A. Fletcher Parker

Rank: Specialist Seaman First Class (SS1C), U.S. Navy

Entered service from: New Jersey

Died: February 27, 1945

Buried at: Locustwood Cemetery, Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Augustus Fletcher “Dewey” Parker was born on March 7, 1898. He left his job on the Audubon, New Jersey, Police force—which he had served for 15 years—to enlist in the United States Navy in early 1940. He was a sergeant in the borough police department, of which his brother John was chief.

Dewey Parker was a veteran of three wars. He first joined the colors in 1916, at the age of 18, as a member of General Pershing’s punitive expedition against Pancho Villa in Mexico. When the United States entered World War I, he served in the 1098th Field Artillery, 28th Division, going overseas and taking part in eight battles, including Château-Thierry and Ypres. He moved to Audubon in 1921, joining both the fire and police departments. He was a familiar figure in Audubon for more than two decades, well known for his tireless public service.

At age 45—insisting he couldn’t stay on the sidelines while his country was at war—Parker enlisted in the Navy. He was a specialist seaman, first class, attached to the naval Shore Patrol. In the early morning hours of February 27, 1945, returning to duty at the naval base at Washington and Franklin streets, Cape May, he collapsed on the steps and died instantly of a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 47 years old. His body was sent to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. He is buried at Locustwood Cemetery in what was then Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill), New Jersey, next to his wife Mary Parker, who passed away in 1947.

Veteran of Three Wars Had Served Many Years As Audubon Policeman.

“Dewey” Parker, widely known Audubon Policeman and veteran of three wars, died early today of a stroke while on duty with the navy Shore patrol at the Cape May base.

Parker, whose rarely used full name was Augustus Fletcher Parker, left the Audubon Police force which he had served for 15 years, to enlist nearly two years ago. He was a sergeant in the borough police department of which his brother, John, is chief.

A specialist seaman, first class, “Dewey” was home on leave over the holidays and was in good spirits and seemed in good health. He spent some time at the police station, at the Defender Fire Company where he formerly was chief, and in the emergency hospital adjoining the police headquarters. Formerly a school, Sergeant Parker had taken the lead in having it converted into a hospital, fully equipped, for use in any emergency. Fifteen years ago he and Borough Clerk Charles Deitz had bought Audubon’s first ambulance on their own personal notes.

Returning to duty, Parker was ascending the steps of the naval base when he collapsed and died instantly of a cerebral hemorrhage. The body was sent to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. Parker was 47.