Putnam patriot., 1915-07-09
CAPTAIN HURLEY
State Policeman Who Handled Putnam
 Arson Cases Promoted
Has Had Good Success iu Bringing
 Criminals to Justice


 Robert T. Hurley of Hartford was appointed captain of the state police at the annual meeting of the state DO. lice commission held last Thursday, The following officers of the commis. sion were reelected: President, John H. Perry; clerk, w. S. Allis. Thomas F. Egan was again appointed superin- tendent and Arthur l.. Storey assist. ant superintendent, both for two years. Theodore F. Downing of Will. limantic was made lieutenant and Robert W. Bridgeman of Hartford sergeant.
 or the state policeman Captain Hur- ley is probably the best known in this end of the state, especially in eastern Windham county. He has been as. signed to all of the most important cases in this section in the last few years. The cases that brought him most into the limelight in this county wt re the Putnam arson cases in 1913. Al that time Putnam was in state of terror over series of fires. Hurley was assigned to the job of running down the criminals and worked nearly a year under very difficult circum. stances. Long before arrests were made in the case the officer was firmly convinced in his own mind who the guilty parties were but IL was neces- sary to get evidence strong enough to convince jury. This was most diff cult on account of the prominence and standing of the young men he had un- der suspicion. The result was accom- plished after months of preparation and effort with the aid of woman, Mrs. Zola Bennett, and a dictagraph. When the arrests were made in the case Putnam got one of the biggest shocks in it's history and many citizens were skeptical as to whether the of ficers had the Igoods. The trial was one of the most sensational ever held in this county and resulted in the con- viction of the two young men on whose trail Hurley had untiringly eamped for months. Both confessed before the trial came to an end.
 Since that time Captain Hurley has been equally successful in other large cases. In two recent cases. one the murder of Polish priest in New Brit ain, the other the murder of store keeper, a county commissioner, in Barkhamstead, results were obtained that has put three men behind the bars where they are awaiting death on the galsws.
 In his conduct of case Captain Hurley works calmly and quietly but he puts himself thoroughly into the work in hand, overcomes obstacles and is never willing to give up as long as even what might to others be consider ed forlorn hope remains. There is nothing dramatic or spectacular about his methods. When the case has been worked up to his satisfaction, the criminal hTTeSleu anu dffdtRDeu III court there is no appearance of the vic tor in the demeanor of the officer who has accomplished the desired end. As is commonly said, there is no grand stand work or playing to the galleries Captain Hurley on the witness stand is calm and collected, never loses his temper in cross examination, never gets excited to the least degree and never raises his voice above the ordina- " conversational tone. To oue look. ing on and not knowing that his eff forts and judgment are being put to the test it would appear that he Is the least concerned of any person interest ed in the trial. His work we'll done is the only reward he seeks and notoricty is not to his liking, for he is prone to modesty.
 The citizens of Putnam recognize the service he rendered the city in freeing it of it's reign of terror. In learning of his promotion they are pleased at the choice of the state police commission and feel assured that the office has been entrusted to capable, conscien- tious man and an interchangeable xorkpr