Jersey Troopers: Shooting at the Speakeasy

Charles E. Ullrich #232

Fourteen months had passed since Trooper Bob Coyle was murdered and in that time the state police were working hard to suppress the ills of prohibition. The Eighteenth Amendment to the constitution was enacted in response to crime being at an all time high; crimes, that were mistakenly attributed to the use of alcohol. Now, because of Prohibition, criminal groups were prospering and becoming more organized; in turn, making the crime rate rise.

Within the state police Charles (Charley) Ullrich had been making a name for himself. Born on August 21, 1900 in Paterson, New Jersey to Frederick and Susan, Charles was one of four children; Susan, William and Arthur were his siblings. They were raised in a city known for its great water falls and textile manufacturing. The year Ullrich was born; Paterson was the leading manufacturer of silk and was called “Silk City.”

As a child, Ullrich didn’t live far from the Passaic River and presumably went to the great falls to see the mist rise up to cool the hot summer air, and swam in the crystal clear waters of the river. The Ullrich children attended the local Paterson school.

After grammar school, Ullrich attended high school for two years. Why Ullrich didn’t complete high school isn’t certain. Regardless, two years of high school, gave him an edge over most.

In 1919, a year after the world war had ended, Ullrich entered the Navy. As a sailor, Ullrich learned the activities associated with deck handling, deck maintenance, rigging, and small boat operations. He rose to the rank of Boatswain’s Mate where he was considered a master of seamanship. Ullrich concluded his military service in January of 1923, at the age of 22.

The former sailor realized he wanted to be a state trooper and applied. In the state police’s short tenure, they developed a reputation for being top notch. Intimidating and serious in their deportment- but always professional- residents were embracing the state police and the need for such a trained and professional law enforcement entity.

In the academy Ullrich met Joseph A. Smith from Connecticut. The two men were young and had much to look forward to; they were embarking on a challenging and exciting profession.

On September 1, 1923 Charles Ullrich badge #232 and Joseph Smith, badge #231, began their state police journey as graduating members of the 7^th class.

Shortly after becoming a trooper, Charles Ullrich was working with Trooper Daniel Dunn #34 who introduced him to a woman named Ruby Bonner. Bonner was Dunn’s sister-in-law and Ullrich fell head over heels for her. Before long, they were planning their wedding. State police rules required permission from the Colonel to wed. Ullrich, having only been a trooper for a short time, didn’t want to run the risk of being denied. So, in a secrete ceremony in Elkton, Maryland, in March of 1925, the two wed.

Prohibition made the onset of Speakeasies very popular. Most were formed or established by organized crime. Speakeasies were problematic for several reasons. Not only for the crime associated with them, but because of the health issues relating to sexually transmitted deceases. The phrase, speakeasy, is derived from a person ordering an alcoholic drink and being reminded by the bartender to “speak easy,” so not to be heard. Police corruption was at an all time high and most local law enforcement officers were given their positions because of cronyism, nepotism, or political favor. As such, many lacked integrity and speakeasies capitalized by paying off the local law. Interestingly, local police corruption was an element that gave rise to the concept of a state police agency.

In Passaic County officials had a serious problem with houses of ill repute which lead the Prosecutor, J. Willard Deyoe to take action. Deyoe had been trying to rid the county of speakeasies for a long time. One such establishment was the French Hill Inn located in the township of Wayne. Deyoe implored Wayne officials to address the problem.

For one reason or the other, Wayne officials failed to meet his Deyoe’s request, leaving him with no other recourse but to turn to the state police. State troopers had helped authorities with similar problems in Bergen County. The state police vigorously subscribed to Schwarzkopf’s command of pursuing and apprehending offenders; this was set forth in his first “General Order.” Known as the “get your man doctrine,” this order contributed to the success and popularity of the organization.

Located on the outskirts of Wayne, the French Hill Inn sat back off of the road with many trees providing ample privacy to those patronizing the establishment.

On the evening of February 17, 1926, Lieutenant D. Rogers #79, of Morristown Headquarters sent two troopers to gather information for a future raid; this was to be an intelligence only operation. Rogers picked two of his best troopers, Charles Ullrich and Matthew McManus #144. The square jawed, McManus had recently returned to work after an on duty injury nearly claimed his life. He was a perfect match for Ullrich; both were tough lawman who enjoyed the excitement, and the danger of police work.

Interestingly, a week prior, Ullrich’s mother told her son she was concerned for his safety because he was “making enemies.” The “Jersey Trooper” told her it was “the life that he liked and that he intended to die with his boots on.” Dreadful words, for a mother to hear.

Ullrich and McManus set off in a taxi cab to the notorious Inn. As they approached the Inn there was a steady snowfall. They arrived at midnight and were met by a guard. The Inn had an elaborate set up with a locked iron fence, guard house, lookout tower, escape routes, secret hiding locations and a screening process to enter. The large man, who stood at the gate, was handed some money and the Ullrich and McManus were allowed in. Driving up the 100 foot driveway, the men stepped out in front of the three story stucco building. With smoke bellowing from the chimney, lights flickering in the windows, and snow draping the area, it was a beautiful wintery scene; a scene that betrayed the actual events taking place inside. The two men with long overcoats walked in.

The place was set up with tables, chairs and a bar. It was a dark, dreary looking place with the smell of booze permeating the air. Through the thick cigarette smoke, alcohol bottles could be seen lining the shelves. Wiping off the snow, the two walked past the men scattered throughout the place. The troopers proceeded upstairs to the second floor where they entered a small corridor and saw a sign that read; “Private Dinning Room.” Continuing on, they entered a larger room with a staircase rising to a third floor. Only eight patrons were in the room, so the two undercover troopers sat at a table.

The two watched the shady activities and the pretty women walking around. Women such as, Anna (Dolly) LaPorte, Florence Anderson and Jean (Babe) Lee. Ullrich and McManus sat and watched one of them making lewd gestures while she danced while the other women sat on the laps of men. Laughter and piano music filled the air, and, when the time was right, willing patrons were escorted to private rooms on the third floor. The proprietor of the Inn, Samuel Alesi, was serving a combination platter of booze, women and rooms.

At some point, McManus went upstairs with Flo Anderson, an attractive 22 or 23 year old with a nice figure, reddish brown eyes and short black hair. Flo’s occupation was evident in her sartorial splendor; she sported a sleazy sheer garment, black pump heels, artificial eye lashes, bright painted lipstick and a face covered in makeup. Apparently McManus’s questions to her caused Flo to believe he was a cop and she stormed out of the room, leaving McManus to return to Ullrich.

Around 2:30 am, Ullrich and McManus observed Flo walk over to a group of shady characters. The two lawmen noticed the conversation centered on them. Anderson’s conversation began with a whisper and ended with a shout, “they are cops.” Patrons didn’t pay much attention to this outburst as piano music, laughter and dancing muffled the outcry.

A thug head waiter named James (Slam Bang) DeLuccia came over and audaciously said “Get out, get out.” The enraged man didn’t like McManus questions and launched a roundhouse punch striking McManus. However, quickly the man was brought under control and Ullrich and McMannus rose to their feet with pistols drawn. Standing on a chair, McManus shouted, “You’ll all under arrest.” Eight prisoners were lined against the wall and Ullrich took down their names and addresses. When everything settled down, Ullrich went into an adjoining room and phoned headquarters.

While watching the prisoners, McManus turned his head momentarily and Samual Alessi, the proprietor of the inn, bolted for the downstairs barroom. McManus took off after him catching him at the foot of the stairs. “Sam had a gun in his right hand and pointed it at me” said McManus. “I grabbed the barrel with my left hand.” A shot rang out burning McManus’s finger. While this was happening the other prisoners fled, except for Alessi’s brother, Anthony (Tony) D’Alessi and James “Slam Bang” DeLuccia. They rushed down to the aid of Samual Alessi.

Tony D’Alessi came from behind McManus and struck the trooper on the head. “As I was trying to get the gun,” said McManus. “I was struck on the head with something hard.” Another gunshot rang out. By now, Ullrich had rushed to the sound of the gunfire. Either D’Alessi or “Slam Bang” struck McManus over the head, releasing the hold McManus had. Then, Alessi turned his attention towards Ullrich firing a round into the trooper’s face. The bullet struck Ullrich in the mouth, knocking him to the floor. Dazed and bleeding profusely, Ullrich rose up on his elbow and shot three rounds through his coat pocket hitting Alessi in the chest. Alessi returned fire striking Ullrich mortally in the head. Within minutes, state police personnel arrived at the Inn and found Ullrich dead and McManus near death.

Samual Alessi was brought by his crew to Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson. It didn’t take long for troopers to check the area hospitals and discovered a man was being treated in Paterson for gunshot wounds.

McManus was brought to the All Souls’ Hospital in Morristown where he told investigators what had happened. With tears swelling up in his eyes he told of Charley Ullrich rising up miraculously on an elbow and taking down the man who had tried to kill them. Ullrich’s heroics saved McManus’s life.

With the names and addresses Ullrich had written down, coupled with McManus’s statements, Alessi’s brother, Anthony D’Alessi and DeLuccia were brought to justice. Five years later, Alessi’s brother, Anthony was found hiding out in Pennsylvania as an auto mechanic. However, after a haphazard trial, the prosecution couldn’t prove their case and Anthony Alessi walked away a free man.

At Trooper Charles E. Ullrich’s funeral thousands lined the streets in Paterson to pay their respects. Charles E. Ullrich was laid to rest in the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Totowa. He had no children.

Booth where McManus was assaulted.