New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-05
OLDEST cop" ON FORCE
|. QUITS AFTER As YEARS
Thomas Harvey Has Been
Pounding the Pavements OF
New York Since 1868.
THINKS WALDO BEST EVER
Has Recently Been Guarding
Mayor from Cranks and
Was a Friend of Little
Dog Spot

Thomas Harvey. who for the Iast forty
| five years has been Patrolman Harvey of
here, there and everywhere on the New
York City police force. retired from ac-
tive service at Il o'clock last night. lie
actually retired when he left his post in
the corridor of the City Hall last evening.
| but he retained his shield. stick and other
insignia of his Office until the forty-five
years should be technically complete.
| Besides. between . and T. o'clock some
thing might have gone wrong in the Vi
cinity of Patrolman Harneys home. at
| No 800 West list street, and he was not
taking any risk of being unable to en-
! force the law.
In point of service Harvey was the
Oldest member of the Police Department.
He was appointed March ., 1858, and is
now sixty-cight years of age. The re-
firing policeman leaves the service Of his
own volition. with an exceptionally clean
record
When a reporter called Al his home last
night he had gone to bed, just as If 20
day were 10 be like any other of the
thousands he had known in his forty
five years. lie said he had to report
again this morning. but only to turn In
his shield and say goodby.
Harney's story of his long service as
one of New York's "inest" was not filled
l,,.it ,r,l- H.fIg II simnlN the
story OF a man who did well his little
part in the great city's government. obey
ing the orders of his superiors and never
knowing how il felt TO be d hero. lie did
mention an injury TO his right kncecap
which he received years ago by falling
over stone pile while pursuing man
at 10th street and Avenue \. But lie
thought that was not very heroic.
Since his appointment TO the force he
has seen many a change in lis methods.
personnel and management. When he
was assigned TO his first post, in oak
street then the ith Precinct. board OF
four police commissioners was in power.
As he walked his beat year after year he
saw commissioners come and commission
ers 60 among them Theodore Roosevelt.
vet he stoutly asserted last night that
Commissioner Waldo was the greatest
head Of the Police Department he had
ever known.
His last street post. assigned him about
eight years ago. was the Manhattan en-
trance 10 the Brooklyn Bridge. For sew
eral years he did duty there. Then he Was
posted in the corridor OF the City Hall.
where for the last two and half years
he has been varding on cranks who called
OH the Mayor.
Harvey says he learned TO size UP "A
crank at the first glance. and displayed
his only symptoms OF sef-csteem in tell
ing how cleverly he used to get rid Of
them. For which valuable services his
honor WAS very sratcful and bestowed
upon Policeman Harvey a cordial howdy-
do each morning when he arrived at his
Office. For a long time Harvey had =
companion in Spot the Mayors doc. and
the two became great friends as they
watched before Mr.. Gaynor's door. Then
Spot died and the old officer had 10 watch
alone.
IL would not be just TO Policeman llar-
hey 10 omit the fact that he thinks Mayor
Gaynor just about the only Mayor that
ever sat in the City Hall; and II man
is ambitious but docs not wish 10 be
Mayor. Harvey would advise him TO join
the police force.
Beginning to-day he will receive half
pay-S10O-a year. Upon that he Will spend
the rest OF his days at ease, no longer
pestered by small boys or buttoned up 10
the chin in a blue uniform.
As the Police Departments oldest mem
Der in point Of service Harvey is sue
ceeded by Patrolman David Rutledge. The
latter is now assigned to door duty in
the Arsenal station in Central Park. lie
has been on the force for almost forty
five wears