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History of Emerald Societies in America

By Patrick F. O'Brien

continued from Part 1...

With a strong sense of patriotic pride to their new found country, the Irish started another tradition during the 1908 Summer Olympic games held in London, England. Patrolman Martin J. Sheridan, of the NYPD was part of the American Olympic team. Martin Sheridan was born in 1881 in County Mayo, Ireland and immigrated to New York in 1901 and joined the police force in 1906. During the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games, athletes from all the countries would show their pride and march in the “Parade of Nations”. During the 1908 games there was a lot of animosity and bad feelings between Britain and the United States. Initially, Patrolman Sheridan was to bear the American Flag, however, at the last moment another Irish-American teammate , Ralph Rose, was selected. It was felt that Patrolman Sheridan, with strong Irish feelings, would not show proper respect toward the King of England. Protocol of the day dictated that each nation’s flag would be dipped as it passed the royal reviewing stand. Tradition has it, during the parade, Mathew McGrath, another Irish-American teammate went up to the American flag bearer and said words to this effect...”dip that flag and you will be in a hospital tonight”. The flag was not dipped which caused an international incident. During a news conference, Patrolman Sheridan spoke for the entire Olympic team; he pointed to the American flag and said “this flag dips to no earthly king”. The precedent was set which is still followed today during the Olympic Games.

The public perception of the ever present Irish cop on the beat was more than just a stereotype, it was a fact. Up to the mid 20th century, the Irish dominated the police and fire departments. These departments were largely made up of either Irish born or 1st or 2nd generation Irish. The Irish produced more chiefs of the police and fire departments than any other ethnic group in America. Furthermore, they were at the forefront of the labor movement in these professions, as well as many others. However, two events in the 20th century changed that phenomenon; the depression in 1929 and World War II. New ethnic groups started to join the public safety ranks. The Germans, Italians, Polish and African-Americans joined the police and fire departments and eventually formed fraternal associations. Organizations were also formed for officers of Catholic, Protestant and Jewish religions.

By the second half of the 20th century, the Irish in the police and fire departments felt they were losing their identity and proud traditions. By the early 1950's, other ethnic organizations were flourishing and creating a fraternity of brotherhood amongst its membership. In 1953, members of the New York City Police Department formed the first organization for Irish-American police officers. Thus on March 16, 1953, the first Emerald Society was founded. The New York City Police Department Emerald Society was formed to help foster the spirit of Irish heritage within its members and to promote and preserve their accomplishments. The first president of the Emerald Society was Henry J. Fitzgerald. Soon after, the New York Fire Department (FDNY) formed an Emerald Society. Word spread about the new Irish organization and Emerald Societies and other units were formed by the New York City Corrections (‘55) as well as the Transit (‘56) and Housing Police Department (‘58). By the end of the 1950's, New Jersey and the Essex County Police & Fire Emerald Society were formed (‘58), this would be the first Emerald Society with both police and fire under one organization.

Continue to Part 3...