New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-30
Patrolman Shot While
Fighting Gunmen in
Underground Room.
STAR,
HIS AMBITION
Honor Member Wins in
Rush to Supply Fluid
for TRANSMISSION.

Eight policemen were swapping e1-
periences in the squad room of the
Fifth Street station at noon yesterday
when a sergeant stepped in and an
nounced that the life of Patrolman
Henry II Schwarz depended upon an
immediate blood TRANSMISSION. Eight
policemen arose without further COM
ment and offered blood from their own
veins to save the life of their comrade.
young Schwsrz was shot with his
own gun this morning while trying to
save somebody down in a basement on
First Avenue" the sergeant explained.
Remember, it was only the other day
that he said he hoped to be IN the
Honor Legion by next year"
Honor Man Offers Blood.
Alexander Knttel, himself a two
star Legion man and veteran in the
station, drew the sergeant aside and
said ne was anxious to go to Bellevue
and submit to the knife. Yes, ne ad-
initial. he was one Of the older men,
but why should a younger man always
be expected to make the sacrifices!
Why shouldn't he?
The remaining seven men were ad-
vancinq 10 make their arguments when
the sergeant interrupted them and told
Knittel that he would accept the ofer
and that Of Policeman Dennis Buckley,
a giant rookie.
II was not until o'clock in the
afternoon that the call came. Buckley
sprang to his feet and started for the
souadroom door But the veteran drew
him back and preceded him to the hos
pital. The operation was quickly per
formed and, according to news that
came from the hospital last night,
Knittel's sacrifice will restore the in
jured policeman to his wife and chill
dren.
Schwarz was passing 1876 First Ave-
nue., when his attention was attracted
by the discharge of revolvers in the
basement Followed by Patrolman j.
f. Healy, the policeman rushed into
the darkness and, with drawn revolver,
ordered the three men re could
scarcely see TO throw up their hands.
They complied, seemingly dropping
their weapons.
Now go call the wagon" he said
to Healy.
Healy was away but a few mo-
ments. The time was long enough TO
permit the three occupants Of the cell
lar to fire several shots into the body
of the policeman, however, and escape.
Fight for Life at Hospital.
At Bellevue it was feared at first
that Schwarz could not recover. Then
it was decided that immediate blood
TRANSMISSION would save him.
Later in the day Vito Pizzo, part
owner of the storage cellar, was found
seeking treatment for a bullet wound
in the head. He was locked up in
spite of his protests of innocence. He
denied that his brother-in-law. Tony
Pslingro. was fighting with several
other men over business deal.
During the evening Antonio Ricco-
bono was arrested at his home, Al 2O9
First Avenue, charged with completely
in the shooting. His father, Giovanni
Riccobono. is being sought.
As soon as Schwarz had recovered
from the effects of the operation to
think Of police business again Riccobono
was taken before him at the hospital.
The white faced patient looked at him
carefully and then sank back with a
satisfied look.
That man held me while another
man shot me-" he said.
In describing the man who had fred
the shots he pictured the missing father
Of Riccobono, who is sixty years old.
The young wife of Patrolman Schwsrz
arrived at Bellevue with their two chill
dren a short time after he was taken
there.
ut was only few days ago that he
she said, wiping the tears from her
cheeks. I'VE were watching the an
nual parade and h. said;
Wanted Legion Star.
"T1l be with them when they march
next wear. And now he may die.
don't care anything about the medal or
the Honor Legion or anything else. |
just want my Henry TO get well and
come home"
Schwarz is thirty-one years old and
has been on the police force since Au-
gust, 1911. He was sent 10 Captain
Sweeney in October. 1918, and was put
on duty on First Avenue, between
Tenth and Twelfth Streets, two weeks
ago, because. as Captain Sweeney ex-
plained. he was one Of the most ef
fcient policemen in the 18th Precinct,
and the pushcart pedlers in that vi
cinity needed a strong man TO regulate
them.
Should Schwarz recover ne will find
the coveted star OF the Honor Legion
awaiting him.