New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-06
A POLICE CAPTAIN SHOT.

HIS ASSAILANT A BROOKLYN OFFICER.
fATRoLMAN HEFFERSAN, OF THE FIST BROOKLYN
PRECINCT ATTEMPTS TO MURDER CAPTAIN
SMITH
A deliberate attempt was made yesterday to
murder Captain Joel Smith, or the First Precinct. In
Westinghouse, Brooklyn. His assailant was Patrolman
Morris Hefernan, who fred upon him in the station
house. The Captain standing near the window,
leaning upon the telegraph instrument, and reading
letter. when Sergeant Walsh who at the desk, rang
the bell for roll CALL about leo The patrol
men Of the &" shOrtday" which comprised the men who
had been on duty from a. TO l D. M, were IN the
OF The stationhOuse, and advanced to form III line
in front OF the Sergeants desk At the same moment
Hcfernan one OF the section, who had just come down
stairs walked rapidly by the others. He stepped up TO
the railing nearly in front OF the Captain ana calico Ou
This q nee Job you have put up on me-" He mne.
diacly drew pistol the Captain making no reply ana
fired deliberately Tue Captain saw the pistol In Heier-
mans hand and attempted to dodge behind the Ser
gcant's desk He had not time. however 20 do this be-
fore the pistol was discharged the bullet taking eject III
his neck -,
The first shot followed by second, but in the
meantime the other Of the section had entered he
room. They rushed forward, ana Olicer Bley sencd
Hccrnan about the body, and threw up his arm before
the second shot fired. This shot caused no jGry,
1t passed 20 the opposite corner OF inc roon ana leok
effect in the door Of u closet situated there fenrhah
was ut disalmed, aud removed 10 cell. lie sa!d
that he obtained the pistol nom Onccr lefhey CLOS,
No. II, up rs lac was thrust into cell ne sara:
/" Now you hang me :" lie took of his coat aud
waiscoat aud lay down upon the Moor OF the cell uhu
was apparently asleep III Jew moments. ,.... ,,.
The Captain able 20 walk Into MS private ROOM
where he sat IN chair until me arilya, OF su.scon
When the wound WAS examined by Ambulance surgeon
MOrdOugh, IL was pronounced to be serious Du hQ OF a
fatal character The bullet entered hc neck Oh the l..
side, little below the line Of the ear, ana passed OUT
lower down, nearly the night shoulder TIE wound
was dressed aud the captain walked TO the carriage IN
which he removed 10 his residence No 80 IliiaT ST
| b. this time Police COmmissCnor Rodney [. NAtd
who had been Informed that Captain Smiths
wound was falkland Inspector Naduy ar
rived NJ the station-house, and few minutes
later General Jourian and superintendent Camp
he'll appeared. They all gathered ~ captain smith
ROOM and the Sergeant and officers " no had witnessed
tue shooting were called IN and questioned regard to
the occurrence They told substantially story given
above II stated that lIeferuan had been on duty
on the sick list from the night OF April 30 until FRIDAY
1--WE young children, and lives at No II LlWrencest lie
beefcouneCtcd with the police forces since ISL nav
Ing been appointed by political influence Charges have
been preferred against him number Of times. IL Is I'M
dcrsOod that be had been drinking freely during s alb
prefer charges against nun IL Is 70 thee enaIses Aat
ofernan is understood to have referred when re spoA
of the Job" which the Captain lad put VI" on HIM
Ieffrnsn came in troin patrol duty AID went upstairs
TO leave mis- belt ana club Az that time he tool OrsceI
rcrueys pistol, aud he coming down the siailt
when the bell for return rolcdl rang. Nothing unusual
noticed IN hls appearance or actions Inc pistol Was
OF these empty when the pistol was examined after
wnrd IN the Captains room The bullet which struck
the Captain entered the wanscOting the desk, aud
scyera fee, frUm the telegraph instrument
Oniccr Riley stated mat lie saw Henernan 20 up
stairs, as he supposed. to get his book As lie came
down he walked up to the railing and SAID, III aadt on
To " Juis Is nice job You have nut MP Oh me- some
thing about hi, wife and little girl ana that the captain
had ruined his family" Hctlernan viii be- arragned
before justice Walsh this morning, and sergeant Walsh
Will prefer charge against HIM of fconlOuS assault,
with attempt kill Ie Will probably he committed TO
the Raymond street jail 10 await either the result OF
jury
Captain Smith il the Oldest captain connected with the
Brooklyn police force, having taken the oath OF office
January l. 1851 lie has been continuously In charge
OF the First Precinct with the exception OF about four
months. during which he commanded the Second Pre-
cnct. lie is about sixty-two years OF age.