The summer 2009 edition of Delmarva Quarterly, an excellent regional magazine, contain
s an article I wrote on Jesse Carmine, a police officer in Crisfield for almost half-a-century. I’d first met the 82-year-old Mr. Carmine about five years ago when I stopped by city hall to find someone to talk to about law enforcement in the small town. The clerk at city hall asked if I’d like to talk with the gentleman. He’d started in police work on December 25, 1953. Of course, I would and as we talked for hours he was so very helpful.
Over the years I’ve discovered that someone who has worked the streets and back alleys of a small town night and day for decades, will know that place better than anyone else. Mr. Carmine was an excellent source and I enjoyed our conversation thoroughly. Last winter Chief Carmine passed away, but I had been fortunate to get to know him and I shared my experience in exploring a small town through the eyes of a public servent for about half-a-century.