Author Archives: Mike Simmons

First Pensacola, Florida police car. In November 1913, discussion and approval took place at the regular meeting of the city commissioners regarding allowing for $600 for an automobile for Chief of Police Frank Sanders. On November 29 the Pensacola News-Journal reported that a large, four-door used Ford was purchased for $950 to be used primarilyContinue reading “Pensacola Police First Police Car”

From the book “Pensacola’s Finest in Pictures,” available on Amazon. The first photo is just after delivery of unfinished 1961 Dodge Polara Police Cars at the Pensacola, Florida Police Department. These cars came equipped with whitewall tires and a spotlight mounted on the driver’s side. After the city garage outfitted the vehicles with paint andContinue reading “New Police Cruisers”

Available on Amazon: “Pensacola’s Finest,” “Pensacola’s Finest in Pictures,” “Stories of Pensacola’s Finest,” and “I’m a Dead Man” #oldpolicestories

On today’s date – April 22 – in 1895, Theodore Cunningham went on trial for the murder of Mary Sellers. The scene today is a quiet street that transitions from commercial to residential. Standing in the middle of the block on East Romana between Alcaniz and Florida Blanca Streets, one can see the beautiful “LevinContinue reading “April 22 – the Pensacola Murder Trial”

By Mike Simmons Newsflash – Police work is always changing. Wow, nobody knew that…of course, everyone knows that. With each new change in our culture, technology and communities, policing changes also. Sometimes these changes come at a snail’s pace. Small, incremental changes tend to steer the minds of leaders bringing about improvements. However, sweeping reformContinue reading “April 20”

If you drove east about ½ hour from Niagara Falls, you would find yourself in the town of Pendleton, New York, a small rural town that was established in the 1820s. On April 23, 1968, Tim was born there. Tim grew up a typical small-town boy. When he was 20, he enlisted in the U.Continue reading “April 19, 2022”

From the book “Pensacola’s Finest in Pictures” Corpus Delecti. What is it? A loose translation is concrete evidence. For a homicide detective, that often means that to charge someone with murder, you must have…a dead guy. Without a dead guy, it’s impossible to convict someone of murder…maybe. But not for Dennis Waldron. Dennis was bornContinue reading “Corpus Delecti”

From the book, “Pensacola’s Finest,” available on Amazon. Law and Order. That’s what it is called – for a reason. Historically, communities had often taken matters into their own hands when a horrendous crime took place. That sounds great, but not when emotions take priority over justice.  For instance, if a person was accused ofContinue reading “End of Watch: The Death of Officer J. H. Carter: April 4, 1909“

From the book “Pensacola’s Finest,” available on Amazon. 54 years ago today… On the front page of the June 10, 1951 edition of the Pensacola News-Journal was the story entitled “Painter Kills His Baby Daughter in Family Fight.”  Richard Bonifay, a local painter, lived at 521 N. Spring Street.  He was estranged from his wife,Continue reading “End of Watch: The Death of Detective James Jeffcoat: March 22, 1968”

From Pensacola’s Finest, available on Amazon The only unsolved murder of a Pensacola Police Officer occurred 114 years ago yesterday… On the evening of March 17, 1906, the weather was clear and mild – a typical March evening for Pensacola. W. S. Norman’s Saloon was its usual busy, bustling self – typical for a SaturdayContinue reading “End of Watch: The Death of Officer William B. Burnham: March 17, 1908”