IT'S IN MY BLOOD!

[moonpup]

My mother never really liked motorcycles. Case in point.... my older brother was once grounded for a month after she spotted him just sitting on the back of a friends bike. The day my father brought home a Honda 90 for me, started a war that lasted weeks! (It helped to be my fathers favorite   )

During the battle, I learned why she hated motorcycles so much..... her father was a motorcycle officer with the Philadelphia Police Department and was fatally injured on 2/21/1932 when he lost control of his police motorcycle while in pursuit of a hold-up suspect. Mom was just 3 yrs. old when she lost her father.

Recently the city of Philadelphia honored my Grandfather with a Ceremony and a Plaque Dedication on the site of his accident.

My mom's sister, who still lives in Philadelphia and was able to attend the events, recently sent us an album filled with articles, pictures and artifacts of my Grandfather.

I thought I'd share a few of the pic's with everyone here.

[moonpup]

My Grandfather on the left............

[moonpup]

Gramp's in control...............

[moonpup]

He's the one...... oh heck, I give up 

[moonpup]

His uniform badges............

[reed]

Moonpup
Nice pictures i bet it makes you feel so proud.
Thanks.
Steve.

[Gonzo]

Nice pics, moonpup. Thank you for posting them. Your grandfather looks like a tough nut - ready to chase down Bonnie and Clyde at a moment's notice.

I think I have a photograph somewhere of my grandfather on an inline 4 in the 1930s. An Excelsior-Henderson, I believe.

I'll see what I can find.

[old smokey]

That's a neat piece of (sad) history.
I wonder what the weather was like on Feb 21 in Philly to be using a motorcycle?

[moonpup]

Thanks everyone. 

Not sure what the weather was like that day, but none of the newspaper bits for that event indicate weather had anything to do with his crash. Mom had always thought he'd hit some railroad tracks and that the bike landed on him, causing the fatal injuries.

The newspaper articles at the time state he'd crashed the bike after hitting a rut in the road.

Gonzo.... I love old pics of bikes, so by all means, post yours if you can find it!

[ridered]

Moonpup
It's always a tragedy when a biker goes down especially a public servant. Nice story and great pics glad you shared that personal tragedy with the members. We as motorcyclist go out for a ride with the odds stacked against us all the time. But as you said it's in our blood. I would hate to think how much life would suck without motorcycles.
Mike

[Dave K]

So sorry for your mother not to grow up with her Dad and you not knowing your Grandpa. Can you imagine the conversations you two could have shared?

[Richard Clark BS parts]

Moonpup

I too really enjoyed your photos, I see we have another connection besides BS, My father was a motorcycle officer!
he rode for 14 years from 1955 to 1968, in Jefferson County Kentucky, that police force is now Louisville Metro.

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