Introduction
Edward Shapiro – Camden Police Department
EDWARD SHAPIRO was born in Pennsylvania around 1903, one of at least six children born to Max and Rose Shapiro. The family moved to Camden after World War I, and by January of 1920 had settled at 1140 Sycamore Street.
On March 1, 1928 Edward Shapiro was appointed to the Camden Police Department along with the following men, Francis Guetherman, August Riehm, William Schriver, Walter Vecander, John V. Wilkie, Earl Wright, Edward Cahill, Marshall Thompson, Stanley Bobiak, Paul Edwards, Leon Feltz, George Getley, Joseph Lack, Thomas Stanton, Otto Toperzer, and Frank Wilmot.
Edward Shapiro served as a motorcycle policeman for several years at the beginning of his career. By 1947 he had been promoted to detective. He was then living with his wife Mary at 908 Haddon Avenue, and was still on the force as late as 1956. The Shapiros are not listed, however, in the 1956 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory. He had a home built Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill) off of Church Road in the late 1950s, where he lived after retiring from the city police force. In the mid-1950s he worked as a detective with the County prosecutor’s office and partnered with Arnold “Jersey Joe Walcott” Cream.
A list of Camden Police officers kept by William Schultz states that by 1980 Edward Shapiro had passed away.
Edward Shapiro’s father Max set up his other children in businesses in Camden. The brothers all went into the bar business. By 1947 George Shapiro had the Harmony Tavern at 783 Spruce Street, Bernard the Anchor Tavern at 900 Walnut Street, and William owned Bill’s Cafe at 508½ Kaighn Avenue. Daughter Lillian owned a grocery at 830 Mount Vernon Street with her husband Samuel Kirchner and daughter Dorothy also had a grocery near Haddon Avenue and Spruce Street before moving to New York in the 1950s.
Jinxed Motor Cop Gets New Break When Hit by Auto
Camden Courier-Post —
Officer Shapiro Suffers Fractured Arm in Traffic Mishap
Hard Luck “Eddy.”
That’s what Edward Shapiro, 27, of 901 Kaighn Avenue, is being called at police headquarters.
Shapiro, a motorcycle policeman, was riding north on Haddon Avenue late yesterday afternoon. At Wildwood avenue the traffic light was red. A car had stopped for the light. Another car, driven by Stephen Baxindine, 78, of 146 Hopkins avenue, also going north on Haddon Avenue, turned to the left to avoid hitting the one that was stopped and instead struck Shapiro’s motorcycle, knocking him to the ground. Shapiro got up and, drove to city hall with Baxindine. At City Hall Captain Charles L. Humes sent Shapiro to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital, where it was found he had suffered a fractured right arm.
No charges were made against Baxindine.
On August 17, last year, Shapiro suffered a fractured right leg when he was knocked off his motorcycle by a hit-and-run driver at Seventh Street and Kaighn Avenue.
License of Driver Freed, Is Revoked
Camden Courier-Post —
South Camden Man Cleared of Tipsy Charge to Again Seek Permit
A South Camden man, convicted in police court of drunken driving, but acquitted on his appeal to Judge Samuel Shay, will seek reinstatement of his driver’s license which was revoked officially today by Motor Vehicle Commissioner Harold G. Hoffman.
The man, Sylvester Tazcinski, 1477 South Tenth Street, was arrested April 28 by Motorcycle Policemen Edward Shapiro and Thomas Kauffman after Tazcinski’s car is alleged to have sideswiped Kauffman’s motorcycle. They followed the car to Tazcinski’s house where they found it parked. The policemen told Judge Shay on Tuesday they were unable to testify Tazcinski was driving and the judge released the defendant after saying he was convinced Tazcinski was drunk.
William Mazzare, 922 South Fifth Street, arrested April 16 after his automobile crashed into parked cars at Mt. Ephraim and Kaighn Avenue also was deprived of his license. Mazzare was fined $220 by Police Judge Pancoast on April 17.
Edward T. Cheeseman, Ashland Road, Magnolia, arrested April 17 after a chase of more than two miles, also lost his license. Cheeseman was halted by Camden police a few feet from the closed gates of the Reading Ferry.
Dog Disarms Man, Blackens His Eye And Cops Do Rest
Camden Courier-Post —
George Ludwick lost an argument to a dog, was bitten and bruised, and yesterday was fined $26 for inciting to riot.
Ludwick is 27 and lives at 1920 Fillmore Street. He was bitten on the arm, the lip and, suffered a black eye, in an encounter with a dog in the rear of 1914 Fillmore Street. Ludwick got a club and the dog took it away from him. Then, police say, Ludwick went away and returned with a revolver.
In the meanwhile, however, police headquarters received five telephone calls about a “riot” at that address, Motorcycle Patrolman Edward Shapiro told judge Garfield Pancoast in Camden Police Court. Ludwick was treated at West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital and arrested.
Ludwick said the dog snarled at him every time he passed the yard in which it is kept. He admitted he was abusive to the policeman. Pancoast declared he believed the dog had sufficient provocation to attack Ludwick.
Truck Driver Cleared of Bribery Attempt
Camden Courier-Post —
Charged with parking without lights and attempting to bribe an officer, Vincent Hadarzznska, 24, of 1242 Van Hook street, was freed by Police Judge Pancoast yesterday when he denied the bribe attempt and said he had been driving only three months.
Hadarzznska, a truck driver, was arrested by Motorcycle Policeman Edward Shapiro at Fillmore and Viola streets. Shapiro said the man gave him $15 to “fix” the case. This was denied by Hadarzznska, through an interpreter, who said he tried to explain to the policeman to use the money to get another driver to complete his bread route.
Shots Halt Flight After Car Hits Cop
Camden Courier-Post —
Policeman Fires from Ground and Liquor Raid Fugitive Stops
Four men were arrested amid revolver shots after a Camden policeman was knocked down by a police car during a raid yesterday afternoon.
Acting on orders of Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, who is continuing her drive to rid the city of speakeasies, three policemen and two detectives surrounded the home of James Ford, colored, at 1124 South Ninth street, shortly before 3 p. m.
Patrolmen Edward Shapiro and Thomas Kauffman arrived in a radio car. So did James Brown and John Houston, two colored detectives. Patrolman Earl Stopfer arrived on foot.
Three policemen went to the back door. Kauffman stayed in the radio car at the front. Shapiro knocked at the front door.
The policemen at the rear were ahead of those at front. As a result four men ran out through the front door and bowled over Shapiro. The man in the lead, who later was identified as Wilbur “Lackey” Davis, of 821 Mt. Vernon street, raced up the street, a quart bottle of liquor in hand.
Kauffman had driven his radio car behind another machine. He started the engine and attempted to back out to give chase. Shapiro ran behind the car and as he did, the machine struck him, knocking him into the middle of the street. Prone, Shapiro drew his revolver and opened fire on Davis.
Three shots were fired in the air.
Two others were closer to the fugitive, who halted. With the sound of shooting, the other three men yielded to the assembled policemen.
They gave their names as Ford, Herman Hopkins, 21, of 1124 South Ninth street, and Harry McLane, 29, of 746 Kaighn avenue.
All will be arraigned today.
Ford, Hopkins and McLane will be charged with violating the state A.B.C. act. In addition, Davis will be charged with resisting arrest.
Patrolman Shapiro was hurt but slightly.
Merchant Fined After Dice Raid
Camden Courier-Post —
Elmer Parker, proprietor of a luncheonette and cigar store, 18 Market street, today was fined $100 by Municipal Court Judge Dzick on charges involving gambling.
Detectives Edward Shapiro and John Moffa testified they broke up a dice game in the rear of the store Dec. 22 and confiscated several pairs of dice. The three players, they said, escaped through a rear door.
Police said they found a “numbers book” under a table in the rear but Parker denied any knowledge of it. They said Parker was tending the counter at the time of the raid. Dzick then dismissed a charge of possessing number slips.
Parker pleaded not guilty to both charges but did not testify. He was represented by Joseph Tomaselli.
Numbers Suspect With 9800 Plays Caught at Span
Camden Courier-Post —
On Way From Phila.; $2122 Bets Indicated; Previously Arrested
A suspected runner for a numbers ring was arrested Friday at the Camden bridge toll gates by Camden detectives who said the suspect was carrying 9800 numbers plays.
Held in city jail on a charge of maintaining a lottery in violation of the state crimes act is Thomas Lauria, 34, of 1296 Van Hook street.
District Detective Edward Shapiro and John Moffa, who seized Lauria as his automobile was approaching from Philadelphia, said the slips indicated a total play of $2122.
Shapiro said the slips were in a briefcase alongside Lauria in the front seat of the car. Some of the slips were for plays as high as $20, but most were for 10 to 25 cents, Shapiro said.
Sought for Week
Lauria was booked at 5 p. m. after he was taken to detective headquarters and then to the office of Police Chief Koerner, where he was questioned by Koerner and Detective Capt. Thomas Murphy. When booked in police headquarters, Lauria listed his occupation as laborer.
According to Shapiro, police have been seeking Lauria for more than a week as a suspected runner for a South Philadelphia ring. Learning that Lauria usually returned from Philadelphia in mid-afternoon, Shapiro and Moffa stationed themselves at the tollgates at 1.45 p. m. and nabbed Lauria as he drove up at 2.30 p. m.
Shapiro indicated Lauria escaped arrest earlier this week during an 80-mile-an-hour car chase in which the suspect eluded police after the pursuit led to Delaware township.
Previous Arrests
A total of $92.43 in cash was found on Lauria when he was searched in detective headquarters. However, it was not determined if the money was a part of the numbers play collections. Murphy said it is believed the slips were being brought here for tabulation after the money had been turned in to other members of the ring in Philadelphia.
Murphy said Lauria was arrested last week in Philadelphia on a similar charge. In addition, Lauria was arrested here in 1937 and again in 1947, according to detectives.
Police said the suspect formerly boxed in Philadelphia and Camden under the name of Tommy Ricco.
Suspected Numbers Runner
Camden Courier-Post —
Thomas Lauria, of 1296 Van Hook street, arrested on the Camden bridge plaza with 9800 numbers slips indicating a total play of $2122, is shown here being escorted by Detective Edward Shapiro, one of his captors, to the office of Police Chief Koerner for questioning.
First U. S. Stamp Taken Out Here For Gambling
Camden Courier-Post —
First U. S. Stamp Taken Out Here For Gambling
Federal Internal Revenue officials revealed Wednesday that Thomas Lauria, 34, of 1296 Van Hook street, who was arrested on Feb. 1 as a suspected runner for a numbers ring has taken out a federal gambling stamp.
Lauria thus becomes the first resident of Camden to take out a federal gambling stamp since the new law requiring gamblers to obtain a federal stamp, went into effect in November.
Can’t Be Prosecuted
A spokesman for the criminal investigation unit of the Internal Revenue department admitted that the government is powerless to prosecute Lauria for failure to have a federal stamp at the time of his arrest, because he has applied for the stamp within 30 days.
“The law in regard to federal stamps for taxes,” the spokesman said, “gives a person until the end of the month that he starts in business, to obtain a tax stamp.
“It would be necessary for the criminal investigation division to prove that Lauria had been in business prior to Feb. 1, the day that he was arrested by Camden police. However, if the Camden collector of internal revenue has reason to believe that Lauria has failed to include the money he may have made from gambling activities on his income tax returns, he will refer the matter to this department for prosecution.”
Good Through June
The spokesman said that on the basis on the federal fiscal year, which extends from July 1 to June 31 [sic], Lauria would have had to pay about $21 for his fedreal [sic] gambling stamp.
“This stamp is good until the end of June,” the federal spokesman said.
While Lauria is the first Camden suspected gambler to obtain a federal gambling stamp, there are listed the names of nine Atlantic City men and one in Salem who obtained federal stamps.
“We can take no action against these men if they obtained stamps within the 30 day required period,” the federal spokesman said.
Lauria was arrested by Detectives Edward Shapiro and John Moffa as he started to drive away after paying his toll at the Camden bridge.
Hearing Off to Feb. 25
Shapiro said that a brief case, alongside Lauria in the front seat of the car, contained slips listing approximately 9800 number plays amounting to $2122.
Municipal Judge Dzick has postponed a hearing for Lauria until Feb. 25. He is free on $5000 property bail. The hearing was due to be held today, but Dzick has granted a continuance until Feb. 25 due to the fact that Lauria’s attorney, Anthony Marino, is in Florida.
Man Fined $1000, Jailed 2 Mo. in Numbers Case
Camden Courier-Post —
So. Camden Resident Gets Heaviest Penalty For Such Offense
A South Camden man was fined $1000 and jailed for two months after Municipal Judge Dzick found him guilty today on charges of possessing numbers slips.
Court attaches said the penalty was the severest ever meted out to a defendant on such charges in the history of the city court.
The defendant, who pleaded not guilty, but offered no defense, is Thomas Lauria, 35, of 1296 Van Hook street. He was arrested at the Camden bridge plaza Feb. 1, by Detectives Edward Shapiro and John Moffa, who said he was coming to this city from Philadelphia.
The arresting officers testified that a briefcase in Lauria’s auto contained slips denoting 9800 numbers plays which represented bets totaling $2800.
Following testimony by the police, Anthony Marino, counsel for Lauria, moved for dismissal of the charges on grounds the ownership of the briefcase which contained the numbers slips and ownership of the automobile had not been proved.
After Judge Dzick pronounced sentence, Marino pleaded for a lesser penalty, pointing out that the court had not dealt so severely with others convicted on similar charges.
Brings Crime Here
Replying to Marino, Judge Dzick declared:
“It’s bad enough when people in our city evade the law. But here is an intelligent individual who apparently goes to another city and brings the crime here. I feel he deliberately got the slips from another city and brought them here for some purpose known to himself.
“Apparently he is a pickup man for numbers slips and not money, and he takes the slips to some place and tabulates them.”
Detective Shapiro, in his testimony, said:
“We tried to talk to Lauria but he refused to give us any information. He said he was his own boss and was not doing anything in this city.”
Photos
Camden Courier-Post —
A bottle of “moonshine” Sunday brought $200 fines for Herman Jordan, 41, of 514 West st., and John Duffy, 43, of 419 Berkley st.
Detective Edward Shapiro testified Jordan had the bottle at Berkley and West sts. Jordan was booked on a charge of possessing untaxed alcohol.
Shapiro said Jordan told them the bottle was furnished by Duffy who had sent a third man to actually buy the alcohol. Duffy told Dzick today that Jordan was mistaken. Duffy said he had not seen Jordan for three days before his arrest.
Wilkie Son Dies From Gun Shot
Camden Courier-Post —
Youth, 17, Found Suicide in Home By Officer
The 17-year-old son of Camden Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie was found shot to death in his home early Sunday, with his father’s service revolver lying on the living room floor beneath his body.
James S. Wilkie, of 1144 Princess ave., was found by his father shortly after 2 a. m.
Coroner John A. Healey, after an autopsy Sunday afternoon, also said he was “satisfied the death was suicide.” He issued a death certificate with that finding.
Younger Children Questioned
Benjamin Asbell, first assistant prosecutor, with County Detective Chief James J. Mulligan, City Detective Capt. Thomas P. Murphy and Detective George Ellis, questioned Wilkie, two other Wilkie children, their friends and neighbors for more than three hours in detective headquarters Sunday night.
Capt. Murphy reconstructed the death as follows:
W. Richard Wilkie, 16, and his sister Teresa, 14, with Paul Ragone, 15, of Bridgeboro rd., Moorestown, a friend of Richard, were decorating the living room of the Wilkie home for Christmas when James came home about 1.30 a. m. and evidently had been drinking.
A quarrel followed in which Richard chided James about “coming home drunk,” and James wanted to fight his brother, but Richard and the Ragone boy went outside the house. At that point, James went to his father’s second-floor front bedroom and took Wilkie’s .38-caliber police revolver from a chest of drawers and returned to the living room.
‘I’ll Kill Myself’
James ordered his sister to tell Richard to return to the house, and Richard instead directed Teresa to “come outside,” Asbell said. When the girl left the home, James went to the front door, waved the gun and shouted, according to Asbell:
“If you don’t come in I’ll kill myself.”
The children said James then turned and went back into the house. They stated he slammed the front door so hard the blind fell off.
Seconds later, Richard heard what he called a shot. Richard, Teresa and Ragone called for James at the front and rear doors but got no response.
After trying unsuccessfully to reach Sgt. Wilkie, the three were taken by a friend of Ragone’s to the home of Mrs. Tessie Bogacki, mother of the Wilkie children, in Woodlynne. Mrs. Bogacki remarried after she and Sgt. Wilkie were divorced several months ago.
Father Finds Body
Wilkie told the investigators he had been to a restaurant and discovered the body when he returned shortly after 2 a. m., but thought his son had cut his head in a fall. The weapon beneath the body was not found until after police, summoned by Wilkie from a police box at Haddon and Kaighns aves., arrived and moved the body.
The spent bullet was found near the body in a pool of blood by Detectives Edward Shapiro and John Moffa. Another bullet taken from the gun, police said, showed evidence it had misfired.
Police said a preliminary investigation by doctors at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, where James was pronounced dead on arrival at 3 a. m., indicated the bullet had entered the left side of the head and left the right temple, but no powder burns could be found on the left side.
Autopsy Performed
The body was transferred to Cooper Hospital where an autopsy was performed by Dr. William T. Read. Healey said the autopsy showed conclusively the bullet had been fired into the right temple and left through the left temple. Powder burns were found on the right side, Healey stated.
Capt. Murphy said tests were made of the boy’s right hand and the gun and forwarded to the State Police laboratory at Trenton.
A separate investigation is being made, Murphy said, to determine where the youth had been drinking.
Wilkie, famed for years as Camden’s notebook cop, has been away from duty for several months because of illness. Wilkie told investigators his son suffered a head injury in early youth and had complained of headaches. Wilkie said he felt the death might be accidental and expressed the possibility his son may have staggered and fallen with the loaded revolver. Wilkie said James also had been despondent since the death of another son, John, killed last June in a plane crash in Japan. James was employed as an apprentice by a Philadelphia belt manufacturing firm.
Coroner Healey said the youth’s employers had elevated James in their apprentice program only last week. Young Wilkie celebrated the promotion by buying a new suit and topcoat, the coroner added.
42 Seized in 2 House Raids
Camden Courier-Post —
Illegal Beer Sales Charged:
Forty-two persons were arrested today in two raids on private homes where police said beer was being sold.
All were charged with being disorderly persons under a municipal law.
Dets. Edward Shapiro and John Moffa and Ptl. Peter N. Paull, who made the raids, said they confiscated several cases of beer in homes at 300 S. 5th st. and at 418 Stevens st. between 2 and 4 a. m.
Held as principals and charged with maintaining disorderly houses were George H. Allen, 47, of 300 S. 5th st., and Mrs. Anna M. Bristol, 48, of 418 Stevens st. Both were released in $50 bail for a hearing Monday before Judge Marino.
Charged as disorderly persons and also held in $50 bail each for a hearing Monday were: Walter Rembert, 38, of 3rd st. near Stevens; Octavius J. Curry, 31, of the 1000 block Lawrence st.; Leonard W. Cherry, 28, stationed at Mitchell Air Force Base, Hempstead, N. Y.; George H. Allen Jr., 26, of 300 S. 5th st.
Also, Leroy G. Townsend, 36, of Cooper st. near 11th; Albert J. Henderson, 28, of the 900 block Lawrence st.; James F. Harris, 46, of the 1000 block Carpenter st.; Andrew B. Jackson, 33, of the 1000 block S. 6th st.
Also, George W. Small, 37, of the 5300 block W. Girard ave., Philadelphia; Albert Whiting, 35, of the 400 block S. 3rd; Zebed Stevens, 47, of the 300 block Stevens st.; William J. Holmes, 34, of the 700 block Stevens st.
Also, Ralph H. Dare, 28, of the 6200 block High st., Philadelphia; Phillips, 34, of the 1200 block S. Ringgold st., Philadelphia; Minnie Lee Arnold, 35, of the 400 block Stevens st.; Georgianna Fisher, 28, of the 400 block Benson st.; Gladys M. Peterson, 26, of the 700 block Wheatland ct.; Mrs. Louise Eddings, of the 700 block Wheatland ct.
Also, Alma Johnson, 26, of the 300 block West st.; Gloria L. Cotton, 30, of the 300 block West st.; Jean W. Gray, 37, of the 400 block Stevens st.; Annie P. Thomas, 28, of Benson near 4th; Minnie E. Parsons, 34, of the 400 block West st.; Ruby E. Killian, 36, of the 200 block Benson st.
Also, Jim W. Morton, 38, of Stevens near 3rd; Calvin Collins, 37, of the 300 block Washington st.; Mose Martin, 39, of the 400 block S. 3rd st.; Donald A. Murphy, 26, of the 400 block Stevens st.; Jesse L. Watson, 37, of the 400 block Stevens st.
Also, John B. James, 32, of the 800 block S. 5th st.; George A. Young, 26, of the 200 block Kaighns ave.; Ethel Bailey, 34, of the 1000 block Cooper st.; Mrs. Mae Smith, 26, of the 800 block Penn st.; Mrs. Etheline Langford, 31, of the 200 block S. 4th st.; Elsie M. Tribbett, 22, of the 1000 block Penn st.
Also, Dolores C. Tibbett, 21, of the 1100 block Carpenter st.; Dolores J. Jackson, 22, of the 1100 block Penn st.; Eva M. Gilmore, 21, of the 300 block Stevens st.; Hattie Brown, 28, of the 300 block Stevens st., and Jean Allen, 37, of the 300 block S. 5th st.
Veterans Boxing Association Ring 6 — 11th Annual Banquet
Joey Powell’s Well-Wishers — Also Extend Best Wishes to Sergeant Ray Smith
Joseph Grochowski – Al Bunker – Ed Kaszycki – Andy Friday – John Skiba – John Dombrowski – Walter Szalanski – Nick Pawlak – Wm. O’Brien – Bill Neil – Wm. Schultz – Tom Scarduzio – Peter Paull – Barney Tracey – Dave Hainsworth – Walter Zimolong – Edward Shapiro – Thomas McLaughlin – John Opfer
Vallie Francesconi – Tom Ryan – Leon Lucas – Jesse Urban – Bobbie Zimmerman – Joe (Kid) Murphy – Pee Wee Wilson – Jackie Gleason – Joe Vitarelli – Al Daley – Frankie Youker – Joe McEvoy – Frank Valenti – Jim McFadden – Charles Bauer – George Ballantine – James O’Neill – Dorothy Dougherty – Agnes McHenry – Vicky Dangler – Francis Souders – Loretta and Reds – Bart – Roger Cotton – Leon McCarthy – Kenneth Geitz – Joe Daubman – Norman Jacobson – Nick Colofrancisco – Chris Rago – Charles Myers – Ray Cohand – Paul Harduk – Charles Wells – Carl Stolinski – Walter Wilson – Steve Straub – Charley Kmiec – Jimmy Tyler – Joe Dorfy – William Vogel – John Campbell
Steve O’Keefe – Sam Laird – Ed Rickter – Don Cragin – John Odorisio – Michael Przywara – Walter Paleszewski – Watson Burdalski – Stanley Snajkowski – Frank Drabik – John P. Kawczak – Frank Kulesa – Steve Kirby – James R. Asher – Polack Tony – Stephen Yakopczyna – Helen and Chick – Don Wilson – James Monaghan – George Carr – Bill Jentsch – John Greenan – Charles Galasso – Don’s Barber Shop – Joe Shaw – Ben Gutowski – Tom Bristow – Joseph Stelmach – Leon Hood – George Saunders – Mike Borman – Anthony Cirelli – Bob Hardy – Frank Hardy – Benny DePalma – Frank Padulla – Mike Yack – Stanley Powell – George Kroecker – A Friend – The Fox – Tom Fish