Crime Fighter
The Resume
(December 26, 1871-December 8, 1933)
Born in Waipio, Oahu, Hawaii
Birth name was Ah Ping Chang
Officer and detective in the Honolulu police department (1898-1932)
According to author Earl Derr Biggers, was the inspiration for Charlie Chan
Why he might be annoying
He never learned to read, relying on family members to read documents to him.
He turned down an offer to appear in ‘The Black Camel’ (1931), the only Charlie Chan movie to film scenes in Hawaii.
Other than being Chinese and a detective, he had little in common with his fictional counterpart, who was considerably more portly and cerebral.
Why he might not be annoying
He once arrested 40 men without any backup, armed only with a bullwhip.
During his police career, he was stabbed six times, shot once, thrown out of a second-story window, run over by a horse and buggy, attacked with machetes and bludgeoned with ax handles – and each time still managed to make an arrest.
He won the department’s Medal of Valor three times.
He never received any payment for inspiring the Charlie Chan character.
Biggers did send him an autographed copy of each novel, although this may not have the most appropriate gift considering Apana’s illiteracy.
He was a fan of the Charlie Chan films and their star, Warner Oland.
Credit: C. Fishel
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Year In Review:
For 2021, as of last week, Out of 6 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
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