Leonard Baldy

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Leonard Frank Baldy (February 15, 1927–May 2, 1960) was a Chicago Police Department officer who became the city's first helicopter traffic reporter. His sometimes comical look at Chicago's traffic problems made him a household name. His peers gave him the nickname "Flying Officer Leonard Baldy". He died in fiery crash when his helicopter malfunctioned.

A native of Chicago and World War II veteran who served on USS Markab, Baldy gained early recognition in his police career for being the first patrolman in the United States to experiment with and use the now famous radar gun to detect the speed of vehicles (1954). He also wrote the first ticket in the world for speeding using a radar device.

He became the most visible department spokesperson when he provided lectures and taught classes to civic groups, organizations and educational institutions on the topic of traffic safety. He provided the first helicopter traffic report over WGN radio in November 1958.

Baldy gained fame during the Our Lady of the Angels School Fire in December 1958 when he broadcast his observations from his helicopter above the scene and provided traffic instructions over the radio to fire and ambulance vehicles trying to reach the fire through Chicago's congested streets. Both Baldy and WGN radio received public service awards from the National Transportation Safety Board for their efforts.

After his death, he was elected to the National Police Hall of Fame and had his badge number retired.

Forty-six years after his death, the citizens of Chicago remembered him with the honor of renaming a street "Leonard Baldy Way".

Chicago Police Superintendent, Phillip Cline said of the Flying Officer, "People who couldn't name the police superintendent knew who Len Baldy was."

In 2006, his son, Tim Baldy, published a biography entitled Chicago's Finest.