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This
article appeared in the February 2, 2000, edition of the Los Angeles
Times, featuring Los Angeles Police Department Detective Sergeant Jack
Giroud. Sgt. Giroud spoke at the 2000 Western Robbery
Conference in Breckenridge, Colorado, May 31 to June 2, 2000.
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Dauntless
Detective
LAPD Honors Robbery
Specialist on Anniversary of 44 Years of Service
by George Ramos
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
© Los Angeles Times, 2000. Reprinted by permission.
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| It was a big day
for anniversaries at headquarters Tuesday. And the biggest honor belonged
to robbery Det. Jack Giroud, who joined the LAPD 44 years ago, when Norris
Poulsen was mayor and the city was a little more than half its current
size.
On hand to congratulate Giroud was wife, Dixie, who
marked her 24th anniversary with the Los Angeles Police Protective League,
and Police Chief Bernard C. Parks, who said Feb. 1 was his 35th
anniversary with the department.
Giroud's grandson, David Friedrich, who wasn't
observing an anniversary, delivered what was perhaps the most personal note
during the celebration in the Robbery-Homicide squad room at Parker
Center.
"He's the reason I became a police
officer," said Friedrich, a six-year LAPD veteran.
"If I can fill half of his [44 years], then I'll
be satisfied with my career. |
More than 50 well-wishers crowded into the squad room to honor
Giroud,
dubbed, "Mr. Robbery," who has worked on hundreds of cases over
the years.
He is such a well-known figure in law enforcement circles that he is
routinely sought out by corporations plagued with robberies.
He is also a founding member of the California Robbery Investigators
Assn. |
"Jack
is everything that's right with the department"
Jim Tatreau, LAPD Robbery/Homicide Commander
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| The modest
detective seemed to shrug off the attention showered on him during the
ceremony, for which Parks and the Police Commission broke away from a
meeting to put in an appearance.
"Thank you" was all Giroud told the crowd.
And unlike other police old-timers, Giroud said he had no favorite
case that he solved or any funny stories to tell.
"I really enjoy my job," he said. "Putting bad guys
away, working with the public."
It was up to others to tell Giroud's story - how he caught the
"Mini-Market Splasher," who threw coffee at clerks in robbing
more than 100 stores. Giroud developed some leads that led to a stakeout,
where the robber was captured. They also talked about a boundless
energy that surprises much younger officers and about how Giroud has
inspired others. Part of the inspiration is his reputation as one
of the longest-serving officers. Officials said they believe that only one
other policeman has Giroud beat on that score. |
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"Forty-four
years is quite a milestone,"
Bernard
C. Parks,
LAPD Chief of Police
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"He could have left when he [became
eligible] for the maximized pension 14 years ago, " said Capt. Jim
Tatreau, the Robbery-Homicide Division's commander. "But he's still
here, and that's got to tell you something. Jack is everything that's
right with the department."
One detective added, "I don't know how he does it." |
| Glancing over at
Giroud, who has gained
considerable weight since joining the department Feb. 1, 1956, Parks
prompted a roar of laughter when he told the squad room crowd that he was
still wearing the same police belt he wore at his Police Academy
graduation in 1965. Then the chief got serious.
"Forty-four years is quite a milestone," he said.
Longevity seems to be one thing Robbery-Homicide excels in. The
legendary homicide detective John "Jigsaw" St. John served for
51 years before retiring in 1993.
As Tuesday's festivities ended, Police Commissioner Dean Hansell
told Giroud, "Keep up the good work and we'll be here for your
75th."
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