New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-09
Patrol11lall Is
Held as Slayer
With Blackjack
Police Say Daniel f. Culkin,
Avenging Alleged Insult
10 Wife, Followed Man
at Night and Killed Him
Found Standing by Body
Victim Called Cangs,er Who
Had Annoyed Woman;
Accused Refuses to Talk

Patrolman Daniel F. Culkin, attached
to the Coney Island police station, was
arrested yesterday charged with homi-
eide in connection with the death of
Pete Behan, Of 46S Warren Street. who
was found dead in front of $40 Baltic
Avenue, Brooklyn, Sunday night. Po-
lice Captain KaufF removed Culkin' s
shield and notified Deputy Police Com
missioner Leach that the patrolman
was under arrest.
John O'Connoll, Of 500 Baltic Street
found Behan's body and notified Pa
trolman Brophy, who was on the beat.
When Brophy arrived at the scene he
found Culkin standing over the body
with blackjack in his hand, accord
ing to a statement he made to Captain
Kauf. Culkin was in civilian clothes.
He was off duty
Brophy told Captain Nauf hat Gull
kin declared he had taken the black
jack from Behan. Brophv hurried
away to call an ambulance, telling Gull
kin to remain by the body When he
returned Culkin had disappeared.
In Department Less Than Year
Deputy Commissioner Leach ordered
Culkin's suspension and instructed
Chief Inspector Thomas II. Murphy to
make a full investigation Of the case
Culkin is married. He has been a
member of the police force less than
year. He was a coal wagon driver
until that time.
After his arrest Culkin denied that
he had struck Behan with the black
jack. Based on such information as
the police gathered with regard to
Behan's death after a long grilling of
the prisoner. it was said that Behan,
passing Culkin's home at 533 Baltic
Street Sunday night, made an insult
ing remark to Mrs. Culkin, who was
sitting in windowseat. Culkin is
said to have set out looking, for Behan.
He found him at Nevins and Baltic
streets, the police say. Culkin is said
to have demanded an explanation of
Behan and, receiving one that was
unsatisfactory, is alleged to have struck
him with the blackjack, fracturing his
skull.
O'Connell is said to have told Cap
tain kauf that he saw Culkin strike
Behan. He is material witness in
the case, as also is Thomas Haslan, of
1870 Wyckotf Street.
Culkin was submitted to severe
questioning late yesterday by Assist
ant District Attorney Richardson. He
is said to have admitted that he had
been in trouble early in the evening
with Behan over an alleged remark
made by the latter to Culkin's wife.
Behan is said to have made insulting
remarks to the patrolman's wife on
prior occasions, although the police
say he had never known her and was
inspired in his attitude toward the
woman by his dislike of Culkin.
Police Call Behan Gangster
Detectives of the Bergen Street po-
lice station declared last night that
Behan had long been known as d mem
Der of the "Whitc Hand" gang, which
has lately shown signs OF renewed ac-
tivty in Brooklyn. There have been
several cutting and shooting affrays
in the last few weeks which are attrib-
uted by the police to this band.
Culkin was arraigncd in the Flat
bush police court on charge of hom-
eide and held without bail for hearing
August 16. The complaint was made
by Detective Grottiano. of the Bergen
Street station.
When asked by Magistrate O'Ncil if
he had anything to say Culkin replied
that he would defer making a state
ment until he retained counsel. and
asked an Adjournment, which was
granted.