New York Chief of Detectives (35 page)

“I thought something was funny when you said you were too busy to do anything today, but would meet me here with Caroline. However, I never dreamed anything like this. I haven’t had a birthday party since I was a teenager. It’s one of the spoils of being a single man. Thanks so much, Maggie!”

“Pat, everyone here owes you for something. You’ve touched our lives, and we wanted to do something special for you. Just sit back and enjoy it. The people here not only respect you, they love you!”

Sam Spicer had prepared a special New Orleans buffet for the party and Pat and Maggie went through the line first. Pat shook a lot of hands as he loaded his plate with Jambalaya and Shrimp Creole. It was a happy occasion, and even Caroline Rodriguez was laughing and enjoying the fun. After everyone had finished eating, Bryan Flannery took the stage and tapped on the microphone to get everyone’s attention.

“Don’t worry; I’m not going to sing. We’re here for a special reason and that is to wish Chief O’Connor a happy birthday and to thank him for all he has done for the people in this room. I’ve learned a lot from this man over the years. This case was like a graduate school in investigative momentum. When we run out of leads, Chief O‘Connor has a way of making us find leads. He makes it easy for us to do our best because we always have his support and advice. It’s legendary the way he pulls those famous rabbits out of the hat in the form of breaks in our investigations. Therefore, we have something to give him.”

Bryan pulled a black magician’s top hat out of a box and then pulled out a toy rabbit. Pat stood up and received it.

“I’ve always needed a pet that I don’t have to feed. This is perfect!”

Pat started to walk off the stage amid the laughter, but Bryan stopped him.

“Before you get away, Chief, we have something else for you. This gift is from everyone in the party tonight. We passed the hat, and also had some significant help from a lady by the name of Maggie Parker.”

Maggie got up from the table and walked on the stage. She took the microphone from Bryan.

“Most of you know of Pat’s great love of music. After all he came to New York on a jazz trumpet scholarship. We wanted to get him something very special that he wouldn’t buy for himself. I happen to know that Pat likes to sneak into those pro-music shops on 42nd Street. I dropped in there and talked to their main trumpet guy, who by the way knew Pat very well. I told him my dilemma, and I asked them if they knew of anything he would really like. According to my main man at the store, he knew the answer, so Pat, Happy Birthday from all of us.”

Maggie handed Pat a beautiful leather covered case. There was a beautiful replica of the Chief of Detective’s shield as a tag. Pat looked at it and on the back it was dated and said “Happy Birthday, Patrick O’Connor.” Pat initially thought it was a briefcase, but he recognized it as an expensive trumpet case. He opened it and found it to contain a beautifully engraved gold-plated custom-made trumpet. Pat had played the trumpet in the store several times, but thought it was far too pricy for his wallet. He thought it was the most beautiful horn he had ever seen and knew it played like a dream. He kissed Maggie, and then took the microphone.

“I’m speechless. I really don’t know what to say other than that it’s my honor to work with each of you. This city is very lucky to have you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Pat received a standing ovation, and then Sam Spicer wheeled out a big cake. Pat knew he would never forget this night. He turned to Maggie.

“You’re something else. With all that has been going on, how did you find time to do this?”

“I had a lot of help, Pat. Sam was more than willing and cut us a big break on the price.”

“I’m touched, Maggie. Warren and the boys have been invited to play in a jazz festival in a couple of months in New Orleans. He’s invited me to go along and play.”

“Oh, Pat, that’s wonderful! I wish I was going.”

Pat reached in his blazer and pulled out a white envelope. He handed it to Maggie. She opened it and saw that it was confirmed reservations for the two of them to fly from New York’s La Guardia Airport to the Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. She started to tear up.

“Oh, Pat, I’m so excited. I’ll have to check my schedule.”

“I’ve already checked with your secretary, and she says that your calendar is clear. I had her pencil you in for leave.” 

“I wouldn’t miss this!”

Warren Downing walked over to the table and patted Pat on the back.

“Let’s hear that golden trumpet, Pat.”

“Okay Warren, how about ‘Way Down Yonder in New

Orleans’?”

CHAPTER 76

Epilogue

The
search of DHA International resulted in the recovery of six million dollars in United States currency in the vault, several passports and identifications with Donald Harrison’s picture on it, along with several illegal handguns. The Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service is investigating the source of the cash with the assistance of the NYPD.

Attorney Edward Romano was convicted of Obstruction of Justice and Felony Possession of a Handgun and sentenced to two years in prison. His further involvement in the murders was never established. He was disbarred by the New York State Bar.

Donald Harrison was charged and convicted of being an accessory after the fact to the murder of Detective Anthony P. Rodriguez. He was charged with conspiracy to commit the murders of Curtis Gee, Salvatore Cortez and Hector Garcia. He received a life sentence without parole.

Daniel Pellegrino was never located, but is wanted for Obstruction Of Justice and being an Accessory

After The Fact to First Degree Murder.

DNA tests confirmed that Hector Garcia was shot and killed, then burned in a car near Queens College. Garcia was affiliated with the Mexican drug cartels. It is believed that Joey DeCarlo killed Curtis Gee, Salvatore Cortez and Hector Garcia with Tony Rodriguez’s 9 mm Glock.

Joey DeCarlo’s DNA was found on the bomb attached to Queen’s District Attorney Richard Chambers’ car. Chambers was cleared of any wrongdoing by both the New York State Police and the FBI.

Marcus Johnson was located one month after Harrison’s arrest, attempting to illegally enter Canada near Niagara Falls. He fully cooperated with detectives and admitted he had witnessed the removal of Tony Rodriguez’s body.

The shootings involving ESU Sergeant Paul Davis, Detective Rosa Sanchez and Detective Mike Logan were all ruled justifiable by both the District Attorney and the Internal Affairs Bureau.

Judge Julius Cornelius has been suspended pending a public corruption investigation.

All Rodriguez Task Force members returned to their permanent assignments.

Bryan Flannery returned to his command of the Manhattan North Homicide Unit.

Charles Abernathy retired from the New York City Police Department one month after the arrest of Donald Harrison. Patrick O’Conner was offered the job of Chief of Department, the highest ranking uniformed member of the NYPD. He respectfully declined, preferring to stay on the job as NEW YORK CHIEF OF DETECTIVES.

The End

GLOSSARY

ADA - Assistant District Attorney

“Collar” - An arrest

COMPSTAT -  A police management approach that focuses on crime statistics and command accountability designed by the NYPD

”Crispy Critter” - a burned body

CSU - Crime Scene Unit

DA - District Attorney

ESU - Emergency Services Unit, the Swat and rescue units of the NYPD

FDNY - Fire Department New York

Feds - Federal Law Enforcement

“Fee-Bees” - FBI Agents

Gracie Mansion - The residence of the New York City Mayor

“G-Ride” - A U. S. Government vehicle

GSW - Gun Short Wound

IAB - Internal Affairs Bureau

ICE - Immigration and Customs Enforcement (U. S. Government Agency)

“Inspector’s Funeral” - The funeral given for a member of the NYPD killed in the line of duty

JTTF - Joint Terrorism Task Force - a task force made up of local, state, and federal law enforcement focused on anti-terrorism, operated by the FBI

Lividity - A darkened appearance on a body caused by the settling of blood

ME - Medical Examiner

MOF - Member of the Force (a police officer)

NCIC - National Crime Information Center, a database of wanted persons maintained by the FBI

OCCB - Organized Crime Control Bureau

One PP - One Police Plaza, the headquarters of the NYPD

“On the Arm” -  receiving something such as a meal as a gratuity for being a police officer

“On the Job” - Being a member of the NYPD or a police officer in general’

PC - Police Commissioner.  Also sometimes used to refer to probable cause

Perp - Perpetrator

PO - Police Officer

PPD - Presidential Protective Division.  A division of the Secret Service charged with Protecting the President of the United States

“Putting in Your Papers” - Retirement

“Rat Squad” - Internal Affairs

RMP - Radio Mobile Patrol - a marked patrol car

RTCC - Real Time Crime Center - A crime analysis and information center operated by the NYPD

Skell - a suspect

Snitch - a confidential informant that provides information to the police

“The Squad” - Usually refers to the Detective Squad of a local precinct. For example the 16th Precinct detectives would be referred to as the 16th Squad 

SOD - Special Operations Division

Stiff - a body

Super Chiefs - The Senior Command of the NYPD consisting of Bureau Chiefs and higher

Tombs - The New York City Correctional System

“Tuning Up” - NYPD slang for physically assaulting a suspect in an effort to get a confession

“Whip” - a supervisor

10-13 - NYPD radio code for officer needs immediate assisstance