Gloucester City NJ: Memories From The Past
Monday, November 24, 2008
Circa 1950
MEMORIES FROM THE PAST-A train
wreck in Gloucester City. It is hard to determine exactly where in the City and exactly
what year it occurred. Inspecting the scene is former City Police Chief Thomas
Wikelspecht.
Who
would have thought that photos and memorabilia from the 1950’s would end up in
Waco, Texas? Well sometimes strange
things happen and this is one of those times.
Recently
the estate of former Gloucester City Police Chief Thomas Wikelspecht was
holding a public auction. Wikelspecht retired from the department 48 years ago
in 1960 and has since passed away. He was chief from August 2, 1952 to December 3rd, 1960.
Among some of the items were a photo of a train wreck in Gloucester City, 1950’s portraits of members of the department, crime scene photos, a City police uniform, department stationery, badges and keys.
Circa 1950
Photo:Members of the Gloucester City police department at a social event. Front, unknown, Patrolman Frank Keebler, unknown, unknown, Patrolman Jackson, Patrolman Earl Moore. Back sitting: unknown, unknown, Patrolman Schili, Patrolman John Verfaille, Patrolman John Gallagher, unknown, unknown.Enlarge click on photo.
A
relative of Wikelspecht contacted the City Police Department and asked if
anyone was interested in bidding on the items.
Enter
Gloucester City Patrolman Kenneth Iepson, a history buff and collector of
police mementos. Iepson put in a bid for the items and the other day the
package arrived.
“I was only interested in the old triangle patch members of the City Police
Department wore. I received two with this stuff. Now I am looking for the radio patch that the officers from that era wore.
“I am having the uniform cleaned. And I will pack it away in a
safe place along with the photos etc. And someday who knows there might be a
“Cop Room” built to display such tokens from the past”.
Note:
If anyone has City police memorabilia send a note via Email to BillGCN@verizon.net. And
Patrolman Iepson will get in touch with you.
~Bill
Cleary
