Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-28
SHERRY SUSPENDED
AS Chief OF POLICE
Mcmahon Is Acting Head of De-
partment Pending
Trials.
LEGAL BATTLE is EXPECTED
Smith. Wendenburg and Pollock
for Accused--Bryan and Nc
Guire to Aid Wise.
LEGAL BATTLE is EXPECTED

Guire to Aid Wise.
Immediately after an earnest confer
ence with Commemorative Attorney
Wise yesterday afternoon. Mayor Aims
lie issued an official order suspending
Chief Of Police C. A. Sherry. Captain
George e. Pollock and Detective Ser
geant L. c. Bertucci. pending the out
come OF trial for custer proceedings,
which have been instituted against
them by the special grand jury OF the
Hastings Court.
In a letter addressed to these men.
Mayor Ainslie issued the following
order
Dear Sir: I have been in conference
with the Commemorative Attorney
about the contemplated proceedings
against you in the Hastings Court,
and have considered the possible en-
barrassments that might occur to him.
and maybe tc others. by reason Of your
continuance on duty pending the prep
aration and hearing of your case.
growing out OF charges made by the
grand jury.
In order that no ono may be sub
tected to any embarrassment on that
duty until the completion of the hear
ing OF the accusations. which the Com
monwealth's Attorney says will be had
as speedily as possible.
Respectfully.
(Signed) GEORGE AINSLIE.
Mayor.
The suspension of Chief Sherry. Cap
tain Pollock and Detective Bertucci
took effect Immediately. Upon receipt
OF the order Major Sherry left the Of
fce. and Captain T. J. Mcmahon be-
came acting chief. The office of Cap
tain Pollock was left temporarily in
charge OF Policeman Fred Williams.
who has been assisting Captain Pol
lock as secretary and purchasing agent
for the Police Department. The posi-
ton of Detective Bertucci remains un-
filed pending the trial.
WISE SAYS THAT HE IS
Rot "EMBARRASSED'
When questioned in regard to the
embarrassment" that the retention of
Sherry. Pollock and Bertucci might
cause him. ommonwealth's Attorney
Wise evidently did not like the term
embarrassment" Mr.. Wise said that,
so far as he was concerned personally,
he did not have the slightest objection
in the world.
But 1 cannot look at 1t in a personal
manner" said Mr.. Wise The retcn-
ton in Office OF Chief Of Police sherry.
Captain Pollock and Detective Sergeant
Sertucci hampered me in the discharge
OF my duty. How can 20 to the
Chief OF Police and ask him 20 an
prehend Frank Waller when that chief
has been condemned by the same grand
Jury that Waller has? How can swear
TO requisition papers giving Bertucci
authority 10 go after a prisoner when
that man is under charges? The ques-
ton of the guilt of the men does not
enter into consideration. But thes.
men have been brought under charges
by the grand jury. There should and
must be absolute harmony of action
between the Police Department and the
Commemorative Attorney"
POLICEMAN STRAIN
ALSO SUSPENDED
Before receiving orders from the
Mayor TO the effect that he was sus-
pended pending the outcome OF TIE
trial for custer proceedings. charges
were brought against Policeman c. a.
Strain by Captain j. w. Sheppard. OF
the First District. at the instance of
Major sherry. These charges allcEe
that Strain was engaged in transport
ing whisky and accepted money as a
reward for aiding and abctting Illicit
liquor traffic. Since Strain, in an .if-
fdavit filed before Major Sherry ad-
mitted these charges. no trial was
deemed necessary, and Strain forth
with was suspended by Major Sherry.
Commonwealth's Attorney Wise, as
sisted by Attorney Edward p. Dun
ford, OF the Prohibition Department..
was busily engaged yesterday in the
preparation of rules for custer pro-
ceedings. Mr.. Wise said that he could
not be exact as 10 the time these rules
would be completed. but that he ex-
pected to work :ate into the night.
This Is taken to indicate t.at the rules
win be completed and issued by, this
morning. According to the law. the
accused must appear in the Hastings
Court IN not less than five days and
not more than ten days and show rea
son why they should not be dismiss
ed Moreover. the law provides that
custer cases shall take the precedence
on the docket.
ACCUSED POLICEMEN
HAVE RETAINED COUNSEL
The prosecution of members of the
police force who have been indicted,
and against whom custer proceedings
have been brought, will meet with stiff
opposition. as most of the men have
already retained counsel. Policemen
Kidd. Cousins. Bosquett, Ridgeway and
Bertucci have retained the services OF
Attorney Harry NJ. Smith. Bcrtucci has
retained Attorneys l.. o. Wendenburg
and Gilbert Is. Pollock as associat es
with Smith. NJ. S. Angle. special agent
for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.
indicted for misdemeanors on two
counts. has retained Attorneys Wen
denburg and Pollock. What steps Chief
Sherry has taken for his legal defense
could not be ascertained yesterday.
Captain Pollock announced yesterday
that as yet he has not retained counsel,
and that he would not until he received
rule from the Hastings Court set
tins forth specific charges. However,
large numbers of friends have fiocked
to Captain Pollock, Offering their as
sistance In any manner possible. In
reply Captain Pollock says that he is
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