Introduction
Richard C. Brooks Sr. was a career Camden police officer. A Navy veteran of World War II, he had already become a member of the department by the summer of 1968.
Richard Brooks was active as a member of the USS New Jersey Lodge #62, Free and Accepted Masons, and was the lodge Grand Master in 1978. This lodge has had among its members many Camden police officers including Howard Quick, Ray Garrison, and Leroy Palmer.
Memories from a Fellow Officer
Rich was on Tac Force when I joined the Camden PD. He was one of my first partners when I got assigned to the unit in ’68. Willie Guidotti gave him the nickname, “Giggles.
He once shot the clock off the wall at a all night card game in the K-9 offices beside the city garage after work. Everybody had agreed to stop the game at five AM, but Giggles was losing and wanted keep playing to get his money back. I guess he figured that if he stopped the clock before 5:00 AM the game should continue. So, he shot the clock with his .38 and laid the gun on the table. Contrary to the agreed upon quit time, everybody decided to stay and play a bit longer!
Larry Worrell
June 29, 2008.
Two Suspects Held in Bail of $25,000 Each
Camden Courier-Post —
10 Burglaries:
Two suspects, linked by police with 10 burglaries in the city during the last 6 weeks, were held in $25,000 bail each today by Municipal Judge Marino.
Held on one count each, pending a continuing investigation and a further hearing Tuesday, the men were identified as William J. Porter, 26, of Fern st. near 8th, and Howard James, 25, of Fogarty ave. near Federal st.
Marino commended police work in cracking the case and four detectives assigned to it, Marshall Thompson, Thomas Scarduzio, George Ellis and Russell Young.
James, a brother-in-law of Porter, was in the county jail to await grand jury action on a charge of breaking into a Cooper st. service station Dec. 11, police said, when the case broke Wednesday.
Street Attack Suspect
Porter was wanted for questioning in the stabbing of Miss Joann Green, 19, of 313 Chestnut st., Tuesday night, according to police.
Scarduzio said police searched Porter’s house Tuesday night but he could not be found. However, Scarduzio said, Ptl. Richard Brooks picked up a cash box in the house.
Wednesday, when the box was shown to Sgt. Earl Quinton, he suggested it may have been taken from the Asam Wallpaper Co., 1001 Market st., Nov. 17, according to Scarduzio. The box was later identified as the one taken from that concern, Scarduzio added.
Caught at Gun-Point
Detectives returned to the house Wednesday in an effort to pick up Porter. While Thompson and Young covered the front of the house, Scarduzio went to the back. Scarduzio said he apprehended Porter at gun-point as Porter fled from a rear door.
A search of the place by daylight turned up loot believed connected with robberies in which the two suspects are implicated, Thompson said. Included in the find were 20 new paint brushes, barber shop supplies and a letter scale.
At first, Porter denied any knowledge of breaking and entering, Thompson stated. James was brought from the jail and questioned by Thompson more than three hours. Thompson said James finally admitted the jobs and implicated Porter, who later confirmed James’ statements, Thompson said.
Thompson reported James admitted breaking into a grocery at 635 Carman st. Nov. 2 and looting a barber shop at 303 S. 3rd st. of $304 in equipment Nov. 9.
Other Victims
The two of them allegedly broke into the office of an engineering firm Nov. 7, taking a computing machine valued at $500 and took $650 in appliances from Thrifty Buyers Store, 313 Market st., Nov. 13.
The wallpaper firm was entered Nov. 17 when $712 in cash and $200 worth of postage stamps was taken. On Dec. 10, they purportedly entered Asam’s again and ransacked the second-floor offices of Camden Ink and Color Co. and Cutler Metal Co.; the Fitwell Coat Co. on the third floor, and the Wilkie W. Faust Co., next door at 1011 Market st.
Scarduzio said a warrant has been issued for Porter’s wife, Jean, charging her with assault and battery on the Green girl. The girl underwent an emergency operation Tuesday night in Cooper Hospital, after being left there by Porter, Scarduzio said.
Police also disclosed that Porter was wanted on an assault and battery warrant issued on complaint of his wife.
Brooks, Richard C., Sr.
Camden Courier-Post —
On June 28, 2008, of Magnolia, NJ. Age 81. Son of the late Mattie and Bink Brooks. Beloved husband Pauline (nee Wilson). Loving father of Jacqueline Rivera, and Richard C. Brooks, Jr. both of Magnolia. Grandfather of Joseph, Jr., Dennis, Diana, Paula, and Carla Rivera. Great grandfather of Ariana Rivera, Donte Baumann, Jaelyn Rivera, Xavier Harvey. Dear brother of Marie Blackwell of Moscow, TN., Mabel Bullock, Red Bank, MS., and Florence Houck of Ooltewah, TN., and the late Doris, David, Charles and Evan. Also survived by many nieces & nephews.
Mr. Brooks was a Veteran of WWII serving in the US Navy. Richard worked and retired as a Police officer for the City of Camden. He was 1978 Past Master USS NJ Masonic Lodge #62, a member of NJ PBA and FOP, NCT(National Camping Travelers), Rainmakers Chapter 8. He was a member of VFW Post 8467 in Meadows of Dan, VA. and a member of the Logan Mem. Presbyterian Church, Audubon.
Viewing will be held on Tuesday evening from 7-9PM and Wednesday 9:30 to 10:30AM at the HANNA FUNERAL HOME, 9 White Horse Pike, Haddon Hts, NJ 08035. Funeral Service 10:30AM Wednesday. Interment Lakeview Mem. Park, Cinnaminson, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be to either Holistic Care Hospice, 14 Hooper Ave. Suite 305, Toms River, NJ 08753, or the Alzheimer’s Assoc. 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106