Important Note!

This site is a mirror of Phil's old site at dvrbs.com. and is generally not maintained.

For a modern experience, including mobile, please check out: https://camdenhistory.com.

Thomas C. Kelly Jr.

Camden Police Department Captain, 1949–1978

Thomas C. Kelly Jr.

Portrait of Thomas C. Kelly Jr.

Thomas C. Kelly Jr.

THOMAS C. KELLY JR. was born in Camden to Thomas C. and Anna Kelly in 1921. His father was an ironworker by trade. The 1924 City Directory shows the Kelly family at 1172 Everett Street. By 1929 they had moved to 1248 Dayton Street.

Thomas Kelly Jr. graduated from Camden Catholic High School in 1940. Not waiting to be drafted, he enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Dix NJ on June 16, 1942. After his military service was completed he returned to Camden.

The 1947 City Directory shows that Thomas Kelly and his parents were living at 656 Washington Street. Shortly after January of 1949 Thomas Kelly Jr. joined the Camden police department. By 1962 he had been promoted to sergeant. He retired in 1978 as a Captain. Thomas Kelly Jr. later worked for the Atlantic City Casino Control Commission and for New Jersey Transit.

A lifelong resident of Camden, Thomas Kelly Jr. passed away on June 25, 2008 at the age of 86.

Advertisement

City Hall — 1952 — Chief Koerner & New Police Officers

City Hall, 1952 — Chief Koerner and new police officers

From Left: First one is probably Frank Mignone, then Tom Kelly, Peter Paull, Charles Kocher Jr., Chief Koerner. Photo courtesy of Charles Kocher.

Police Slap 4 Charges Against Tipsy Driver

Camden Courier-Post

Camden Courier-Post, February 1, 1954 — Police Slap 4 Charges Against Tipsy Driver

Leroy Freeman, 39, of 1020 Linden st., was held without bail Saturday following his arrest on charges of driving while drunk, without a license, without proper registration, and while on the suspended list.

Patrolmen William Miller and Thomas Kelly arrested Freeman about 4.30 a. m. Saturday at Broadway and Federal st. Freeman, police said, was pronounced unfit to drive by Dr. Lee J. Hammett, police examiner.

Boxing Show Slated to Aid Drop-A-Buck

Camden Courier-Post

Camden Courier-Post, December 11, 1957 — Boxing Show Slated to Aid Drop-A-Buck, part 1 Camden Courier-Post, December 11, 1957 — Boxing Show Slated to Aid Drop-A-Buck, part 2 Camden Courier-Post, December 11, 1957 — Boxing Show Slated to Aid Drop-A-Buck, part 3

More than 500 members of boys clubs and Little League teams in the area will be guests at a special amateur boxing show Tuesday night at Convention Hall from which proceeds will benefit the Frank H. Ryan Drop-A-Buck Club.

Sponsors for the young guests are being solicited now by a committee headed by Police Insp. Anthony Skolski.

The show will be staged by the Camden Police Athletic League and sponsored by Camden Local 35, New Jersey Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association.

Ten three-round bouts will present boxers from the Philadelphia Police Athletic League and some Middle Atlantic AAU champions will be on the card.

Among sponsors of one or more children already signed are Deputy Public Safety Director Willard C. Schriver; Police Chief Gustav Koerner, Skolski, Municipal Judge Anthony Marino, Dets. Joseph Mardino and Ernie Santaniello, Art Sharp, Andy Fanelli, Nick Tedeschi, Anthony Galiozzi, the Hub Steak House, Rt. 38, Maple Shade; Hill Clothing store, 2636 Westfield ave.; Roma Cafe, 3rd and Royden sts., and Local 35, NJSPBA.

Persons, organizations or business establishments wishing to become sponsors are urged to contact Skolski at the city police department. Assisting are Anthony Moffa, co-chairman; George MacKenzie, Charles Kocher, Mario Ferrari, Peter Paul, Edward Yeager, Walter Busko, Thomas Kelly and Douglas Holmes.

Cops Nab Two In Gas Station, Wilson Blvd.

Camden Courier-Post

Camden Courier-Post, December 16, 1957 — Cops Nab Two In Gas Station, part 1 Camden Courier-Post, December 16, 1957 — Cops Nab Two In Gas Station, part 2 Camden Courier-Post, December 16, 1957 — Cops Nab Two In Gas Station, part 3

Two Philadelphia men were charged with breaking and entering and larceny after police allegedly caught them Sunday in the act of burglarizing a service station on Admiral Wilson blvd.

Ptl. Thomas C. Kelly Jr. and Edward Yeager identified the suspects as William DeSalvatore, 20, a laborer, and Daniel Gillin, 21, a cook at the Army’s Aberdeen, Md., Proving Ground. Each gave a different address on N. 66th st. near Girard ave.

Municipal Judge Marino today ordered the pair held without bail pending grand jury action.

Kelly and Yeager said they arrested the two in Lou’s service station, Admiral Wilson blvd. and Banks st. about 4 a. m. A rear window was broken and overhead garage doors open. Police said a chest of tools had been carried out of the garage and an outboard motor removed from a boat.

Other tools and $11 in change taken from a service station at Dwight ave. and Crescent blvd., Collingswood, was recovered from the suspects, Kelly and Yeager said.

Police also reported that Smitty’s Delicatessen, 432 Broadway, was broken into Sunday and $430 reported stolen from the store and owner’s quarters.

Ptl. Peter Paul said entrance was gained through a rear third-floor window, accessible from a lower roof, between 3 and 9.30 p. m. He said $400 was taken from a metal box in the bedroom of the owner, Joseph Smith, and $30 from a cash register.

Camden Police Department — 1962 Report

Camden Police Department 1962 Report — George Emore, Tom Kelly, Charles Kocher Sr.

George Emore, Sergeant Tom Kelly, Charles Kocher Sr. — Camden Police Department 1962 Report

Presentation of Awards — Camden Police Department 1962 Report

Camden Police Department 1962 Report, page 39 — Presentation of Awards

From Left: Joseph “Joe Reno” Valeriano, unknown, unknown, Sergeant Thomas Kelly, Detective Nate Jones, unknown, Chief William Neale, Detective “Pete” Sunkett, unknown. Page 39 — Camden Police Department 1962 Report

Named Acting Police Chief

Camden Courier-Post

Camden Courier-Post, February 24, 1965 — Named Acting Police Chief Caption: Named Acting Police Chief — Insp. Donald Watson introduced to newsmen

NAMED ACTING POLICE CHIEF, Insp. Donald Watson is introduced by Public Safety Director Kauffman to newsmen and police department brass at conference today in City Hall. Four uniformed officials (from left) are Inspectors William Yeager, George Weber and Harold Melleby and acting Lt. Thomas Kelly. Watson will serve pending Civil Service examination for post vacated by Chief William Neale, who has applied for disability pension.

Circa 1969 — New Uniforms

Circa 1969 — Camden Police new uniforms — Charles Kocher Jr., Thomas Kelly, Walter Busko, Peter Paull

Charles Kocher Jr., Thomas Kelly, Walter Busko, Peter Paull. Photo courtesy of Charles Kocher.

Kelly, Thomas C. Jr. (obituary)

Camden Courier-Post

KELLY, THOMAS C. JR.

On June 25, 2008, age 86, of Camden NJ his entire life.

Beloved husband of Dorothy (nee Balchiunas) and dear father of Stephen Kelly of MO, Brian Kelly of Philadelphia, Michael Kelly and Timothy Kelly both of Camden and Patricia Cusella of Cape May. Loving grandfather of Stephen Jr., Stephanie, Michelle, Amanda, Shanyn, Matthew and Kirsten and great-grandfather of Gianna. Dear brother of Beatrice Gamber, David Kelly and Robert Kelly.

Mr. Kelly was a Camden Police Officer for 29 years, retiring as a Captain in 1978, he then worked for the AC Casino Control Commission and as a supervisor for NJ Transit Security. He was an Army WWII Veteran, and a graduate of Camden Catholic High School in 1940.

Relatives and friends of the family are kindly invited to attend his Visitation Monday 12:30–2 PM at the FUNERAL HOME OF INGLESBY & SONS, 2426 Cove Road, Pennsauken NJ 08109. Memorial Service with military honors 2 PM. Cremation private. Donations to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 preferred.

Advertisement

Comments