Evening star., 1938-12-18
Two Police Officers
And 3Firemen Win
Special Awards
Meritorious Service
In Line Of Duty Is
Cited by Committee


for meritorious service performed in
the course of duty during the fiscal
year ended last June 80. under rec
concentrations by special commit
tee which were approved yesterday
by the Commissioners.
Gold medals will be awarded to
Police Sergt. Robert v. Murray, now
assigned to the sixth precinct, and
to Fireman Jesse c. Arnold of No. s
Engine Company. Silver medals will
be awarded to Pvt. Dewey H. Mayo
of the fourth police precinct and
to Pvt. Thomas j. Hoy of No. 2
Truck Company. A bronze bar will
be given to Pvt. George T. Reardon,
since retired, for services rendered
while he was a member of No. 2
Truck Company.
The awards were recommended by
q committee including Gen. John
A. Johnston, chairman; Robert ".
Fleming, Henry c. Stein, Police
Supt. E. w. Brown and Fire Chief
Charles E. .Schrom.
Fought Liquor Store Raiders.
Sergt. Murray, then a precinct
detective at No. 10, was honored
for his act in risking his life in
breaking up q robbery at the Har-
ward Liquor Shop, 2901 Sherman
avenue NV. December IT, 1888, by
two armed colored men. In antici-
patton Of the robbery attempt,
Sergt. Murray had hidden in a rear
room at the place and engaged in
q pistol battle with the two bandits
when they ignored his commands.
During the affray Joseph Stearman,
one of the proprietors, was wounded
by one of the bandits.
The officer knocked down one OF
the bandits with a shot and started
to pursue the other, but returned to
disarm the wounded one when he
noticed he had clung to his revolver.
The committee found that the officer
had performed acts which involved
extreme personal risk"
The three firemen won their
awards for work at the same place,
q fire at 2519 Pennsylvania avenue
NV, in which Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph
L. PEBBLES and their infant son were
trapped in third-floor front room.
THE door leading from the hall was
locked and was forced, on the order
Of Acting Second Battalion Chief
James A. Mayhem, by Pvt. Thomas
j. Hoy, who rescued Mrs. PEBBLES"
the citation reads. ut was then
learned that the baby and Mr.
PEBBLES we're still in the room. The
baby was rescued by Pvt. George T.
Reardon and Mr.. PEBBLES by Pvt
Jesse G. Arnold. These rescues were
made under extreme conditions and
called for quick thinking and high
degree Of personal courage.
Heat Singed Eyebrows.
THE heat in the room was so in
tense that Pvt. Arnold's eyebrows,
eyelashes, forehead and . patch of
his hair were burned. Mr.. PEBBLES
face, hair and back were burned"
Pvt. Hoy and Pvt. Reardon also were
singed by the heat.
Fellow firemen said that Pvt.
Reardon also won q silver medal
some years ago in saving mother
and child in flame-gutted building
on Connecticut avenue early one
morning. Reardon and another fire.
man went up the ladder and rescued
the two victims. At that time, 1t was
said. he suffered back injury which
eventually caused his retirement
from the department.
Officer Mayo was awarded d silver
medal for his act September 4 in
rescuing a 6-year-old boy, Jimmie
Spartis, of 701 Ninth street S.W.,
from a light delivery wagon drawn
by a runaway horse. Pvt. Mayo
was in scout car driven by Pvt.
George B. Reid. Sighting the run
away horse and wagon on H street
S.W., they gave chase and Pvt. Mayo
swung from the car to the wagon
and brought the horse to halt after
the wagon had struck q number of
tree boxes and parked automobiles.
The committee citation added:
This outstanding performance on
the part Of Pvt. Mayo emphasizes the
quick perception and the courageous
manner in which he performed his
duty. There is no doubt that by his
speedy action, and at the risk of
his own life, he saved the child from
serious injuries, If not death, and at
the same time preserved the lives
and property of Others"