Robert E. DePersia
Robert E. DePersia — Camden Police Department, 1962
Robert E. DePersia was born August 26, 1930 in Camden, NJ to Rocco and Anna DePersia. A graduate of Camden Catholic High School, he played professional football for the Zuni Indians, served in the U.S. Coast Guard, and worked as a railroad fireman before embarking on a 39 year career with the Camden City Police Department and then with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office. He holds the distinction of being both the last County Detective and the first full-time Narcotics officer. He also headed the homicide unit, the fugitive unit, and was a founder and leader of the Narcotics Strike Force. He was the County Range Master for over 20 years and during his career earned over 20 citations and retired with the rank of Detective Captain.
During his life he also owned and operated a pizza shop, a restaurant “Robert’s Roost,” played piano and guitar, coached youth football and basketball, wrote a newspaper column, operated Persian Acres riding academy, founded Persian Lancers 4-H Youth Club, Persian Lancers Drill Team and the S.J. Horseman’s Association. After retiring from active law enforcement, he began his career as a private detective and with his partner also opened “A Robert DePersia Agency” bail bonds business in Camden.
Robert E. DePersia passed away after a heroic battle with cancer on October 3, 2008.
Signal Award Presented to Police Hero
Camden Courier-Post —
Patrolman Peter Yecco was cited for heroic action above and beyond the call of duty Thursday by Commissioner Garrity.
He received the Camden Police Department’s Distinguished Service Award, as Chief of Police Neale and other high ranking police and civil defense officials looked on.
Yecco was one of 16 policemen and three civilians cited by the department.
He was honored for entering the Delaware River on April 3 at 2:20 a.m. at the foot of Atlantic Avenue and assisting to safety three persons who were in a car that had been driven overboard into an abandoned ferry slip. The citation carries with it one week off.
3 Others Cited
Three policemen, including Patrolman Monserate Gonzales, who was with Yecco on April 3, were awarded Certificates of Commendation. Gonzales’ citation noted that he acted in the “best tradition of the police profession.”
The others commended are Patrolman Charles Ferry who saved the life of a new-born child and Patrolman Thomas Penn who brought back life by mouth-to-mouth breathing into a two-year-old boy who had apparently died from drowning. Policemen receiving certificates of commendation are entitled to four days off.
John M. Dodd of 3615 Westfield Ave., an auxiliary policeman, was one of three civilians receiving certificates of citation. The other civilians cited are Peter Celeste of 532 Line St. and John Monti of 400 Jackson St.
Police Commended
Other policemen receiving certificates of citation who will be entitled to one or two days off are Patrolman Earl Bates, William Campbell, John Dease, Robert DePersia, Dennis Evans, Anthony Greskovich, Donald Maloy, Anthony Martino, Erwin Ray.
Also Patrolmen Alfred Steinmetz, James Styles, Sergeant Earl Wright, Sergeant John Ferry and Detectives Nathaniel Jones, Thomas Scarduzio and Golden Sunkett.
The board of review of the Camden Police Department was recently organized at the direction of Chief Neale. Inspector Edward Watson is chairman of the board.
The highest award is the honor award given for heroic action above and beyond the call of duty, an act which involves danger to the life of the officer named in the citation.
DePersia, Robert E.
Camden Courier-Post —
Born August 26, 1930 in Camden, NJ to Rocco and Anna DePersia, Robert passed away after a heroic battle with cancer on October 3, 2008.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Anna, four sons, Rocco A. DePersia, Esq. (Lydia), Robert E. DePersia, II, Esq. (Janet), State Police Det. Sgt. Rick DePersia (Paula) and Russell A. DePersia, Esq. (Chi) and a daughter Diane Mercer (Robert), 13 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, sister Diane Holland (Charles), special cousin Florence DePersia and nephew Robert DePersia, longtime friend Harry Viscuzzi and business partner Phyllis Krichev.
A graduate of Camden Catholic High School, he also played professional football for the Zuni Indians, served in the U.S. Coast Guard and worked as a railroad fireman before embarking on a 39 year career with the Camden City Police Department and then with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, where he holds the distinction of being both the last County Detective and the first full time Narcotics officer. He also headed the homicide unit, the fugitive unit and was a founder and leader of the Narcotics Strike Force. He was the County Range Master for over 20 years and during his career earned over 20 citations and retired with the rank of Detective Captain.
During his life he also owned and operated a pizza shop, a restaurant “Robert’s Roost,” played piano and guitar, coached youth football and basketball, wrote a newspaper column, operated Persian Acres riding academy, founded Persian Lancers 4-H Youth Club, Persian Lancers Drill Team and the S.J. Horseman’s Association. After retiring from active law enforcement, he began his career as a private detective and with his partner also opened “A Robert DePersia Agency” bail bonds business in Camden.
Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing 6–9pm Tuesday and 9–11am Wednesday at the Bradley Funeral Home, Rt 73 & Evesham Rd., Marlton. Funeral Service 11am Wednesday at the Funeral Home. Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chews Landing.