(2) Pennslvania State Police ID Badges 1943 Famous Gun Battle Chester PA

Description: After reading the description, if you are truly interested and want to make an offer, please reach out. I am certainly willing to negotiate. Local pick up is available in Aston PA. 19014. You are getting (2) ID badges as shown: they measure approximately 2" in diameter. The clasps on the back of both are in working order. This historical and legendary story begins in 1937 with the arrests of Horace Bowers and Victor "Babe" Andreoli. Bowers and Andreoli murdered a PA State trooper by the name of John Broski. They shot him in the back with a shotgun during a robbery in Wilkes Barre PA. They were caught and sentenced to life in prison at the famous Eastern State Penetentiary in Philadelphia PA. In late October ,1943 Andreoli escaped from Eastern State Penetentiary and was on the run for a week or so. A tip led authorities to search The Sun Ship Company / Philadelphia Navy Yard located in Chester, PA. On November 6th, 1943, a young Pennsylvania State Trooper named Rocco Urella (along with his partner Peter Waselefsky) were sent undercover in an unmarked car to look for the fugitive at the Sun Ship / Philadelphia Navy Yard. Upon arrival Urella decided to first look for Andreoli in "The Rainbow Diner" that was located on the property. Once inside they spotted the fugitive. They questioned him and gun shots ensued in the crowded diner. Urella was nearly killed from fugitive gun fire, but returned fire and killed Andreoli. This story was national news at the time. I found clippings from various newspapers ( New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer). The two ID badges presented in this listing were worn by Urella during this legendary gunfight. One badge presents him as an ordinary Sun Ship employee ( undercover of course) with his picture and ID number (with a signature underneath). The other shows that he was at the Navy Yard as a PA State Trooper on official miscellaneous business. The back of the Navy Yard ID has Urella's finger print on it. There is never any mention of Urella being at this location ever again. The shootout and capture happened very quickly that day and was a very famous and legendary event. There is no doubt that these (2) badges were worn by Rocco Urella at the time of the capture on November 6th, 1943. They had incredible meaning to him as he saved them both for the rest of his life... Rocco Urella went on to have a long and storied career within law enforcement.In the 1970s he was given the top spot as the Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner by then Governor, Milton Schapp. He later became Chief of the CID in Delaware County PA. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 92. He also had 2 sons who predeceased him. The details of this story (and more of his life) are easily found by googling and researching his name. This event was a major influence in his life. He kept these 2 ID badges his entire life. They were found in his unclaimed storage unit over a decade after his passing. It took a lot of research, but I was able to finally piece this incredible story together. I included screen shots from some of the news articles and other things I found. Also found in the storage unit were other pieces to this puzzle. Two books, one on The Eastern State Penetentiary and another on Haverford Township, PA were found...he and his family are buried in Havertown PA at The St. Dennis Cemetery. There were also 2 paintings found in the unit of young men, I can't be sure, but I believe they could be of his 2 sons. The Rainbow Diner in Chester, PA where the capture occurred has been relocated a few times over the years. I am told that it is now in Marcus Hook, PA under the name "Sungate Diner". Rumor has it that one of the bullet holes can still be seen in the wall. So, that is the story. Please feel free to ask questions if need be. The badges are one of a kind and come from a truly historical and legendary event! They are being sold as is, as seen and as described. Chester PA, Delaware County PA, Rainbow Diner, Eastern State Penetentiary, Escaped Convict, Murder of a PA State Trooper, Philadelphia, Belmont Barracks, Media Barracks, Gun fight, Pennsylvania State Police, Wilkes Barre PA murder, Saint Dennis Cemetery, Havertown PA, CID Unit, Milton Schapp Governor, New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Al Capone, Willie Sutton, Slick Willy Sutton, Fairmount Park, Sun Ship Building, Sun Ship Dry Dock, Philadelphia Navy Yard , Patrolman, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner, Chief of Delaware County Criminal Investigation Department, Marcus Hook, PA. No returns accepted. I will package them securely and insure them for their full purchase value. Thanks for looking!

Price: 2000 USD

Location: Aston, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2025-01-05T00:58:13.000Z

Shipping Cost: 50 USD