Boston Police Department Preparing to Celebrate the 100 Year Anniversary of the Department’s Motorcycle Unit – Celebration set for September 16, 2012
In the year 1912, William Howard Taft – the 27th President of the United States – was in the White House, the Titanic set sail from England, Fenway Park opened its doors for the very first time and the Boston Police Department established one of the country’s very first motorcycle units. While the Berkeley, California Police Department is credited with establishing the first official police motorcycle unit in the United States in the year 1911, the Boston Police Department would soon follow suit. Over the years, hundreds of officers have ridden motorcycles – be they Indian or Harley-Davidson – while patrolling and protecting the streets of Boston. During the unit’s history, tragically, six officers – while assigned to the unit – were killed in the line of duty. In honor and memory of their heroic sacrifices and service to the city and citizenry of Boston, six hero signs have been posted correlating with the locations where these brave officers were killed in the line of duty.
Mayor Tom Menino, Police Commissioner Ed Davis, members of the Mobile Operations Unit (both past and present) will gather at 364 Warren Street in Roxbury to honor and commemorate the sacrifice, service and history of the Motorcycle Unit. Prior to the gathering, officers – while participating in a ‘Ride to Remember’ – will ride past the locations of the six Hero Signs.
Said Commissioner Ed Davis, “When you have a department as rich in history as the Boston Police Department, it is essential to remember, honor and celebrate it. The 100 Year Anniversary of the motorcycle unit is a hugely significant event and I look forward to gathering, thanking and remembering all those officers who dedicated themselves to protecting and serving our city while assigned to the unit.”
The Hero Signs – honoring the following officers – can be viewed at the following locations:
Patrolman Ward M. Bray killed in the line of duty on April 14, 1921 at intersection of Centre Street & Seaverns Ave in Jamaica Plain
Patrolman Peter Paul Oginskis killed in line of duty on May 5, 1923 at intersection of Pond Street & Arborway in Jamaica Plain
Patrolman Herbert D. Allen killed in the line of duty on December 25, 1927 at intersection of Washington Street & Fairbanks Street in Brighton
Patrolman William L. Abbott killed in the line of duty on November 28, 1931 at the intersection of Riverway & Brookline Ave in the Fenway
Patrolman Daniel A. McCallum killed in the line of duty on May 12, 1935 in the area of Jamaicaway and Bynner Street in Jamaica Plain
Patrolman Michael J. Crowley killed in the line of duty on May 12, 1961 in the area of 283 River Street in Mattapan
*** Please note: In the days leading up to the 100 Year Anniversary, the department will be posting photos on its Facebook page – taken over the past 100 years – of the Motorcycle Unit provided courtesy of Department Chronologist Officer Bobby Anthony. BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
In the year 1912, William Howard Taft – the 27th President of the United States – was in the White House, the Titanic set sail from England, Fenway Park opened its doors for the very first time and the Boston Police Department established one of the country’s very first motorcycle units. While the Berkeley, California Police Department is credited with establishing the first official police motorcycle unit in the United States in the year 1911, the Boston Police Department would soon follow suit. Over the years, hundreds of officers have ridden motorcycles – be they Indian or Harley-Davidson – while patrolling and protecting the streets of Boston. During the unit’s history, tragically, six officers – while assigned to the unit – were killed in the line of duty. In honor and memory of their heroic sacrifices and service to the city and citizenry of Boston, six hero signs have been posted correlating with the locations where these brave officers were killed in the line of duty.
Mayor Tom Menino, Police Commissioner Ed Davis, members of the Mobile Operations Unit (both past and present) will gather at 364 Warren Street in Roxbury to honor and commemorate the sacrifice, service and history of the Motorcycle Unit. Prior to the gathering, officers – while participating in a ‘Ride to Remember’ – will ride past the locations of the six Hero Signs.
Said Commissioner Ed Davis, “When you have a department as rich in history as the Boston Police Department, it is essential to remember, honor and celebrate it. The 100 Year Anniversary of the motorcycle unit is a hugely significant event and I look forward to gathering, thanking and remembering all those officers who dedicated themselves to protecting and serving our city while assigned to the unit.”
The Hero Signs – honoring the following officers – can be viewed at the following locations:
Patrolman Ward M. Bray killed in the line of duty on April 14, 1921 at intersection of Centre Street & Seaverns Ave in Jamaica Plain
Patrolman Peter Paul Oginskis killed in line of duty on May 5, 1923 at intersection of Pond Street & Arborway in Jamaica Plain
Patrolman Herbert D. Allen killed in the line of duty on December 25, 1927 at intersection of Washington Street & Fairbanks Street in Brighton
Patrolman William L. Abbott killed in the line of duty on November 28, 1931 at the intersection of Riverway & Brookline Ave in the Fenway
Patrolman Daniel A. McCallum killed in the line of duty on May 12, 1935 in the area of Jamaicaway and Bynner Street in Jamaica Plain
Patrolman Michael J. Crowley killed in the line of duty on May 12, 1961 in the area of 283 River Street in Mattapan
*** Please note: In the days leading up to the 100 Year Anniversary, the department will be posting photos on its Facebook page – taken over the past 100 years – of the Motorcycle Unit provided courtesy of Department Chronologist Officer Bobby Anthony. BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
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