Introduction
WALTER W.E. FRIEDRICHS was born August 17, 1907 in Camden, New Jersey to Fredericka and William E. Friedrichs. The family was living at 2845 Garfield Avenue in 1906. William Friedrichs supported his family working as a salesman. When the Census was taken in 1910 the family, which included older siblings Karl, Louisa, Sophia, and Emil, lived at 1023 North 25th Street in Cramer Hill. By 1920 his father had passed away. The family was still living at 1023 North 25th Street when the census was taken. Brother Karl had taken a wife, Rose, and worked as a machinist and later as an auto mechanic; Louisa worked in a cigar factory and Sophia as a clerk at the Victor Talking Machine Company. Emil later went to work as a roofer, and by 1927 Walter Friedrichs had entered the workforce as a clerk. The family was still living at 1023 North 25th Street, although Karl and Rose Friedrichs had moved across the street to 1028. Karl Friedrichs later joined the Camden Police Department where he had a long and distinguished career.
Soon after the 1927 City Directory was compiled Walter Friedrichs married. By 1930 his wife Margaret had borne a daughter, Marion. The family was living at 827 Vine Street in North Camden. Walter Friedrichs was then working as an adjuster for a “Trust Company,” in that time another term for a bank.
Walter Friedrichs was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on June 1, 1941. He reported for duty at the Fire Training School on June 16, and was then sent to Engine Company 11 on North 27th Street in Cramer Hill on June 29. On September 1, 1945 he was transferred to Engine Company 3 at 1815 Broadway, where he served until October 22, 1947. On that date Walter Friedrichs was assigned to the Fire Marshal’s Office, where he worked as a Fire Inspector for 15 years.
The 1947 City Directory is quite interesting. Walter and Margaret Friedrichs lived at 1128 North 25th Street. Brother Emil was at 1031 North 25th Street with his roofing and siding business, and their widowed mother was living at 1025 North 25th Street. Brother Karl, by this time a Lieutenant on the Camden Police Force, and his wife had moved to 3052 Mickle Street in East Camden.
Walter Friedrichs retired on a disability pension on October 15, 1962. He was still living at 1128 North 25th Street in Cramer Hill. By 1969 he had left Camden. He was a resident of Somers Point, New Jersey when he died in March of 1984.
Hearing Delayed In Permit Case
Camden Courier-Post —
Municipal Judge Dzick today ordered a hearing continued until Jan. 19 for a plumbing and heating company foreman charged with installing an oil burner without a permit.
Jess Garwood, 42, of Centennial Lake, Medford, who works for the National Plumbing & Heating Co., Woodbury, was arrested Thursday by Camden fire marshal inspector Walter Fredericks [sic]. The foreman was taken into custody at the new Dow Chemical Co. building at 4th and Market sts. He was released a few hours later in $200 bail.
The fire inspector told the court today he warned Garwood several days ago not to install the oil burner until a permit had been secured.
The fire inspector told the court today he warned Garwood several days ago not to install the oil burner until a permit had been secured.
Fire Department Record Card
Walter W.E. Friedrichs — Camden Fire Department Record Card
1128 North 25th Street
1128 North 25th Street — Sunday, May 11, 2008, 3:48 pm
Engine 11 reported a 2 story occupied dwelling with smoke showing from the rear and reports of an occupant trapped, all hands were placed into service, searches proved negative, 1 person was taken to a local hospital for a laceration to the hand. Battalion Chief (2) Glassman had command of this fire.
2 Boys With Oil Seized After Fire at School
Camden Courier-Post —
Debris Is Used In Blaze at 4th, Berkley
Juvenile authorities today are questioning two boys, 9 and 11, who Tuesday set a fire in the rear of the Stevens School, 4th and Berkley sts.
Detective Sgt. Frank Nelson identified the boys as Michael Bernado, 11, of 310 Cleveland terrace, and James McConnell, 9, of 406 S. 2nd st. They were taken into custody late Tuesday afternoon, Nelson said.
Nelson assigned Detective Nicholas Pavlak to the case and the latter said the boys had a two-quart can of old motor oil and matches in their possession.
Quizzed About Other Fires
Pavlak and Walter Friedrichs, a fireman attached to the fire marshal’s office, questioned the boys extensively about recent fires, particularly the fire at the Broadway School last February. They said they believed the boys had nothing to do with such fires. The two then were released in the custody of their parents.
The Board of Education, Pavlak said, has been notified the locks on the rear door of the abandoned Stevens School were forced previously. The board, he continued, is being asked to do something about the situation so that youngsters can be kept out of the building.
The chain of circumstances began when Joseph Noles, a special officer assigned to traffic duty to protect children at the Central School, was tipped off by two unidentified boys that a fire was started at the Stevens School.
Other Boys Tell of Fire
The boys told the special officer they had extinguished a fire in the rear of the Stevens School, a block north of the Central School.
Noles said he went to the school and there saw Bernado. He grabbed the boy and took him to Miss Mary Boland, principal of the Central School, where he attends classes.
She called police, and questioning revealed the participation of the McConnell boy. The boy was then found in the building.
Debris Oiled, Then Ignited
Pavlak said his investigation revealed the Bernado and McConnell boys entered the schoolyard and after using straw and wood, debris from a packing box, poured the oil and lighted the pile.
Pavlak said a rear entrance to the school building was forced, but it was not a fresh break and apparently had been made before Tuesday. Pavlak said he notified the city school authorities of the damage and requested they secure the building.
Nelson said the boys and their parents will be questioned in juvenile bureau and the fire marshal and school authorities were notified. fied [sic] Nelson is head of the juvenile bureau.