Author: Mike Simmons
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End of Watch
The Death of Pensacola Police Detective James Jeffcoat An excerpt from the book, “Some Gave All,” coming soon. An excerpt from the book, “Some Gave All,” coming soon. James Jeffcoat was born in Caryville on March 2, 1917. In the 1920s, he moved with his family to Pensacola. As a young man, he was a…
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End of Watch: The death of Pensacola Police Officer Charles Franklin Bazzell
March 16, 1932 An excerpt from the book, “Some Gave All,” coming soon. August 9, 1927, The Pensacola News Journal reported that Frank had been hired as added to the rolls of the Pensacola Fire Department. Maybe it wasn’t exactly what the 25-year-old really wanted in a career, but it paid the bills…and it gave…
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End of Watch: The Murder of Corporal Eric Streeter, March 13, 1984
From the book, “Some Gave All,” coming soon. Eric Streeter was an investigator at the Sheriff’s Department in Escambia County, Florida. Eric had two important qualities that were more pronounced than most law enforcement officers. First, he was likeable. Eric had a way about him that kind of made you want to be around…
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A Model Municipal Department
An article in the Pensacola News Journal, October 1, 1890, described the condition of the Pensacola Police Department. The article said that the “Pensacola police force is excelled by that of no other city in the union.” It said that the force was led by Chief Connors and Captains Morrissey and Farinas, and came under…
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End of Watch: The Death of K9 Wolf
From the book, “Some Gave All,” coming soon, by Mike Simmons James O’hara is from Pensacola. He has roots here and he belongs here. He is part of Pensacola. James grew up Montclair. The neighborhood was full of kids – running, playing ball, riding bikes. It was every child’s dream to grow up in such…
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End of Watch: The Death of Pensacola Police Sergeant Chip Shackleford
February 27, 1933 From the book, Some Gave All, by Sgt. Mike Simmons, coming soon on Amazon. Pensacola Police Sergeant William A. Shackleford: End of Watch, February 27, 1933 William A. Shackleford, known as “Chip,” was born in the town of Stockton, Alabama. In 1913, he moved to Pensacola and joined the police force. He…
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End of Watch: The Rowe Austraw Story
From the book, “Some Gave All,” coming soon on Amazon. Glenn Rowe Austraw was born in Denver, Colorado on August 18, 1969, to David and Karen Austraw. Rowe, as he was known, wasn’t the kind to let life happen to him. He brought life wherever he went. Growing up, he joined the Boy Scouts, eventually…
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End of Watch: The death of Pensacola Police Officer Clinton Green
From the book “Some Gave All,” coming soon on Amazon. He was known as a gentlemanly officer. In early February 1938, Officer Green heard about the young 6-year-old girl in Pensacola Hospital who was dying of leukemia and needed blood. He immediately volunteered and donated. On Saturday afternoon, February 26, 1938 (85 years ago), Officer…
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It was home
40 S. Alcaniz Street It was next to the old St. Michael’s Cemetery. From 1956 to 1987, it served the Pensacola Police Department as Headquarters. Many careers started there, many ended there. Many firecrackers and cherry bombs were set off there as pranks. Fights took place inside and outside. Some joined the turban club there.…
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Pensacola’s Lawman
The distinguished career of Riley Simmons From the book, “Some Gave All,” (coming soon) Riley Simmons was born in Pollard, Alabama on August 5, 1880 to Richmond and Cynthia Simmons. Part of a large family, he grew up in the small railroad town near Flomaton. On April 22, 1905, he began what would be his…