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Det. Kenny Driscoll

medal of Valor

CITATION OF VALOR

 

Sworn members who have sustained gunshot wounds, stab wounds, or serious injuries under aggravated and hostile circumstances which could result in death, or permanent disability while acting in their official capacity are eligible for this award. Authority for the issuance of the Citation of Valor lies solely with the Police Commissioner. Detective Driscoll was awarded this award by Commissioner Batts after suffering 12 years of disability from a 2001 Line of Duty Injury that caused the total loss of use to his left leg, partial loss to his right leg, and for weakness in his left arm/hand. A year later after doctors determined Ken was getting worse from other injuries, and reduced him from Monoplegic to Paraplegic he was awarded a second, “Citation of Valor” as these injuries came as a result of injuries received in 1993 while helping an officer on an on-view signal 13 in which the officer was being overtaken by a suspect high on drugs, Ken came up from behind and was able to end that threat. Ken wasn’t injured in that case until the suspect’s family attacked Ken and the prisoner on the way to the wagon. The injuries received in 1993 were so serious at the time that they nearly ended Ken’s career with the Baltimore Police Department. Ken took the estimated workers compensation settlement and used it to retrain himself in the area of interview/interrogation. He went through LSI (Laboratory for Scientific Interrogation) Where Ken studied and learned SCAN Scientific Content ANalysis (sometimes known as Statement Analysis) so well Avinoam Sapir once called him a Guru on the subject. That training cost us $1400 at the time and revived his career, earning him four more, “Officer of the Year Awards”, and several other awards, as well as having many (including Deputy Commissioner Debbie Owens) saying, “He was one of the best interrogators on the force at the time”. That added ten years to Ken’s career, a job he has always loved. Now, he is unable to walk at all, and suffers constant, chronic pain on his left side arm/leg/foot as well as pain to his right lower leg. Right shoulder, etc. Ken went from being labeled Monoplegic, to Paraplegic because his injuries are deteriorating so badly in his body. Below is a photo painting of Detective Driscoll (a self-portrait)

What follows are several events from Ken’s career with the Baltimore Police Department, and why he fell in love with police work in a city that didn’t care; but an agency full of men and women that not only took an interest, but never gave up. When you read the history of this department, you’ll quickly understand why these men and women are so proud to have been part of the Baltimore Police Department’s history.

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Ret. Det. Kenny Driscoll

Ret. Detective Ken Driscoll, joined the department in June of 1987. After the Academy he was assigned to the Central District, where he quickly learned to police Sector 3 (Whitelock and Brookfield – 136 car) He worked in Sector 3 from 1987 until 1994, while in patrol he was trained in real world police work by veteran officers like Joe Stevens, Kenny Byers, Jon Pease, Eddie Coker, Freddy Fitch, Bobby Ackiss, Terry Caudell, and several others. Between then and 1994, Det. Driscoll would partner up with several other good police, like Delmar “Sonny” Dickson, Chuck Megibow, George Trainer, John Calpin, Jonny Brandt, and Gary Lapchak, all would become lifelong friends.

In 1994 after learning that new SCAN (Scientific Content ANalysis) technique, while still in patrol he used it to clear a couple of serious cases; The first was an A&R, Armed in which the suspect was shot. The 2nd, a Carjacking, in which the suspect was arrested in the victim’s car outside of a nightclub in Central District’s Sector 4. Using S.C.A.N. Ken was able to get to the bottom of both cases, and show that the shooting was a drug deal in the Eastern District, not an ATM Robbery in the Central. The Carjacking was a car rental in exchange for drugs, when the car wasn’t brought back fast enough, and the car owner came down from his high enough to realize he just loan his car to a stranger. The car owner called in a false report of a Carjacking. Central’s Major at the time was Major Leonard Hamm, he was so impressed with the results of Driscoll’s interview skills, and this new Statement Analysis Technique that he transferred Kenny into Central’s Major Crime Unit.

At the time the S.C.A.N. technique was so new, the department refused to pay the more than $1400 Ken had paid for his training. When briefly explained, it just didn’t sound possible that using just the subjects “words” could help close a case; pronouns, verb tense, and other parts of speech; in Baltimore, they felt with lower education of many of the suspects, it would be useless; if it had any real use at all. The concerns about under educated, and those with poor grammar were quickly put to rest. This is a technique in which Ken was trained to compare the words in a statement, to other words in the same statement. So basically he was looking for changes in language in the suspects own language. It has been used with illiterate suspects, and doctors with equal results.

Over the next 11 years Ken would go on to show it was a valuable tool, and like the polygraph it was based on changes in subject (in this case their language), working to establish, and then compare the subjects norm. Education doesn’t matter when you compare the statement against itself. Ken used to hand the subject a pad of paper and say, “Write down what happened, spelling and grammar don’t count; just tell us what happened from start to finish.” He was the first in the department to be fully trained, and actively using the process. In 1996 Det. Driscoll received his third of six “Officer of the Year Awards”, this award came as a result of the success he was having closing cases with this new technique (now in its fourth year of use by Ken in patrol and the MCU.) By 2003 When Ken retired, he had been using it to assist other units throughout the department, as well as the State’s Attorney’s office, and several other jurisdictions, if they had statements but were stumped, some of those agencies, were the Md. State Police, the FBI and surrounding local Police Departments, Baltimore County, AA county etc. Just before leaving the department Kenny wrote a training course, and trained two Homicide In-Service Classes, then left for surgery and never came back, in his absence Det. Danny Grubb completed teaching his course to the remaining Homicide classes.

While in Central District’s Major Crime Unit, a DDU (District Detective Unit) Ken worked with Sgt. Randy Dull, Officer Danny Mitchell, Jim Schuler, Janice Peters, Ed Chaney, Dennis Gunther, John Emminizer, Pam Storto, Jim Eigner, Kerry Council, and tons of other good police. They were also in constant contact with CID Detectives, like Detective Paul Oros, Henri Burris, Lt. JoAnn Voelker, Victor Gearhart, Major Richard Faltheit and tons of others. Lt Larry Leison recognized Driscoll’s talents and how strong a tool it was in Statement Analysis that Ken had brought back to the BPD. Sgt.Dull also enjoyed the new SCAN Technique, having a lot of faith in Ken, often going to bat for him when some of the old school brass didn’t get it, or refused to buy into it. Sgt.Dull used Ken’s stats to shut them up. Ken was trained by Avinoam Sapir, who eventually would call Ken a, “Guru” on the subject after Ken uncovered several linguistic traits that held serious meaning (became great clues) They handled statements like crime scenes, preventing anyone from contaminating their crime scene was interesting, pointing out where the subject was told what to say, was downright scary to some.

This unit from Central went from a District MCU to a DDU/MCU in late 1999 early 2000, and all of the members in the unit at the time received the new title of Detective.

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EOD 17 June 1987 – RFD 29 May 2003

While in the MCU, Ken was awarded 4 of 6, Officer of the Year Awards, 3 Unit Citations, and more than 100 Letters of Commendation and Certificates. Before joining the MCU, Ken had received 3 Bronze Stars, and 2 Official Commendation Ribbons (One, Baltimore City, and One from Baltimore County), he also received, 1 Police Commissioner’s Special Service Ribbon (2000), a 5, 10 and 15 Year, Safe Driving Award. For injuries that will have him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, Kenny was awarded a Citation/Medal of Valor in 2013 from Commissioner Batts. After Ken’s condition was upgraded from Monoplegic to Paraplegic due to a serious shoulder injury Ken received in 1992. The shoulder injury was so bad that nearly ended his career, he was recommended for a second Citation of Valor and in 2014 after reading all of the documentation, and current medical records, Commissioner Batts issued a second Citation of Valor. Both of these ribbons would have been issued at the time of injury (1992 and 2001) had the Commissioners at the time known just how serious Ken’s injures were. This is why I (Patricia Driscoll) started this program for disabled police. At the time of this writing, I have had 7 Citation of Valor Awards issued to officers that were long overdue in receiving the awards, and 3 applications filed. Aside from these awards Ken has also received, 2 Gold Records from the RIAA for work done involving video, and audio piracy, along with cloned phone investigations. Other awards included, a Special Certificate from the U.S. Secret Service, The Motion Picture Industry, The Recording Industry, and a Mayors Citation. In 2002 he also received a Purple Heart for his injuries, and a, Legion of Merit for his Dedication to helping Other Disabled and Injured Police, and the maintenance of the Baltimore Police History, from the Police Officers Hall of Fame in Florida, where he has been entered as a lifetime member.

Det. Driscoll like most who serve with the Baltimore Police Department is proud to have served, he helps run this site, and does anything he can to help his brothers and sisters on the BPD (both Active, and Retired). One of the things Ken does that is recognized by most is the

“This day in Baltimore Police History” on Facebook, where he posts a reminder of our fallen officers, on the “Anniversary” of their death, so as to make sure they are remembered. When asked about this he once said, “If our fallen brothers, or sister are only remembered long enough for the post to be read, it is long enough for them to be thought of and therefore, “Not Forgotten” he went on to say, “I do it so our brothers and sister will never be forgotten!” Having seen these, I can honestly say they have raised awareness, and remind us all, of the sacrifices these men and woman have made.

Two programs Ken has become involved in are, The Retroactive Citation of Valor program started by me, his wife (Patty), in which any officer that was retired LOD and has a permanent disability that has left them seriously injuries, could apply for a Citation of Valor, if they meet requirement, Ken or myself will file for them, and submit the application to the Police Commissioner. The second program Ken is involved in is one he started in which, he helps disabled police officers file for their PSOB benefits, a program in which he and I will help disabled police get their paperwork together; we show them Ken’s application, and advise on filling out their forms, and filing for these benefits.

Ken retired in 2003 due to the line of duty injury in which he broke his back, he suffers nerve damage that caused the loss of use of his left leg, partial loss to his right leg, and weakness in his left arm. He also suffers chronic pain, and has been in a wheelchair ever since 2002.

In 2008 Detective Driscoll and his family became the first Baltimore City Officer/Detective to receive the PSOB benefits for a LOD Disability – They were awarded $250,000.00 and assistance with College tuition for their kids up to age 27, or lifetime education for his wife. Detective Driscoll, has helped other officers around the country file for their PSOB Benefits, and has recently helped the department set up a group/unit to assist other Baltimore Police Officers in filling out their applications and filing for benefits.

For more information on the PSOB (Public Safety Officers’ Benefits) click HERE These benefits are like an insurance policy for police, in case of death, or disability to our officers resulting in catastrophic injury, in the line of duty. An important thing to know about these disability benefits, being injured and retired is not enough in and of itself to be awarded these benefits, the injuries have to be catastrophic and the disability permanent, resulting in the loss of gainful employment.

There is a checklist at the sight, if you meet all requirements it is worth filing. You have three years from date of injury, or one year from date of retirement. Contact Kenny, or Patty at one of the email addresses below and they will help you. If you fall short of one of the requirements, chances are you will NOT be awarded the benefits, if you are beyond the filing date you can contact the PSOB and seek an extension by calling 1-888-744-6513

Over the years since Officer Bill Hackley’s building of this history site, Officer Bobby Brown and Det. Kenny Driscoll were asked for help with his website, (The previous version of this site) Officer Bobby Brown being a departmental historian seemed the perfect match for helping on this site, Ken enjoyed researching the department, and doing some Photoshop work, both Bobby and Ken shared a deep respect for the department, and the men and women that have served, and Bill saw that. In March 2012 Officer Bill Hackley passed away in his sleep due to heart failure. Unlike just about everyone else in the world that have 4 heart halves, Bill had five, this extra valve was more than just a sign of just how bog this man’s heart was, and probably why he had such a strong drive, but sadly it is what took his life from us at such a young age.

In May Det. Driscoll was asked to take care of up keeping and the maintenance on Bill’s site. While working on the site Ken realized it couldn’t stay on Bill’s hosting service, as it was his Verizon personal web-space, it had no back-up, and no special features. On top of that, it was costing Bill’s widow, “Mrs. Hackley” between $20 and $40 a month in extra hosting, as it was too big for a personal account. Det. Driscoll used $1000 of his own money, and as many hours to hire a company to help redesign, and rebuilt the site with me (Ryan Shiloh). Together Ken, Mel Tallagsen and our company (Triple Option Web Solutions) built the current site. They had some donations coming in to help cover some of the cost of mailings, hosting and domain registration, Ken wanted to pay me something toward the site’s build, we settled on a $800 price tag, and Ken paid $200 down, once we started, we became so intrigued we waived all future fees, it still cost Ken more than $1000 by the time he bought templates, Domain names, Hosting, Extensions, Information, Pictures, etc. The currently have more than 100 Sun pics they cost near $20 a piece so around $2000 for the Sun pics, they buy 75 new Sun Archive articles every 28 days or so at a cost of $50 so $650 for near 3 years now $1625. Then Ken had to buy several history book, (he was also given one, but the three be bought, The Blue book 1907 $125, the 1998 Year Book $150, and the Baltimore county version $25 (so $300 for the three) totaling more than $3125 just to get the info needed to get us where we are. But without spending this kind of money we wouldn’t have the information needed to help share our history.

Together Officer Bobby Brown, and Ret Det. Kenny Driscoll will continue to work on and build the site, so that your history will not be forgotten, they will always work to bring their brothers, sisters and families the, “This Day in Baltimore Police History” so the fallen brothers and sister of the Baltimore Police will not be forgotten. If you were a Baltimore Police Officer, we will work to add your stories, your pictures, and your info to the site. If you are, or were family of a Baltimore Officer we will do the same. All we need are your pictures, stories, or info and we will gladly add it to the site. There are pages for Blue Bloods, (Police Families BPD families) Hall of Fame, any officer in the PD, if it was a year, or 50 years, we want to add you to the page, send your name, rank, assignments, awards, etc. and we’ll add them. If you have pics, send them too, and if you have war stories; well we always want to hear them. Send any of this to Ken or Patty and the email addresses on these pages, and they will get back to you.

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Officer of the Year – 1991
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Officer of the Year – 1992
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Officer of the Year – 1994
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Officer of the Year – 1996
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Officer of the Year – 1996
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Officer of the Year – 1998
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1st RIAA Gold Record – 1996
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2nd RIAA Gold Record – 1999
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Home office with Awards Memorabilia, and Police Collectables
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1998
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Balti. Co. – Certificate of Commendation
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Unit Citation 1995
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FTO Training – COC
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Mayor Citation 1995
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1987 MPTC Diploma
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Homicide School
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Secret Service – COA
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2nd of four LSI Certficates of Completion for SCAN training
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RIAA – COA
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MPAA – COA
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Purple Heart – Police Officer Hall of Fame
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1st Gold Record
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2nd Gold Record
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A Little Patrol Fun “Pushups or Hancuffs”
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2nd of 3 Bronze Stars
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We’ll post more pics and award info as time permits, Kenny does most of the work on this site and as such, it is hard for me to find the info on all of his awards, or to add them, or have them added to the site. I do have several books full of info on Ken’s career including the entire file on his 2nd shooting the one that took place on North Ave in 1992, just 3 days before our youngest daughter was born. So I will be adding info as time permits. I share Ken’s Interest and pride, for the work that he and his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department have done.

 

War Story, Retired, One Leg, One Arrest

Like most Baltimore Police, Ken takes pride in having been able to have served with the Baltimore Police Department. He saw a ton of LODD’s and LODI’s during his career. But even injured a City Officer will still do all they can to help those that need their help. Around this time last year, Ken’s mom called, she was upset and crying; Ken asked what was wrong and she described a breaking and entering (Home Invasion) at her home, the suspect was carrying an empty duffle bag, and an extension cord. When Ken’s mom asked who it was and what he wanted he made up a story about being there to help Lola move, Ken’s mom told him no one by that name lived there, all the while the suspect was walking around the house looking at things, Ken’s mom finally introduced Ken’s dad, and still the guy continued his shopping spree, it wasn’t until Ken’s mom told Ken’s dad to get the gun, that the suspect realized he wasn’t going to get away with robbing these two old folk and pretended to be drunk, acting as he was in the wrong home. Ken asked his mom where the guy was during the phone call and she told him he went out the front door, Ken quickly told her he would call back, and he hung up the phone, grabbed his crutches and keys and went out the front door and got into our H3 Hummer. Ken’s dad was in the front yard, (I should mention they live next door to us) Ken asked his dad which way the guy went and what he was wearing, Ken’s dad pointed up the street and gave a brief description, then asked “What are you going to do?” Ken said, “I’m going to go find him!” and his dad, knowing Ken can’t walk, said “and then what!” Ken said, “I’m going to lock him up!” and off Ken went. He drove up the street, a 1/4 mile and came back, (we live on a peninsula, so there is only one way in, and one way out) As Ken looking for him, unbeknownst to Ken, he was trying to break into the rear of a house three or four doors up. A neighbor saw him and asked what he was doing, he went into a drunk act and pretended to be lost; he was quickly sent packing. Which put him back out in the street, and in Ken’s view. Ken called him to our truck and the suspect said, “I’m not breaking into houses, why would I do that, its broad daylight!” Ken said, “I didn’t’ say a thing about going in anyone’s house, come here!’, as the guy got closer he saw, Ken’s jacket has a Retired Baltimore Police Patch, the suspect said, “You’re city police?” Ken said, “Retired, but you know what they say, once a city police officer, always a city police officer!” The suspect then said, “City Police will F you up!” Ken said, “I’ll make a deal, you don’t make me get out of the truck and I won’t F you up!” The suspect agreed and stood in place at the front fender by the driver door, Ken asked for ID so he could run him through NCIC (really it was in case the guy decided to run! as Ken had no way of giving chase.) The suspect gave him his ID and the two discussed his record, Baltimore County Police arrived a little later 15 / 20 minutes and the guy went back into his drunk act. They almost fell for it, but Ken insisted he be arrested for a 4th degree burglary. There were two funny points, one when the suspect 1st learned Ken couldn’t walk (the look on his face), and 2nd in court a month later, when they read a statement of probable cause, as the statement of facts, and in front of his jail buddies, and his family it was pointed out he was arrested by an officer with only one working leg. In the end he was convicted, and sentenced to 18 months Baltimore County Jail.