William Stephen Devery
William Stephen Devery | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | New York City Police Commissioner |
| Children | Mrs. Edward M. Frink Mrs. Florence Oliver |
William S. Devery (January 9, 1854 – June 20, 1919) was the last superintendent of the New York City Police Department police commission and the first police chief in 1898. [1]
Biography
William S. Devery was born in New York City in 1854. In 1878, at age 24, he was hired as a patrolman. On September 16, 1881, he was made a roundsman, and on May 28, 1884, he was promoted to a sergeant. On December 30, 1891, after 13 years on the force, he was promoted to captain. On February 5, 1897 as a captain, he was arrested and charged for bribery and extortion. After conviction, he was dismissed from the force. He appealed his conviction to the New York State Court of Appeals. It was overturned and he was reinstated to the and promoted to inspector on January 7, 1898 and Deputy Chief on February 14, 1898. He was then appointed Chief of Police on June 30, 1898. [1] [2]
In 1899, Theodore Roosevelt and Republican state legislators established a committee, headed by Robert Mazet, to investigate Tammany Hall corruption under Richard Croker. [1]
As a police captain he once told his men, "They tell me there's a lot of grafting going on in this precinct. They tell me that you fellows are the fiercest ever on graft. Now that's going to stop! If there's any grafting to be done, I'll do it. Leave it to me." [3]
Lincoln Steffens, a popular journalist of that time wrote of Devery, "As a Chief of Police, he is a disgrace, but as a character, he is a work of art." [3] The superintendent of the police commission title was changed to chief of police in 1898.
Later with Frank Farrell, he bought the Baltimore, Maryland baseball team and moved them to New York City. The Highlanders would later became the New York Yankees. [4]
He died on June 20, 1919 at 4:15 p.m. of apoplexy in Far Rockaway, New York. [2]
References
- ^ a b c "The Squad Room". Retrieved 2007-06-14.
- ^ a b "'Big Bill' Devery Dies of Apoplexy". New York Times. June 21, 1919, Saturday.
New York's Picturesque Police Chief of Long Ago Stricken at Far Rockaway. Famed for his philosophy. First "Chief of Police" City Had. Van Wyck Called Him the Best. Later Ran for Mayor. Was Richard Croker's Right-Hand Man. Acquitted of Extortion Charge. Made Deputy Police Commissioner. His Characteristic Reply to Gaynor. His Philosophy of Life. His Remarks on His New Abode. Mourned by Men of the Force. William S. Devery, "Big Bill" Devery, as he was generally known, who was the city's first titular Chief of Police after consolidation, and was called by Mayor Van Wyck "the best New York ever had," who worked his way from patrolman to Chief of the department and for a time served as First Deputy Commissioner, died at 4:15 o'clock ...
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b "The Birth of the NYPD". Retrieved 2007-06-14.
- ^ "Online Tour". New York City Police Museum. Retrieved 2007-06-14.
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