Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Chief Hennessy,

You were one of my childhood heroes when I was younger. I read details about your efforts to get rid of the Italian mafia in your city in 1890, and how you were ambushed and killed by those cowardly killers. I hope I see you up in heaven when I'm there. I'd love to hear your war stories. Rest in peace.

Daniel Ryan
Private Investigator (Retired)

May 14, 2023

Chief Hennessy,
On today, the 130th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New Orleans.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 16, 2020

Rest in peace Chief of Police Hennessy.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 5, 2020

I am currently writng a book, after an exhaustive period of research, that seems to indicate that Hennessy was sacrificed by the Mayor and some of his close socialite friends. The power brokers of New Orleans wanted control of the docks and shipping at New Orleans, which was in the hands of three Italian families. That was intolerable to some. Immediately, the city police and mayor blamed literally every Italian in New Orleans and on the night of October 15, 1890. the police arrested 210 Italians and crammed them in to the city's police jail. Not long after that, a rigged Grand Jury indicted 19 Italians, including two prominent members of shipping and stevadore companies. They went to trial and 6 were acquitted and three were mistried. But the next morning, after exhortations by the press and the mayor, a lynch mob was formed and stormed the Orleans Parish Prison and lynched 11 Italians. The same Grand Jury that indicted the Italians found no wrong doing with the lynch mob. And the docks, soon after the lynchings, came under the control of the city's elite ruling class. There much more to this story.

Former Detective S.R, Perricone
New Orleans Police Department

October 16, 2019

Wow, ya'll go way back. Was happy to see this. would like to correct a couple of things. a total of nineteen men were indicted in Hennessey's murder. all Italian. It was decided to split it into two trials, nine to be tried first. After the verdict all nineteen were still being held in the Orleans Parish Prison on Laying in Wait charges. Six of the first nine defendants along with five from the second group (still awaiting trial) were lynched.

Ron, civilian

January 7, 2017

Thank you for your service, I wish I could have known you back then. From messenger boy worked your way up to chief of police, very driven man you were, I think we a lot alike.....God bless your soul.

anonymys
anonomys

June 28, 2014

Chief Hennessy,
Sir, on today, the 122nd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New Orleans.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

October 16, 2012

You were obviously well respected in the city and in return the citizens took on the role of implementing proper justice. Your commitment to law enforcement is what we all inspire to be, an honorable WARRIOR! God bless you and the citizens that stood for justice.

Lt TDW
ADOC SRP

April 1, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 109th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. You must have been so ambitious to have worked yourself up from messenger boy to chief, and your professionalism and integrity must have been unparralled to be the target of such evil and your murder the source of so much fury.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 16, 2009

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.

This writer is pleased that justice was quickly served on your behalf

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 15, 2007

Chief, I really don't know if dead people can use the internet, or read, but I'll tell you this. Your story is a ledgend in this city & till this very day you are spoken of. It's been made into a movie "Vendetta" and numbers of books. You discovered the Mafia in America. It led to the largest lynching in American history that strung up your killers. Your grave is MAGNIFICENT.....Till Later...Louie

Sgt. Louie Orduna Retired
New Orleans Police Dept

January 30, 2007

I don't know any more than what I've read here, but on that note, all I can say is WOW, Job Well Done. I hate Chief Hennessy was killed, but he must have been one outstanding chief for the mob to utilize so many hitmen to take him down and then the public to rise up in their support in such a manner. I don't know if the courts were infiltrated by the mob or the jury was just too scared to convict, but obviously the Chief got under the skin of organized crime and didn't back down.

Gone but not forgtten 116yrs later.

Major D.W. Warren
Montgomery P.D.

October 16, 2006

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003). Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend recently. Deputy Jeffery Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

I want to honor all of those who gave their life in the line of duty. Although your death was many many years ago, you are still a hero.

God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 9, 2004

It's too bad our citizens don't show the same support for our law enforcement officers today as they did 113 years ago.

Taryn Walters Ontiveros
Daughter of Officer Larry Walters EOW 11-13-74

November 29, 2003