JOHN ROBINSON
Written by Sgt. Susan Lowe

Officer John Robinson died on Wednesday, December 1st, shortly after his cruiser crashed into several trees while attempting to apprehend two robbery suspects on New Allen Road.

John was a 17-year veteran who worked the midnight shift at the North Precinct.

Director Odham presents to John the North Precinct CIT Officer Of the Year award for 1998.

Two suspects, Chico McCracken, 24, and his half brother William Wilson, 28, both of 3449 Warford, were arrested and face murder charges.

It is with sadness that I write this article because I was one of John’s partners back in the late 80’s.

We were both assigned to the West Precinct’s Delta shift. We rode together in 2 man cars in 429, 430 and 432’s wards and later as partners in Midtown for about 5 years.

One of my favorite stories about my nights riding with John involved car thieves and slurpies. For some reason every time John would get a slurpie at the market at Bellevue and Lamar not ten minutes later we would get behind a stolen car and the chase would be on! Out the window he’d fling that slurpie and I’d hang on for dear life as we headed down McLemore. It became a joke between the two of us - we’d get in the car at the beginning of our shift and decide if it was a “slurpie” night or not. Usually with John every night was slurpie night!

Many of us who worked with John at the West Precinct will remember his nickname - “Sledge.”

We named him that after the lead character in a short-lived 80’s TV comedy called “Sledgehammer” - a takeoff on police shows. I am not sure if the nickname carried over to the North Precinct but I will always remember him as “Sledge.”

I had not seen John in a while since he had gone to the Midnight shift. I did get to see him at this year’s CIT Banquet and took a great candid picture of the Robinson family as they walked towards the banquet hall.

I hope that peace will be with John’s family during this time of sorrow.

I know that his police family will miss him.


Director Oldham Retires
(In December, Director Bill Oldham announced his retirement after 27 years with the Memphis Police Department. The following is his Holiday Message and Final Goodbye.)

To all the men and women of the Memphis Police Department,

Once again the holiday season is upon us, the time of year for sights, sounds, and smells that take us back to our childhood. However you celebrate the holidays may peace be with you and your families.

This year has brought us many challenges and we have met them with great enthusiasm.

We have added two new CoAct units in Hickory Hill and Binghamton. The city has also begun construction on the new Northeast Precinct slated for completion June 2000. Our Citizen's Police Academy has also been expanded to accommodate our Spanish speaking communities. We are continually striving for better ways to serve our great city more efficiently.

Unfortunately our department has suffered tragedy this year. We have lost fine officers and friends.  I pray for peace and comfort for their families.

I have truly enjoyed my career with the Memphis Police Department and encourage each of you to continue the outstanding work you have shown in the past. You have served your city above and beyond what is expected of you through the giving of your time and financial resources for charitable organizations. Your professionalism, as well as, your dedication to the Memphis Police Department is second to none.

I would like to take this opportunity to say farewell and to wish you and your families a joyous and safe holiday. I look forward to the New Year and the opportunities it holds for us all.


Sincerely,

W.P. Oldham
Former Director of Police Services

Crews Appointed Interim Director
(Mayor Herenton apppointed Deputy Chief Walter Crews to Interim Director following the retirement of Director Oldham. The following is his Holiday Message to the employees of the Memphis Police Department.)

Seasons Greetings,

I would like to take this opportunity to wish the best of the holiday season to every member of the Memphis Police Department.

As your Interim Director I hope that the New Year will bring positive change and growth to our police family. I know our continued success will rely on each and every one of us maintaining our professionalism and dedication.

We have made tremendous strides in combating crime in the city of Memphis and I am proud of the work that has been accomplished.

There is still much to do.

In sadness we must reflect on the losses we have suffered recently both professionally and personally. My prayers are with the Overton and Robinson Families.

The support that has been shown by police and citizen alike for both families during their time of sorrow has been incredible. I commend you for your compassion.

As each of you gather with your families this holiday season may peace fall upon your loved ones now and for many years to come.

Sincerely,

Walter Crews
Interim Director

Tate & McCord
Organized Crime Officers Mike McCord and David Tate were honored October 11th with one of the highest awards presented by the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association for their teamwork with agents and investigators from New York. They received the International Award of Honor along with five agents/investigators from the DEA and the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor in New York.

Mike and David were nominated by William Cook who is the Deputy Chief Investigator of the Office of Special Narcotics Prosecutor.

This is how his nomination read:

On October 14, 1997, Detectives Mike McCord and David Tate intercepted a truck loaded with 150 kilos of cocaine in Memphis, Tennessee and arrested the two persons inside. After conferring with Special Agent Chambers of the Memphis DEA Office, the three determined that the cocaine was being shipped from Dallas, Texas and was to be delivered to a Columbian distribution cell in New York City on October 15, 1997.

SA Chambers contacted SA Haff and Special Narcotics Investigators in New York City where plans were formulated for the cocaine delivery in NYC.

On October 15, 1997, SNC Investigator Leddy, in an undercover role, met with two Columbian suspects while two others did countersurveillance.

After a lengthy discussion over the terms of delivery and payment the delivery was made in lower Manhattan. Four Columbians - two males and two females - were arrested by SNC Haff, Supervisor Investigator Annarella, and Sr. Investigator Casuso.

A fifth Columbian was arrested later in Dallas, Texas and charged with conspiracy to deliver the cocaine.

Investigation disclosed that this organization had shipped approximately 600 kilos of cocaine to the New York area  from Dallas in the year prior to these arrests.

The speed, skill, and cooperation exhibited by these professional officers from four separate enforcement officers were extraordinary. All seven defendants in this nationwide distribution scheme were convicted and sentenced.

According to Lt. Ronnie Thompson of OCU the estimated  street value of the cocaine seized by Officers Tate and McCord was $3,600,000.00

Congratulations to both officers for their outstanding work.

Officer Harris: NW Officer of the Year
Congratulations to Officer Vickie Harris of Todd’s Creek Coact.

She was honored on November 13th as the Memphis Area Neighborhood Watch, Inc.’s Officer of the Year.

Vickie was nominated by Nancy Richie for not only being a “good person, but for going beyond what she had to do to help a homeless woman.”

Vickie took it upon herself to not only help the woman obtain food and warm clothing but also helped her to obtain the necessary IDs that allowed her to rent a Section 8 apartment in the Pershing Park Apartments. Vickie also spent much of her own money and time to assure that the woman’s apartment was furnished with the basic necessities.

Congratulations to Officer Vickie Harris for not only her award of recognition but for her compassion and determination.

DID YOU KNOW?
According to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) in 1998, 670,500 victims of serious violent crimes (rape and sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault) stated that they faced an offender with a firearm.

Victimizations involving a firearm represented 23% of the 2.9 million violent crimes of rape and sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.

The FBI's Crime in the United States estimated that 68% of the 18,209 murders in 1997 were committed with firearms.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice

Behind the BADGE is published monthly (sometimes) from the Office of the Director.

All articles are written and/or edited by Sgt. Susan Lowe unless noted otherwise. All photos taken by Sgt. Lowe unless otherwise noted.

To submit articles, comments, corrections, or criticisms contact her at 545-3406 or fax her at 545-3877!

And remember: Everybody is Somebody - Be Somebody Nice!

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Last updated on Monday, October 01, 2001 08:41 AM.

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