Murphy and Pedigree To End Long Service With Camden Police
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Veterans at City Hall, Lauded by Superiors, Will Be Among 13 Cops and Firemen to Go on Pension Before First of Year
By William A. Gaffney
Sergeant Thomas J. Murphy, one of Camden's best known and most efficient policemen, and Joseph "Si" Pedigree, police switchboard operator, are among the 13 members of the police and fire departments who have already retired from active duty on pension, or are to accept half-salary on retirement before the first of the year.
Nine men have turned in their "tools" within the past month and four other applications have been approved and will become effective in the next two months. Two other vacancies left by the deaths of Deputy Chief William W. Patterson and Policeman Fred Schaar, will make the entire number of the two departments 15 men less on January 1, 1933. None of the vacancies will be filled, according to Mayor Roy R. Stewart.
Although the actual reasons for the large number of men retiring is not known, it is reported through the police and fire departments that the men are anxious to have their applications approved before a rumored 5 percent pay cut is ordered.
Murphy Praised
Sergeant Murphy's pension will become effective December 30. Both Acting Chief of Police John W. Golden and Captain Arthur Colsey, chief clerk of the police department, expressed regret at the veteran officer's decision.
"Sergeant Murphy is one of the most efficient officers we have ever had in the police department," the two officials said. "He is well-versed in the law and for many years has handled his position as desk sergeant at police headquarters with unerring judgment."
He is 65 years old and resides at 545 Vine street. He was appointed on August 13, 1902. His son, Thomas J. Murphy, Jr., is also a policeman and is now covering the "beat" his father "worked" years ago.
Pedigree entered the city service as a fireman in 1900 and served in that department. He is also 65 and lives at 49 South Twenty-seventh street. He has worked on Sergeant Murphy's shift as operator for the past 10 years.
Chief Pensioned
The pensioners' list is headed by Thomas J. Nichols, chief of the fire department, whose application to retire will become effective on Dec. 1. He was appointed a fireman on Dec. 1, 1900, and will receive $163.30 each month.
Capt. Daniel W. Leach, also of the fire department, was pensioned on Sept. 15 at a monthly salary of $93.10. He is 68 and lives at 624 Bailey street. He was appointed Jan. 1, 1908.
Enginemen Harry V. Hankins and James McDermott also recently accepted pensions and will receive $83.30 each month. Hankins is 56 and lives at 424 Taylor avenue. He was appointed Jan. 1, 1908. McDermott is 64 and lives at 23 North Twenty-eighth street. He was appointed in 1906. Both men left the fire department Oct. 1.
Fireman Joseph T. Johnson, 60, of 1433 South Tenth street, who was appointed March 1, 1900, will retire on Dec. 1 at $83.30 a month.
Horner to Retire
Sergeant William C. Horner, of the police department, a member for 33 years, tops the list of veterans to bid adieu to the trials and troubles of a policeman. He will receive $90.65 a month.
Horner is well known in East Camden. He has worked nearly all of his 33 years as an officer in the third district and commanded that section for several years. He recently was made desk-sergeant at police headquarters and decided to "take the pension" after spending several months "booking" prisoners. He is 6[?] and lives at 2129 Forty-third street. His pension was granted and made effective Sept. 15.
Policeman Harry Bakely, 60, of 918 State street, a policeman for 24 years; Irving Varley, 56, of 1703 South Fourth street, a policeman for 25 years, and James M. Ellis, 52, of 776 Walnut street, a fireman for four years and a policeman for 17, all have accepted pensions effective Oct. 1.
Policemen William Bryant, 51, of 228 Cedar avenue, Woodlynne, and Samuel Hibbert, 55, of 730 Market street, will cease their official duties on Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, respectively. Bryant was appointed Jan. 1, 1908, and Hibbert July 10, 1911. All of the policemen retiring will receive $83.30 a month.
May Not Be Replaced
When asked if the men leaving the service would be replaced, Mayor Stewart said they would not.
"I don't know what I will do later on," the mayor said, "but as far as I know now, these men's places in the police and fire departments will not be filled.
"I feel that under present conditions, the men now policing the city can do it almost as efficiently as with the added number, that is if we do not have any outbreaks of crime.
"Chief Nicholas will be replaced by an acting chief whose salary will not be advanced."