Tag

John V. Wilkie

Halftone newspaper portrait of Earl Wright, a young man in a police-style uniform cap.

People

Earl Wright

Earl Wright joined the Camden police force in 1928, serving as a motorcycle patrolman and later Sergeant. He is best known as the officer who arrested mass murderer Howard Unruh on September 6, 1949.

July 31, 2026·2 min read

Jersey Joe Walcott and Felix Bocchicchio

People

Felix Bocchicchio

Born on August 31, 1906, in Pennsylvania, Felix Bocchicchio left a lasting imprint on boxing history as the manager of Jersey Joe Walcott , particularly during his remarkable ascent to becoming the heavyweight champion in the late 1940s and early 1950s. However, Bocchicchio's life was filled with diverse and often controversial endeavors, both within and outside the boundaries of the law.

September 9, 2022·4 min read

Black-and-white photograph looking down a busy commercial Broadway with parked cars, shop signs and a tall building at left.

Streets

Broadway

Broadway was Camden's main commercial thoroughfare, once known as the 'Mall of South Jersey,' running from the Delaware River bridge plaza south to Gloucester City and beyond.

May 24, 2021·95 min read

'Going Home and Take Care of My Children', Camden Courier-Post, December 31, 1953 (part 1 of 3)

‘Going Home and Take Care of My Children’

Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie was released from the Camden County jail after the grand jury returned a no bill on a manslaughter charge in the death of his son James, 17, at 1144 Princess Avenue. Camden Courier-Post, December 31, 1953.

December 31, 1953·2 min read

Courier-Post article on Sgt. John V. Wilkie held in jail as his son is buried, December 28, 1953

Sgt. Wilkie Remains in County Jail As Son Is Buried Without Ritual

Camden police Sgt. John V. Wilkie remained in the county jail on $50,000 bail while his 17-year-old son James, whose death was ruled a suicide, was buried without formal service after Wilkie admitted his accidental-shooting story was a hoax.

December 28, 1953·1 min read

Courier-Post article on Sgt. John V. Wilkie held in jail with bail unchanged, December 26, 1953

Sgt. Wilkie Is Still Held in Jail, His Bail of $50,000 Unchanged

Camden Courier-Post, December 26, 1953: Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie remains in jail on $50,000 bail after admitting his "confession" to accidentally killing his son was invented to win Catholic burial rites for the youth.

December 26, 1953·1 min read

Wilkie Fails To Post Bail Of $50,000, Camden Courier-Post, December 24, 1953 (part 1 of 4)

Wilkie Fails To Post Bail Of $50,000

Sgt. John V. Wilkie, Camden's "notebook cop," was moved to the county jail after failing to raise $50,000 bail during the investigation of the fatal shooting of his son James, 17, in their Princess Avenue home. Camden Courier-Post, December 24, 1953.

December 24, 1953·1 min read

Wilkie Son Dies From Gun Shot, Camden Courier-Post, December 21, 1953 (part 1 of 6)

Wilkie Son Dies From Gun Shot

James S. Wilkie, 17, son of Camden Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie, was found shot to death in the family home at 1144 Princess Avenue, his father's service revolver beneath his body; the coroner ruled the death a suicide. Camden Courier-Post, December 21, 1953.

December 21, 1953·4 min read

Courier-Post clipping, November 21, 1947: In Cafe Holdup, police search all night for thugs who took $1000 from Briggs Cafe.

In Cafe Holdup

Two armed bandits robbed Briggs Cafe at Lansdowne Avenue and Louis Street of about $1000 in November 1947, then took a car, cash and a watch from two men who chased them; Camden police held three men for questioning.

November 21, 1947·1 min read

Illegal Operation Charged to Doctor, Camden Courier-Post, February 21, 1938

Illegal Operation Charged to Doctor

Dr. Claude B. Phillips, a Collingswood physician, was arrested on a charge of performing an illegal operation on Nora Williamson, 18, of 625 North Front Street, whom Patrolman John V. Wilkie had found during a routine check of rooming houses.

February 21, 1938·1 min read

Wilkie Exonerated of Strike Assault

Wilkie Exonerated of Strike Assault

Assault charges against Police Inspector John V. Wilkie, stemming from the July 1936 RCA strike riot, were dismissed after the complainant failed to appear for the eleventh time. Patrolman Earl Wright had made the original arrest.

August 12, 1936·4 min read

Camden police pinball raid, Patrolmen Kaighn, Morgan, Wright, Wilkie

Cops Score High on This Slot Machine

Camden police, including Patrolmen John Kaighn, Oliver Morgan, Earl Wright and John V. Wilkie, seized a pin-ball slot machine in a raid on a store at 1806 Broadway.

August 12, 1936·1 min read

Camden Courier-Post, August 5, 1936: Holdup Victim Held in Speakeasy Raid, an article about Jesse Seybold

Holdup Victim Held in Speakeasy Raid

Jesse Seybold of 923 St. John Street, the victim of a "thrill" holdup in March 1936, was arrested as the proprietor of a speakeasy after a police raid led by Patrolman John V. Wilkie.

August 5, 1936·2 min read

Vet Sought by Cops; Found by Wilkie

A former U. S. marine who spent a week in the basement of city hall helping veterans make out their bonus applications while police searched throughout the city for him, was arrested by Acting Detective John V. Wilkie Saturday night.

February 17, 1936·2 min read

Two Women Exiled by Liberman Order

Two young women were ordered to leave Camden by Police Judge Lewis Liberman yesterday when they were charged with disorderly conduct on a complaint made by Acting Detective John V. Wilkie.

February 17, 1936·1 min read

Fine or Jail Term Ordered To Make Bootleg Buyer Talk

Unless they tell where they bought it, drinkers of bootleg liquor arrested by Camden police henceforth will receive the full penalty of $200 fine or 90 days in jail, Police Judge Lewis Liberman decided yesterday.

October 29, 1935·2 min read

Cop on Ledge Thrills Hundreds Drawn by False Burglar Alarm

Patrolman John V. Wilkie climbed over the roof and across a narrow ledge to an open second story window at King jewelry store, 4 Broadway, to investigate a false burglar alarm that drew several hundred spectators.

August 16, 1933·1 min read

Courier-Post clipping, "Pugilist Fined $100 as Night Prowler," March 23, 1929.

Pugilist Fined $100 as Night Prowler

Amateur boxer Stanley Powelek, alias Powell, 21, of 1256 Whitman Avenue was given the choice of a $100 fine or four months in jail after Policeman John Wilkie arrested him for loitering in Whitman Park. Camden Courier-Post, March 23, 1929.

March 23, 1929·2 min read

Courier-Post article on the notebook cop's cemetery cave raid, April 3, 1928

Cemetery Cave Raided by City’s Notebook Cop

Camden patrolman John V. Wilkie, the "notebook cop," found a cave behind Harleigh Cemetery and arrested two men found intoxicated inside; each got 20 days in the county jail.

April 3, 1928·3 min read