Introduction
Leo Joseph Tompkins Jr. was born on October 2, 1929 to Leo J. Tompkins Sr. and his wife, the former Cecilia Nichols. His father, a native of New York, had come to Camden after having served in the United States Navy during World War I and into the 1920s. Leo Tompkins Sr. appears to have come to Camden in the late 1920s. He is not listed in the 1924 or 1927 Camden City Directories. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on April 15, 1928 and reported for duty with Engine Company 2 the following day.
Leo Tompkins Sr. married Cecilia Nichols around the same time he was appointed to the Fire Department. The 1929 City Directory shows that he was working for the Fire Department and living at 1769 Norris Street. The 1930 Census shows Leo and Cecilia Tompkins, their children Mary and Leo J. Jr., mother-in-law Mary and brother-in-law Walter Nichols living at 1769 Norris Street. Fire Department records from 1931 show that the Tompkins family had moved to 322 Erie Street in North Camden, not far from Engine Company 4, where he had been transferred to in August of 1930. On July 1, 1933 Leo Tompkins Sr. was assigned to Ladder Company 1, where he remained until November of 1942.
Two more children were born to the family during the 1930s, Thomas and James Tompkins. At some point during the 1930s Leo and Cecilia Tompkins moved to 1282 South Merrimac Road in Camden’s Fairview neighborhood. Leo Tompkins Sr. would live out his days at this address. The 1940 Census shows the Tompkins family and their four children, mother-in-law Mary Nichols, as well as Cecilia Tompkins’ widower brother Richard Nichols and his sons Richard Jr. and Alfred all living at the Merrimac Avenue address.
With America going to war after the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, many veterans were recalled to service. Leo Tompkins Sr. enlisted in the United States Navy on November 24, 1942 at Philadelphia and on December 26 reported for duty as Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class aboard the USS PC-1121. In March of 1943 he was promoted to Chief Boatswain’s Mate. Fire Department records indicate that he had returned from military service by December of 1944. On December 5 he was assigned to Engine Company 3 at 1813 Broadway. He was promoted to Captain on June 14, 1951. On June 16 he was assigned to Ladder Company 2 at 619 Kaighn Avenue. He later served with the Fire Marshall’s office, as Drillmaster at the Department’s training facility, and with Radio Communications with the Electrical Bureau, where he served until retiring on pension January 1, 1964. A Camden resident to the last, Leo Tompkins Sr. passed away on July 1, 1976. His wife joined him in July of 1984.
Leo J. Tompkins Jr. grew up in Fairview and had a long and distinguished career with the Camden Police Department. He was appointed to the department in 1953 and retired in 1981. Leo Tompkins married Catherine Dolores Oakes of Gloucester City. There were two children from this marriage, Steven and Michael Tompkins. The Tompkins lived for many years at 2944 North Constitution Road in Fairview, and were active in local civic affairs. In 1964 Leo Tompkins Jr. was president of the I.C.A.C., The Independent Citizens Athletic Club of Fairview, which stood for many years at 1250 Collings Road, and was one of the two social clubs in Fairview that had a liquor license. The Tompkins were active members of St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church in Fairview, and also supported the Fairview Little League.
Last a resident of Mt. Ephraim, New Jersey, Leo Tompkins Jr. passed away on October 19, 2004. He was buried at New St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bellmawr. Catherine Tompkins joined him in November of 2011.
Woman Held In S. Camden Fatal Knifing
Camden Courier-Post —
Row at Party: WOMAN HELD IN S. CAMDEN FATAL KNIFING
Municipal Judge Marino today held a 36-year-old woman without bail for a further hearing Friday in the fatal stabbing of a South Camden man early today.
Miss Evalena Watkins, of the 1200 block S. 3rd st., was charged with the death of James W. Atkins, 27, of 1225 S. 3rd st. He was pronounced dead at West Jersey Hospital.
Det. Lt. William D. Neale said Atkins was stabbed in the heart while at a party in a first-floor apartment of his house. He lived on the second floor.
Marino also set $25,000 bail for Willie Simmons, 31, also of the 3rd st. address, as a material witness.
Two Report Emergency
Police received a call at 4 a.m. from off-duty Ptl. James Johnson, who said he had been requested by Miss Watkins and Simmons to call an emergency patrol.
Ptl. Edward Fulton and Leo Tompkins answered the call and found Atkins sitting on the first-floor hall steps in a crouched position. They took Atkins to the West Jersey Hospital but he was dead on arrival.
Dets. Russell Young and John Huston were called. They notified Dube, Neale, the city homicide squad of Acting Lt. Vincent
Conley, Nathan Jones, William O’Brien and County Det. James P. McLaughlin.
Guests are Questioned
Several guests at the party, including Miss Watkins, Simmons, Mrs. Atkins, the victim’s wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Carl H. Perry, were taken to detective headquarters for questioning.
Dube and Neale said they learned Atkins had been stabbed following an argument in the stairway of the first floor. He and his wife had been guests at a party in the apartment of Mr. and Mrs. Perry, Neale said.
Neale said Mrs. Atkins was just returning from her apartment when the stabbing occurred. Neale said Mrs. Atkins told him she witnessed the assault.
Neale said witnesses told him the group had been at a party in the Perry apartment and they had been drinking.
1964
In 1964, President Leo Tompkins presents the Citizen of Fairview Award to John Daly. John was a local businessman who was active with the children and other sports teams of the community. He sponsored many teams throughout a long period of service to the community.
Firemen, Police File Pay Petition
Camden Courier-Post —
Ballot Question FIREMEN, POLICE FILE PAY PETITION
City police and firemen yesterday filed petitions to place their pay raise question on the ballot in the November election.
The petition contained nearly 17,000 signatures, nearly 36 per cent of the city’s 48,000 registered voters, according to Spencer Smith and John Odorisio, city clerk.
Spencer Smith, chairman of the joint pay-raise committee, said the city employes are seeking an across-the-board raise of $1,489.25 yearly. City police and firemen’s starting salaries are now $5,650.
More Than Needed
Jack Yeager, attorney for the police and firemen, said the next step in getting the pay question on the ballot would be certification of the petition by the city clerk and acceptance by City Council.
Smith said the committee had fine results in getting the large number of signatures in four days.
Yeager said police and firemen complied with both the election laws and provisions of the Faulkner Act in obtaining more than the necessary signatures. He said under the state’s election laws 20 per cent of the voter registration is required for petitions while the Faulkner Act requires 15 per cent.
Police and firemen have gone to the ballot six times since 1940 to gain pay hikes and have been successful in each bid. Twice city firemen used similar referendums and voter approval to shorten their work week which now stands at 42 hours.
Present at yesterday’s filing were Yeager, Smith, Leon Puszczykowski and James Asher, representing the fire department; and Jack Dease, Edward Hahn and Leo Tompkins of the police force. Tompkins is president of the local Fraternal Order of Police chapter.
Smith stated the proposed pay raise would increase the present tax rate by about 45 cents per $100 and would cost the average city homeowner about $24 a year.
He added that the proposed pay raise would be a great factor in recruiting men badly needed by both departments and would build morale for present members. He pointed out that the police department alone is now suffering from a shortage of nearly 100 men.
Survey Begun
Meanwhile, a Chicago consulting firm is conducting a survey of the police department, placing emphasis on the pay scale, according to Public Safety Director Keith Kauffman.
Tompkins last week said he was given assurance by both Mayor Alfred R. Pierce and Kauffman that they would be given a raise based on the findings of the city-hired survey team.
Nevertheless, police and firemen voted at a general membership meeting to go ahead with the referendum petition to safeguard their chances for a raise in the near future.
2944 North Constitution Road
