# Ernest Heath — The Greene Murder Case character guide > Ernest Heath in The Greene Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Sergeant Heath, Heath, Sergeant **First appearance:** 0005-ii-the-investigation-opens ## Snapshot A blunt, determined police sergeant whose dogged routine methods grind against Vance's aristocratic theorizing as the Greene body count rises. ## Who they are Heath represents the professional police machinery that Markham trusts and Vance gently mocks, a man of procedure in a case that resists procedure. His presence in the Greene investigation anchors the official response even as the family's secrets outpace anything the Homicide Bureau can readily process. The tension between his methodical instincts and Vance's uncanny readings of motive shapes how the case is argued, contested, and eventually solved. ## Relationships ### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance) _professional_ Heath, as a police officer, works alongside Vance on the case, often with grudging respect but professional tension. ### [Ada Greene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/characters/ada_greene) _friendship_ Ada cooperates with Heath and appreciates his straightforward, protective demeanor during the investigation. ### [Doctor Von Blon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/characters/doctor_von_blon) _professional_ Von Blon and Heath interact as professionals, sharing information about the case with mutual respect. ### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance) _professional_ Heath, as a police officer, works alongside Vance on the case, often with grudging respect but professional tension. ### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance) _professional_ Heath, as a police officer, works alongside Vance on the case, often with grudging respect but professional tension. ### [Ada Greene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/characters/ada_greene) _friendship_ Ada cooperates with Heath and appreciates his straightforward, protective demeanor during the investigation. ### [Doctor Von Blon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/characters/doctor_von_blon) _professional_ Von Blon and Heath interact as professionals, sharing information about the case with mutual respect. ### [Doctor Von Blon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/characters/doctor_von_blon) _professional_ Von Blon and Heath interact as professionals, sharing information about the case with mutual respect. ### [Ada Greene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/characters/ada_greene) _friendship_ Ada cooperates with Heath and appreciates his straightforward, protective demeanor during the investigation. ## In the story ### [The Investigation Opens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/ii-the-investigation-opens) Sergeant Heath reports the initial police findings, including the footprints in the snow, the missing revolver, and the condition of the victims. ### [At the Greene Mansion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/iii-at-the-greene-mansion) Accompanies the group and speculates about the intruder's movements. ### [IV: The Missing Revolver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/iv-the-missing-revolver) Grows impatient with Vance's approach, insisting on the burglar theory and the need to question Ada Greene directly. ### [V: Homicidal Possibilities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/v-homicidal-possibilities) Heath is present during the interview, though he remains largely in the background as Vance takes the lead. ### [Vance Argues the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/vii-vance-argues-the-case) Interjects with practical police concerns about footprints and the ongoing investigation, representing the routine approach Vance criticizes. ### [VIII: The Second Tragedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/viii-the-second-tragedy) Sergeant Heath arrives at the scene, examines footprints in the snow, and interrogates the household. He provides the initial report to Markham and Vance. ### [A Painful Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xi-a-painful-interview) Aggressively questions Rex about the revolver, expresses frustration at the lack of leads, and plans to search the house. ### [XIII: The Third Tragedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xiii-the-third-tragedy) Attends the conference, expresses frustration at the lack of leads, and suggests looking into Tobias Greene's will for motives. ### [XIV: Footprints on the Carpet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xiv-footprints-on-the-carpet) Directs the police search for entry points, examines the body, and discovers the missing envelope and footprints. ### [Two Wills](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xvii-two-wills) Frustrated by lack of progress, reports on fingerprints and footprints; secretly returned the galoshes to the linen-closet and placed a police nurse, O'Brien, in the Greene household to watch for the poisons. ### [XVIII: In the Locked Library](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xviii-in-the-locked-library) Investigates the missing galoshes at the Greene mansion and joins the search of the library. ### [XIX: Sherry and Paralysis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xix-sherry-and-paralysis) Present during the events; gives the key to Nurse O'Brien and is shocked by Ada's revelation. ### [XX: The Fourth Tragedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xx-the-fourth-tragedy) Heath is at the Greene mansion, having been notified by the nurse. He helps keep the poisoning secret and updates Markham and Vance. ### [XXI: A Depleted Household](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xxi-a-depleted-household) Reports Mrs. Greene's death; arranges for Sibella to be tailed and for Ada's protection. ### [XXII: The Shadowy Figure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xxii-the-shadowy-figure) Reports the autopsy results showing Mrs. Greene's leg muscles had wasted away, and details the surveillance on Sibella and Doctor Von Blon. ### [XXV: The Capture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xxv-the-capture) Impatient for evidence, joins Vance and Markham, handcuffs Ada after she is subdued. ### [XXVI: The Astounding Truth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xxvi-the-astounding-truth) Asks clarifying questions about the details of the crimes, such as the use of poison and the revolver. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/endnotes) Mentioned as the Sergeant in charge of the Benson and Canary cases, who developed a respect for Vance. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/characters/ernest_heath - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/characters