Camden Courier-Post, August 17, 1983View transcription
F.X. Engel Sr., Shot Howard Unruh
CAMDEN — Francis X. Engel Sr., a city tavern owner for more than 30 years, died Wednesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center here.
Mr. Engel, 71, of Maple Shade, owned a bar at 3209 River Road until he sold it in 1982.
It was Mr. Engel who, on Sept. 6, 1949, shot and wounded the mass murderer Howard Unruh from an upstairs window of his house.
Unruh was captured after a shooting rampage through Cramer Hill section which left 13 people dead and he was eventually committed to Trenton State Hospital's maximum security ward.
Mr. Engel's son, Francis Jr., said the family's first reaction became a topic of conversation at family gatherings.
"It was only about five and all I remember is my father and mother dragging me away and my father yelling: 'Get him upstairs.' He said he was just trying to protect his family.
"In the end I think he forgave Unruh. He said he felt Unruh should be let go. He was all right."
Francis Engel Jr. said his father was never a very religious man but became a born-again Christian three weeks before his death from a stroke.
Mr. Engel is survived by his wife, Mary of Maple Shade, a son, Francis Jr. of Hainesport, a daughter and one granddaughter.
Services will be at 6 p.m. today at Joseph A. Paino Funeral Home, 600 S. Browning Road, Pennsauken. Calling hours will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
Francis X. Engel Sr.
CAMDEN — Francis X. Engel Sr., a city tavern owner for more than 30 years, died Wednesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center here.
Mr. Engel, 71, of Maple Shade, owned a bar at 3209 River Road until he sold it in 1982.
It was Mr. Engel who, on Sept. 6, 1949, shot and wounded the mass murderer Howard Unruh from an upstairs window of his house.
Unruh was captured after a shooting rampage through Cramer Hill section which left 13 people dead and he was eventually committed to Trenton State Hospital's maximum security ward.
Mr. Engel's son, Francis Jr., said the family's first reaction became a topic of conversation at family gatherings.
“It was only about five and all I remember is my father and mother dragging me away and my father yelling: ‘Get him upstairs.’ He said he was just trying to protect his family.
“In the end I think he forgave Unruh. He said he felt Unruh should be let go. He was all right.”
Francis Engel Jr. said his father was never a very religious man but became a born-again Christian three weeks before his death from a stroke.
Mr. Engel is survived by his wife, Mary of Maple Shade, a son, Francis Jr. of Hainesport, a daughter and one granddaughter.
Services will be at 6 p.m. today at Joseph A. Paino Funeral Home, 600 S. Browning Road, Pennsauken. Calling hours will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
