More on Philip Gargan, Long-Time Pelham Manor Police Chief

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Philip Gargan was appointed as a Patrolman to the Pelham Manor Police Department on July 8, 1907.  He rose through the ranks to become Chief of the force and had a long and successful career as Pelham Manor Police Chief.  

I have written before about Police Chief Gargan.  See Wed., May 04, 2005:  Philip Gargan, Chief of Police of Pelham Manor, New York.  

Philip Gargan in About 1925. Source: French, Alvah P., ed., History

of Westchester County New York, Vol. V, pp. 53-54 (NY, NY & Chicago,

IL: Lewis Historical Publishing Co. 1925). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

On July 8, 1927, Philip Gargan celebrated his twentieth anniversary with the Pelham Manor Police Department.  The local newspaper, The Pelham Sun, ran an article on Philip Gargan and his two decades of service.  The article sheds interesting light on the early history of the Pelham Manor Police Department and is reproduced in its entirety immediately below, followed by a citation and link to its source.

*          *          *          *          *

"Chief Of Police, To Complete 20 Years Of Service
-----
Philip Gargan Joined Pelham Manor Police Force July 8, 1907; Has Made Enviable Record
-----
Efficient Police Protection of Village Due to Gargan's Diligent Service
-----

On July 8, Chief of Police Philip Gargan will complete his twentieth year of service as a member of the police department of the Village of Pelham Manor.  The active head of Pelham Manor's peace officers has risen from the ranks to a position where he is recognized as one of the most efficient directors of public safety in the state of New York.  Diligent student of police methods and an able leader of men Chief Gargan has organized a police department that has kept crime at a minimum and provided efficient protection to lives and property in the village.

Possessed of the happy faculty of being able to quickly size up a criminal, Chief Gargan has in many instances landed in his net desperate criminals, although outwardly holding only the slenderest evidence against them.  A systematized checkup on all the citizens of the village and strangers is kept through the diligent service of the chief of police who is on the job twenty four hours of the day.  His wartime military service with the 69th infantry has served him well in his departmental duties.

A native of Ireland, Philip Gargan was born in King's Court, County Cavan.  He left his home at the age of 15 and came to America.

July 8, 1907, he was appointed a patrolman on the Pelham Manor police force.  Those were the days when police officers boasted the four quart helmets and the heavy harness belts.  The village offices which housed everything from the office of the Village President to the ever too crowded lock-up were located in a one room wooden building situated at the corner of Pelhamdale avenue and Black street.

(Continued on page 4)

Chief Of Police To Complete 20 Years Of Service
-----
(Continued from page 1)

It was here that the police shared quarters with the fire department.

As today the village speed laws proved too great a temptation for vehicles on the highway but then the offenders were mainly drivers of horse drawn vehicles or bicycles.  The method of rounding up these offenders of the eight mile per hour speed ordinance is interesting.  Two officers would station themselves at distant points along the Boston road or the Shore road, and the vehicles would be timed for their speed between the officers' stations.  This method would usually result in much arguing, but Chief Gargan has assured the writer that sometimes they would be able to impose a fine.

In 1916 Gargan left under leave of absence with the 69th during the Mexican border trouble.  He resumed his duties again and remained with the department until the call to colors came in 1917.  A brilliant war record is credited to Sergeant Philip Gargan, and he saw many months of fighting in France.

On his return in 1919 he was appointed chief of the department and has held that post ever since.  He is known to everyone in the village and is also known among criminals as a bad man to fool with.  

He has made two visits to his old home in Ireland within the last four years.  His eighty-year-old mother is still living and looking forward to a visit from her son next year."

Source:  Chief Of Police, To Complete 20 Years Of Service -- Philip Gargan Joined Pelham Manor Police Force July 8, 1907; Has Made Enviable Record -- Efficient Police Protection of Village Due to Gargan's Diligent Service, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 17, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 17, p. 1, col. 4 & p. 4, col. 4.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."