She didn't show.

[Narrator (Dragnet)]

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

[Detective Friday]

Friday, January 21, 2:28am with the failure of the suspect, Stella Radford, to keep the date with her next door neighbor, Ernest Whitley, at the Avalon Boulevard bar, we reached a temporary stalemate. Despite the fact that checks were made at all restaurants, bars and other business places in the vicinity of 9th and Avalon open that time of night, there was no report or trace of the suspect. While the search continued, we stood by at the Whitley apartment in the hope that Mrs. Radford might call back. A check of our Records and Identification bureau failed to turn up any record on either the victim or the suspect. His wife Ed called Georgia Street Receiving Hospital again, but there was no change. Wallace Radford's condition was still critical. At 2:35am, Stella Radford telephoned again. While we listened in, she told Whitley that she'd had no intention of keeping that appointment with him at the Avalon Boulevard bar. She told him that she knew he was working with the police, that she saw officers follow Whitley to the bar where they were supposed to have met. She again warned him of the consequences in the event anybody tried to apprehend her. After she hung up, we checked with the business office and they told us that the calls had been coming from a telephone prefix which was impossible to trace. Ten minutes later, Whitley got another call from the Radford woman. The conversation Went on for the better part of 20 minutes. She didn't seem to make much rhyme or reason. Her only concern was the condition of her husband, whether or not he was dead. She hung up abruptly, but 15 minutes later, she called Whitley again.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Look, Stell, I told you there isn't gonna be any trouble. Now, why don't you go and see Wally lying down there in the hospital? He wants to see you. How about it, hustle?

[Stella Radford]

Is he dead or not? That's all I want to know. My boyfriend and I are leaving.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Why don't you at least give me a chance to talk to Estelle, huh? We've been good friends. You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt you.

[Detective Friday]

You or Wally.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Now, let me talk to you, huh?

[Stella Radford]

There's nothing to talk about. If you got anything to say, you can tell me now. All I want to do is find out about.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

I told you, he's hurt, but he's going to be all right. It's not serious.

[Stella Radford]

Still, why don't you stop lying to me?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Look, I'm not lying. Still, I wouldn't lie about something like that. What's the matter with you, anyway?

[Stella Radford]

You've been drinking. What did you. Business. You're not kidding me, Ernie. You're trying to help the cops. Don't you think I know that? What kind of a fool you think I am?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

I'm trying to help Stell, that's all.

[Stella Radford]

Sure, you're trying to help. Not me, though. You're trying to help the cops. I know they're with you. When we made that day to meet at the bar, you told them all about it. You left the house and they left right after you.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

I know about it. No, you got it wrong, honey. I'm trying to help both of you. You and Wally. I'm trying to help the best way I know how. Now, why don't you come home? I told you, we'll straighten the whole thing out. There won't be any trouble.

[Stella Radford]

I said we're leaving town, me and my boyfriend. Now, what about that money? $94 she said Wally wanted me to have?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Yeah, that's right, he does. Now, how can I get it to you if you don't trust me?

[Stella Radford]

Get away from the cops, that's all.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Oh, still, maybe I could use the

[Stella Radford]

money, but I'm not giving myself.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Look, you're wrong about the cops. Still, believe me, you are. Now, why won't you let me meet you someplace? Any place you want. Just let me talk to you.

[Stella Radford]

How many times do I have to tell You. There's nothing to talk about. All I want to know is about Wally. Is he dead yet?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

But I told you, he's not dead. He's going to be all right. But why can't you believe me? It's not what they thought. Wally will be okay.

[Detective Joe]

Yeah, yeah, in the next room.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

But what for, Stel? Why? Now, come on, snap out of it, huh? No, it's the truth. To help me.

[Detective Joe]

Yeah. What's the matter?

[Detective Friday]

Well, it just happened to strike me. You hear that streetcar that just went by a minute ago?

[Detective Joe]

Yeah, I did. Why?

[Detective Friday]

Did you notice a little before that when we were listening on the phone, sounded like the same thing coming over the line, didn't it?

[Detective Joe]

Yeah, come to think of it, it did. Matter of fact, I heard it a couple of times coming over the phone.

[Detective Friday]

It's pretty regular now. That's what I mean. Streetcars have been passing by here regularly, too. Not much of a time lapse, either. Not much more than a minute.

[Detective Joe]

Mm.

[Detective Friday]

Well, I mean, between the time when we hear it over the phone and the time the streetcar actually passes this place. Yeah. Well, if we've got the right angle, there's only one way to figure here. She's phoning from somewhere in the neighborhood, and she's fairly close, wouldn't you say?

[Detective Al Shambra]

Where do we start looking?

[Detective Friday]

Well, car tracks only run two ways. 3:30am Ed and I went back into the next room and continued to monitor the conversation between Whitley and Mrs. Radford. Whitley seemed to know how to keep the suspect talking, even though the purpose of her conversation seemed to make little or no sense. At 3:42am while we listened in on the other end of the line, we again heard the sound of a streetcar approach and pass. Ed checked his watch. Approximately one minute, 38 seconds later, we heard a streetcar pass by in front of the apartment court. Before Ed and I left, we jotted down a note for Whitley asking him to keep Mrs. Radford on the line just as long as possible. We got in the car and drove north along the car tracks at about the normal speed of a streetcar. 1 minute and 38 seconds of driving brought us a distance of little more than eight blocks. It was on the fringe of a park area. There were only three residential buildings in the immediate vicinity. There were no lights showing in any of them. We checked the location for public telephones, but we found none. 4:15am we turned around, drove back to the apartment court, and using the Same timing procedure, 1 minute, 38 seconds at 25 miles an hour, we drove along the car line in a southerly direction.

[Detective Joe]

Sure. Not much of a choice. Bars are closed. Most of the restaurants. No lights burning on this block.

[Detective Friday]

A few up ahead there in the next block. Ed.

[Detective Joe]

Yeah. Gotta come pretty soon, doesn't it?

[Detective Friday]

Yeah, it's a minute right now. I can't see how we'd be wrong on it, can you?

[Detective Joe]

Too much right off is just a coincidence.

[Detective Friday]

A minute 15 seconds. Minute 20. Better slow down, huh?

[Stella Radford]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe]

What do you think?

[Detective Friday]

It's a service station across the street.

[Detective Joe]

It's closed up.

[Detective Friday]

Well, a lot of them have outside payphones, don't they? You see any?

[Detective Joe]

No. None on this side. Let's see. I'll pull up in there, huh?

[Detective Friday]

Yeah. There's a phone booth in the back there. There's no lights, though.

[Detective Joe]

Looks like somebody in it. Looks like a woman. Yeah, it is.

[Detective Friday]

Come on. All right, hold it up, lady.

[Detective Joe]

She's running for it, Joe.

[Detective Friday]

All right, come on. Come on. Hold it up, lady.

[Johnny Dollar]

Police officer.

[Stella Radford]

Let go. Let go of me. What do you think you're doing?

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Police officers.

[Detective Friday]

Lady. Here's identification. Like talk to you.

[Stella Radford]

You leave me alone. Just leave me alone, that's all. I don't have to talk to you.

[Detective Joe]

Your name's Stella Radford, isn't it?

[Stella Radford]

No. No, it isn't that.

[Detective Joe]

Your identification.

[Stella Radford]

Who sent you here? Who was it?

[Detective Friday]

Are you Stella Radford?

[Stella Radford]

You couldn't have found out. How'd you know I was here? It was Ernie, wasn't it? Him and his friends. He told you?

[Detective Friday]

No, ma'. Am.

[Stella Radford]

I don't see how you found me. Somebody had to tell you. You never could have found me. I don't see how I made any mistake.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Yeah, that's right.

[Detective Friday]

Let's go, lady. The story you have just heard was true.

[Detective Al Shambra]

The names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Narrator (Dragnet)]

On April 16, trial was held in Superior Court Department 88, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California.

[Detective Friday]

In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Narrator (Dragnet)]

The victim of the shooting, Wallace John Radford, recovered from his wounds and refused to press charges against his wife. However, she was tried in Superior Court and found guilty of section 245pc assault with a deadly weapon. She was sentenced to the term prescribed by law. Assault with a deadly weapon is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a term not less than one nor more than 10 years.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Joseph M. Kinnick, president of the California State Juvenile Officers Association. Thank you. The California State Juvenile Officers association has asked me to present this award of merit to Jack Webb and to Dragnet

[Detective Friday]

for outstanding service to law enforcement in

[Detective Al Shambra]

the authentic and sympathetic portrayal of the

[Detective Friday]

police officer in the field of delinquency control. Thank you very much, Mr. Kenny, and I'll be looking forward to meeting you again and the members of your association at your annual conference banquet tomorrow night here in Los Angeles.

[Narrator (Dragnet)]

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 Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Brasher. Heard tonight were Barney Phillips, Herb Ellis, Jack Crucian, Helen Cleave. Script by Jim Moser. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Detective Al Shambra]

Ladies and gentlemen, nature plus the threat of man made catastrophes make continuing health and constant preparedness necessary. The Red Cross binds these needs. Answer the Red Cross call with a generous contribution.

[Detective Friday]

Now it's counter spy on NBC.

[Detective Ernest Whitley]

Abc.

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[Detective Friday]

Refreshers contain caffeine.

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[Adam Graham]

That cafeteria at the beginning is a menace to public safety. Given how many police officers it was afflicting. A nice clue and bit of detective work that could have worked in a fictional story for the first time Listening to this, I did question the method because it seemed to me that on a very basic level, you could have had one of the two detectives outside monitoring streetcar traffic in the area. So when the other one heard the streetcar going by after they'd heard it on the phone, the detective who was outside would know which exact direction to go, rather than having to backtrack back and forth, which required keeping the suspect on the line longer. Now, it could be a change that was done for dramatic effect because it's a little bit more tense, or it could be that the real life officers didn't think of that. To be fair, this is my, at least my third time hearing this particular episode, and I think this is the first time it's occurred to me and I was not under the influence of the cafeteria's food. But Zod also has another important point at the end where the husband, Mr. Radford, decides not to press charges. Nevertheless, charges are brought. And this brings home an important point where sometimes we can get misled by fictional crime programs and get the idea that a victim's decision to press charges or not determinative of whether a prosecution will occur, that's just not the case. It is usually the decision of the state as to whether they're going to prosecute, although that does vary a little bit by jurisdiction in some cases. Just as a practical matter, without a complaining witness, there are various crimes that are just very hard to prove. And this is true certainly of many domestic violence prosecutions. There are also some minor crimes where a prosecutor might give weight to a victim's request that prosecution not be pursued. Prosecutorial discretion can indicate that it's just not wise to bring a prosecution. Involve the correctional system in a minor situation that the parties have come to an understanding on. But then there are cases that are going to be prosecuted regardless of what the victim said. It's wonderful the husband's choosing to be a sport and not prosecute, but honestly, the police don't need him to give evidence. They've got the gun she fired, and likely they were able to run a paraffin test and he ended up in the hospital in critical condition. This is a serious crime. It's not something that you can allow in society without consequence. So it's totally believable that they would go ahead and prosecute despite the husband not wanting it. Now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Thank you to Rochelle, Patreon supporter since April, currently supporting the podcast at the detective sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Roselle. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite 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, Johnnydoll, or where?

[Al Turner]

This is Al Turner of New Britain Mutual.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hi, Al. What goes with you these days, Johnny?

[Al Turner]

One of our important clients is very anxious to get in touch with you. Says that she's an old friend of yours.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, who's that?

[Al Turner]

Her name is Mrs. Virginia Haskell.

[Johnny Dollar]

Virginia Haskell?

[Al Turner]

That's right.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sorry, Al, but I'm afraid I never

[Detective Friday]

heard of her before.

[Al Turner]

She got married about a year ago. Her name was Van Doren.

[Johnny Dollar]

Chinny Van Doren?

[Stella Radford]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, well, now, that's something else again. And I mean something.

[Al Turner]

Well, then you do know her.

[Johnny Dollar]

One of the most delectable bits of feminine pokertude I ever ran up against. Believe me, a young man's fancy didn't have to wait for spring to turn to thoughts of her.

[Al Turner]

Now, what's that mean?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, Al, even I had serious ideas about that gal at one time. Yeah, right after college. Isn't every kid of that age intrigued by the idea of marrying into a fortune? And very beautiful. At least she was when I knew her.

[Al Turner]

Still is, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

So she's married to somebody by the name of Haskell, huh?

[Al Turner]

Gordon Haskell. They live on Birch Brook Road down in Bronxville, New York.

[Detective Joe]

Funny.

[Al Turner]

What?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, when I knew her, that blond charmer didn't have eyes for anybody but Paul Snowden.

[Al Turner]

Who's Paul Snowden?

[Johnny Dollar]

Childhood sweetheart, that sort of thing. Poor boy making good on his own.

[Detective Al Shambra]

You know the bit.

[Al Turner]

Ah, yes. Too proud to marry her because of

[Johnny Dollar]

her money, but she swore that she'd never marry anybody else, that he was her one true love. But I. I guess she changed her mind. What does she want to see me about, Al?

[Al Turner]

She didn't say. She did make it clear, however, that it has to do with some of the family insurance.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, that's as good an excuse as any.

[Al Turner]

Then do you want to run on

[Johnny Dollar]

down there for a longing look at the gorgeous Ginny Van Doren. But it'll cost you money, Al.

[Al Turner]

Listen, Johnny, with the premiums we get for all the insurance she carries, life, house, property and so on, the sky's the limit, brother.

[Johnny Dollar]

Have you stuck your neck out.

[Al Turner]

Well, now, that doesn't mean you have it.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'll be in touch I hope you'll

[Adam Graham]

be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box13greatdetectives.net follow us on Twitter @radio detectives and check us out on Instagram Instagram.com great detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

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