The Pensacola Police Historic Society

The Pensacola Police Gangster Detectives

Circa 1949 Here is a photo of the Pensacola Police Detective Bureau in the late 1940s or early 1950s. I recognize Ed Lawhorn, Raymond Harper, Charlie Miller, R.F. Shuttleworth, Ernest Madsen, J.C. Hammond, Mallory Tennant, George Touart, and Crosby Hall. There are a few that I am not sure about. Maybe somebody can pick them…
Come Hear about a Cop’s Cop – Henry Cassady

November 17, 2025 Pensacola Police Historic Society We took a month off, so we have a very special meeting on November 17 – the Cassady Dynasty. Henry Cassady was hired by the Pensacola Police Department in 1965. He wasn’t from Pensacola – he was from northern Santa Rosa County. It didn’t seem at first like…
Pensacola Police – One of a kind

By Mike Simmons The uniqueness of the Pensacola Police Department is not always evident. At first glance, it is made of highly trained men and women, wearing badges and uniforms, and driving police vehicles. Like all police departments, the officers respond to calls and investigate crimes. What is not evident are the deep things;…
End of Watch: The murder of Pensacola Police Officer John W. R. Gordon

Pensacola Police Department, Florida End of Watch Sunday, September 22, 1889 Even though law enforcement officers had been around for nearly 70 years, American West Florida had never experienced this. What could he do? He didn’t have a job, much less a skill…other than farming. John Gordon felt the pressure. After the young couple got married,…
End of Watch: The Tragic Death of Pensacola Police Officer William Henry “Bobo” Connors

By Mike Simmons Pensacola Police Department, Florida End of Watch Saturday, September 16, 1944 In many professions, or crafts, or businesses, sons take after their fathers. Why? Because it is what they know. For instance, if a farmer has a son, the young man learns daily from seeing father’s work and hearing his comments and helping…
Don’t be late!

Monthly PPHS meeting This evening at 6:00 PM, we will hold our Pensacola Police Historic Society monthly meeting. The meeting will take place in the training room inside the Pensacola Police Department. Our guest speaker will be Pensacola Police Lt. Jon Thacker. Jon began his police career in 2000 as a police cadet, and began…
Don’t forget Monday night

The Pensacola Police Historic Society will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Pensacola Police Department Training Room, 711 N. Hayne Street. This month will feature Pensacola Police Lieutenant Jon Thacker, who was the lead investigator on the 2009 murder investigation in which Zachary Littleton was convicted of…
Pensacola Police Gold Medal of Valor Recipient Shares Inspiring Story

By Mike Simmons On August 18, 2025, the Pensacola Police Historic Society held our monthly meeting at the Pensacola Police Headquarters, 711 N. Hayne Street. Our guest speaker was PPD’s 13th recipient of the cherished Gold Medal of Valor, the department’s highest award for bravery. His name is Anthony Georgio, and his story is amazing!…
“Tragic and Deeply Disturbing”

By Mike Simmons It was described as “tragic and deeply disturbing.” It unfolded in Pensacola, involving a US Navy police officer. It also involved the single mother whose body washed up in a duffel bag. Her 4-year-old son never saw her again. Pensacola Police Lieutenant Jon Thacker was the detective assigned to the 2009 murder…
“Smiley” Caperton, a PPD Favorite

By Mike Simmons On April 5, 1909, Oscar Caperton was born in Oklahoma, but grew up in the northeast corner of Arkansas, in a small town known as Grubbs. While in school, he met Cora Lawson, who lived about 12 miles away, in the town of Newport, Arkansas. The two fell in love and, after…