Randy Jurgensen

NYPD Detective, Author, Film Actor and Producer
Randy Jurgensen
Born Harlem, New York City, NY
Occupation Detective
Years active 1958-1978
Organization NYPD
Known for Investigation the Phil Cardillo murder
Notable work Author, “Circle of Six”
Spouse(s) Lynn
Children Devon

Randy Jurgensen is a former NYPD detective, best known as the lead investigator into the murder of patrolman Phil Cardillo. Jurgenson was born in 1933, to Elizabeth and Randolf Jurgenson, in Harlem, NY. He served in the US Army as a paratrooper and was in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill in the Korean War. He was decorated with 3 bronze stars and a purple heart.[1] He entered the NYPD in 1958 as a patrolman and was quickly promoted to detective. He worked undercover investigating members of the Black Liberation Army. At one point, the BLA placed a $50,000 bounty on his head, which is believed to still exist today. From 1973-1976, he led the Cardillo murder investigation. He was forced to retire from the NYPD, pleading Nolo contendere to a series of charges brought up on by the NYPD. While still a detective for the NYPD, he began working on films as a consultant. He transitioned to a career in film acting and production and has appeared in more than 30 films.

1972 Harlem mosque incident

A two-story brick building on a city street with arched windows, a green dome atop in the center and storefronts at street level
Mosque No. 7 today, known as Malcolm Shabazz Mosque.

On April 14, 1972, dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call from a "Detective Thomas", claiming to need assistance at the Nation of Islam's Mosque No. 7 on West 116th Street in Harlem. Five uniformed officers responded. What happened next is still in dispute. The police say they were overpowered and assaulted, when they arrived;[2] imam Louis Farrakhan and the other worshippers present say the police interrupted them with guns drawn during prayers, and refused repeated requests to wait or at least leave their guns, which their faith forbid from being carried into a place of worship, outside. At a press conference the next day, he would claim it was a premeditated attack and the 9-1-1 call just a ruse.[3]

Original investigation

Jurgensen was assigned the case in 1974 after the initial investigator, Basil "Sleepy" Slepwitz retired.[4] Numerous obstacles were placed in his way. Most notably, he was not allowed to visit the actual crime scene. He requested that any detective from other precincts notify him when any Muslim in the city was arrested. This was done so that he could interview the arrestee with the hopes that there might be a connection to others who were in the Mosque at the time of the shooting. After years of fruitless interviews, he got his break when Foster 2X Thomas was arrested on a credit card fraud charge. Thomas was a baker at the Mosque and present on the day of the Cardillo murder. Thomas eventually testified at the murder trial of Lewis 17X Dupree, who was acquitted after two trials.

Second investigation

In 2006, Jurgensen published his first book, Circle of Six, which is a recount of the Mosque incident and subsequent investigation. After the book was released, NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly launched a new investigation.[5] Kelly was an NYPD sergeant at the time of the mosque occurrence and knew Jurgensen. In 2012, the NYPD announced that the investigation had yielded no new evidence.

Push to rename a street

Jurgensen remains active to have a street in New York City renamed after Patrolman Cardillo.[6][7]

Film career

Jurgensen began working as a technical consultant in the film industry, while a detective for the NYPD. His notable films include The French Connection and Donnie Brasco.

Cruising

In the early 1960s, Jurgensen and his partner performed undercover work to investigate homosexual murders in New York City. Homosexuals were being targeted by two perpetrators who would pose as police officers. His work was inspiration for the film Cruising, where Al Pacino played his character.[8]

Filmography

Acting[9]

See also

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ "Korea GI gets his Purple Heart".
    2. ↑ Daley, Robert (June 4, 1973). "The Untold Story Behind the Harlem Mosque Shooting". New York. 6 (23): 34–43. ISSN 0028-7369. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
    3. ↑ Jurgensen, Randy (2007). Circle of Six: The True Story of New York's Most Notorious Cop Killer and the Cop Who Risked Everything to Catch Him. The Disinformation Company. pp. 56–57. ISBN 9781934708859. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
    4. ↑ Grosso, Sonny (1977). Murder at the Harlem Mosque. New York: Crown. ISBN 978-0517529713.
    5. ↑ "Was a cop killer an FBI informant?".
    6. ↑ "Push Continues To Rename Harlem Street For Fallen Cop".
    7. ↑ "Push To Co-Name Street After Slain NYPD Officer Meets With Apprehension".
    8. ↑ "Gay Old time".
    9. ↑ "IMDB Filmography for Randy Jurgensen".
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