Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-11
FINDINGS APPaovED.
Investigation Relative to Death OF
John q. Carr.


The District Commissioners have app
proved the findings Of the trial board OF
the police department IN the matter OF the
investigation made relative to the death
in a cell in the Georgetown police station.
October Z last, Of John @. Carr. who was
prisoner in the station at the time. In
this case Desk Sergeant NJ. e. 'Pindar Of the
seventh police precinct and Private N. L.
Fisher were charged with failing and neg
lecting to procure medical attention for
Carr, who was brought to the station house
charged with intoxication. and whose con-
dition. It was declared, was such as to
require the services of physician. On
this charge both officers were acquitted
dict Of guilty against Sergeant Pindar on
a second charge, lnat OF failing TO visit
the prisoners in the cells Of the station
house between the hours OF and b:2O
clock in the morning.
Major Sylvester, in his Endorsement OF
the investigation. says:
TT appears that Desk Sergeant Pindar
did not visit the cells between the hours
Of 4 and $40 o'clock in the morning IN
question, and in view Of the statement OF
the trial board. I recommend that he be
cautioned as to his action in the future.
There Is nothing In the testimony TO
show that the deceased was sick. or had
symptoms which would prompt the at
tention Of physician. 1t IS shown that
he was drinking and that ne was oruhx:
questions. The finding of broken hypo-
dermic syringe, incapable OF being used,
and the failure to find it's other parts after
sician. shows conclusively that it has no
bearing on the case other than the search
of the prisoner should have been more
thorough.
wanton neglect. The limited police force
will not permit the assignment of door
men at all the precincts. but such action
will be had as soon as 1t Is possible 10
and for which Increased pay must be had
If possible before it can be obtained"
In connection with this same investiga-
ton. Private R. A. Woods. who was
charged with falling to properly search
Carr, was found guilty. With regard to
this finding. Major Sylvester states:
II recommend that the officer be en-
phatically reminded that in searching a
duty. reserve duty. or at other times, he
make it most complete. 1t was fortunate In
this instance that the hypOderm1c syringe
which was later found on the prisoner was
It might have been serious as
a weapon. On several occasions the de-
partment has HORNED the members OF the
force Of the importance Of this duty, and
hereafter any omission or neglect OF the
kind will be followed by more severe pen
atty.
LAS to the question of an officer being
held responsible in cases where he is as
sisting, am of the opinion that the lieu
tenant is In error when he ventures the
opinion ..at his responsibilities are re-
lieved by reason Of the fact that he is on
duty. Paragraph "a of the manual pro-
vides that each member Of the force shall
revote his whole time and attention to
the business of the department.; and. al
though certain hours are allotted to the
members for the ordinary per-
of duty. they must at all times
be prepared to act Immediately on notice
that their services are required
IF the officers services were required in
this instance, as a, seems they were, at
least he gave evidence Of that fact, he
thereupon assumed al. the responsibility for
q proper search of the prisoner"