Dragnet: Production 4 aka Homicide aka Quick Trigger Gun Men

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. NBC brings you dragnet. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to homicide detail. A gang of quick trigger gunmen have moved in on your city.

They've given public notice that they'll kill the first cop who tries to take them. You know the risks, your job, apprehend the suspects. Dragnet, the document a drama of an actual crime investigated and solved by the men who unrelentingly stand watch on the security of your home, your family and your life.

For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case from beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

It was Wednesday, April 17th. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of homicide detail. The boss is Ed Backstrand, Chief of Detectives. My partner is Ben Romero. My name is Friday. I was on the way back from the record bureau. It was four minutes to six when I

I got to room 42, homicide. They've been, I pulled the package on the Raymond killing. And that proves you can still read, Friday. He said it, Joe, you're pal Fred Lynn. Hiya, Fred, what's doing?

Visier and you are. We know what we're looking for. Just having a little trouble finding him. That's where it is with automobiles. They misplaced so easy. Not normally they don't. We got a small size epidemic in our hands.

Well, don't let us keep you, Fred. Just duck in here for a breath of calm air and to invite you to dinner for the last time. The wife and I are still waiting for the first time.

How about it, Joe? Ruth's got a new pressure cooker. Your sister-in-law visiting again, huh? Oh, on the level, not selling a thing. Come on. Who is it this time? My cousin. But she's awfully pretty, Joe.

Oh, why do you guys insist on trying to marry me off? Me and Fred went down fighting, but it kind of grows on you after a while. Now tell me, what is it about a married man?

Just can't stand to see one single man left in the world. How about it, Joe? Tomorrow night at 7.0K? Okay, tell Ruth I'll be there. It figures that he's got to run out of kin for too soon.

Fine, we'll be expecting you. Got a stake out tonight, but tomorrow I'll be clear. Anything, babe? Nothing, definite. Then just to follow up on those stolen cars. See you, man. So long, Lindsey. Joe, you like my cousin.

Oh, never say die. What a character. You just catnip to women, you know. Well, here's that Raymond package. Let's check those dates that Backstrand wanted, huh? Wednesday, April 17th, who's just routine. A dinner date I tried to get out of.

Some paperwork that the chief wanted done, and a hot sticky day. Too hot to wear a suit of clothes. Sometimes it's like that. A day starts out being routine. For the time it comes of age, it's got a personality all its own.

At 10-23 that night, Ben and I were just finishing up the paperwork, and Ed Backstrand opened his office door. Right, hey Romero, just got a hot shot call. What do you got, Scaver? Hold up in shooting, and whoopernus belongs, a code three.

Code 3, that means red light and siren. It was 1032 when Ben and I pulled up at the corner of Cooper and Esperanza. It was a bar in the basement of a building on the south side of the street.

A radio car was there and the two officers were holding the crowd back. A man was talking to one of the officers who turned and pointed to us. As Ben and I got out of our car, the man hurried over to us.

You're the detectives? That's right, Sergeant Friday. My name's Cummings, I own the bar. This is terrible, there was a gunfight downstairs. Come on. Where's the ambulance? One of the officers in the radio car said we needed the coroner.

Did you see the actual shoot? No, I didn't. Here's a fellow that was shot. Oh, we're John from the crime, man. Hello, Freddy. Romero. Hi, Lee. What do we got here? Pretty bad. Looks like a shotgun.

Close range. You really got in the way, are they? Ben. Yeah. It's Fred Lindsey. Not a theft. He was on a stay-contly. I can't leave. What was the matter, Mr. Cum? You know this fellow, Sergeant?

Yeah, we know him. What happened? We had a hold up tonight. Three men? Yes, go on. Well, business was good, real good. We had a large crowd, and I was happy about that because I've been trying to sell out for a long time now.

I've been showing the place to different parties all week long. I had a fellow coming over tonight to take a look at it. What time was that? A little less than an hour ago, about 9.30.

I see, go ahead. It was almost time for this man to show up. So I called Eddie. That's my bartender and I told him to kind of keep a lookout for the man because I was going back to the office to get the books ready to show.

You know how it is when you want to sell a business. You'll watch for him Eddie. You bet I will. You want me? I'll be back in the office. Keep your mouth shut and stand still.

You only sparred aren't you? Well, yes. What is this? You're the boy we want to see. Which one are you? All three of us. What's going on? What's it look like, genius? That's the stick up.

I haven't any money. You go to the bank on Thursday's, don't you? I made my deposit today instead. I've been watching you for a month now. Don't give us that you go to the bank on Thursdays now Come on hand it over. I'm telling you the truth. I usually go on Thursdays, but I I went today instead

You're lying ace and we ain't got much time. Look you can have all the money. I've got on me I think it's about 200, but that's all I have here. Why are you here with him take what he's gotten worth shit the customers down Oh, no, please don't do that. You got my money. Isn't that enough? No, it ain't

Come on. Let's go out front. That's about all I remember Sergeant when I come around I was lying on the floor of my office You better have somebody take a look at that cut on you, see.

Yeah, I'm going to right away. There's my bartender. He saw the fight. What's his name, Eddie? Yeah. Eddie? Yes, sir? These men are detectives, Eddie. Will you tell them what you saw? Oh, it was pretty rough.

Tell us what happened when they started to shoot. That fella the coroner just took out of here. Sure was long on nerve. Took on all three of them, single handed. Uh-huh, tell us what you saw.

You ought to get that fella's name. Sure had a lot of nerve. Took over just like he was a cop. He was a cop. Now what did you see? I pegged him for a cop.

Well he was sitting up at the bar. Been nursing a bottle of beer for about an hour. I was keeping an eye on the front door, watching for this fellow the boss wanted to see.

So I didn't see the three hold up men come through from the back. But I heard him. All right, let's knock it off. You can all see this shotgun. Anybody make a move and I'll blow your head off.

Demons cover the front door. Got it. Second, shake them down. OK, Jance. You guys in the band keep that music going. The rest of you people turn around and face the bar. Put your hands on top of the bar and leave them there till we tell you to move.

Come on, hurry up. All right. Knock it off. OK, sickle. Go take your money. You'll watch as anything else you got. Now don't try to be cute and hold out. All right, you, take off the watch.

I'll get your bill for you. Oh, lady, let's have the ring. This man, the clothes, sickle, went right down the line. Took everything good, lay his hands on. This cop, your friend, was facing me at the far end of the bar.

He was then there, just like the others. He kinda leaned toward me a little. Can you see the guy with the shotgun? Yeah. Where is he? He's under the room. The other guy, still at the door?

Yeah. Got his gun out? Yeah. Hold him in his right hand. How far down the line is the other guy? About ten people away. Hey, you two down at the end there. Knock it off.

Hurry up, sickle! Doing the best I can! Come on, let's have the Porsche lady. You're next to the lady here. Get the watch off. I'll take the photo. I'm gonna take the one with the shotgun first.

I got a gun. How far away is that guy now? I thought Chance told you to shut up. Alright, Sickle, try to move and I'll break your back. Let me go! Go ahead, shoot, Chance!

Are you in the car? Oh, you people at the bar, down on the floor. Okay, you with that shotgun, grab it. Lemons, can you get a shot at him? Now we're not hitting Sickle. Come on, you, I'm waiting.

You got us all wrong, boy. We like Sickle, but not that much. I'm not in the car. I'm in the car. I'm in the car. I'm in the car. I'm in the car. I'm in the car.

Not that much. The cop was holding sickle as a shield. And the big guy, let go of the shotgun, both the cop and sickle ducked. The cop didn't get hit. This man's sickle fell over on his face, grabbed at his arm.

The man with a shotgun went down on one knee, holding his stomach. The man at the door took a shot at the cop that he missed. Then the cop fired three shots at the man with the door.

Looked like the first two missed. At the last one caught the man in the leg and he went down. Well, by this time, the big guy with a shotgun had recovered enough to hold his weapon again.

I tried to warn the cop. Look out at the guy with the shotgun! I see him! The cop pointed his gun and pulled the trigger, but he was out of shell. Boy Sergeant, my stomach nodded up when I heard that hammer fall against those empty chambers.

The cop threw his gun at the guy with a shotgun and then ran right at him. You know, it was just as if that cop was trying to run right Down the barrel of that shotgun.

I glanced at the cop on the floor, and I tried to follow the three of them, as they made their way out of the bar. They jumped into a car out front and drove off.

As a kid, I used to what Bill Hart take on a whole gang in the movies, but this way, right in front of my eyes, Sergeant, he was an awful brave guy. Did you get the license number to their car?

No, I didn't, I couldn't see very well. We got a pretty good look at all three of the men, didn't we? I believe I'd recognize any of them. Thanks, Eddie. What's your last name? Bowers. Eddie Bowers.

Got that, Ben. Yeah. You'll be hearing from us, Eddie. We may want you to look at some pictures for us. Glad to help anyway I can, Sergeant. I hope you get them in the shot this cock.

You sure gonna try, aren't you? Yeah, Eddie. We sure gonna try. The next step was for Ben and I to make a complete report to Chief Ed Backstrand. They got Lindsey, huh? That Fred Lindsey and I are theft.

Yeah, I'd try. Good cut. You see, he wanted two out of the three in that hold up. Yeah. That means they'll have to have medical attention in a hurry. We'll take all the small hospitals, cover all the drugstores to get in line on anyone who bought the medical supplies in the last hour.

Uh-huh. As soon as medical detail notifies Miss Lindsey, I'd like to go over and see her. Smith and the medical details aren't there now. By the time you get back, we may have a flash in the drugstores or hospitals.

We'll be back in 30 minutes. Call them when you get out there. Right, Ed. You might carry this with you. Yeah. I'm sick. I am sick to my stomach about this thing. I want you to get those two bit pumps.

I don't want them to see another sunrise. Got that, haven't you? Yeah, let's go then. Chandler? Yes, sir. Put out an APB. Have communications broadcast the descriptions of these suspects every 30 minutes in the further long than this.

Oh, Joe. Come here. Thanks, Ruth. Sit down. Ruth, you know how we all feel. Yes. All right, Joe. You married to a cop I guess you meant to expect things like this. He don't like that.

Fred and I used to discuss the possibility of this. Used to worry about him. Used to worry a lot, Joan. All those nights when he was away in the days. Used to worry. Now I know he's safe.

Anything you want or you need? Thanks, no, Joan. Anything at all that I can do? Yes, Joan. Think there's something you can do. You and Ben are assigned to this case, aren't you? That's right.

Then you can't. Thinking that you will need Ben, or I have to face those killers. Ben's wife is too afraid, more than anything I want that. No more heartaches. Yeah. Thanks for coming by, Joe.

How'd you take it, Joe? Let's go. Joe, how'd you take it? You're married, Ben, you figure it. It was 11.30 when we got back to Central Division. We walked into the squad room, backstrand was waiting for us.

Righty, we just got our first lead. We've located a drugster who said he sold some medical supplies to a man about 45 minutes ago. There's the address. Pretty close to the scene of the shooting.

I'm about to see him right away. The Rex Pharmacy was exactly 14 blocks from the red-bedder bar where the shooting took place. Rex Pharmacy was like your corner drugstore, complete with a pop-icary jars and shower curtains.

The drugster was the same little man who's been prescribing sulfur and molasses since You were a kidding school. And he just about ready to close. What can I do for you gentlemen? We're from the police department.

I didn't have for expecting you fellows. We got a report that you sold some medical supplies to a man about an hour ago. Yes, sir. That's right. It's like I was telling those other officers that we here a while ago.

And it was something funny about that to the fellow. How are you, man? Oh, for one thing, he came in here sweating quite a bit. Of course it's a warm night, but he seemed terribly nervous.

Anybody with him? No, he was all by himself. What did he buy? Well, it wasn't so much. What he bought, but how much? What do you mean? You know how. Most people buy iodine. Little Tencent bottle.

He bought a couple of pints. Then there was all that gauze and adhesive tape. Boring up to repair a small army. A custom box of swabs. Then he asked me something that made me wonder.

What was that? Ask me if I had something to probe with. That's just the way he said it. Something to probe with. I asked him, oh, what you want to probe for? What'd he say?

Said a splinter. I told him I was sewing, he would do the trick. He said, forget it, then he paid me and walked out. Uh-huh. Could you describe the man? Mm-hmm. He's a small man, dark.

Like I said, awful nervous and think you could identify. Oh, sure I could. If I ever saw him again. What did he leave on for? Or was there a car outside? Left in a cab parked right out in front.

Couldn't miss it. Well did you happen to take down a lass and some... Well, no I didn't. But I did jock down the taxi cab number. Would that help? Taking down cab numbers isn't exactly in a drug-as-line, but because he had the presence of mine to do that one small thing.

We accomplished in 10 minutes what could have well taken as many weeks. Maybe with this small wedge we could do what Baxter and Juan did us to do. Get the killers before another sunrise. Well it was close to midnight when we stepped into the drugstore phone booth.

I called the cab company, got the night supervisor. I gave him the number of the cab and he checked his location chart. Cab 375 was operating out of a stand at Wilshire and Greenhaven. It was the right driver and he remembered the fare.

Sure, I know you mean? A little guy seemed in a big hurry. It was a long fare though, I took him out to Englewood. Oh well I checked my load, see I'll give you the exact answer.

Here it is, Joe, 1523 Imperials. The room in half. Yeah, come on we'll check with the landlady. Kind of late, yeah. Well, stand away from the door, huh? Might not be the landlady who answers.

Yes, what do you want? Police Department. Oh, well, it's a minute. Let me see your badge. There you are, ma'am. I'm Sergeant Friday. This is Romero, homicide. No, right. Now, what do you want? I run a good, clean room and house.

It's not the house, lady. It's morning, you're tenants. Which one? That's what we want you to help us all. Doctor, you men know what time it is. Come back here in the morning. Sorry, this can't wait till morning.

I'm not going to invite you in. We'll talk right here on the porch and keep your voices down. My tenants work during the day. Whatever you say, ma'am. No, it is. If you want to know.

We're looking for a small, dark man. My doctor, he here, could fit that description. No, he came in late tonight about 45 minutes ago. I wouldn't know about that. I don't spy on my people.

This is very important. You have to keep your voices down. Sorry. He's dark and he's small. I didn't just say he was dark. You must mean Mr. Tender. What's his room number? What's his room number?

room ten but I can't allow you to tramp up and down the stairs at this hour you wake all my room will be as quiet as he wants us to be what do you mean by that they're gonna be trouble I don't know lady what we find number ten the end of the whole last room on the right and keep your voices

down if you're just waiting in room that he will call you for long the door to your bed we might have trouble think they all in there who is it what do you want only department I'll try this load you what do you want with me what What are you looking for?

Oh, it's empty. What you say your name was? Tendo, Bob Tendo. New name, but same face, aren't you? Yeah, how long have you been on a jail, Tenny? My name ain't Tenny. It's Tendo. Your name's not Tendo, it's Sam Tenny.

We sent you up on a robbery charge four years ago, isn't it? Right, Tenny? No, it's not right. You got the wrong man. I never been in jail? Yes, you have, because we sent you there.

Now come on, who'd you buy the medical supplies for? I don't know what you're talking about. Look, Tenny, it's a hot night that's late. So let's cut out the smart talk, huh? Who'd you buy those medical supplies for?

Toni, look, you're a two-time loser right now. Who you shielding? You got nothing on me? I ain't done a thing. We can prove that you bought those supplies tonight, and it can go kind of hard on you.

So let's open up. I'm in the other room all night long. We got a drugist and a cab driver who'll make a liar out of you. I still don't know a thing. F-cab driver hoired you home here 45 minutes ago.

Where were you? Was that on a date? Is that who you bought the medicine for? Ben, call the drugist and get that cab driver. We'll take Toni downtown. All right, all right. All I did was buy the bandages and stuff.

I got nothing else to do with this. Who'd you buy this death for? Now you know everything else, you figure it out. Oh, now look, punk. We know the word three of them. One of them killed a cop.

We're gonna get two of them and tell me you're not gonna stand in our way. They killed somebody. They didn't tell me that. Oh, they didn't tell you. I know any part of murder. I'm gonna tell you who it was, but I'm clean.

I got nothing to do with it. I was trying to help him out of a jam. Who were you trying to help? I was Roy Beemus, Charlie Sickle, and Red Jans. They didn't tell me nothing about murder.

Well, why'd you help? They often be a pretty good piece of change to run an air informant. You know, I got paid for that's all I had to do with it. What did you deliver those medical supplies?

I have to tell you that. I'm afraid of Jans. He's awful. Free with that shotgun. We'll give you protection. Now, where are they? And we go to jail. Did you get them? You'll get protection. Give us the address.

It's an apartment house. Just run the corner from here. The Blue Eagle. We took Sam Teni down a central division with us. On the way downtown, he told us that Red Jans and the other two had their room at the blue eagle barricaded.

Teni said that they told him that they'd kill the first cop who tried to take him. But we knew they were wounded. He told us that Sickle had an arm wound. Bima's got it in the leg and Jans had a slug in his side.

We figured they'd be weak from the loss of blood and we could take them easy. You'll never take those guys easy. Sure, they lost a little blood, but they had enough fight left to stack that room.

And they got enough left to kill you if you try to take them. On the way to headquarters, we stopped at an all-night drive-in and called Ed Backstrand. We told him we had a radio car watching the Blue Eagle.

We gave him the whole story and told him we were on our way in. But the time we checked into homicide head had the plan all mapped out. It was 2.25 AM. Here's the map from the city engineers.

It's one city block bounded on the North Bay Hawthorne Street on the South Lawndale Avenue on the east 16th Street and to the west 17th. The Blue Eagle apartment house is right here on 16th and Hawthorne.

West of the Blue Eagle is a private resident. South of the Blue Eagle on 16th is a vacant lot. There are 12 apartments in the building. The men we want are on the second floor, number 11.

And that apartment faces east on 16th. How do you want to handle it, Ed? I'm Baker and more high. I'm going to evacuate the private residence. Right here, North America, not the apartment building. Right, Skip.

All traffic is being diverted. The entire block is completely isolated. We'll throw up a cordon. Since we cleared the residence, nobody goes in, nobody goes out. Will you brief us again when we get there, Ed?

I'll give you all the briefing you need right now. Get this. These guys have already killed a cop. I don't want to lose any more. You know, they're heavily armed and they're desperate. Have the men draw shotguns, teargas, and tommy guns.

I'll take care of that, Kipper. All right. Now, we're not going in after these punks like tin horn heroes. We're going after them and we're coming out alive. All of us. What time is it, Friday?

Two thirty seven. Not much time will son not visit. It was a code too. That means red light will move fast. Backstrand figured we needed six squad cars, four men to a car, the police public address truck, ambulance and floodlights.

Then checked out the weapons to the men, and by two forty-six we pulled out of the central division garage. We slid into the area at three twenty a.m. The six squad cars and the public address truck took up their positions.

The floodlights were rigged and ready to turn on at Backstrand's command. The machinery was set to roll as soon as we got the neighborhood cleared. Ben and I evacuated the Blue Eagle apartment house. How many does that make, Joe?

We've cleared nine, two to go. Here's apartment ten. Killers are right next door. Joe, I'd like to kick that door in right now. Take your time, Ben. We'll get to them. Quiet now. What is it?

Police Department. May we come in? Yeah, of course. What's the trouble? No trouble. We're evacuating the building. We'll have to ask you to leave for the back door. We'll notify you when to return. We'll use leave quietly and lock your door.

What's going on? No time to explain. Thank you very much for your cooperation. Police Department, can we come in? Sorry to disturb you, Tissera, we evacuate and build. Please hurry and leave quietly but the back door.

You'll be notified when to return. Lock your door when you leave, fine. It was 4.10 AM. Everything was set now. The neighborhood was completely cleared. The entire block was empty except for apartment 11 on the second floor of the Blue Eagle.

I left Ben to watch the door of apartment 11. I went downstairs and across the street to join the rest of the men. It was Ed Backstrand's show from here on. That's it Ed, all set.

Baker, Boorheim. All clear? All clear to you. Baker, you and Morheim take three men and cover the rear of the building. Right. Is that detailed, covered, Hawthorne Street? They're all set in. How about the vacant lot?

Taken care of. Rest of you, man. Yeah. Yeah. Glad you and I are going into the building. We'll try to get them to come out now. Johnson. Yes, sir? Come with us and keep us covered.

Let's go. Apartment 11 is up at the head of the stairs, Ed. Right. Any action, Romero? None of the things, Gibber. Keep down all of you. I'll try to get them out. Janz, Demas, Zickle, you're all alone, the building's clear.

Come on up with your hands behind your head. Come on out, Janz, we'll come in and get you, you hear me? Hang here, you hear me? Come on, let's get out to the street. Johnson, come to that door and be careful, keep down.

Right, Chief. Fridey, Romero, come with me. We left Sergeant Johnson to watch the door, and we ran out on the 16th street and tucked down behind the police sound truck. The floodlights hit the side of the building.

and grab the microphone. Chance, behemous, sickle. You've got 30 seconds to come down out of that room. Walk out backwards with your hands behind your head. Constance. They're making a tough head. Amaro, lob some tear gas through that window.

Right, skipper. Miss, we're giving you a chance. That's more than you gave that cop in the bar. Come on! That's Chance, Ed. He isn't coming out. He must have got Johnson, of course, in another room.

Shoot the gas in there. get him out ahead give it time. Let's lighten up there. Friday, take that second floor with the comic gun. Let's keep them in one room. Right. Hold your fire, Friday.

Jart, give us a couple of masks. Ben and I are going in. The rest of you men, concentrate your fire on those two rooms. Hit them now! Here you are, you masked yo. Let's go.

Put that mask on Ben and keep down. You're waiting. Somebody coming down inside stairs. Doc, Ben, he's got a gun. I got one! Stop and get out of my way! Stop but you haven't got a chance.

I'm coming through, come on! Thank a stop, Joe. Can you see Johnson? No, it's too much gas, man. Alright, you two up there. We got one of you. The other two, come on out. Joe, think we got him?

I don't know. Can you see Johnson? No, Joe, it's still too thick in there. I'm going in, Ben. Cover me. Come on. We know there are two of you up there. I just want cover.

Throw your gun down the stairs ahead of you. Hurry up. Shotgun, Joe. Jance. I see him. I'll take him at the foot of the stairs. Alright, I got my hands up. I found Johnson, Ben.

Alright, Jance. Outside. Come on. Move. Put the handcuffs on him, Ben. I'll cover you. Yeah. How's John? I don't know. Ed, get the ambulance crew over here. Yeah. Who's this other guy we got? Beamus. How about second?

I said just one, didn't I? Copy? Never mind the smart talk, Jans. I'll just answer the question. Jickle wanted a little bit of a long time ago, so I let him out. He's upstairs. I let him out the back way.

Me and you shot him? He wanted out, didn't he? All right. We'll take him in. Johnson's in the ambulance. I'll see you in the office. Right, Gibber. Here you go. Backstrands that he didn't want those men to see another sunrise.

Yeah. Five minutes to five, June. Son, ought to be, yeah. Yeah. Would look, man. It's cloudy. Yes, we'll never know, huh? You have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent.

Edgar Red Gen's the sole survivor was tried and convicted and sentenced to be put to death in the state penitentiary in the manner prescribed by law. Just heard the fourth in a new series of authentic cases from official files.

Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the Office of CB Horrell, Chief of Police, Los Angeles Police Department. Tonight's program is dedicated to Radio Car Patrolman Boris E. Sawyer of the Denver, Colorado Police Department, who on the evening of March 8, 1937 gave his life so that yours might be more secure.

We are from Los Angeles. This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.