The Wandering Disciple

The tragedy of the September 11th terrorist attack on our nation is quietly remembered by this somber exhibit the NYPD Museum in lower Manhattan.  The crushed duty belt and brass were recovered at Ground Zero and stand as a tribute to the horrors faced by first responders as they rushed in to save victims during the darkest day in US history.  (Photo: August 27, 2005)

A historic dispatcher console for the New York Police Department sits on display at the NYPD Museum in lower Manhattan.  This is how the early calls were dispatched to the patrol units of the nations largest police force.  Today the NYPD processes over 11 million calls a year.  (Photo: August 27, 2005)

A motorcycle from the NYPD Motor Unit sits on display at they New York City Police Museum in lower Manhattan.  Housed in the historic first precinct, the museum houses memorabilia from the rich history of the NYPD.  (Photo: August 27, 2005)

A vintage blue squad car from the New York City Police Department sits on display outside the NYPD Museum in lower Manhattan. The NYPD Museum tells the history of the NYPD from its inception through today. (Photo: August 27, 2005)

An NYPD Motor Unit is on display at the NYPD Museum in lower Manhattan. Housed in the historic first precinct building, the museum showcases 400 years of law enforcement history. (Photo: August 27, 2005)

A retro NYPD blue patrol car sits outside the First Precinct in lower Manhattan. The historic first precinct is the home to the NYPD Museum. The museum houses over 160 years of police history within its walls. (Photo: August 27, 2005)

New York, New York: The New York City Police Department is one of the most recognizable law enforcement agencies in the world. The NYPD was the first organized law enforcement agency in the United States with history dating back to the early 1800’s. The department has been through triumph and tragedy in their over 150 year of service and the museum is the one place devoted to remember the thousands of men and women represented the department throughout their history. The concept of the museum began in 1998 when a non-profit group got together to begin the museum project. Up until then, the museum was housed in a gallery at the police academy. The new museum was opened in 1999 at a location on Broadway in Bowling Green. The museum was privately run and donors provided much of the financial support to construct the museum. The original museum contained exhibits on the department uniforms, Al Capone’s gun, antique firearms and more items from the history of the department. The museum mov...