# Ernest Heath — The Benson Murder Case character guide > Ernest Heath in The Benson Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Heath, Sergeant Heath, Sergeant Ernest Heath, Sergeant **First appearance:** 0006-ii-at-the-scene-of-the-crime ## Snapshot A blunt, tireless police sergeant who works the Benson case by the book, pressing witnesses and chasing leads while Vance theorizes. ## Who they are Heath is the NYPD's boots-on-the-ground man, reporting to Markham and executing the legwork that turns suspicion into evidence. He is skeptical of Vance's airy methods but respects results, and his instinct for pressure — like squeezing a hall-boy for the truth about Leacock — keeps the investigation moving. His plain-spoken pragmatism grounds the case in the grit of real police work. ## Relationships ### [John Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/john_markham) _professional_ Sergeant Heath is Markham's lead detective, carrying out the legwork and following Markham's directives in the murder investigation. ### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance) _professional_ Sergeant Heath is skeptical of Vance's amateur sleuthing but grudgingly cooperates with him due to Markham's trust. ### [Alvin Benson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/alvin_benson) _rivalry_ Alvin Benson's criminal record and abrasive personality put him at odds with Sergeant Heath, who is investigating his murder. ### [John Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/john_markham) _professional_ Sergeant Heath is Markham's lead detective, carrying out the legwork and following Markham's directives in the murder investigation. ### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance) _professional_ Sergeant Heath is skeptical of Vance's amateur sleuthing but grudgingly cooperates with him due to Markham's trust. ### [Alvin Benson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/alvin_benson) _rivalry_ Alvin Benson's criminal record and abrasive personality put him at odds with Sergeant Heath, who is investigating his murder. ### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance) _professional_ Sergeant Heath is skeptical of Vance's amateur sleuthing but grudgingly cooperates with him due to Markham's trust. ### [John Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/john_markham) _professional_ Sergeant Heath is Markham's lead detective, carrying out the legwork and following Markham's directives in the murder investigation. ## In the story ### [At the Scene of the Crime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/ii-at-the-scene-of-the-crime) Sergeant from the Homicide Bureau assigned to the case; initially resentful of Markham's presence and treats Vance and the narrator as nonexistent. ### [III: A Lady's Handbag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/iii-a-lady-s-handbag) Leads the investigation at the scene, initially hostile to Vance but later appreciative of his observations. ### [The Housekeeper's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/iv-the-housekeeper-s-story) Takes charge of the investigation, plans to trace the handbag and Benson's associates, and expresses suspicion of a woman's involvement. ### [Gathering Information](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/v-gathering-information) Heads the Homicide Bureau's investigation, orders a citywide search for the grey Cadillac, and is criticized by Vance for missing essential clues. ### [VII: Reports and an Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/vii-reports-and-an-interview) Briefly appears to report on the handbag owner's identity and other facts, then leaves. ### [IX: The Height of the Murderer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/ix-the-height-of-the-murderer) Not present in this chapter. ### [A Motive and a Threat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xi-a-motive-and-a-threat) Reports frustration with the case; plans to pressure the hall-boy about Leacock's alibi; believes Pfyfe's story about the threat is credible. ### [XV: Pfyfe—Personal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xv-pfyfe-personal) Informed of the delay in arresting Leacock and given a list of names to verify alibis for the night of the murder. ### [XVII: The Forged Check](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xvii-the-forged-check) Reports Captain Leacock's suspicious activities, including packing up and offering his apartment for sublease, suggesting a potential getaway. ### [XVIII: A Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xviii-a-confession) Firmly believes Leacock is guilty and is frustrated by Vance's interference. ### [The Arrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xxiv-the-arrest) Present at the arrest; is struck by Major Benson during the struggle. ### [XXV: Vance Explains His Methods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xxv-vance-explains-his-methods) Referenced as having forgiven Vance after receiving credit in the papers, and as having been struck by the Major. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/ernest_heath - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters