Detective in Mary's "Deadshot" skirt (8 photos)

Outwardly, this lady with a slightly ridiculous, inviting appearance looks like a kind neighbor or cousin, who sometimes comes to visit to chat and give gifts.





But Mary's case is an exception, proving the fact that appearances can be deceptive.



Mary

Mary Shanley was born in Ireland in 1896. Having moved with her family to the States, she made an unexpected and bold decision for that time - she joined the New York police.





Undercover agents

Together with other female police officers, she began working in a squad of undercover agents.



In their first year of work, they were assigned to fortune tellers and psychics, professions that were illegal at the time. It was believed (and, it must be said, not unreasonably) that they took advantage of the gullibility of especially vulnerable and gullible categories, in particular, women who found themselves in a difficult situation.



A little later, she was tasked with fighting pickpockets. Mary, who has amazingly attractive appearance, walked around department stores dressed like an ordinary shopper, attracting those who wanted to profit from the contents of other people's wallets, bags and pockets. Sometimes she took her niece with her as an additional support group and live bait.



In 1934, the NYPD required its female officers to carry revolvers. A few years later, Shanley made history by becoming the first woman in the NYPD to use a gun while on duty. She fired a warning shot into the air to stop the fleeing suspect. From now on, the warning shot will become her calling card.



Accompanying pickpocket suspects to court

The woman became a local celebrity, appearing in crime reports and tabloids every time she brought in a suspect for questioning. As a result, Mary received the apt nickname “Deadshot”.



Mary accepts congratulations from the mayor

Shanley became one of the first women to be promoted to detective first class in the NYPD. True, her career almost ended due to her own stupidity. In 1941, Deadshot was suspended from his job for firing his service weapon during an off-duty drinking session in a Jackson Heights bar. But soon Mary was reinstated. She continued working. And even after retiring in 1957, she continued to catch petty thieves.