BATTALORA SUICIDE BRINGS DEEP GRIEF TO HIS COMRADES
Praised as an Efficient Sleuth – Demoted as He Was About to Nab Bomb Case Suspect.
Using the same revolver presented to him several years ago by his comrades for excellent police work in capturing six bandits single-handed, Charles J. Battalora who was reduced from the rank of first grade detective sergeant and assigned to uniformed duty in the Hamilton Avenue precinct committed suicide by shooting himself in the right side of the head in his home at 926 Lincoln place last night.
Battalora who possessed one of the best records in the local detective bureau was completely "broken up," it is said, over the action of his superiors in demoting him. He was to have reported to his new station at 8 A. M., to-day, and his act came as a complete shock to his comrades, who had always looked upon "Charlie" as he was familiarly known, as a “big, good-natured fellow, ever ready to help the youngster and cheer the dejected.”
Early in the afternoon, Mrs. Battalora, with their two children, Blanche, 13, and William, 8, left the former detective alone in his home while they went to visit relatives. Battalora, it is said, may have contemplated suicide, because he declined to accompany his wife and children yesterday, although they endeavored to persuade him to do so.
When Mrs. Battalora and the children returned home, shortly after 9 o'clock, little Blanche, a great favorite with her father called, "Oh. Daddy, we are home. Where are you?"
There was no response. Mrs. Battalora and the children thinking the former sleuth may have fallen asleep went to his room. There they found his body, sprawled on the floor and the revolver, a gift from his comrades, clutched in his right hand. Blood was flowing- from a wound over the right temple.
Comrade Investigates.
Mrs. Battalora collapsed and little Blanche, crying, notified Police Headquarters by telephone. Dr. Schiff, of Swedish Hospital, was called, but there was nothing he could do. By a peculiar twist of fate Detective Sergt. Joseph Fennelly, who was promoted on Saturday, was assigned to investigate the case. Detective Fennelly was noticeably affected when he arrived at the house. He had worked with Battalora on several important cases.
Battalora joined the department on April 4, 1906, and a few years later was assigned to the detective bureau and worked in the famous Italian squad then commanded by Lieut. Joseph Petrosino, who was shot down by assassins in Italy.
Battalora had been with the detective bureau more than fourteen years and had been receiving first grade pay for more than nine years. A few years ago he was presented with a valuable gold watch, suitably engraved, by merchants in the neighborhood of Lafayette and Nostrand Avenues, for the capture of a holdup man who had robbed one of the merchants.
Had Notable Record.
When Battalora came to Brooklyn he was assigned to the old Seventh branch detective district, the headquarters of which were located in Willoughby Avenue, near Lewis Avenue. It was while there that a bomb was exploded in the drug store of John Ingoglio, in Flushing Avenue, near Morgan Avenue.
For weeks Battalora and Detective Charles Hemindinger worked on the case. A fragment of the bomb which was found by Battalora subsequently led to the arrest of three men, who, it is alleged, made a confession that they set off the bomb when Ingoglio refused to accede to their demands for money. These men are now in Sing Sing prison.
In 1918, Battalora was sent to the Clymer Street police station when the old system of having detectives in each precinct was resumed and the Seventh branch headquarters discontinued. He was placed in charge of half a dozen men and did efficient work, his comrades say.
A year and a half ago, while on his way home, on Marcy Avenue, he noticed an automobile containing seven men acting in a suspicious manner. He left the trolley car, jumped on the running board of the machine, and, with drawn revolver, commanded the chauffeur to drive to the Clymer street station. When the men were searched, it is said everyone was found to possess a revolver, fully loaded.
Was Solving Bomb Case.
Recently a bomb was exploded in the doorway of a butcher shop in Marcy Avenue, near Wallabout Street. Battalora was working hard on this case and about to make an arrest when he received word of his demotion and ordered to report today at the Hamilton Avenue station for patrol duty.
Battalora was scheduled to appear to-day in Bridge Plaza court in the case of Gactano La Commone, 25, of 177 Scholes Street, whom he arrested Friday on complaint of Annie Masscato, 21, of 437 Marcy Avenue, Magistrate Short, when informed that Battalora was dead, adjourned the case.
The death of Battalora has caused much sorrow among the men of the Clymer street station, where he was popular. The young men of the department often sought his advice and it was given freely.
Battalora was about six feet tall and an athlete. It was his custom, whenever opportunity afforded, to go to the gymnasium of the Bedford Branch Y.M.C.A.
Published in The Brooklyn Standard Union – Monday, February 11, 1924.
Praised as an Efficient Sleuth – Demoted as He Was About to Nab Bomb Case Suspect.
Using the same revolver presented to him several years ago by his comrades for excellent police work in capturing six bandits single-handed, Charles J. Battalora who was reduced from the rank of first grade detective sergeant and assigned to uniformed duty in the Hamilton Avenue precinct committed suicide by shooting himself in the right side of the head in his home at 926 Lincoln place last night.
Battalora who possessed one of the best records in the local detective bureau was completely "broken up," it is said, over the action of his superiors in demoting him. He was to have reported to his new station at 8 A. M., to-day, and his act came as a complete shock to his comrades, who had always looked upon "Charlie" as he was familiarly known, as a “big, good-natured fellow, ever ready to help the youngster and cheer the dejected.”
Early in the afternoon, Mrs. Battalora, with their two children, Blanche, 13, and William, 8, left the former detective alone in his home while they went to visit relatives. Battalora, it is said, may have contemplated suicide, because he declined to accompany his wife and children yesterday, although they endeavored to persuade him to do so.
When Mrs. Battalora and the children returned home, shortly after 9 o'clock, little Blanche, a great favorite with her father called, "Oh. Daddy, we are home. Where are you?"
There was no response. Mrs. Battalora and the children thinking the former sleuth may have fallen asleep went to his room. There they found his body, sprawled on the floor and the revolver, a gift from his comrades, clutched in his right hand. Blood was flowing- from a wound over the right temple.
Comrade Investigates.
Mrs. Battalora collapsed and little Blanche, crying, notified Police Headquarters by telephone. Dr. Schiff, of Swedish Hospital, was called, but there was nothing he could do. By a peculiar twist of fate Detective Sergt. Joseph Fennelly, who was promoted on Saturday, was assigned to investigate the case. Detective Fennelly was noticeably affected when he arrived at the house. He had worked with Battalora on several important cases.
Battalora joined the department on April 4, 1906, and a few years later was assigned to the detective bureau and worked in the famous Italian squad then commanded by Lieut. Joseph Petrosino, who was shot down by assassins in Italy.
Battalora had been with the detective bureau more than fourteen years and had been receiving first grade pay for more than nine years. A few years ago he was presented with a valuable gold watch, suitably engraved, by merchants in the neighborhood of Lafayette and Nostrand Avenues, for the capture of a holdup man who had robbed one of the merchants.
Had Notable Record.
When Battalora came to Brooklyn he was assigned to the old Seventh branch detective district, the headquarters of which were located in Willoughby Avenue, near Lewis Avenue. It was while there that a bomb was exploded in the drug store of John Ingoglio, in Flushing Avenue, near Morgan Avenue.
For weeks Battalora and Detective Charles Hemindinger worked on the case. A fragment of the bomb which was found by Battalora subsequently led to the arrest of three men, who, it is alleged, made a confession that they set off the bomb when Ingoglio refused to accede to their demands for money. These men are now in Sing Sing prison.
In 1918, Battalora was sent to the Clymer Street police station when the old system of having detectives in each precinct was resumed and the Seventh branch headquarters discontinued. He was placed in charge of half a dozen men and did efficient work, his comrades say.
A year and a half ago, while on his way home, on Marcy Avenue, he noticed an automobile containing seven men acting in a suspicious manner. He left the trolley car, jumped on the running board of the machine, and, with drawn revolver, commanded the chauffeur to drive to the Clymer street station. When the men were searched, it is said everyone was found to possess a revolver, fully loaded.
Was Solving Bomb Case.
Recently a bomb was exploded in the doorway of a butcher shop in Marcy Avenue, near Wallabout Street. Battalora was working hard on this case and about to make an arrest when he received word of his demotion and ordered to report today at the Hamilton Avenue station for patrol duty.
Battalora was scheduled to appear to-day in Bridge Plaza court in the case of Gactano La Commone, 25, of 177 Scholes Street, whom he arrested Friday on complaint of Annie Masscato, 21, of 437 Marcy Avenue, Magistrate Short, when informed that Battalora was dead, adjourned the case.
The death of Battalora has caused much sorrow among the men of the Clymer street station, where he was popular. The young men of the department often sought his advice and it was given freely.
Battalora was about six feet tall and an athlete. It was his custom, whenever opportunity afforded, to go to the gymnasium of the Bedford Branch Y.M.C.A.
Published in The Brooklyn Standard Union – Monday, February 11, 1924.
BATTALORA SUICIDE BRINGS DEEP GRIEF TO HIS COMRADES
Praised as an Efficient Sleuth – Demoted as He Was About to Nab Bomb Case Suspect.
Using the same revolver presented to him several years ago by his comrades for excellent police work in capturing six bandits single-handed, Charles J. Battalora who was reduced from the rank of first grade detective sergeant and assigned to uniformed duty in the Hamilton Avenue precinct committed suicide by shooting himself in the right side of the head in his home at 926 Lincoln place last night.
Battalora who possessed one of the best records in the local detective bureau was completely "broken up," it is said, over the action of his superiors in demoting him. He was to have reported to his new station at 8 A. M., to-day, and his act came as a complete shock to his comrades, who had always looked upon "Charlie" as he was familiarly known, as a “big, good-natured fellow, ever ready to help the youngster and cheer the dejected.”
Early in the afternoon, Mrs. Battalora, with their two children, Blanche, 13, and William, 8, left the former detective alone in his home while they went to visit relatives. Battalora, it is said, may have contemplated suicide, because he declined to accompany his wife and children yesterday, although they endeavored to persuade him to do so.
When Mrs. Battalora and the children returned home, shortly after 9 o'clock, little Blanche, a great favorite with her father called, "Oh. Daddy, we are home. Where are you?"
There was no response. Mrs. Battalora and the children thinking the former sleuth may have fallen asleep went to his room. There they found his body, sprawled on the floor and the revolver, a gift from his comrades, clutched in his right hand. Blood was flowing- from a wound over the right temple.
Comrade Investigates.
Mrs. Battalora collapsed and little Blanche, crying, notified Police Headquarters by telephone. Dr. Schiff, of Swedish Hospital, was called, but there was nothing he could do. By a peculiar twist of fate Detective Sergt. Joseph Fennelly, who was promoted on Saturday, was assigned to investigate the case. Detective Fennelly was noticeably affected when he arrived at the house. He had worked with Battalora on several important cases.
Battalora joined the department on April 4, 1906, and a few years later was assigned to the detective bureau and worked in the famous Italian squad then commanded by Lieut. Joseph Petrosino, who was shot down by assassins in Italy.
Battalora had been with the detective bureau more than fourteen years and had been receiving first grade pay for more than nine years. A few years ago he was presented with a valuable gold watch, suitably engraved, by merchants in the neighborhood of Lafayette and Nostrand Avenues, for the capture of a holdup man who had robbed one of the merchants.
Had Notable Record.
When Battalora came to Brooklyn he was assigned to the old Seventh branch detective district, the headquarters of which were located in Willoughby Avenue, near Lewis Avenue. It was while there that a bomb was exploded in the drug store of John Ingoglio, in Flushing Avenue, near Morgan Avenue.
For weeks Battalora and Detective Charles Hemindinger worked on the case. A fragment of the bomb which was found by Battalora subsequently led to the arrest of three men, who, it is alleged, made a confession that they set off the bomb when Ingoglio refused to accede to their demands for money. These men are now in Sing Sing prison.
In 1918, Battalora was sent to the Clymer Street police station when the old system of having detectives in each precinct was resumed and the Seventh branch headquarters discontinued. He was placed in charge of half a dozen men and did efficient work, his comrades say.
A year and a half ago, while on his way home, on Marcy Avenue, he noticed an automobile containing seven men acting in a suspicious manner. He left the trolley car, jumped on the running board of the machine, and, with drawn revolver, commanded the chauffeur to drive to the Clymer street station. When the men were searched, it is said everyone was found to possess a revolver, fully loaded.
Was Solving Bomb Case.
Recently a bomb was exploded in the doorway of a butcher shop in Marcy Avenue, near Wallabout Street. Battalora was working hard on this case and about to make an arrest when he received word of his demotion and ordered to report today at the Hamilton Avenue station for patrol duty.
Battalora was scheduled to appear to-day in Bridge Plaza court in the case of Gactano La Commone, 25, of 177 Scholes Street, whom he arrested Friday on complaint of Annie Masscato, 21, of 437 Marcy Avenue, Magistrate Short, when informed that Battalora was dead, adjourned the case.
The death of Battalora has caused much sorrow among the men of the Clymer street station, where he was popular. The young men of the department often sought his advice and it was given freely.
Battalora was about six feet tall and an athlete. It was his custom, whenever opportunity afforded, to go to the gymnasium of the Bedford Branch Y.M.C.A.
Published in The Brooklyn Standard Union – Monday, February 11, 1924.
Praised as an Efficient Sleuth – Demoted as He Was About to Nab Bomb Case Suspect.
Using the same revolver presented to him several years ago by his comrades for excellent police work in capturing six bandits single-handed, Charles J. Battalora who was reduced from the rank of first grade detective sergeant and assigned to uniformed duty in the Hamilton Avenue precinct committed suicide by shooting himself in the right side of the head in his home at 926 Lincoln place last night.
Battalora who possessed one of the best records in the local detective bureau was completely "broken up," it is said, over the action of his superiors in demoting him. He was to have reported to his new station at 8 A. M., to-day, and his act came as a complete shock to his comrades, who had always looked upon "Charlie" as he was familiarly known, as a “big, good-natured fellow, ever ready to help the youngster and cheer the dejected.”
Early in the afternoon, Mrs. Battalora, with their two children, Blanche, 13, and William, 8, left the former detective alone in his home while they went to visit relatives. Battalora, it is said, may have contemplated suicide, because he declined to accompany his wife and children yesterday, although they endeavored to persuade him to do so.
When Mrs. Battalora and the children returned home, shortly after 9 o'clock, little Blanche, a great favorite with her father called, "Oh. Daddy, we are home. Where are you?"
There was no response. Mrs. Battalora and the children thinking the former sleuth may have fallen asleep went to his room. There they found his body, sprawled on the floor and the revolver, a gift from his comrades, clutched in his right hand. Blood was flowing- from a wound over the right temple.
Comrade Investigates.
Mrs. Battalora collapsed and little Blanche, crying, notified Police Headquarters by telephone. Dr. Schiff, of Swedish Hospital, was called, but there was nothing he could do. By a peculiar twist of fate Detective Sergt. Joseph Fennelly, who was promoted on Saturday, was assigned to investigate the case. Detective Fennelly was noticeably affected when he arrived at the house. He had worked with Battalora on several important cases.
Battalora joined the department on April 4, 1906, and a few years later was assigned to the detective bureau and worked in the famous Italian squad then commanded by Lieut. Joseph Petrosino, who was shot down by assassins in Italy.
Battalora had been with the detective bureau more than fourteen years and had been receiving first grade pay for more than nine years. A few years ago he was presented with a valuable gold watch, suitably engraved, by merchants in the neighborhood of Lafayette and Nostrand Avenues, for the capture of a holdup man who had robbed one of the merchants.
Had Notable Record.
When Battalora came to Brooklyn he was assigned to the old Seventh branch detective district, the headquarters of which were located in Willoughby Avenue, near Lewis Avenue. It was while there that a bomb was exploded in the drug store of John Ingoglio, in Flushing Avenue, near Morgan Avenue.
For weeks Battalora and Detective Charles Hemindinger worked on the case. A fragment of the bomb which was found by Battalora subsequently led to the arrest of three men, who, it is alleged, made a confession that they set off the bomb when Ingoglio refused to accede to their demands for money. These men are now in Sing Sing prison.
In 1918, Battalora was sent to the Clymer Street police station when the old system of having detectives in each precinct was resumed and the Seventh branch headquarters discontinued. He was placed in charge of half a dozen men and did efficient work, his comrades say.
A year and a half ago, while on his way home, on Marcy Avenue, he noticed an automobile containing seven men acting in a suspicious manner. He left the trolley car, jumped on the running board of the machine, and, with drawn revolver, commanded the chauffeur to drive to the Clymer street station. When the men were searched, it is said everyone was found to possess a revolver, fully loaded.
Was Solving Bomb Case.
Recently a bomb was exploded in the doorway of a butcher shop in Marcy Avenue, near Wallabout Street. Battalora was working hard on this case and about to make an arrest when he received word of his demotion and ordered to report today at the Hamilton Avenue station for patrol duty.
Battalora was scheduled to appear to-day in Bridge Plaza court in the case of Gactano La Commone, 25, of 177 Scholes Street, whom he arrested Friday on complaint of Annie Masscato, 21, of 437 Marcy Avenue, Magistrate Short, when informed that Battalora was dead, adjourned the case.
The death of Battalora has caused much sorrow among the men of the Clymer street station, where he was popular. The young men of the department often sought his advice and it was given freely.
Battalora was about six feet tall and an athlete. It was his custom, whenever opportunity afforded, to go to the gymnasium of the Bedford Branch Y.M.C.A.
Published in The Brooklyn Standard Union – Monday, February 11, 1924.
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