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End of Watch: The tragic death of Pensacola Police Officer Curtis Jones – June 27, 1980
An excerpt from the book, “Some Gave All,” available on Amazon By Mike Simmons It was early in the morning – the quiet time, just before daylight – of Friday, June 27, 1980. Officers Richard Powers and Curtis Jones were enjoying a peaceful cup of coffee. Suddenly, at 5:30 AM, a hurried call came over…
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A little and a lot
The Pensacola Police Department has a birthday coming up next month. On July 19, 2025, the department will celebrate 204 years of serving the citizens of Pensacola! How much has changed? A lot and a little. A 1908 report illustrates this: In 1908, we had a marshal and deputy marshal; in 2025, we have a…
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Improvements to the Police Department
The new year brought in some much needed improvements to the Pensacola Police Department. In the January 2, 1949 edition of the Pensacola News Journal, Chief Crosby Hal discussed some the changes. As we all know, change is necessary, and overall, changes bring good things. But the task of learning the news ways was not…
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The PPD Shield
History of the Pensacola Police Badge Badges have been part of law enforcement since it existed. A badge has long been a sign of authority. But the origin? There are two opinions… It could be that both thoughts are correct – one from the wild west and the other from old England. Originally, badges were…
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Police Custodian Helmets
Popularly known in the United States as “Bobby Hats,” a custodian helmet is traditionally associated with the London Metropolitan Police. Indeed, the Metropolitan police have been wearing them since 1863. Where did they come from? When the London Police were first formed by Sir Robert Peel in 1829, they were issued tall stovepipe “Abraham Lincoln”…
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This Monday – don’t miss it!
Many people are not aware of the axe murder in Pensacola that was solved twice! It happened in 1926. On Monday, May 19, at 5:00 PM, the Pensacola Police Historic Society will hold their monthly meeting at the downtown Pensacola Public Library, 239 N. Spring Street. Mike Simmons will present the story of the 1926…
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Don’t Miss This!
As he made his way to the house, he kept to the shadows, in case anyone was awake and saw him. He eased up to the window and peered in; all was dark, and no one was moving. It looked safe. Slowly, he made his way up the steps. They made a creaking sound. He…
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Presentation in Baker
By Mike Simmons Please join me at the Baker Block Museum on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM. I will be speaking about one of my latest books, “He Killed a Man.” A brief description: “The peaceful farming town of Baker, Florida was shattered on one afternoon in January 1934. What began as a…
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Four Days…
THE PENSACOLA POLICE HISTORY SOCIETY An Invitation to a Study in Serial Killing What started as the 1983 attempted murder of her boyfriend in downtown Pensacola turned into an investigation into what was eventually known as the “Black Widow Murders.” Four Days Away! January 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM The Mission Anglican Church, 609 N.…
Honoring our Past; Embracing our Future!
The Pensacola Police Historic Society 