Howard Johnson Sniper 50 years

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In 1955, the year after the 50’s run of Dragnet ended, N.O.P.D. premiered. It starred Stacy Harris, a regular actor on Dragnet, as Detective Victor Beaujac. His partner was Detective John Conroy, played by an NOPD detective, Louis Sirgo. Billboard Magazine described the series as adopting a “documentary adventure approach to crime, based upon files of the [NOPD].”

“If this reminds anybody of Dragnet,” Billboard opined, “it should.” Producer-writer Frank Phares specifically cited Dragnet as being his inspiration for the series. Like Dragnet, the series strived for authenticity, with Billboard noting that N.O.P.D. was “the first major effort to be shot in New Orleans.” It was shot entirely on location; well-known local figures played themselves.

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Louis Sirgo, on the other hand, returned to his day job with the NOPD, but retired in 1964 and became a clerk with Traffic Court. In 1970, he was appointed deputy superintendant of police by then Chief Clarence Giarrusso. Sirgo was outspoken, decrying poverty, “vindictive” justice, and “the greatest sin of American society — the status of the American Negro.”

Sirgo was murdered in the line of duty two years later during the race-fueled murder spree of Mark Essex. It began on New Year’s Eve of 1972, when Essex shot and killed NOPD Cadet Alfred Harrell Jr. and NOPD Sgt. Edwin Hosli, Sr. (his eldest son, Edwin Hosli, Jr., became an NOPD officer and has served as District Commander for the 2nd and 8th Districts).

A week later, Essex was subsequently found in a stolen car and chased into the Howard Johnson’s on Loyola Boulevard (presently the clarinet-emblazoned Holiday Inn). There, Essex continued his rampage, killing police and civilians indiscriminately as he stormed his way to the roof.

Sirgo was shot in a stairwell as he led an effort to rescue trapped officers. He was carried to safety and died shortly thereafter at Charity Hospital. The plaza in front of police headquarters is named in his memory.

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