When the bloodied and ashen cop walked onto the train, the passengers screamed.
P.O. McIntyre, 1987
She had eight months on the job, a cop working her subterranean beat…under the city of New York. Very soon, in the darkness of a subway tunnel…she would come face to face with madness.
NYC Transit Cops worked basically alone, it was our “routine” patrol. So on Dec. 14, 1987 26-year-old Police Officer Christine McIntyre was alone aboard a Manhattan train that suddenly stopped in a subway tunnel.
The Motorman had spotted a man on the catwalk, a narrow walkway that runs along the walls of the tube. P.O. McIntyre was notified. To get the man out of harms way, she put herself in harms way and for her efforts…soon felt a blade at her throat.
A NYC subway tunnel was a dark, electric, combat arena
Patrolling New York’s subways, by a dedicated subway patrol force, dates back to the thirties when uniformed officers were “Specials”. Later, with “Unification” the various Divisions, BMT, IRT and IND came under one Transportation Department and the force that would later become The NYC Transit Police was born.
My dad, Ptl. Roy Winters at Bway ENY Sta A line. He patrolled 34 years…with no radio
My dad patrolled the subways from 1931 to 1965. I joined the Transit Police in 1966 and retired in 1992. The job merged with NYPD in 1995 and those who since patrol the subways do so as the NYPD’s Transit Bureau. The NYC Transit Police no longer exist…it says here.
Most of the years that I was a Transit Cop the force was about 3,000 to 4,000 or so strong, about one tenth the size of NYPD. We were a smaller force but we were tight. Today, cops who were “Transit” consider themselves Brother and Sister Transit Cops forever.
NYC Transit Police turning out for patrol. NY Daily News 1960s
We were a unique force with very specific challenges. Our beat was the miles of platforms, stairways and rails that take riders to and from work every day. We breathed hot, humid air laced with the scent of steel dust and urine or sucked in the icy air on wind-swept els.
The train stopped in the tunnel and Officer Christine McIntyre attempted to call for back up on her radio but couldn’t connect. She was in a “dead spot”, a pattern of radio transmission problems that has persisted since subway radio communication was first instituted for Transit Cops in the sixties. But the job needed to be dealt with, so with heart much bigger than could possibly fit into her 5’3 120 lb frame, she stepped off into the darkness…alone.
It was often the low-level offenders, fare beats, smokers and sleepers who would injure and sometimes even kill cops. One such death occurred at the very 59th St. Columbus Circle station Officer McIntyre was approaching:http://www.odmp.org/officer/7371-police-officer-joseph-keegan
So there really was no such thing as a “routine” collar. We did regularly arrest fare beats and pan handlers, perverts and pickpockets. But we also chased muggers down electrified tunnels and exchanged gunfire in tile-walled, ricochet insanity. We went under trains to rescue the fallen, the suicidal…or the shoved. Because of our unique, alone-and-up-close policing, we felt a strong kinship with each other. We were much fewer than NYPD but just as the “few” Marines have a Semper Fi Brotherhood, we also felt a bond as the Brothers and Sisters of the New York City Transit Police.
The conductor opened one door of the train so Officer McIntyre could access the catwalk. She first tried to offer assistance and she asked him to come into the train, but he refused. He was trespassing so she decided to place him under arrest. In the tight confines between the train and the tunnel’s wall she placed him against the train’s window to handcuff him. A misdemeanor collar at that point, no need to have a firearm out. But he whirled and with a handful of her hair, pulled her head back…slicing a blade through her neck muscles…even catching her carotid artery.
There are many Americans who feel strongly about service, whether in the military on foreign soil, or here at home in the big cities and small towns across America. But some, even within these groups, feel a need to serve those groups as well.
Retired Transit Police Officer, Louis Hollander
About two decades ago, retired Transit Cop, Lou Hollander started the annual Transit Police reunion, a long-weekend event in Florida. Some of us come from long distances, some live nearby, some come for a five day weekend, some shorter stays. Some come for the golf outing or gambling cruise or the Patty Townsend Memorial banquet. All come for the camaraderie.
Retirees: From left, Ron Conklin, Lee Winters, Deo Fasolino, John Sochachi, Lou Shanley
Libation is liberal and memories grow more vivid with the passing years…it seems. At this June of 2016 reunion held at Cocoa Beach’s International Palms hotel, 225 Brothers and Sisters gathered. And this was the smallest gathering yet. Some years there have been great “Transit” migrations of 400 from across the country. I’ve spoken with retirees of other departments, NYC Fire Dept., NYPD, etc. and none have reunions of this size and length.
Retirees, Mike Lavelle, with great shirt, and Dennis Rudolph
Cops find themselves in combat in a wide array of Theaters of Operations, from roadsides in rural counties to the rooftops of the Bronx. But Officer McIntyre’s dark combat zone was as slim as her chances for survival…a 19” wide catwalk. It was there that her adrenalin-fueled fight for life began.
Whether patrolling America’s highways, streets, high rises, or subways…cops find themselves targets in blue. In the line-of-duty cops get injured, cops get maimed…cops die. Law Officers are punched, kicked, bitten, stabbed, crashed into, run over, shot…and shoved to subway tracks. Often, otherwise ubiquitous and primed cell phones seem to fail in recording these attacks against cops.
In the fierce battle of the catwalk, Officer McIntyre raised her left arm to ward off the slashing knife while with her right hand she tried to access her 38 Ruger. But in the onslaught she couldn’t release the safety lock of her holster.
Release of a firearm from its holster’s safety lock works well in the calm and fluorescence of Firearms Training. But not always so well when darkness, assault, adrenaline, blood and close quarters…are all in concert. She did smash her attacker with her nightstick several times but this seemed to only enrage him. “He went crazy”, Christine said. ( A friend of mine on the job, related to me how he had to shoot a man who was beating him with a length of iron. After being shot the man “only became more enraged”, he told me. Such is real-life confrontation with madness.)
Christine’s nightstick soon went flying. He was once again trying to slice her neck. To keep from falling she grabbed onto a rusted, yellow pole that was on the tunnel wall. But the pole broke loose so she used it as a weapon. She was trying to keep him at a distance and possibly have the chance to get the gun out, she told me. But the pole broke in half and he used the broken length of it on her. Christine remained standing throughout it all, though her neck was sliced open, her left bicep ripped wide…but she finally got her gun out.
We are a dwindling legion, we Transit Cops. Natural deaths take some of us each year. They and the line-of-duty fallen are remembered on our online Transit Police and FOP sites. At each reunion the line-of duty deaths are observed in special honor.
Line-of-duty deaths are honored on each banquet table
Officer McIntyre was looking at her attacker’s back. He was retreating. He walked along the catwalk toward the rear of the train. She followed him, bleeding badly, gun drawn. Now at that point, had it been me with a slit throat and gaping arm, I might have very well sat down and just waited for help. But not Officer McIntyre. Though blood flowed copiously, she followed her attacker until she saw him jump onto the track. But then numbness in her hands and feet sent a message to her cerebral cortex of impending death, so she walked back to the open door of the train.
Some members don’t do much traveling these days, so a long journey to Florida from the Northeast or the West is a challenge. But, even under these circumstances…225 members managed to “Transit” their way to the annual reunion.
Retiree, Rory McGinn and a small part of the celebrants
Many attendees are from Police Academy classes of the sixties and seventies but it is hoped that more of the later classes of the eighties, and nineties, will provide a surge that will carry the celebration of our unique bond forward.
Retirees, Barry Landsberg and Lou Shanley’s…back
When the bloodied and ashen cop walked onto the train the passengers screamed. But three clear-headed airline employees were aboard. Two were a couple on a belated honeymoon, Dale and Teri Demetropolus of Pacific Northwest airlines, the third was Myrna Bonet. They shouted people off a bench seat and laid the cop upon it. One of them took off her scarf and used it to apply pressure to the fallen cop’s neck.
Dale and Teri Demetropolus. Photo Tom Manhaster, NY Daily News
The train, still in the tunnel, wasn’t moving toward the next station, 59th St. But at the urging of all to the conductor, “Get this train moving!” it finally moved forward.
At the 59th St. station, Marine vet Transit Cop, Joe McGarry rushed to the young cop sprawled and near death. He hoisted her in his arms and sprinted up three flights of stairs to the street and medical attention.
Police Office Christine McIntyre with two unidentified civilians and P.O. Joe McGarry. Photo credit unknown.
The attacker was eventually apprehended. He gave his name as “Jack Webb” and “Peter Son” and said he lived in the Empire State building. He had been arrested in CT for robbery but that state found him unfit to stand trial. He absconded from mental health commitment there and headed for NYC.
Officer McIntyre was taken to Bellevue Hospital where her mom later happened to be riding in an elevator with various officials. They did not know who she was when she heard them say, “It doesn’t look like she’s going to make it.” But she did make it. She survived madness in a subway tunnel and eventually, and very reluctantly, retired.
“Jack Webb” was found by New York’s criminal justice system to be unfit for trial and committed to a mental institution…once again.
What it’s all about
Officer McIntyre was present at this Transit Police reunion. Since her time in the tunnel she went through divorce with two children. But she persevered once again and raised those kids to become beautiful adults. She “Transits” on in life as an optimistic divorcee.
From left, Bill McKechnie, John Caruso, Lou Hollander and his wife, Barbara
Christine McIntyre will now be on the new reunion committee freshly captained by past Transit Police PBA president Bill McKechnie. Her task is to vet new venues for future reunions. She also avidly participates in support groups for other cops who…faced down madness.
Retired NYC Transit Police Officer Christine McIntyre.
The New York City Transit Police.
We were the few…who served for you.
Be well,
Lee Winters,
shedding a little light wherethesundontshine
See also my sunny side: https://leebythesea.me
Categories: NYC Transit Police, Police use of force, Uncategorized
Wherethesundontshine.net 
PO Mary O’Donnell Transit 91-01 assigned to District 11 and 12 promoted 6/00 to Sergeant retired 11/30/11 from the 20th precinct.
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Great article and pictures. It was a great job My time in the Transit Police (Oct. ’73-April ’95 through to retirement Nov. ’97) seemed to fly by so quickly as I look back. But my memories are vivid and it seemed like yesterday. I had the pleasure of working with a lot of great people. I hope they’re all well.
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A Very nice piece,Lee.It certainly hit home with me.Its amazing how some memories last a life-time. I enjoyed reading this…Tony Z.
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Kenny Held 86-20, Transferred to Yonkers PD in 89
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I loved the article brings back a lot of memories….86-28 Karen Leskovac Colonnello
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Mike Horan 86-21, Transferred to Yonkers PD in 88.
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Beautiful article!
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Great story, well written. Transit was always a tough job. You met very few heiresses in the hole. Thanks for a job well done.
very
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Great article brave officer never gave up
April 1973 to Dec 1978 left job for port authority pd
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Really great story.
December 1968 Retired Nov. 1992
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A better group of Officers you would never meet Ret. Ptl Anthony B Genco, Dist.1
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Great artical.History remembered of the struggle the men & women went through to make the subways safe and was the catalyst which drove the city’s crime rates down and gentrified a lot of the borough’s. May5, 1965-Nov30, 2010.
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Great article. Great Dept with the best men and women. Mike Paccione. 1964 to 2001
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Great article, very well written. A rare accurate history of a great police department. I didn’t know your dad, I started in July 64.
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Excellent article. true words. very well done,
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Tony Ovchinnikoff- 86-33 Dist. 3 and 1. Great article. Tightest bunch of cops ever. 10-13 party for a cop in Dist. 33′ guys for 12 would be there.
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Great story. The Transit Poluce Department was the only City department to deploy its officers on solo patrol in the most dangerous areas of the city . As such, Transit Cops developed certain survivsl skills.
After i retired from Transit, I took a job as a Beach Police officer in Florida. My first year during a very roudy college reunion, I was assigned to ATV patrol in the worst area of the reunion. The officer doing the assignments said he was teaming me up with another officer for my safety. I didn’t say anything. The sergeant who hired me, was a retired NYPD detective. As soon as he learned I was teamed up, he told the officer doing the assignments to: “Put Sorrentino out by himself. He was a New York City Transit Cop who patrolled the subways by himself. I think he can handle a college reunion.” That made me feel real proud of Transit hearing that come from a street cop. PO Bill Sorrentino (70-90)
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I will never forget when I was a rookie cop assigned to TPF-34, and you had a 10-85 with 15 punks on the wall giving them all summons for open containers and other offenses. That was best ever! LOL, it was on the F line. @ approximately 0300 hrs. maybe 1985,
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I want to introduce myself. My name is Chris Messina. I am the brother of Christine Hurley. I truly love and admire my sister for what she has been through and what she stands for even today. My niece and nephew have a wonderful mom and I hope they truly understand the bravery, courage and sacrifice their mom has displayed over the years. Our story, that is of Christine and myself, is interesting in how it’s unfolded over the years, but that story is for another day.
Let me close by saying my younger sister is the most dedicated and devoted friend to the Transit Police Department I have ever known. I love and respect her dearly and deeply!
Christopher G. Messina- Cleveland, Ohio
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Chris, You and your family have every reason to be proud of Christine. I know, by her ordeal, she saved an unknown civilian from certain death had they come across this madman on later day. She may have been 5’3” but she was walking’-tall-in-guts when she stepped into that dark tunnel to face a dark mind. Thank you for your comment and for your sister’s service to New Yorkers. God bless your sister and your family.
Be well,
Lee Winters
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A real nice tribute to a brave officer. I was a Transit Police Officer from 1965 to 1992, it was an honor and privilege to have worked with such a dedicated group.
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I was in the May 1965 class at the academy, I worked in D1 and D2 (shield # 2616) left in Nov. 1967 went to NYSP for 27 years, I always benefited from the survival experience I gained in the NYTPD , it served me well during my police career. Patrolling alone without any means of communication, (we made hourly rings on the phone if they didn’t hear from U they went looking) it was a dangerous job. Christine payed her dues, I’m happy she’s with us still.
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Awesome account, it should be published for the public to read. Art Scheublin
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DAVE KOLMAN. I sat on the commendation board that reviewed her request for a commendation .
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A great article about some great cops. I was proud to have been a NYC Transit cop because of the caliber of the people I had the privilege to work with. Just another story in the naked subway
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Great story. Proud to have served May 1969 till June 2006
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Christine is the epitome of what a Transit Police officer is…I see her at the 10-13 club meetings in Florida..
I started my career in the Transit Police also in 1989, I worked in D1, D2, D34..I am honored to be part of the transit family and I am honored to call Christine my friend.
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Proud to have worked 20 yeras with the finest men and women in law enforcement
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Great job with great people. Did my 5 years till the hostel take over then went to the street made Sgt and retired in oct of 2010. Loved my time in the subway the few the proud the transit police.
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Ed Barry 1965-1988 Thanks Lee for a wonderful telling of a story of great courage and determination. I was a lieutenant at the time and responded to the scene. The perpetrator was a raving lunatic and was subdued and restrained without any further injury to the subject or the officers on the scene. A great job by all involved.
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Sgt Carl Root, NYCTPD 1993-1995 (TD01), NYPD 1995-Present. Great story and great memories. I wouldn’t trade my time “in the hole” for anything. Those 2yrs made me a better cop.
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Great piece of writing and history to what is and still is a honorable and extremely dangerous job. I started out original Transit June 1992 and never left retiring June 2012 TD 04 1st platoon. I will add I did 1st plt 18yrs most of my career. That doesn’t count for my 1yr plus 8p’s. I meet some amazing people in my journey and learned from the best.I will attending the reunion for the 1st time this year and cannot wait and listen to the story’s of our Transit Police Veterans. Like day one on the job I’ll be the rookie and listen to the men and women who paved the way.
10-98K
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Wow, Bruce,you came on June,’92. I feel even more ancient having retired Jan, ’92…after 26 years on the job… and now retired 26 years this Jan.
Glad to hear you’ll be attending.
Have a blast, Brother.
Be well,
Lee
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Great Article Lee. THANKS!!
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Nice job Lee. There sure are a lot of stories. McTntyre was a lucky gal.
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This article is well written and makes all of us Transit Cops feel that Transit Pride! Class 83-36 and worked Dist 11 and 12, then came home to the Best Dist!! Dist 32!!! So many stories! Some you can only share with those that did the job!!!
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There is no one better then Christine.. she a fighter a survivor.. and I am proud not only to call her a fellow officer but a good friend…
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Great article, well written. Good to hear she survived such an ordeal and is around to talk about it. I retired in 2006, and even if I didn’t spend the entire 20yrs on the streets, I will never forget the comarderie you get working with exceptional people. I run into old friends every now and then, and it’s a forever bond, even if you didn’t know them well. I am proud to say I was NYPD. I heard someone say once, which is so true: Until you’ve worn that uniform, no one understands what you feel, what you saw, what you experienced. Be safe to all that are still out there. I pray for all of you.
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Mike Courtney 83-20: TPF-33, D33 patrol, ADO, A/C, Captain’s Man with GREAT partners, Sgt. D-32, 23. Thank you Bill- Lieutenant 019 Pct. ( I don’t know who was more shocked, them or me! A proud Transit Cop on the UES!) I took the best and left the rest. But I can honestly say I had the BEST to learn from, thank you all, cause even if we didn’t cross paths, the history and experience did get to guys like me. Did my 20 and… Thank you pension fairy! Best to all. mcscourt@yahoo.com (Just found the site)
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Joined the NYCTPD with the “Mid Night Class of June 1992” Academy class# 92-73 Served 11 years, all of it in District 33 on the 8/p’s and then Midnights. Worked with alot of great characters. My brother Kevin came on a few years before me and worked at TPF at 42 and 8th. We both hit the lottery and moved out to our new jobs as Freeport Police. Money was alot better and the commute was mere minutes, but it was just as busy. We are BOTH still on the job and retirement is closely approaching. Still consider ourselves as brothers of Transit PD. Good guys wear black !
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I became a Transit Cop in the May 1965 class and worked in Dist 2 and Dist 1 (worked 42nd and 8th many times) resigned in Nov 1967 (month of the 1st Big Blackout) went upstate and did 27 yrs on NYSP Troop G (went to the 2nd NYC Blackout as a Trooper (77 ?)……..Almost returned to Transit in 1968 when notified that I was on the Sgts list from an exam I took before I resigned…..mulled it over but stayed and made Sgt in the SP. Never met as many “tough”cops as the ones that taught me how to “survive” in “hole” and worked with a few in Dist 1 that made the ultimate sacrifice. It was a dangerous job working alone with NO radio, we always kept Dime coins in our pockets in the event we needed to call on the phone for Backup……a long way before GPS and Cell Phones.
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My father Abraham Gatling was a transit cop from 1964-1985. Came on the job with Floyd Holloway. In the first class at the Police Academy in Manhattan. Top Marksman in his class. He worked with Lt. Alcindor at District 1. He is in the photo above that shows the muster at Dist. 1. Used to work at District 22 out at the Alden Theatre. Pops and his crew were a special breed of crazy…I loved everyone of them as they were like my uncles and looked out for me. Pops is still working…doing home improvement work for people in Virginia. He helped me with my stoop this summer. 100 degrees this guy was laying bricks…The Old Guard…those guys were the best…
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Transit Cops are Tops, they are New York’s Finest and never got the acknowledgement they deserved.
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BLESS U MCINTYRE HOPE THAT SOB GOT HIS” I RETIRED IN 2017 FIRST STARTED IN 71 THEN KTF IN BKLYN ” SOLO ON IRT & A LINE FOR 5 YRS THEN HAD ENOUGH OF FIGHTING EVERY NIGHT IN ENY & BEDSTY SO I TRANSFERRED TO D34 had great time until SUPV STARTED ABUSING US & WE ALL SEE WHAT HAPP TO SOCIETY & I GOT OUT TKFULLY BE SAFE TO ALL
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Very well written. A very brave Transit Police Officer. Glad she’s doing well. I joined in 65 and after a # of years went to the NYSP. A large part of my heart is still with Transit. Great bunch of Officers. Stay well.
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Bruce, thank you for the kind words. Yes, the Transit Police were a few good men. The new York city Marine Corps.
Be well
Lee
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Just saw this article for the first time. Had heard about Christine’s near death encounter, but this piece by Lee really describes what can happen while on solo patrol in that unfriendly subterranean environment. Thank God Christine is still with us. I am proud to have been in the TPD starting in 1971 (D-3 as a cop till 1981; D-12 while a sergeant until 1989; D-32, ERU at Gold St and D-3 again as a lieutenant until 1996. Made captain in 1996 and was assigned to various assignments in PBMN where I met many good cops. But I never met the kind of cop that I did while being “Transit”. We were tough because we had to be to survive; as simple as that. God bless the Blue !
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Bob,
Thank you for your comment. Yes thank God Christine survived. I’m glad I recalled Joe McGary’s part in it. We were a unique band of Brothers, because ,as you said, “
We were tough because we had to be.”
We patrolled alone, and we knew that our Brothers and Sisters did so too, under the most trying of daily circumstances.
Be well,
Lee
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Lee very well done. Joe McGary was one of a kind. When I first met Joe he was a rookie in Dist 4. I was the PBA delegate. Joe and I became friends . With Joe’s help I went on to become the PBA President and Joe with no ones help went on to become a legend. His kind of person does not come this way to often I was honored to know him.
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Bill
Yes, Joe was a legend. I never heard a negative word said about him. Just courage and dedication.
Even when I was in my prime as a young Marine I don’t think I could have carried Christine up three flights of subway stairs to help and survival. He only had one gear, Foward.
.He will be revered in Transit Police history. Thank you for sharing your recollections and comment, Bill.
Be well
Lee
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Came on the job in the May 1974 class after getting out of the Marine Corps. Dist 32 before the layoffs then Dist 4. Back to Dist 32 where I worked Anti-Crime until going to City Wide Anti Crime then Decoys. Was then offered a position on Joint Terrorist Task Force where I got my Gold Shield. The Feds loved the Transit guys because we had no problem following the bad guys anywhere above or underground. Even after the merge we were kept on with JTTF. After retireIng in 1998 my old Fed supervisors said I should put in to work for The Bureau in their Investigative Surveillance program. Did so was accepted. I was the first retired Police Officer in the program and opened it up for others. Retired from there after 17 years. Transit PD was the best career choice I ever made and I worked with the greatest cops in the world.
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