The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-10-22
S[AYERS SOUGHT
BY C|TY'S CAPABLE
HOMICIDE SQUAD
New Branch of Police Bureau
Has Started on Huge Task
of Unraveling Many
Murder Cases

Birmingham's homicide squad has
gone TO work Within "a hours after
the appointments had been an
nounced at police headquarters the
first arrests had been made. both in
old murders that had stood unex-
planned for years. This is the ma
ture of the work of the new squad.
City heads say they expect great
things of these men henceforth.
II. c. Peveler. while one of the
youngest men in years of service on
the detective force, is nevertheless
valued officer, and has displayed
his ability in criminal lines in an eff
fectiye manner as evidenced by his
capture of William Stiles Andrews,
wanted here for embezzlement Of
funds from a local insurance agency
Stiles was arrested last Tuesday
night. Peveler. a former United
States prohibition agent officer, en-
tered the service of the city as a de-
tective November Is, 1921. During
that time he has taken part in many
sensational arrests, and is regarded
as whole, one of the best officers
in the ranks of the department.
7. N. Williamson, World war vet
eran, has record for service since
being connected with the police and
detective departments that is seldom
paralleled. Williamson, since enter
ing the service of the city, August
Is, 1904, has seen service in every
capacity, from patrelman, scout and
warden to his present elevated posi-
ton, and has won distinction for his
honest efforts and genuine ability in
every capacity. Williamson can
more easily be identified as the one
who, with Detective w. P. Elledge.
effected the capture of Roy Dicker-
son in Birmingham during the earlier
part of this year. Williamson has
not seen continuous service since en-
terlns the service of the city in
1914, although he has served as an Of
various times
Identification Good
Sergt. w. l.. Brannon is admitted-
~ one or the best criminal men in
the state, which, coupled with the
service rendered by him as xuner-
intehoeht OF the bureau of Identified
ton. makes his services invaluable.
through the bureau OF Identified
tion, sergeant Brannon has arrested
criminals from every point in the
United States. from murderers to the
talented check artists, who have
come within the scope of tho Btr-
mingham police department. Mainly
through his efforts. Sergeant Bran
non has built the present Identified
ton bureau of the department from
practically nothing to it's present no
sition of one of the most efficient In
the south.
Like several others OF the detec-
tive department. Sergeant Brannon
arose To his present position from the
ranks. he entered the service July
~ 1910, as a patrolman.
o. Dempsey Brown Is by no means
a detective of limited ability. Brown
boasts the longest years of continu-
Gus service as an officer over all
other members of the detective de-
partment. entering the service jan
uary 6, 1910. as a patrolman In the
Ensley precinct.
McDuff Tells Duties
Detective Brown, while not beinR
the possessor of talkative nature
Is nevertheless thoroughly capable
officer. He has been in several son
sational arrests of criminals from
the lowest and highest calibres.
Chief Fred II. McDuff said that
when the department has become
fixed in their new surroundings and
settled to their duties, no other squad
OF a like nature can boast a better
reputation than that of Birmingham.
Chief McDuff will have the depart
ment under his direct supervision.
The duties of the four officers, as
explained by Chief McDuff, will be
to investigate and effect arrests in
all cases of murders or assaults,
where there Is a murderous intent
shown by the assailant. The Off
GERS, when not busy with now cases
will devote their attentions to clear
Ing the dockets of all cases where
the murderers have escaped capture.