Character Relationship Map: Dragnet

Characters

• Sergeant Joe Friday (played by Jack Webb) — protagonist

  LAPD sergeant leading the investigation into mobster Miller Starkie's murder. Engages in a bitter personal vendetta against Max Troy, participates in a card game brawl, and secures crucial evidence fr...

• Officer Frank Smith (played by Ben Alexander) — protagonist

  An LAPD officer who partners with Sergeant Joe Friday in investigating Miller Starkie's murder. Smith helps examine the crime-scene evidence and question Max Edward Troy and other people connected to...

• Capt .James E. Hamilton (played by Richard Boone) — supporting

  The captain under whom Sergeant Joe Friday and Officer Frank Smith work during the investigation of Miller Starkie's murder. The plot identifies him as their superior, though it does not describe him...

• Officer Grace Downey (played by Ann Robinson) — supporting

  A police officer who helps Sergeant Joe Friday and Officer Frank Smith assemble evidence in the Miller Starkie murder investigation. Her work contributes to the continuing inquiry as detectives pursue...

• Max Edward Troy (played by Stacy Harris) — supporting

  West Coast mafia second-in-command and the primary target of the investigation. Engages in a bitter vendetta with Friday, survives a card game brawl, and ultimately dies of natural causes without ever...

• Mrs. Caldwell (played by Virginia Christine) — minor
• Fred Kemp (played by James Anderson) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Officer Frank Smith → Capt .James E. Hamilton (Professional Subordinate And Commander) — Hamilton oversees the investigation in which Smith participates.

  The plot says that Frank Smith and Friday work under Capt. James E. Hamilton.

• Sergeant Joe Friday → Capt .James E. Hamilton (Professional Subordinate And Commander) — Hamilton is identified as the captain under whose authority Friday works on the case.

  The investigation is described as being conducted by Friday and Smith under Capt. James E. Hamilton.

• Sergeant Joe Friday → Officer Frank Smith (Professional Investigative Partners) — Friday and Smith examine the crime scene and pursue leads together.

  The plot states that Friday and Smith work together on the Starkie murder investigation.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Mrs. Caldwell → Sergeant Joe Friday (Narrative Juror Evaluating The Case) — Caldwell's scrutiny of the circumstantial evidence reflects the obstacle Friday's investigation faces in securing an indictment.

  At the grand jury hearing, Mrs. Caldwell and other jurors question whether circumstantial telephone evidence can justify an indictment.

• Fred Kemp → Max Edward Troy (Social Criminal Association) — Their connection to the Red Spot Grill makes Kemp part of the circle investigated around Troy.

  The Red Spot Grill is described as associated with Troy and Fred Kemp.

• Officer Grace Downey → Officer Frank Smith (Alliance Investigative Support) — Downey supports the investigation in which Smith participates by helping assemble evidence.

  Downey helps assemble evidence as the investigation involving Smith continues.

• Officer Grace Downey → Sergeant Joe Friday (Alliance Investigative Support) — Downey contributes to the police effort by helping gather and organize evidence.

  The plot states that Downey helps assemble evidence during the investigation.

• Officer Frank Smith → Max Edward Troy (Conflict Investigator And Suspect) — Smith participates in the police inquiry focused on Troy, whose alibi proves false.

  Smith works with Friday in the investigation that questions Troy and challenges his account of his connection to Starkie.

• Sergeant Joe Friday → Max Edward Troy (Conflict Primary Investigator And Suspect) — Friday pursues Troy as a central suspect, but the investigation described here lacks enough evidence to connect him conclusively to the killing.

  The detectives question Troy about Starkie's murder, challenge his account, and discover that his alibi is false, although they cannot place him at th...

Story Analysis

Friday and Smith investigate Starkie's murder, but circumstantial leads and missing evidence leave the case unresolved as a grand jury weighs indictment.

Plot Progression

1. A Body and Its First Clues — Starkie's murder brings Friday and Smith to a field where they examine physical evidence. A fight ticket and telephone number begin the inquiry.
2. Troy Under Scrutiny — The detectives question Troy, investigate the Red Spot Grill, and examine people connected to the suspected group. His alibi proves false, yet the evidence does not place him at the murder scene.
3. A Case Without a Weapon — The investigation remains hampered by the absence of a motive, murder weapon, and sufficient grounds to hold suspects. Davitt's disappearance adds uncertainty.
4. Telephone Trails — Downey helps assemble evidence, and subpoenaed records reveal calls from the Red Spot Grill, including calls to Davitt at a hotel. Hotel information establishes a possible window for Davitt to return...
5. The Indictment Question — At the grand jury hearing, jurors question whether circumstantial telephone evidence is enough. The missing weapon and unidentified person connected to the footprint leave the case unresolved as delib...