DC Police Blotter

[Rsmyth]

Metropolitan Police Report – Approximately 11:00 PM on April 14th 1865 an unidentified officer on duty at the station logged the following information into the Detective Corps blotter:
"At this hour the melancholy intelligence of the assassination of Mr. Lincoln President of the U.S. at Fords Theatre was brought to this office and the information obtained . . . goes to show that the assassin is a man named J. Wilks Boothe.”
This item is currently in the National Archives.
John F. Parker Official Charge – This 1 page, folio, partly printed document tendered May 1st 1865 was the official charge against patrolman Parker for “neglect of duty.”

Superintendant A.C. Richards adds to the charge "...Patrolman John F. Parker was detailed to attend and protect the President Mr. Lincoln, that while the President was at Ford's Theatre on the night of 14 of April of last, said Parker allowed a man to enter the President's box and shoot the President."

The document was signed by A.C. Richards, Secretary T.A. Laenby, witnessed by Charles Forbes “at President’s House,” and John F. Parker certifying receipt of the document.

The relic was auctioned in September 2000 by Christies Auction House with a pre-auction sale price of $10,000 to $15,000. It sold for $28,200.