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Another City of London detective who worked closely with Robert Sagar for most of his career was John Davidson, who had joined the force in 1878 and retired after 25 years' service in 1903. Although he joined a couple of years earlier than Sagar, he was about five years younger, having been born at Greenwich around 1857.
The following anecdote related by Sagar was printed by the Morning Leader in its report of his retirement on 9 January 1905:
"But the officer was once in a tight corner. He and ex-Chief Inspector Davidson were in a pickpockets' den, and the latter kept them at bay by presenting his pipe-stem. In the uncertain light the pipe was mistaken for a revolver."
Davidson's retirement was the subject of three reports in the Police Review. On 26 June 1903, quoting the Morning Post, it reported that he was retiring and had been appointed managing director of the Bankers' Security Association. "The members of this Association consist mostly of ex-Detective Officers, and its principal object is the protection of banks against forgeries, etc." It then mentioned his roles in the convictions of the forgers of Bank of England notes, and in the recovery of more than £60,000 which had been stolen from Parr's Bank.
On 14 August 1903 the Police Review quoted from an article that had appeared in the Daily News on 28 July 1903, entitled "Sidelights on Crime. A Detective's Reminiscences." The original article can be seen below. In some respects it echoes the reminiscences of Sagar and Cox, but unfortunately it doesn't mention the Ripper case.
A final report appeared in the Police Review of 23 October 1903:
"LONDON (CITY). - PRESENTATION. - At the headquarters, Old Jewry, DET.-INSPR. DAVIDSON was presented on the 7th ult., with a handsomely framed address and a purse of gold on his retirement after 25 years' service. The presentation was made by Det.-Supt. McWilliam, who bore testimony to the conspicuous services Mr. Davidson had rendered in connexion with important criminal investigations committed to his charge. The gifts were acknowledged by Mr. Davidson, who said he was proud of the department from which he was retiring, and added that he had ever been anxious to uphold the credit of the City."
The following anecdote related by Sagar was printed by the Morning Leader in its report of his retirement on 9 January 1905:
"But the officer was once in a tight corner. He and ex-Chief Inspector Davidson were in a pickpockets' den, and the latter kept them at bay by presenting his pipe-stem. In the uncertain light the pipe was mistaken for a revolver."
Davidson's retirement was the subject of three reports in the Police Review. On 26 June 1903, quoting the Morning Post, it reported that he was retiring and had been appointed managing director of the Bankers' Security Association. "The members of this Association consist mostly of ex-Detective Officers, and its principal object is the protection of banks against forgeries, etc." It then mentioned his roles in the convictions of the forgers of Bank of England notes, and in the recovery of more than £60,000 which had been stolen from Parr's Bank.
On 14 August 1903 the Police Review quoted from an article that had appeared in the Daily News on 28 July 1903, entitled "Sidelights on Crime. A Detective's Reminiscences." The original article can be seen below. In some respects it echoes the reminiscences of Sagar and Cox, but unfortunately it doesn't mention the Ripper case.
A final report appeared in the Police Review of 23 October 1903:
"LONDON (CITY). - PRESENTATION. - At the headquarters, Old Jewry, DET.-INSPR. DAVIDSON was presented on the 7th ult., with a handsomely framed address and a purse of gold on his retirement after 25 years' service. The presentation was made by Det.-Supt. McWilliam, who bore testimony to the conspicuous services Mr. Davidson had rendered in connexion with important criminal investigations committed to his charge. The gifts were acknowledged by Mr. Davidson, who said he was proud of the department from which he was retiring, and added that he had ever been anxious to uphold the credit of the City."
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