Dragnet: The Big Imposter (EP4783)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives Present Dragnet (Old Time Radio)

Episode: Dragnet: The Big Imposter (EP4783)

Host: Adam Graham
Release Date: August 21, 2025

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Overview

This episode features Adam Graham’s revisit of the classic radio series Dragnet, focusing on the episode "The Big Imposter" (original airdate: June 7, 1951). This particular Dragnet drama dives into the true-crime tale of a missing child case that twists into a baffling matter of mistaken identity and child impersonation, based on documented police files. Adam also shares his perspective on the episode, invites listener engagement, and responds to a comment about fanfiction on Joe Friday’s WWII backstory.

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Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

1. Setting Up the Investigation (03:02–09:14)

• Premise: A 10-year-old boy, Jimmy Sherman, disappears from his home in a remote area of Los Angeles and is missing for two days without a trace. The case is handled by Sgt. Friday, his partner Ben Romero, and the Juvenile Bureau.
• Notable Procedures: Searches are deployed, neighborhood canvases are conducted, and possible areas of interest (like local reservoirs) are scoured.
• Touching Moment:
  • Oscar Sherman (Grandfather, 06:43):
    “He wasn't gone for two nights and two days...Maybe you'll just say I'm old and I've got funny ideas. But I got a feeling, Sergeant, something's happened to Jimmy."

2. Misdirection and Community Suspicions (09:39–13:58)

• Lead from a Neighbor: Frank Grady accuses Harold Gilby, a disliked local ex-con, of possibly kidnapping Jimmy, but the tip proves baseless.
• Commentary on Human Nature: The detectives reflect on how crisis can breed suspicion and reveal underlying neighborhood tensions.
  • Sgt. Friday (12:51):
    "Spiteful, small-minded neighbors trying to use a tragic situation to work out their jealousies and prejudice…”

3. The Case Grows Colder (13:51–15:49)

• Extended Search: Weeks, then months pass—summer rolls into winter with no leads.
• Human Cost: Jimmy’s grandfather collapses under the strain.

4. Break in the Case: A Boy Found (15:49–17:54)

• Big News: A telegram arrives from Dayton, Ohio, reporting that Jimmy Sherman has been found wandering along a highway, dazed but alive.
  • Sgt. Friday (15:54):
    "Jimmy Sherman. They found him."
• Details from Dayton Police: The boy claims he was kidnapped and moved from state to state.

5. Doubt and the Imposter Theory (17:54–19:32)

• Emotional Reunion: The boy is reunited with his grandfather, but Mr. Sherman quickly feels that something is not right.
  • Oscar Sherman (17:39):
    “That boy out there, Sergeant, I’m not sure he’s really my grandson.”
• Initial Investigations: The police and community initially dismiss the grandfather’s doubts, thinking the trauma has affected him.

6. Clues & Confrontation (19:32–24:46)

• Crucial Detail: The grandfather notices the boy has an appendix scar, something his real grandson never had.
  • Oscar Sherman (19:48):
    “This boy’s got a scar on his side. He’s had his appendix out. My grandson never had an operation in his life.”
• Police Interviews: Neighbors and the boy himself are questioned, but inconsistencies begin to pile up.
• Direct Approach:
  • Sgt. Friday (24:01):
    “What’s your real name?”
  • Donald Rush (the Imposter, 24:46):
    “All right. I’m not Jimmy Sherman.”

7. The Imposter Revealed (24:54–27:42)

• The Real Story: The boy is Donald Rush from Springfield, Ohio, a runaway misidentified by police who, due to his high IQ and photographic memory, learns all about Jimmy Sherman from news articles provided by police during transit to California.
• Emotional Fallout: The grandfather is devastated, and Donald expresses regret for the pain caused.
  • Oscar Sherman (26:14):
    “I know. I was right all along, wasn’t I?”

8. Epilogue: The Actual Crime Solved (28:17–29:23)

• Resolution: Donald Rush is returned to his real family. Four months later, Jimmy Sherman’s body is found, and his murderer—a neighborhood farmer—is brought to justice and executed.
• Summary Statement (28:38–29:23): The tale closes with the sobering reminder that while the imposter was discovered, the initial tragedy was all too real.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Gut Instinct:
  • “Maybe you'll just say I'm old and I've got funny ideas. But I got a feeling, Sergeant, something's happened to Jimmy.”
    (Oscar Sherman, 06:43)
• Skepticism on Neighborhood Accusations:
  • “Spiteful, small-minded neighbors trying to use a tragic situation to work out their jealousies and prejudice…”
    (Sgt. Friday, 12:51)
• Grim Confirmation of Doubt:
  • “That boy out there, Sergeant, I'm not sure he's really my grandson.”
    (Oscar Sherman, 17:39)
• Revelation of Imposture:
  • “All right. I'm not Jimmy Sherman.”
    (Donald Rush, 24:46)
• Sad Farewell:
  • “Thought I had a peck. Thought I had him.”
    (Oscar Sherman, 27:34)

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Adam Graham’s Commentary & Listener Engagement (29:34–33:27)

“This is one of those stories which is stranger than fiction.”
(Adam Graham, 29:34)

• Adam highlights the bizarre plausibility of the imposter scenario, noting that it seems incredibly far-fetched—but Dragnet bases these stories on actual casefiles, lending them chilling credibility.
• He speculates on the psychological background of the imposter kid, Donald Rush—wondering about his motives and home life, and mentioning that a modern investigation would likely probe these aspects further.
• Listener Comment (Alfred): Alfred requests Joe Friday fanfiction detailing his WWII service. Adam responds by referencing episodes and positing how little canon information is available for such an undertaking, noting a few possible directions for creative writers.
• Shout-out: He thanks Kelly, a Patreon supporter since 2017, for continued support.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:02] Start of Dragnet episode – Jimmy Sherman Disappearance Introduced
• [06:43] Grandfather’s Emotional Intuition
• [09:39] Case Summary – Trousers Found
• [13:51] Search Becomes Desperate; Grandfather Collapses
• [15:54] "Jimmy Sherman. They found him."
• [17:39] Grandfather's Doubts Surface
• [19:48] Appendix Scar – Evidence of Imposter
• [24:46] Donald Rush Confesses
• [26:14] Confrontation with Grandfather
• [28:38] Narration: Final Case Resolution
• [29:34] Adam Graham's commentary post-episode
• [32:30] Listener comment on Joe Friday fanfic

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Tone & Style

• The podcast and original radio drama maintain a sober, methodical, and empathetic tone, reflecting both the procedural rigor of Dragnet and the tragic emotional currents of the case.
• Adam Graham’s commentary is thoughtful, respectful, and gently speculative, inviting listeners to ponder the deeper "what ifs" of real crime stories.

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Conclusion

This episode exemplifies Dragnet's commitment to realism and emotional complexity—telling a tale that explores the rare but real phenomenon of child impersonation and the heartbreak of unresolved tragedy. Through Adam Graham’s recap and commentary, listeners are invited to reflect on the timeless tensions between procedural police work, the frailties of memory and hope, and the mysteries that sometimes linger even after a case seems closed.

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Transcript

[A]

What do you think makes the perfect snack?

[B]

Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.

[A]

Could you be more specific?

[B]

When it's cravinient. Okay. Like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. pM.

[C]

I'm seeing a pattern here.

[B]

Well yeah, we're talking about what I.

[A]

Crave, which is anything from AM pm.

[B]

What more could you want? Stop by AM PM where the snacks and drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience. AM PM Too much good stuff.

[A]

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[B]

Foreign.

[D]

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 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 us by mailing a donation to AdamGraham, P.O. box 15913. That's P.O. box 15913, Boise, ID 83715 and you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. Join now from June 7, 1951, here is the big imposter.

[B]

The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to missing persons detail. A 10 year old boy disappears from his Home in a remote section of the city. Two nights and two days pass. There's not a trace of the boy. Your job, find him.

[E]

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.

[C]

Was Wednesday, August 4th. It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of Juvenile Bureau. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Inspector Bowling. My name's Friday. We were on the way out from the office and it was 2:25pm when we got to Bowers Avenue, number 1218.

[F]

Yes?

[C]

Police officers, ma'.

[B]

Am.

[C]

Would you like to see Mr. Sherman?

[F]

Oh, certainly, officers. Won't you come in?

[B]

Thank you.

[C]

Thank you very much.

[F]

I'm Mrs. Keller from next door. I saw you around here yesterday.

[C]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[F]

Came over this morning to look after poor Mr. Sherman.

[C]

Yes, ma'.

[B]

Am.

[C]

Well, how's he feeling today?

[F]

Not too well. Fixed him some nice chicken broth for lunch. And then I helped him in his wheelchair and took him out in the backyard, out in the sun. Good hot sun is wonderful for his legs. He has arthritis, you know.

[C]

Yes, so we understand. Wonder if we could talk to him, Ms. Keller?

[F]

Well, yes, I guess we have to. He's still out in the back sleeping in his chair last time I looked. Seems ashamed to disturb him.

[B]

Well, he called us at the office, said he wanted to see us as soon as we could make it out here.

[F]

Was it about his grandson, Jimmy? They found him yet?

[B]

No, ma'. Am. Searching parties combing the area, there's still no trace of the boy.

[C]

Did any of the other officers who were out here covering the neighborhood talk to you, Ms. Keller?

[F]

Oh, yes, there was, Mr. Lorman. Detective Lorman?

[C]

Yes, ma'.

[B]

Am.

[F]

I told him everything I knew about Jimmy's disappearance. It was right after dinner hour on Monday, about 6:30. Last time I saw Jimmy.

[C]

I see.

[F]

I came out the side door to empty the garbage and I saw Jimmy hiking up the side of the hill there, just in back of the house, all by himself. Nice boy.

[B]

As far as you know, Mrs. Killer, Jimmy is Mr. Sherman's only living relative?

[F]

That's right. His only relative. His only grandchild. Jimmy's mother and father were killed in an auto wreck. That was three or four years ago. Sherman's had a terrible lot of tragedy. Jimmy and his grandfather, they're the only ones left.

[C]

You can't think of any reason why the boy would want to leave his grandfather, Ken?

[F]

None at all. Mr. Sherman's a wonderful man. Jimmy loved him. I knew that.

[B]

Mrs. Keller. Mrs. Keller.

[F]

Well, it's Mr. Sherman. His way. We can go through the house out the back here.

[C]

All right, ma'.

[B]

Am.

[F]

This way.

[C]

Thank you. Go ahead, ma'.

[B]

Am. Yeah.

[C]

Okay.

[F]

Visitors for you, Mr. Chairman. How are you feeling?

[B]

All right, I suppose. Hello, Sergeant.

[C]

How are you, Mr. Sherman?

[B]

What about the boy? Have you found him yet?

[C]

Well, nothing yet, Mr. Sherman. We've added more men to the searching party. We're doing everything we can.

[B]

Gone two nights and two days. Tell me the truth, Sergeant. What's happened to the boy?

[C]

Right now, we don't know any more about it than you do, sir. But that's no reason to give up hope.

[B]

You told us yourself yesterday that Jimmy's been missing once before. Turned out all right that time. He wasn't gone for two nights and two days. Maybe you'll just say I'm old and I've got funny ideas. But I got a feeling, Sergeant, something's happened to Jimmy. Something's happened and I can't do anything about it.

[F]

You just put those thoughts out of your head, Mr. Sherman. They're gonna find Jimmy. It's gonna be all right. Why don't you pull up those lawn chairs there, Sergeant? I'm go in the house and fix some cold lemonade for you men.

[B]

Well, thank you, ma'. Am.

[C]

We got your phone message at the office, Mr. Sherman. Anything special you wanted to talk to us about?

[B]

Yes, there was something when you were talking to me yesterday.

[C]

Yes, sir.

[B]

I told you that Jimmy had on a brown jacket when he disappeared Monday night. Yeah, I was wrong, Sergeant. We found the jacket in his room. All he was wearing was a pair of blue jeans and his white sweatshirt. Do you think that might help any?

[C]

Yes, sir, it might. We'll send out a supplementary description of his clothes and we'll see that everybody's notified.

[B]

Just wish I could be out there with the searching party. Arthritis is pretty bad today. Caught me at a terrible time. Don't know what I'd do if anything happened to the boy. I know we've asked you this before, Mr. Sherman, but can you think of any reason at all why your grandson would want to leave home? No, sir. No reason at all. Those two collie pups over there in the pen, Jimmy just bought them last week with his own money saved up to get him.

[C]

I see.

[B]

The boy's crazy about Dogs. That's why I say just wouldn't pick up and leave everything. Boy and me got along fine. No reason for it. Sergeant, something's happened to the boy. I just got a feeling.

[F]

Officer.

[B]

Yes, ma'? Am.

[F]

A telephone call for either one of you.

[C]

I get it, Ben. I'll be right back.

[B]

All right.

[F]

Man Said it was your office calling.

[C]

Thank you, Ms. Keller.

[F]

Where's the phone telephone? Straight back there in the hall.

[C]

Thank you very much, very much. Friday talking.

[B]

This is Bowling, Joe. Just heard from the search party up in the hills.

[C]

Oh, did they find something?

[B]

Yeah, in the Allegiance park area by the upper reservoir. Found a pair of kids trousers right by the edge of the water.

[C]

What kind of trousers?

[B]

Blue jeans. Nothing in the pockets. They'll start dragging for a body as soon as they get the equipment. Check it out with a grandfather, huh? See if the boy was in the habit of hiking up there around the reservoir.

[C]

Right. We'll call in just before we leave here.

[B]

Right, Joe? Right.

[C]

Bye.

[F]

Well, there's your lemonade, Sergeant. Just poured it for you nice and cold.

[C]

Thank you, ma'.

[B]

Am. What was it, Sergeant? Something about the boy?

[C]

Well, nothing definite, no, sir. Just a report on the search party. They're still up in the Elysian park area.

[B]

Oh, I see.

[C]

Did your grandson Jimmy do much hiking in that neighborhood up there, Mr. Sherman?

[B]

Yes, I think he did. Likes to hike up there around the reservoir. Why.

[C]

The Name on the 316 Report? Missing Juvenile Read James Phillip Sherman, WMA, 10 years old. He lived with his 68 year old grandfather, Oscar Sherman, in a small cottage in a sparsely populated section of the city. Shortly after 6pm on Monday, the boy went outside to play. When darkness fell and he failed to return home, his crippled grandfather went out to look for him. Half an hour later, the neighbors joined in in the search. No sign of the boy. At 10pm Juvenile Bureau was notified. And throughout the night, squads of men on foot and cruiser cars canvassed the area. A local broadcast and an all points bulletin was gotten out on the boy. Neither the grandfather or the neighbors could find any reason for his disappearance. After almost 48 hours of continuous searching, the only lead we had was the pair of trousers found on the edge of the upper reservoir in Elysian Park. They were shown to the grandfather, but he failed to give positive identification. Dragging operations at the reservoir began immediately. Meantime, Ben and I, together with Lorman and Lopez from Homicide, checked out every possible lead on the missing youngster. One of the tips came from a Frank Grady, an unemployed carpenter lived five blocks from the Sherman Home.

[B]

I don't know how much this may be worth to you, Sergeant. I don't want to get anybody into trouble, but I figured this is a pretty important thing. What is it you want to tell us, Mr. Grady? Well, as I say, I don't want to get anybody in any trouble. But have you checked over everybody in this neighborhood? I think we've talked to just about everybody in the area, don't you, Joe?

[C]

Well, either us or the man from homicide. Why do you ask, Grady?

[B]

Well, there's a guy who lives down the street there, right down the corner from this house. Old guy by the name of Gilby.

[C]

What about him?

[B]

As I say, I don't want to cause any trouble, but maybe you ought to double check him. One thing, he's an ex convict and all that. Another thing, he hates everybody in the neighborhood. Hates the kids too. Wouldn't be surprised if he was your man. Why do you say that, Grady? Does he have any special reason for disliking the Sherman boy? Old man Gilby wouldn't need a reason. A real queer one. Say, I got a couple cans of cold beer in the ice box and I fix you father's office. No, thank you just the same.

[C]

What makes you think this Gilby had anything to do with the boy's disappearance, Mr. Gray?

[B]

Well, number one, I saw old man Gilby out walking Monday night when the Sherman kid disappeared. Yep, saw him walking along the road up there. The same one that goes up by the reservoir and I watched him. It was dark by the time he got back to his house and check on him. Gan5 you as far as you know, has Gilby ever been in trouble for bothering the kids in the neighborhood? Sergeant, he bothers everybody in the neighborhood. Real queer. Lives by himself, always complaining about something. Frankly, I think he's your man. I think he took that kid and he did something to him.

[C]

Do you have anything at all to back up your opinion?

[B]

You dig around, you'll find something on him. He's no good. No better on it. I've had a couple of run ins with him myself. He just isn't any good, that's all.

[C]

Well, all right, Grady, thanks for the tip. Be sure and double check on the man.

[B]

You won't tell him where you got the tip though, huh? Like I say, I've had run ins with him before. It might cause trouble.

[C]

No, he won't know where we got it. Thanks again.

[B]

Okay, Sergeant, It's a pretty important thing. I didn't want to make anybody look bad, but the old man's just no good. You understand that, don't you?

[C]

Sure Grady, we understand. As a matter of routine, we double checked on Grady's neighbor, Mr. Harold Gilby. We found out that he had no jail record and that he had been at work on Monday from 3 to 11pm he could have had no direct connection with the Sherman boys disappearance. No more than Grady himself could have had. The so called tip he'd offered us was like a hundred other phony leads in a hundred other cases. Spiteful small minded neighbors trying to use a tragic situation to work out their jealousies and prejudice on somebody that they didn't get along with in the neighborhood. The search continued. So did the hot weather. Friday, August 6th. No sign of the missing boy. The temperature climbed into the mid-90s, dragging. Operations at the reservoir went on. Saturday, August 7th. More legwork, more hot weather. By noontime Ben and I had run down the last lead we had on 10 year old Jimmy Sherman. Went nowhere. 1pm we headed back for the office to check with Inspector Bowling.

[B]

These are the days when I wish I had a little swimming pool in my backyard. Sure, it'd be nice to go home to.

[C]

Yeah, well, save your money.

[B]

Oh, it doesn't cost so much. No. I read in a magazine where a fella built his own pool for $95.37.

[C]

It can't be much of a pool, can it?

[B]

Oh yeah, it's good size. Of course he did all his own labor. Had all his friends in to help out.

[C]

He must have had a lot of friends, didn't he?

[B]

Yeah, he did. After he finished the pool. Righty. Ben. Oh hi Skipper. How'd you two make out? Anything?

[C]

No, no luck at all.

[B]

It makes it unanimous. Did you hear about the old man? The boy's grandfather? No, what happened? I guess the strain got too much for him. He collapsed. They're moving him to a hospital.

[C]

Oh, that's too bad. Our men still up there dragging that.

[B]

Reservoir finished this morning. Nothing.

[C]

How about the search party? Nothing there either I suppose.

[B]

No, not a trace of the boy. It's a blind alley all the way around. How about the apb? The radiogram had three replies. So far none of them panned out. You don't grab it? Juvenile Bureau of Bowling there for it? Uh huh. No good, huh? Yeah. All right, check you later. I heard it once, I heard it 50 times. No trace of the boy. Got me Skipper. Something real weird about the whole thing.

[C]

Well now look. We know he didn't just disappear into thin air. Kids gone. There's a good Reason for it. There's gotta be an answer somewhere.

[B]

That's right. You'll find it.

[C]

Another week passed, and then a month. Two months. We were no farther along than the day we started on the case. In November, we had a teletype from Chief Earl o' Clair of the Phoenix, Arizona Police Department. Reportedly, the Sherman boy had been seen in Phoenix. Was another false alarm. The Christmas holidays wore on into a new year. February came and went. Then March, April. Tuesday, May 3, 1:40pm Ben and I got a call to check in with Inspector Bowling.

[B]

This telegram just came in from Dayton, Ohio. Have a look.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

Let's see.

[C]

Joe.

[B]

What is it?

[C]

Jimmy Sherman. They found him. Nine months had gone by, almost to the day since the Sherman boy had disappeared. The grandfather was contacted immediately when he was told his grandson had been found and that he was safe. The old man was unable to answer. He broke down and wept. In our communications with the Dayton, Ohio, police they told us that the boy had been found wandering along a highway just outside that city and that he'd appeared to be in a kind of a dazed condition. The boy told the Dayton officers that he'd been kidnapped a short distance from his home in Los Angeles by a man in a blue sedan. He gave them detailed descriptions of both the man in the car. He told them that for the past nine months a man had held him prisoner driving from state to state, never letting the boy out of his sight. He said the kidnapper told him on several occasions that he was holding him for ransom and that he was waiting to get money from his grandfather. On May 8, the youngster was returned to Los Angeles and reunited with his grandfather. On May 10, we got a call from the grandfather that he wanted to talk to us. Ben and I drove out to see him.

[B]

Come right in, officers. Glad to see you.

[C]

How are you, sir?

[B]

Hi, Mr. Cherm. Sorry to cause you all this trouble chasing you out here like this.

[C]

Not at all, sir. What is it that you want to see us about?

[B]

Well, I'm not really sure about it, sergeant. That's the whole thing of it. I don't know if it's me or what it is. Well, what's bothering you, Mr. Sherman? It's the boy, Jimmy. I don't know what to think.

[C]

Well, how do you mean, sir? He's all right, isn't he? We saw him as we drove up, playing out in the backyard. And the doctor checked him over.

[B]

No, it's not that. The boy's healthy enough. Nothing wrong with him.

[C]

Well, then, what is it, sir?

[B]

Maybe it sounds a little weird to you, but I'm just not sure.

[C]

You're not sure what?

[B]

That boy out there, Sergeant, I'm not sure he's really my grandson.

[E]

You are in the communications division of a metropolitan police department. The teletype, room.

[B]

43, Los 52951. 12:03pm APB, WMA. 155 foot 6, dark hair, dark eyes, wearing gray suit, no hat. Suspect is wearing glasses, heavy build, 22 years. Suspect is armed with blue steel revolver. Any information forward?

[E]

You have just heard a teletype description of a suspect. This information will apply to many, but careful screening will eliminate all but 1.

[C]

Tuesday, May 10, 2pm when the Aging grandfather, Oscar Sherman, told us that he wasn't sure whether the recovered boy was really his grandson, Ben and I didn't know what to think. Our first reaction was that the shock of recovering the boy after he'd almost been given up for lost had been too much for the old man. Mr. Sherman admitted that there was no physical difference in the boy as far as he could see. But he still insisted that there was something wrong. The boy seemed different somehow. To satisfy the grandfather, Ben and I talked to the boy. But he failed to give us any reason to believe that he was not Jimmy Sherman. We checked with the boy's friends, all the people in the neighborhood who'd known Jimmy over a period of years. Years. They confirmed our opinion. A few thought that the youngster had changed a little. But no one had any serious doubts about it. The boy was really Jimmy Sherman. So the matter was dropped. Thursday, May 12th. Ben and I had lunch and then we checked back in at the office.

[B]

Joe, want to grab that?

[C]

Yeah, I'll get it. JUVENILE BUREAU Friday Sergeant, this is Mr. Sherman talking. Yes, sirman. Yes, sir.

[B]

How are you? I want you to come out and take this boy. Sergeant. He's not my grandson. I'm sure of it.

[C]

Well, how do you mean, sir?

[B]

This boy's got a scar on his side. He's had his appendix out.

[C]

Yes, sir.

[B]

My grandson never had an operation in his life.

[C]

Before we left the office, Ben and I briefed Inspector Bowling on the phone call from the grandfather. Then we drove back to the Sherman house. While Oscar Sherman didn't claim that he knew his grandson's complaints, he was certain that the boy had not had his appendix out and that he had not had an operation. He told us that his neighbor, Mrs. Keller, could substantiate that. That she had known Jimmy since he was a baby. We put in a call to the Sherman's family doctor. He wasn't in. We left a message and then we went next door to see Mrs. Keller. We found her in the kitchen washing dishes.

[F]

I just got a couple more to rinse. Can you wait a minute?

[B]

Yes, Coretta, of course we can.

[F]

Now, to tell you the truth, Sergeant, I just don't know what to think about Mr. Sherman. Maybe the whole thing was too much for him. His mind's going back on.

[B]

Look, to your knowledge, Mrs. Keller, was the boy ever operated on?

[F]

No, not as far as I know. It's possible he did have an operation. I didn't hear about it. Sergeant. As far as I'm concerned, that boy is Jimmy Sherman. I don't know what his grandfather's up to with all that silly talk.

[C]

Well, if it's not really the boy, we won't have too much trouble finding the truth.

[F]

There's no question in my mind. Of course it's Jimmy. Why, when he was over here the other day, he talked about the party I gave for him one Halloween. He even remembered the children who were there.

[C]

Are the other neighbors as sure about the boy as you are?

[F]

Just about. Ms. Foster down the street. Jimmy was in to see her yesterday. Talked about some changes she'd made in her living room. Asked her about some relatives she'd has living out of town. Come to think about it, Jimmy even remarked on that new trailer rose I planted out in front. Besides as the boys dogs. Why, they knew that youngster the minute he set foot in the yard.

[C]

Yes, ma'.

[B]

Am.

[C]

Well, thank you very much, Mrs. Keller. If we have any more questions, we'll contact. Is that all right?

[F]

All right, Sergeant. Couldn't fix you a cup of coffee, could I?

[B]

Oh, no, thank you.

[F]

Poor old Mr. Sherman. I don't know what to make of it. So mixed up.

[C]

Yes, ma', am, so are we. We left the neighbor, Mrs. Keller, and went back next door to the Sherman house. The grandfather told us that the family doctor hadn't returned our call yet. At 3.30pm the boy came home from school, changed his clothes and went out into the backyard to play. We figured we had nothing to lose. And talking to the boy again, we found him in the small workshop at the rear of the garage where he was sawing on picture a piece of plywood with a hacksaw. We talked to him for about 20 minutes. Was no different than the first time we interviewed him. He was relaxed and talkative.

[G]

Say, would you hand me that hammer there, officer?

[B]

Oh, yeah. Here you go.

[F]

Thanks.

[G]

Boy, if I ever get this thing finished it's gonna be the best coaster around here. These are the wheels I'm gonna put on it. Pretty good, aren't they?

[C]

Yeah, they look fine. Son, do you like building things? Coasters and things like that?

[G]

Oh, yeah, I like it all right.

[C]

It's fun.

[B]

Your granddad says you've changed quite a bit since you got back. Jim says you didn't like working around the shop here before.

[G]

Well, I guess I don't really. You know, once in a while I like to come out and fool around.

[B]

Mm. Have you seen Mr. Barlow down the street since you been back?

[G]

Mr. Barlow?

[B]

No.

[G]

I went down to see him, but he wasn't home. Maybe I'll go down and see him tomorrow.

[C]

His name isn't Barlow, is it, Ben? I thought it was Robinson.

[G]

Oh, yeah, that's right. Mr. Robinson. Sometimes I forget.

[C]

How do you and your grandfather get along, Jim? All right?

[G]

Oh, sure. Every once in a while he looks kind of funny at me.

[F]

I don't know.

[G]

I guess he's still worried about that man taking me away and all.

[C]

Uh huh. How you been feeling lately, Jim? Okay.

[G]

Sure, I feel fine. Hardly ever get sick. That's good.

[C]

You ever been in the hospital, son?

[G]

Uh huh. Just once. Had my appendix out. I hate hospitals. Can I have that can of nails there, please?

[B]

Oh, yeah, yeah. Here you are.

[G]

Gotta make this good and strong, you know.

[C]

Like to ask you a question, son.

[G]

Yeah.

[C]

What's your real name?

[G]

I'm Jimmy Sherman. You know that?

[B]

No.

[C]

I'd like to have the truth, son.

[B]

Who are you?

[G]

You must be fooling officers. You know who I am? Jimmy Sherman.

[C]

No. Jimmy Sherman never had his appendix out, son. But you did. And you've got a scar to prove it, haven't you?

[G]

Sure, I had my appendix out. Ask my grandpa. He'll tell you.

[B]

I'm afraid he won't, son. He says he's not your grandfather. He says you don't belong here. His grandson never had an operation in his life.

[C]

How about it, son? You want to tell us about it?

[G]

Oh, Grandpa isn't feeling well. He doesn't know what he's saying.

[C]

Well, he knows you're not his grandson. Now, come on. What about it, son?

[G]

All right. I'm not Jimmy Schumann.

[C]

He told us his real name was Donald Rush. He said he'd run away from his home in Springfield, Ohio, two weeks before. He said that he'd been picked up by the police on a highway just on the outskirts of Dayton, Ohio. On returning the boy to the station, the police officer saw that he fitted the Description of the missing California boy perfectly was almost as if the two were identical twins. Under the impression that the youngster was suffering from shock or amnesia, the police officers told him all about his home and his friends in California. They gave Donald Rush all the information that they had on the missing Sherman boy. All the newspaper stories, stories, pictures, the dozens of teletypes and circulars which had been sent across the country in an effort to locate the missing youngster. On his way out to California on the train, the Rush boy was given dozens of newspapers to read which contained thousands of words concerning the disappearance of Jimmy Sherman. So by the time he got to Los Angeles, Donald Rush knew everything he had to know about the boy he was impersonating. We questioned the Ohio youngster further. Besides an exceptionally high iq, he admitted to having an almost photograph. We took him in the house to face the grandfather of the boy that he'd been impersonating. The boy who was still missing.

[B]

Mr. Sherman? Yes, sir. Sit down, won't you? The boy here has a confession for you. He wants to tell you himself, I think. I know. I was right all along, wasn't I? Such.

[G]

I didn't mean anything by it, mister. Just thought it'd be fun to make out like somebody else for a while.

[B]

You wouldn't know the difference, would you, Say?

[C]

No, sir, I'm afraid I wouldn't. That picture over there on the mantel and the boy here may look exactly alike to me.

[B]

There's only one thing I'd like to know, son.

[G]

Yeah?

[B]

Why'd you do it? Why'd you try and fool me?

[G]

I don't know, mister. I ran away from home and the cops picked me up near Dayton. They thought my name was Jimmy Sherman. They said I was a missing kid from California.

[C]

Why didn't you straighten them out right then, son?

[G]

I was kind of afraid. And if I told them what my real name was, they would have sent me back home. So I just let them think I was really Jimmy Sherman. They seemed to be pretty sure I was.

[B]

How long did you think you could keep it up, son, pretending you were somebody else?

[G]

I don't know. Guess I never thought much about that. I got here and everybody was nice to me. I just didn't think about anybody finding out. Honest, mister, I didn't mean to do anything wrong. I didn't mean to hurt anybody.

[B]

And you never saw my grandson. You never saw Jimmy?

[G]

No, sir. I just got on the train. They brought me out here.

[B]

You don't know where he is. You don't know how he Is all right.

[C]

Try to take it easy, Mr. Sherman.

[B]

Why would you do it, boy? You're a stranger. Why would you try to fool me about Jimmy?

[G]

I'm sorry, mister. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it.

[B]

Thought I had a peck. Thought I had him.

[C]

Come on, Ben, let's go, son.

[G]

I didn't want to make him cry like that, Sergeant. Honest. I'm sorry. Couldn't you just let me stay here with him?

[C]

No, I'm afraid not, son.

[G]

I won't do anything wrong. Don't you think I could just stay here with him? I'll go right back in there now and tell him I'm sorry.

[C]

Yeah, I'm sorry too, youngster. But you're not the boy he's looking for.

[B]

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

[E]

On Wednesday, May 20, a meeting was held at the juvenile bureau, City and county of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of the.

[B]

That meeting.

[E]

Donald Rush, who impersonated missing 10 year old Jimmy Sherman, was returned to the custody of his parents at their home in Springfield, Ohio. Four months later, the body of Jimmy Sherman was discovered buried on a farm on the outskirts of Riverside, California. The boy had been murdered. His killer, a farmer in the neighborhood, was subsequently apprehended and brought to traffic trial. He was found guilty of murder in the first degree and was executed 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.

[B]

Stay tuned for counterspy next over most NBC stations.

[D]

Welcome back. This is one of those stories which is stranger than fiction. If you were telling this story on another detective show about a 10 year old boy who was able to impersonate another 10 year old boy on newspaper accounts and mistaken identity, people would say, yeah, this is really far fetched. That would never really happen. But given Dragnet's based on a true story setup, you've got to treat it as credible. I did find myself wondering about this imposter kid's home life. He clearly did not want to go home. Now of course sometimes kids do that for perfectly normal, reasonable reasons. But sometimes there's more going on there and I wonder whether that would have been interrogated more if this sort of thing were to happen today. All right, well, listener comments and feedback and have a comment From Alfred on YouTube. Looking for a Joe Friday fanfiction of the Warriors. Thanks for the comment. Now we do know from the episode the Big Escape that Joe Friday did serve in World War II, and that episode also introduced us to one of his war buddies. But after that, we don't have any information of what went on. Now, I'm not aware of anyone having taken up to write this, and I am aware of Dragnet fanfiction. And while it's not inherently interesting, it could be interesting depending on what people were able to come up with. You know, Joe Friday was one of those war veterans who just didn't talk about it, and there were a lot of men who served in war who were like that. My wife's grandfather was one of those. So there'd be a lot of room to speculate. Your only limitations really in writing something like this that if you were wanting to be consistent at all, is you'd have to listen to the Big Escape and stay within the confines of the limited information that is revealed about Joe's war service in that episode, because I think that's the only one it's talked about. Now, if you wanted to take an Old Time Radio episode and treat it as fan fiction about Joe Friday's war service, you could take the episode Operation Fleur de Lis, where the character played by Jack Webb is not giving his real name because he's afraid of what might happen to him. That character is pretty different from Joe Friday, but the events of that story could be seen as so traumatically transformative that they led to changes in personality. I think that might be The World War II Old Time Radio episode with Jack Webb. Of course, it was broadcast after the war, but thanks for the comment and I do want to go ahead and thank Kelly patreon, supporter since July 2017, currently supporting the podcast at the shamus level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Kelly, and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please 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, Johnny Doll or Ware.

[B]

Stick your nose up in the air and take a deep one, Johnny. You smell it? Well, it's not Kerosene Hall. I don't think it's gasoline either. No, but it's something highly inflammable. The boys of that chemical truck could get it out. Might learn something first. These stores always stock a lot of cleaning fluid, stuff like that. Most of them are not inflammable. Well, how about Johnny, look out.

[D]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box [e-mail] follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com greatdetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.