Friday - The Dragnet Podcast

A wave of narcotics trafficking has swept into Los Angeles, and Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero are put on the case. Their investigation leads them to a drug ring operating in the city’s shadows—where heroin is being sold to teenagers. In Part 1 of this two-part story, the detectives uncover a network of smugglers, pushers, and addicts—and come face to face with the chilling r...

In this gripping tale from January 5, 1950, Sergeant Joe Friday faces a personal crisis when a friend from the Army, Max Tyler, is caught robbing a jewelry store—and he’s the one who has to put him away. But when Max escapes from prison just months before a potential parole, Friday is forced to track him down again—this time, with more on the line than just justice. It’s a...

Originally Aired : December 29, 1949 The Roseland Roof Murders: Blood on the Marble Steps In this tense and sprawling case from Dragnet , a series of armed robberies spirals into a shocking murder that leaves the LAPD chasing shadows across the city. A string of drugstore holdups had already put the department on edge—but the gang’s most violent act comes when they ambush and murder a...

Originally Aired : December 22, 1949 22 Rifle for Christmas: A Holiday Tragedy In this unforgettable and emotionally devastating episode of Dragnet , Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero investigate the disappearance of nine-year-old Stanley Johnstone just days before Christmas. What begins as a routine missing person case soon darkens into a grim and all-too-familiar reality. The boy was last seen...

Originally Aired : December 15, 1949 The Garbage Chute Murder: Locked Doors and Loose Ends In this atmospheric and tightly plotted episode of Dragnet , Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero are called to investigate the baffling murder of Laura Barclay—a nightclub organist found strangled in her locked apartment. With no signs of forced entry, the case initially presents itself as a...

In this gripping episode of Dragnet , Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero tackle a supposed hit-and-run that turns out to be a calculated murder cloaked in tire tracks and silence. The body of Edward Raymond Stokes is found lifeless in the street, and the only evidence at first is a set of worn skid marks. But the clues don’t add up—and neither do the witness stories. The case unravels...

Originally Aired : June 29, 1950 The Big Grab: A False Badge and a Fatal Plan In this intense episode of Dragnet , Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero are assigned to the homicide detail after Ruth Kessel, wife of a well-known college professor, is abducted from her home by a man posing as a police officer. What begins as a missing person case quickly escalates into a city-wide manhunt...

When a furrier is found dead in his shop, Friday and Romero begin piecing together a web of lies, leading them to a mysterious blonde with a mink coat and a bottle of cheap wine. With only a few scattered clues — a missing mink, a muscatel-stained pair of slacks, and a suspicious telegram — the detectives must track down a cold-blooded killer before she disappears into the night. Origi...

A wave of brutal purse snatchings has left women across Los Angeles living in fear. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero take on the case, setting a trap to lure the violent thieves out into the open. As they close in, the investigation reveals a pair of young criminals who have taken their crime spree too far. Originally aired: June 15, 1950. Cast: Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Virginia Gregg, Harr...

When a woman is found murdered in the Bartlett Hotel, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero are called in to investigate a supposed robbery gone wrong. The husband’s story doesn’t quite add up, and a witness points police to a suspicious man staying in a nearby hotel. As the pieces fall into place, Friday and Romero uncover a web of deception that turns this case into something much more...

A shocking accusation rocks the LAPD when rookie officer Russell Clark is charged with robbery and assault. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero must unravel the truth behind the claims of a beaten and robbed civilian—who insists the officer is to blame. With the reputation of the department on the line, Friday and Romero dig deep into the case, searching for witnesses and evidence that could...

On Christmas morning, a woman's brutally beaten body is discovered outside San Andreas Cathedral. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero follow a sparse trail of clues—an ordinary key, a cheap pen, and a set of boot prints—leading them into the rain-soaked streets of Los Angeles. As they sift through the city's shadows, they uncover a web of deception and desperation that brings them face-...

An elderly woman is brutally attacked and robbed on her way to the bank, leaving Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero on the trail of two ruthless criminals. The investigation takes them through the streets of Los Angeles, uncovering clues that lead to an unexpected break in the case. As they track the violent thieves, Friday and Romero must rely on sharp detective work to bring justice to the victi...

A wave of brutal slashing attacks grips a Los Angeles high school, leaving students terrified and police scrambling for answers. As Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero investigate, they uncover a chilling pattern—each victim is a young, attractive girl. With tensions rising and the suspect still at large, the detectives must act fast before the assailant escalates. Will they catch the perpetr...

For two months, a ruthless criminal has terrorized the city, robbing and brutally assaulting his victims while impersonating a police officer. As the so-called "Badge Bandit" escalates his attacks, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero launch an exhaustive manhunt, determined to bring him to justice. But when the suspect slips through their fingers, the case takes a dangerous turn, culminating in a d...

When an escaped criminal is spotted in Los Angeles, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero are assigned to track him down. Their investigation leads them to a cheap hotel, where their suspect, Alfred Garvey, is hiding under a false identity. But the arrest takes a tragic turn when an officer is shot in the line of duty. As Friday and Romero hunt down the killer, they uncover a deeper criminal operatio...

When a hit-and-run driver leaves a woman critically injured, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero take on an exhaustive search through over 4,000 cars to track him down. Their investigation uncovers damning evidence—but when the trial begins, the key witness vanishes. Will justice prevail, or will the case collapse under the weight of corruption? Originally aired: April 20, 1950. Cast: Jack We...

In a chilling crime spree, a gang of ruthless bandits target army officers hitchhiking in Los Angeles. Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero face a race against time to track down the criminals before their violence escalates. Follow the gripping investigation that uncovers stolen goods, violent assaults, and a relentless thirst for justice. Originally aired: April 13, 1950. Cast: Ja...

High school students in Los Angeles are flooded with obscene literature, prompting Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero to take on the dangerous task of dismantling the distribution network. From undercover stakeouts to intense interrogations, the investigation uncovers a well-organized operation. Will the detectives be able to cut off the supply at its source? Originally aired: April 6, 1950. Cast:...

In this thrilling conclusion to the Valentine murder case, Sergeants Friday and Romero follow a trail that leads them to two dangerous out-of-town gangsters - the Shaker brothers. With the help of a brave young woman willing to risk her safety to assist the police, the detectives race to prevent further bloodshed in Los Angeles. Originally aired March 30, 1950. Cast : Jack Webb (Sgt. Joe Friday),...

When notorious hoodlum Gus Valentine becomes the target of machine gun fire on the streets of Los Angeles, Sergeants Joe Friday and Ben Romero must prevent an impending gang war. As Valentine refuses to cooperate with police, the detectives race against time to uncover who's behind the attacks. This gripping episode showcases the dangerous balance between organized crime and law enforcement in 195...

Four young, dangerous criminals storm into Los Angeles, leaving a trail of robberies and stolen cars. Armed and fearless, they are determined to evade justice. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero face a relentless pursuit through the city to bring the gang to justice. This gripping episode showcases courage, quick thinking, and the unyielding dedication of the LAPD. Originally aired: March 16, 1950...

When Annie Marie Johnson, a parolee with a dark past, begins forging signatures on her parole reports, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero suspect something more sinister is at play. A meticulous investigation into her benefactor, Mrs. Laura Muller, unveils a chilling tale of betrayal, greed, and a terrible crime hidden in the cellar of a quiet Los Angeles home. This haunting case reveals the lengt...

When police officer Robert Fillmore is gunned down on his own doorstep, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero embark on a relentless pursuit of the killer. The trail leads through deception, violence, and a dramatic standoff in the San Pedro Hills. This harrowing tale of justice and tragedy highlights the dangers faced by those who uphold the law. Originally aired: March 2, 1950. Cast : Jack Webb, Ba...

For over 35 years, Gentleman Wallace has perfected the art of the swindle, leaving a trail of victims across the country. From phony checks to elaborate scams, this master confidence man returns to Los Angeles for one last grand scheme. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero race to stop him in this intricate tale of deception, greed, and justice. Originally aired: February 23, 1950. Cast : Jack Webb,...