ROOKIE SHOT PRIOR TO GRADUATING POLICE ACADEMY

  By Dennis Beyer

This article is a reprint of my original post regarding a tragic shooting in Newark. I have decided to re-post the story in its' original format on the anniversary date of this incident. That story follows:

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As I look at my collection of badges a couple of sad memories entered my mind. I'll address one in this post, and the others "down the road.".

I graduated West Side H.S. in 1961. That was the year Roger Maris hit 61, and "The Mick" hit 54. I still remember those guys even though I am a Dodger fan. 

My hero in 1961 was still "The Duke of Flatbush." Los Angeles was now the new home of Duke Snider. He was near the end of his baseball career.

Yeah, High School was over in June of 1961. The Summer, for the most part, was the last time a lot of us ever saw each other. We played a lot of baseball up at Ivy Hill Park. When September came it was off to college for me. The future looked bright.

A guy who graduated in my class was a fellow name John Gutenkunst. We lived in different neighborhoods, we had different friends, and we never hung out together. He too had a bright future, and he was just beginning his career with the Newark Police Department.

Four years later I graduated college. It was 1965. I got a job as a Probation Officer in Essex County, partly because my Dad knew Chief Mulligan, but that's another story. Now, four years after graduating high school, I had lost track of just about everyone I knew from "The Burg," "West Side," and "Ivy Hill Park." That included John, who was an exceptional baseball player.

In October I heard John's name again. It was Oct. 16, 1965. He was a Rookie Officer in the Newark Police Academy. He was looking forward to graduating, enjoying the weekend, then getting his badge on Monday Morning. It never happened. 

On that October day he had the misfortune of seeing someone hit his car. He approached the guy to question him. The guy had a gun. John was shot and killed.

While I wasn't especially close to John this event is something I still remember. It haunts me.

STREET USE ONLY, NEWARK STREET INSPECTOR BADGE

This is one of my "Non Police Newark Badges." It dates back to 1930's or earlier.

I like the design, with the City Seal at top of the Badge under a Reverse Blue Lettered Panel. In the middle of the badge is a bold panel with the word: INSPECTOR. Since this is from the "Dept Of Streets" I can only imagine the job duties.

It stands 2.25" tall and as the picture shows is still in good condition. Glad to have it in my collection of Newark items.

REMEMBERING 911

 911 is a Date we shall never forget. 

There will be many tributes to those who died in NYC on the Day the World Trade Center's Twin Towers came down as a result of a terror attack.

From my Newark Collection the item below serves as my tribute:

THE SNOWMAN

 By Dennis Beyer

This article is a reprint of my original post regarding a tragic shooting in Newark. I have decided to re-post the story in its' original format on the anniversary date of this incident. That story follows:

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It was 1974 and I was struggling to make ends meet. I was now working in the Probation Departments' Pre-Sentence Investigations Section. We prepared reports for the court, so judges could impose their sentences on those individuals who definitely were not the "pillars of the community." My job gave me quite a bit of time "in the field." I was constantly traveling from one end of the County to the other. That was great for the expense account and paying the bills.

On April 2, 1974 my daughter Cathy was born. She's 29 now. How time flies, especially when you can't count. Sometime after Cathy's birth I "got a tip" that I could find some nice cobble stone to place around the plant bed in front of my house. They would make a nice addition, and were free. I just had to get myself into an isolated area near US 1. Under an overpass was a small embankment containing "my" landscape blocks. The first problem I encountered was they were heavy. I could only move half in one trip. The second problem was NPD showed up.

The Officer, riding alone, wanted my ID, and to know what I was doing. I couldn't make up a good story so I tried the truth. It seems the person who told me about these blocks also told the officer I might be around that location, and to "look out" for me."

The Officer busted my chops real good, then asked, with a huge grin, if I was done. I told him "No." I intended to get the rest of the pile. He, smiled, and said, He'd be back the next day to "watch out for me." One day later I had all "my" blocks, and 34 years later they are still around my old homestead. I remember those blocks, and meeting the "Snowman."

John Snow was assigned to traffic patrol. He routinely covered US 1 near Newark Airport. He used a "CB" radio and talked to the truck drivers. "Snowman" was his "handle." Those two afternoons were the only contacts I had with with this man.

In 1976 I heard his name mentioned on the radio. It was August and Friday the 13th. John was making a delivery of cash to a Bank when he was robbed. Gunfire took his life that day.

I really did not know the man, but I smile every time I think of those blocks. That smile soon fades when I remember Aug. 13 1976.

BE SAFE - FIFTY YEAR OLD IMAGE

 By: Dennis Beyer

This image dates back to late 1960's.

It conveyed a "warning" to be careful when traveling in Newark, especially alone. One should recognize the man with the shotgun. That's Rambo.

I have a 16 x 32 Poster with this image and often use it as part of my displays at local shows. The message is clear.

ANTIQUE INVOICE TO NEWARK POLICE DEPT: REPAIR ROGUES GALLARY

This Document is 135 Years Old, and in Excellent condition. It is a Bill for $42.00 for Repairs to N.P.D.'s Rogues Gallery. I am sure the Contractor got paid. I've had it in my Newark Police Collection for years. I just thought I would share it with everyone through this Post.

EAST ORANGE: THE CROSSROADS OF NEW JERSEY

 

This Badge is from the "Crossroads of New Jersey" - East Orange. That just so happens to be my birthplace.

This Badge was issued well before the Garden State Parkway or I-280 were ever thought of. The shape of this badge parallels the NYC Captain's Badge, however at the Center Point of this Badge there is a classic NJ State Seal in a blue field.

It has been in my collection close to fifty years. I still regard it as a "keeper," even though I have scaled my Collection back.

Thanks for allowing me to share a view of this item with you.