the baumert legacy

We all know, or should know, about the late Assistant Chief Robert J. Baumert. The ‘Boomer’, as he was affectionately known, started with the NYPD on October 24, 1956. He was following in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps. His father was a member of Emergency Service until a near fatal accident ended his career. Years later, Bob Jr. would be the 4th generation New York City cop. The Boomer rose through the ranks and became the 19^th Commanding Officer of the Emergency Service Unit, manning the reigns from October 1988 through June 1990. He retired on February 1, 1998 and ended his watch on June 29, 2021. He also commanded the 6^th, 61^st and 78^th precincts. In 1998, after 41 years of service to NYC, he retired as the Executive Officer, XO, of OCCB, the Organized Crime Control Bureau. Before becoming a cop, he joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and served on the aircraft carrier the USS Wright during the Korean War. He was a Marine Reservist for the next 22 years.

With all that history, what the Boomer was most proud of was his father and son. His son, Robert Jr., following in his footsteps, and the Boomer himself following
in his dad’s. Robert, Boomer Jr., had a distinguished NYPD career too and included assignments in: OCCB/Auto Crime, and he received a Combat Cross while assigned to the Joint ATF/NYPD Task Force. He ended his nearly 21 year career at the Counter Terrorism Bureau.

The Boomer’s father was Henry Vincent X. Baumert, known as Jim. Jim came on the job on May 23, 1938. He was soon assigned to Emergency Service, prior to 1943 (exact dates unknown), to the ‘old’ Trucks 2 and 9. While off duty in September of 1942, Jim rescued a drowning man (see pictures below). The following is from his grandson Robert Jr.

“Jim was a larger-than-life character. He was the life of the party and a generous guy. He got 3/4s in 1957 after an ERV wreck under the Rockaway Turnpike el. His partner lost his leg and Jim had a crushed leg and broken pelvis. He was brought to the 100^th pct quarters where my father found him cutting his boot off. They wanted to amputate his leg, but Jim fought to keep it. He retired and was the “Point Plumber” (in Breezy Point until the co-operative took over in 1964). Jim was let go by the Co-Op because he refused to use pipe made in Japan. It was less expensive than domestic pipe and Jim was a Patriotic American. He died in 1969, age 61 of mesothelioma, most likely due to his cigarette smoking while using an asbestos pipe cutting machine.

Prior to joining the NYPD, Jim worked for NYC Transit at the Kew Gardens Yard. Jim brought his experience over to ESU where he helped fabricate the large mechanical jacks used in subway accidents and pedestrian strikes”.

henry ‘jim’ baumert

shows off life saving medal

 Awarded February 18, 1944

“Patrolman Henry Baumer beams as his son Robert 8,
fondles the medal on his dads chest which was awarded to Baumer*
for saving a drowning man off rockaway point last September.
The Patrolman was off duty and on his way home at the time.”