the Downtown Howard Johnson's Hotel, Deputy Superintendent Louis Sirgo, had previously—and publicly—proclaimed that the most effective way to eliminate extremism within New Orleans was to end the social conditions that nourished social discontent within the black community. Just months prior to his death, Sirgo had described the mistreatment of blacks in the city and nationwide as "the greatest sin of American society." For decades after her husband's death, Sirgo's wife, Joyce, annually presented the Louis Sirgo Memorial Award to the most promising recruit of the NOPD academy, selected by his or her fellow recruits. The Downtown Howard Johnson's Hotel is now a Holiday Inn hotel. Media Literature Television A 1982 documentary, The Killing of America, features a section devoted to the murders committed by Mark Essex. See also Ethnic violence List of rampage killers (religious, political, or ethnic crimes) Mass shootings in the United States Racism in the United States Robert Charles Spree shooting Suicidal ideation Zebra murders Explanatory notes References Cited works and further reading External links January 11, 1973 New York Times article focusing upon Mark Essex Contemporary news article pertaining to the fallout from the murders committed by Mark Essex February 1973 Jet magazine article focusing upon Mark Essex Image gallery pertaining to the siege at the Downtown Howard Johnson's Crimelibrary.com article upon Mark Essex Official report into the Downtown Howard Johnson's shootings 1949 births 1973 deaths 1972 mass shootings in the United States 1972 murders in the United States 1973 mass shootings in the United States 1973 murders in the United States 20th-century African-American people 20th-century American criminals African-American United States Navy personnel African Americans shot dead by law enforcement officers in the United States American criminal snipers American male criminals American mass murderers American spree killers Anti-police violence in the United States Attacks during the New Year celebrations Burials in Kansas Crimes in New Orleans Criminals from Kansas Deaths by firearm in Louisiana Hate crimes Male murderers Mass murder in 1973 Mass murder in Louisiana Mass murder in the United States Mass shootings in the United States Members of the Black Panther Party People from Emporia, Kansas Racially motivated violence against European Americans Racially motivated violence in the United States United States Navy sailors