Would revealing what really happened here be “Islamophobic”? Does the NYPD fear violence from the Nation of Islam and its allies?
The Nation of Islam is not an orthodox Muslim group; its paranoid race-based theology has nothing to do with any traditional form of Islam. But this murder, with the killers screaming “Allahu akbar” as they murdered Phillip Cardillo, certainly followed the jihadi playbook.
“The NYPD must let out the truth about an unsolved cop-killing,” by Randy Jurgensen, New York Daily News, April 14, 2018:
Forty-six years ago today, an NYPD cop named Phillip Cardillo was gunned down inside a Nation of Islam mosque in Harlem. No one ever served a day in jail for the crime. And for 46 years, the NYPD has been withholding evidence in his murder case from the public. It’s time they come clean.
I’m not the only one leveling that charge. Decades ago, a special prosecutor found that there had been “a concerted and orchestrated effort” by members of the NYPD to impede the Cardillo murder investigation, including withholding a secret report on the case — the so-called Blue Book — from the department’s own investigators.
In March, the watchdog group Judicial Watch sued the NYPD in a New York courtroom for failing to produce records in the case. The NYPD won’t release investigative files, a promised report and an audio tape, preposterously claiming an investigation is still “active and ongoing.”
Why would the NYPD cover up evidence in a cop killing?
It pains me to criticize law enforcement. I’ve been a loyal member of the NYPD, active and retired, for almost 60 years. I was a pretty good detective. I helped send five cop- killers to jail — a record, I think. But it’s the one that got away that haunts me.
The climate in the early 1970s, when this terrible crime happened, was awful. Terrorists with groups like the Black Liberation Army, the FALN, the Weather Underground and the Black Panthers were killing cops and bombing civilians. Illegal drugs and murders were through the roof.
The day Cardillo was gunned down, on April 14, 1972, I was at the mosque where it happened . Cardillo and his partner had responded to an emergency “10-13” call. A 10-13 is every cop’s worst nightmare: officer in distress. The 10-13 caller said he was “Detective Thomas” and he was trapped on the second floor of an address that turned out to be the mosque.
It turned out “Detective Thomas” was a fake.
Cardillo and his partner were first on the scene, racing into the mosque. The big steel doors slammed behind them. Men came rushing down the stairs shouting “Allahu Akbar!” A terrible battle ensued. Cardillo’s gun was taken from him and he was shot.
Outside the mosque, a riot began to develop. Mosque leader Louis Farrakhan emerged from his third-floor office to protest the police presence. Black cops were separated from white cops — a huge blow to police morale — as police brass feared racial unrest.
Inside the mosque, suspects were released. The crime scene was abandoned. Evidence vanished.
The mayor and police commissioner ran away from the case, not attending Cardillo’s funeral. A half-hearted initial police investigation came up with nothing.
One year later, after a public outcry, the case was handed to me. I arrested a suspect, but we had no crime-scene evidence and we didn’t know about the Blue Book, which contained significant evidence and leads. The suspect was acquitted.
In 2007, I published a book about the Cardillo killing, “Circle of Six.” Then-Police Commissioner Ray Kelly read the book and instructed the Major Case Squad to re-open the investigation; they gave me a desk and I went to work.
In 2008, during the investigation, I turned over my case records and my copy of the 10-13 tape to the NYPD. Now they refuse to give it back. They claim they can’t find the 10-13 tape.
I want to put the tape out to the public. Maybe, even after all these years, someone will recognize the voice of “Detective Thomas.” I want independent analysts and journalists to be able to see the entire case file. Maybe fresh eyes will come up with something new.
The NYPD is not turning over anything. They say they do not have to make anything public, as it may harm an ongoing investigation.
The facts contradict that claim, I’m sad to say. There is no investigation….
sheik yer'mami says
“…its paranoid race-based theology has nothing to do with any traditional form of Islam.”
Perhaps not with any traditional form of Islam, but they are still Muslims. And they have the backing of the worlds umma behind them.
gravenimage says
*Exactly*, sheik yer’mami.
The Black Muslims may not be orthodox Muslims, but they are just as violent and supremacist.
boakai ngombu says
steel doors, people armed
a mosque is a fortress … as well as barracks and armory.
Cicero says
Yes all mosques are potential havens for murderous and terrorist activities
Islamic teachings condone violence and murder
Northern Virginiastan says
Oh dear, Farrakhan again. What role did he have in setting this trap? For that matter, what role did he play in Malcolm X’s assassination?
mortimer says
Phillip Cardillo and his surviving family deserve the RESPECT of a TRUTHFUL INVESTIGATION.
This should never happen again! Phillip Cardillo must not have died in vain.
Thanks for this heart-wrenching cry for justice to be done… no matter how long it takes!
Farrakhan should be in jail for this.
Berengaria says
Calypso Louie (Farrakhan) knows that he will never be bothered by the investigation of a Murdered Policeman, because Calypso Louie has friends in High Places, such as Obama & the Democrat Party.
Even in 1972, no one would dare connect Calypso Louie with the Violence committed by the Black Muslim Mob.
David B says
The United States has been at war with Muslims for more than 200 years. Wake up people.
Sam says
No JW reader is surprised.
Who knows how many Jihadi attacks have not been reported or white washed in America.
Janice Disher says
Very true, Sam.
plume says
why?
Veracious_one says
clearly it was a planned ambush….hmmm….and the hate merchant Louie “the lip” Farrakhan was in the mosque?…just connect the dots…
gravenimage says
Yes–these Muslims lured the police by telling them that an officer was already in distress. This kind of thing is Islam 101.
Kay says
This is shameful and frightening. The mayor and the police chief didn’t attend the funeral? The police bureau claims to have lost the 10-13 tape?
plume says
There seems to be a worldwide conspiracy to hide the truth about Islam.
Why?
Mondocane says
A short time after this tragedy Det. Sonny Grosso of French Connection fame began an investigation along with Det. Randy Jurgensen. They were hamstrung by the NYPD hierarchy and the Mayor’s office. They relied on good street cops to help them with the leg work. Grosso then wrote “Murder at the Harlem Mosque”. This book should be required reading for anyone interested in how politics can and will cover up even the murder of a Police Officer in the performance of his sworn duty to protect and serve. Years later 1st Grade Det. Thomas Nerney took up the case. Tom devoted his adult life to solving “unsolvable” cases and was well on his way, along with his partner, a member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, to solve this one also, when he passed away. His partner is still working diligently even though now retired to bring the savage who killed P.O. Cardillo to justice. As long as there are cops like those mentioned above the good guys can still win.
gravenimage says
Thank you, Mondocane.
Salome says
‘Nation of Islam’–people who have rejected the faith of those who owned their ancestors in favour of the faith of those who sold them.
gravenimage says
Yep.
gravenimage says
NYPD withholding evidence in 1972 case of cop murdered in mosque by Muslims screaming “Allahu akbar”
…………………….
This is horrifying, but does not surprise.
As a child, I lived through the terrible Zebra Murders in San Francisco in the early-mid 1970s. I followed the news very closely at the time–but it was only a few years ago that I learned that the killers were all Black Muslims. I had thought they were all racial murders–and they were–but I cannot recall any mention at the time of this also being murders of Infidels. They raped and beheaded some of their victims–very Islamic.
Ashley says
In 2008, during the investigation, I turned over my case records and my copy of the 10-13 tape to the NYPD. Now they refuse to give it back. They claim they can’t find the 10-13 tape.
_______________________
We all need to take note from this: MAKE COPIES…MULTIPLE COPIES.
gravenimage says
*Yes*.