The most shot at man in America dies at 92 - The Firearms Forum

artabr · 01-27-2010, 05:15 PM

Real-life inspiration for paper target in firearms training, ex-NYPD Lt. Jesse Oldshein, dies at 92

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c...n_florida.html

BY Rocco Parascandola
DAILY NEWS POLICE BUREAU CHIEF

Wednesday, January 27th 2010, 4:00 AM

Thousands of cops opened fire at Jesse Oldshein over the years - and all it did was make him smile.

The retired NYPD lieutenant believed to be the real-life inspiration for a paper target used in firearms training died last week at his Florida home, relatives said.

He was 92 and had battled bladder cancer.

It was less than two years ago that Oldshein was unmasked as "The Thug" whose visage was supposed to inspire cops to shoot straight.

For years, there was debate in police circles about the identity of the snarling, pug-nosed gunman with all the charm of a kick in the teeth.

Some said he resembled actor Ernest Borgnine. Others said boxer Rocky Graziano. One theory pegged him as Sgt. Fred Worell, a former NYPD firing range instructor.

When the NYPD said in November 2008 it was replacing "The Thug" with two targets - a Mr. Clean look-alike and a faceless alien - retired Detective Harold Schiffer came forward and said Oldshein was the mystery man.

Oldshein said Schiffer was no liar and told how he showed up for target practice one day in the early 1960s and was asked to pose for a picture.

"They said, 'Pose in a boxing stance,'" Oldshein said in 2008. "Next thing I know, my face is on the target."

His son, Dr. Mitchell Oldshein, remembers the thrill he got seeing Charles Bronson fire at his dad's paper face in "Death Wish."

And he said his said his dad enjoyed the wave of publicity he got in his last year.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly sent Oldshein a thank-you letter that said, "Yours is the face that launched a thousand careers."

"He was thrilled with it," said his widow, Francine, 84. "He was very proud of it. He thought it was a big part of the New York Police Department's history."

May he rest in peace

Art

Retired Lt. Jesse Oldshein (below) was model for 'The Thug' target drawing used by by generations of police.

Mr. Nameless · 01-27-2010, 07:53 PM

I feel bad for shooting at those targets now.....

Oneida Steve · 01-27-2010, 07:57 PM

That's a great human-interest story. Thanks for sharing.

Nortranman · 01-27-2010, 08:15 PM

Probably trained more rookies than any cop ever. Sleep well, sir!

Marlin T · 01-28-2010, 12:09 AM

I've been shooting at a cop all this time? ummmmmm wow

May he be at Gods side forever.

blackcat_attilio · 01-28-2010, 12:20 AM

May you rest in peace, brother.

petesusn · 01-28-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin T

I've been shooting at a cop all this time? ummmmmm wow

May he be at Gods side forever.

Yea, wierd huh? Shooting at a cop?

Another one who left his mark.

Trouble 45-70 · 01-28-2010, 01:36 PM

In some states we can't shoot at targets with Ben Laden on them but we can use this target of a cop?

From a Progressive point of view this might even make sense.

01-27-2010, 05:15 PM	#1
artabr Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	The most shot at man in America dies at 92 Real-life inspiration for paper target in firearms training, ex-NYPD Lt. Jesse Oldshein, dies at 92 http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c...n_florida.html BY Rocco Parascandola DAILY NEWS POLICE BUREAU CHIEF Wednesday, January 27th 2010, 4:00 AM Thousands of cops opened fire at Jesse Oldshein over the years - and all it did was make him smile. The retired NYPD lieutenant believed to be the real-life inspiration for a paper target used in firearms training died last week at his Florida home, relatives said. He was 92 and had battled bladder cancer. It was less than two years ago that Oldshein was unmasked as "The Thug" whose visage was supposed to inspire cops to shoot straight. For years, there was debate in police circles about the identity of the snarling, pug-nosed gunman with all the charm of a kick in the teeth. Some said he resembled actor Ernest Borgnine. Others said boxer Rocky Graziano. One theory pegged him as Sgt. Fred Worell, a former NYPD firing range instructor. When the NYPD said in November 2008 it was replacing "The Thug" with two targets - a Mr. Clean look-alike and a faceless alien - retired Detective Harold Schiffer came forward and said Oldshein was the mystery man. Oldshein said Schiffer was no liar and told how he showed up for target practice one day in the early 1960s and was asked to pose for a picture. "They said, 'Pose in a boxing stance,'" Oldshein said in 2008. "Next thing I know, my face is on the target." His son, Dr. Mitchell Oldshein, remembers the thrill he got seeing Charles Bronson fire at his dad's paper face in "Death Wish." And he said his said his dad enjoyed the wave of publicity he got in his last year. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly sent Oldshein a thank-you letter that said, "Yours is the face that launched a thousand careers." "He was thrilled with it," said his widow, Francine, 84. "He was very proud of it. He thought it was a big part of the New York Police Department's history." May he rest in peace Art Retired Lt. Jesse Oldshein (below) was model for 'The Thug' target drawing used by by generations of police. Attached Images __________________ God and the soldier we like adore, In times of trouble, not before. When troubles ended and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier is slighted. Francis Quarles 1592 - 1644 __________________ When asked for my race, I answer CauCajun. Hope is not a plan, and not all change is good. The resistance is here; the resistance is now. RESIST! These hands are neither cold nor are they dead!! -->

01-27-2010, 07:53 PM	#2
Mr. Nameless Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Coast of N.C. Posts: 1,264	Re: The most shot at man in America dies at 92 I feel bad for shooting at those targets now..... __________________ Signed ~BMP Two classifications of terrorist dead and not dead enough

01-27-2010, 07:57 PM	#3
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,029	Re: The most shot at man in America dies at 92 That's a great human-interest story. Thanks for sharing.

01-27-2010, 08:15 PM	#4
Nortranman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Northwest Posts: 197	Re: The most shot at man in America dies at 92 Probably trained more rookies than any cop ever. Sleep well, sir! __________________ "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" Ben Franklin

01-28-2010, 12:09 AM	#5
Marlin T Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 7,857	Re: The most shot at man in America dies at 92 I've been shooting at a cop all this time? ummmmmm wow May he be at Gods side forever. __________________ "But the simple truth--born of experience--is that tyranny thrives best where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people." Judge Alex Kozinski - United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government. - Thomas Paine Did you read todays GOOD shooting? >>>KEEPANDBEARARMS.COM <<<

01-28-2010, 12:20 AM	#6
blackcat_attilio Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Northern Italy Posts: 515	Re: The most shot at man in America dies at 92 May you rest in peace, brother. __________________ The secret to successfully hunting bear is to have a companion with you that you can outrun...!

01-28-2010, 01:36 PM	#8
Trouble 45-70 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NE Ar. W. of Black River Contributor Posts: 2,703	Re: The most shot at man in America dies at 92 In some states we can't shoot at targets with Ben Laden on them but we can use this target of a cop? From a Progressive point of view this might even make sense. __________________ Psalm 12 verse 8: The wicked walk on every side when the vilest men are exalted.