Detroit (Mich.) Police Dept.

Jerome P. Cavanagh Photographs and Other Material

drice — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 11:06:29 -0400

The Jerome P. Cavanagh Photographs and Other Material consists of numerous photographs, the majority of which were taken during his time in office. These photographs cover events such as the 1968 Olympic Bid, visits from Lyndon B. Johnson, aftermath of the 1967 unrest, and Mayor Cavanagh with various prominent Detroit business people, union members, and politicians. Also included in the collection is memorabilia from his 1966 Senate campaign, 1968 Olympic information, and other various memorabilia during his time in office.

Damon J. Keith Papers

drice — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:20:02 -0400

Judge Damon Keith served in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Judge Keith delivered several landmark rulings in civil rights and civil liberties cases and played an active role in various civic, cultural and educational associations, including the Detroit YMCA, the United Negro College Fund, and the Detroit National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He is the recipient of the NAACP’s Springarn Medal, the American Bar Association’s Thurgood Marshall Award, the Edward J. Devitt Award for Distinguished Service to Justice, and over thirty honorary degrees. Judge Keith’s papers document important milestones in his career, his precedent-setting judicial decisions, his role in ensuring equal justice for all Americans, and the many honors and awards bestowed upon him for his dedication to civil rights and to the City of Detroit.

Exhibit Announcement: Tony Spina Photographs from the 1967 Civil Unrest

eclemens — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 19:18:44 -0400

Visit the Reuther Library's Woodcock Wing gallery now through winter 2017 for an exhibition of previously unpublished photographs of Detroit's 1967 Civil Unrest by preeminent photojournalist, Tony Spina. read more »

Subject Focus: Black Revolutionaries

eclemens — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:21:12 -0500

The Reuther Library celebrates African American History Month with a brief look at resources in our collections that deal with the topic of Black revolutionaries. We define Black revolutionaries as persons or groups whose goal was to create a positive change in the lives of African Americans through radical action. The means to this end varied from person to person, organization to organization - the action could be carried out with words or through armed conflict, the desired results could be equality for all or separation of races all together. The following resources chronicle the struggle for identity and equality and highlight the rich legacy of social and political activism and reform within the various revolutionary movements. read more »

The Civil Unrest of 1967

eclemens — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:43:38 -0400

Despite a century of progressive innovation in Detroit, it is a sad reality that the events of July 23-27, 1967 are among the city’s defining moments. The five-day period of civil unrest and extreme chaos caused physical damage to the city and emotional trauma to its people. Decades later, the aftereffects of the damage and trauma linger on.

The violence was not totally unexpected. Rumors of an uprising had been swirling throughout the city for the better part of the summer. Radicalism was on the rise, and talk of self-determination and separatism read more »

The Popular Crimetown Podcast Digs into Detroit Crime by Digging into the Reuther Library’s Collections

mwallace — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 14:22:50 -0400

The new season of the hit podcast Crimetown will use material from various collections at the Walter P. Reuther Library. Each season of Crimetown examines the “culture of crime” in a different American city. This upcoming season they are focusing on Detroit and using film, video, and sound from the Reuther’s collections. read more »

The Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit

teller — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:16:39 -0500

This Thanksgiving marked the 85th anniversary of a Detroit favorite now known as America’s Thanksgiving Parade. The parade was started in 1924 by Charles Wendel, the display manager of the J.L. Hudson Company department store on Woodward Avenue. Along with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, which was founded the same year, Hudson’s Thanksgiving parade was one of the first of its kind in the United States. read more »

(31864) Organized Crime, Purple Gang, Mug Shots, 1930s

eclemens — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 14:28:40 -0400

Police mug shot of suspected members of the Purple Gang.

Identified by number:

29766: Sam Axler
28544: Eddie Fletcher
24243: Sam Goldfarb
27946: Phillip Keywell
24031: Abe Zussman
31946: Willie Laks
16151 Harry Fleisher
30083: Jack Stein
29655 Abe Axler (seated)

(318) Riots, Rebellions, 12th Street, 1967

eclemens — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 01:00:32 -0400

12th Street descends into chaos on the first day of the civil unrest of 1967. At rear, center, the Blind Pig, whose raid by police officers sparked the conflict, can be seen behind the Economy Printing sign. In the distance a photographer snaps pictures of the scene.

(25990) Riots, Rebellions, Arson, 1967

eclemens — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:28:53 -0400

Fires from burning buildings on Detroit's West Side light up the early morning sky on July 24, 1967. Spectators watch from a distance despite the late hour.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(25995) Riots, Rebellions, Injuries, Detroit General Hospital, 1967

eclemens — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:33:13 -0400

A police officer talks to several men outside of Detroit General Hospital. In the background a delivery truck, a military truck and several stretchers are in view.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection

(26010) Riots, Rebellion, Looting, 1967

eclemens — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:37:13 -0400

The Detroit Police Headquarters gymnasium is filled with recovered items that had been looted during the civil unrest of 1967. Patrolman William McCue stands at center.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26011) Riots, Rebellions, Looting, 1967

eclemens — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:37:13 -0400

The Detroit Police Headquarters gymnasium is filled with recovered items that had been looted during the civil unrest of 1967. Police Lt. Alfred McGhee marks the tag on a TV set.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26012) Riots, Rebellions, Looting, 1967

eclemens — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:49:06 -0400

The Detroit Police Headquarters gymnasium is filled with recovered items that had been looted during the civil unrest of 1967. Patrolman William McCue stands at center.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26018) Riots, Rebellions, National Guard, Snipers, 1967

eclemens — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 11:49:07 -0400

A Detroit Police officer briefs National Guardsmen who have just arrived on the scene of a possible sniper attack during the civil unrest of 1967. In the background an armored vehicle is in view.

Note: On verso the caption reads "He is up in that building."

(26033) Algiers Motel Incident, Trial, Ronald August, 1970

eclemens — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 13:14:08 -0400

Ronald W. August, former Detroit Police officer charged with murder of Aubrey Pollard during the Algiers Motel Incident. At left is his attorney, Norman L. Lippit.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26034) Algiers Motel Incident, Trial, David Senak, 1970

eclemens — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 13:14:08 -0400

Candid shot of David Senak, a Detroit Police officer accused in the murder of three young African American men during the Algiers Motel Incident.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26043) Riots, Rebellions, Snipers, West Side, 1967

eclemens — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 13:20:20 -0400

Officers stationed at the corner of Byron and Lee Place, outside of the Kiefer command post, prepare to search a man who holds a bag and recently walked from an area of sniper fire. Nothing was found on suspect.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26044) Riots, Rebellions, Curfew Violations, East Side, 1967

eclemens — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:20:21 -0400

Detroit Policemen search a man on St. Jean Street on Detroit's East Side. The man was presumably searched for being in violation of the curfew in place during the civil unrest of 1967. A member of the US Army Airborne Division is in attendance.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26045) Riots, Rebellions, Curfew Violations, East Side, 1967

eclemens — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:20:21 -0400

Members of the Detroit Police Department take a man into custody for violating the curfew in effect during the civil unrest of 1967. The arrest took place of the Jefferson Ave. side of Belle Isle.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26046) Riots, Rebellions, Curfew Violation, East Side, 1967

eclemens — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:20:21 -0400

Members of the Detroit Police Department take a man into custody for violating the curfew in effect during the civil unrest of 1967. The arrest took place of the Jefferson Ave. side of Belle Isle.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26057) Riots, Rebellions, Weapons, Snipers, West Side, 1967

eclemens — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:28:44 -0400

Police officers look for snipers as suspected arms carriers lay on the sidewalk. Photograph taken at 15th Street and Pingree.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26059) Riots, Rebellions, Arrests, 1967

eclemens — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:28:44 -0400

Two unidentified men, hands restrained, are escorted by police officers during the first day of the civil unrest of 1967.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26061) Riots, Rebellions, Snipers, Curfew Violations, 1967

eclemens — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 13:28:45 -0400

An unidentified military officer, home on leave from Vietnam, is frisked by police officers on sniper patrol on 12th Street during the civil unrest of 1967.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26062) Riots, Rebellions, Detroit Police Department, Snipers, East Side, 1967

eclemens — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 13:28:45 -0400

Police officers take cover behind their patrol car during a sniper battle at Mack and St. Jean on Detroit's East Side during the civil unrest of 1967.

(26063) Riots, Rebellions, 1967

eclemens — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:33:45 -0400

Three men sit in a car and talk to four unidentified men on the street as a police officer, presumably their driver, makes his way back to the car.

Photographers notation "Vance. With Anthony Jr."?

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26069) Riots, Rebellions, US Army, Detroit Police Department, East Side, 1967

eclemens — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 13:33:46 -0400

Infantrymen of the U.S. Army Airborne Division relax on the lawn of the Jefferson Avenue Police Station during the civil unrest of 1967.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26071) Riots, Rebellions, US Army, Grand Boulevard, East Side, 1967

eclemens — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:33:46 -0400

Infantrymen of the 82nd Airborne Division and members of the Detroit Police Department stand guard at E. Grand Boulevard on Detroit's East Side.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26074) Riots, Rebellions, Looting, 1967

eclemens — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:33:46 -0400

Photographer's caption: “Police make looting suspects stand with their hands against a building wall after they were arrested by police who were attempting to get the looting under control in this radically disturbed city. Despite police and National Guard efforts, the looting and arson continued.”

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26087) Riots, Rebellions, 12th Street, DPW, 1967

eclemens — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:28:53 -0400

Department of Public Works employees are guarded against sniper fire by members of the Detroit Police Department as they clear away the rubble from buildings burned along 12th Street on Detroit's West Side.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection

(26095) Riots, Rebellions, Detroit Police Department, Weapons, 1967

eclemens — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 10:40:05 -0400

Police officers search a man for concealed weapons at a command post during the civil unrest of 1967.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26108) Riots, Rebellions, Arrests, 1967

eclemens — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 10:46:17 -0400

Police officers with a curfew violator on Jefferson near Belle Isle Bridge. A knife was found on one of the two men arrested.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26109) Riots, Rebellions, Snipers,1967

eclemens — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 10:46:17 -0400

Detroit police officers take cover behind squad cars from the fire of snipers on the roof Sanders Elementary school. The school, located at the corner of Blaine and Byron on Detroit's West Side, was in close to proximity the Hermann Kiefer Command Post.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26111) Riots, Rebellions, Arrests, 1967

eclemens — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:46:17 -0400

Police officers search a car on Charlevoix at Gladwin on Detroit's East Side and find three men with a gun. In the background Arc Tobacco and Grocery Distributers is in view.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26113) Riots, Rebellions, Arrests, 1967

eclemens — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 10:46:18 -0400

Police arrest and remove a youth, part of a roaming band of young men who shattered windows, destroyed cars, and looted stores during the civil unrest of 1967.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26114) Riots, Rebellions, Snipers, 1967

eclemens — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 11:21:53 -0400

A man, recently emerged from a parked a car on Blaine, is stopped before entering the his apartment building on corner of Blaine and Byron, the entrance to the Kiefer command post. Officers stopped and searched the man in hopes of finding evidence from an earlier sniper attack but found nothing.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26115) Riots, Rebellions, Arrests, West Side, 1967

eclemens — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:21:53 -0400

A man is held at gunpoint by a police office outside of the Globe Theater, located at 3520 Grand River Avenue on Detroit's West Side.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26120) Riots, Rebellions, Fatalities, Detroit Fire Department, 1967

eclemens — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 11:21:54 -0400

Police surround Carl E. Smith, a Detroit Firefighter who was shot on the corner of Mack and St. Jean on Detroit's East Side during the civil unrest of 1967.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection

(26125) Riots, Rebellions, Weapons, 1967

eclemens — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:46:17 -0400

A cache of weapons found at 8045 John Lodge, confiscated by the Detroit Police Department.

Courtesy Detroit News Collection.

(26864) Press Conference, Girardin, Cavanagh, 1967

eclemens — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:20:07 -0500

Mayor Jerome Cavanagh and Detroit Police Commissioner Ray Girardin share a laugh during a press conference.

(26865) Girardin, Cavanagh, Swearing-in Ceremony, 1963

eclemens — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:20:07 -0500

Ray Girardin, former Detroit Times reporter and executive assistant to Mayor Jerome Cavanagh, is sworn-in as Detroit's Police Commissioner.

(26929) Demonstrations, Police Brutality, Cavanagh, 1968

eclemens — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:20:08 -0500

Mayor Jerome Cavanagh meets with pickets protesting police brutality.

(26930) Demonstrations, Police Brutality, Cavanagh, 1968

eclemens — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:20:08 -0500

Mayor Jerome Cavanagh meets with pickets protesting police brutality.

Note: The group includes a number of members of the clergy.

(27965) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:49:41 -0500

Police officers surround the National Coalition to Combat Fascism in America's Community Center located at 3376 16th Street (near 16th and Myrtle) during a confrontation between the members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD) and Detroit Police.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The result was a nine 9-hour siege involving nearly 100 police officers in which four police cars were destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer was wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith was killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Headquarters were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27963) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 09:07:30 -0500

An exterior view of 3376 16th Street, the National Committee to Combat Fascism in America's Community Center, after the confrontation between Detroit Police and members of Detroit's Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD).

Note: Police entering the building wear gas masks and the front window is broken, possibly because canisters of tear gas were used.

(27964) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:42:12 -0500

Police officers and local media swarm outside of the National Coalition to Combat Fascism in America's Community Center located at 3376 16th Street (near 16th and Myrtle). At center, left is newspaper columnist Nadine Brown, who served as an intermediary between the Black Panthers and the Detroit Police during the 9-hour siege.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The result was a nine 9-hour siege in which four police cars were destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer was wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith was killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27966) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:59:37 -0500

An unidentified man is arrested during a confrontation between Detroit POlice and members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD).

(27967) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:07:23 -0500

Acting mayor, Mel Ravitz (at center), addresses the crowd gathered during the confrontation between Detroit Police and members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD).

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The nine 9-hour siege that followed involved nearly 100 police officers, and resulted in four police cars being destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer being wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith being killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27968) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:14:15 -0500

The remains of four police cars, burned by molotov cocktails and stripped by an angry crowd during a confrontation between members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD) and the Detroit Police.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The nine 9-hour siege that followed involved nearly 100 police officers, and resulted in four police cars being destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer being wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith being killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27968) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, Brown, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:28:50 -0500

Nadine Brown, reporter and columnist for the Michigan Chronicle, addresses the press during a confrontation between Detroit Police and members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD). Ms. Brown served as an intermediary during the 9-hour stand-off and is credited with bringing the event to a peaceful conclusion by persuading most of the BPPSD members to come out of the Community Center that they occupied.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The nine 9-hour siege that followed involved nearly 100 police officers, and resulted in four police cars being destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer being wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith being killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.