TO PROTECT AND SERVE

The City of Camden NJ has seen eight of its police officers lay their lives down while serving the public interest. At least one other officer died of natural causes while on duty. Never having worked in law enforcement, I can see that police work is a dangerous job, with long hours, impossible weather, and for not a whole lot of money, often dealing with the worst elements of our society, and being involved on a daily basis with much of the ugliest side of American life. It is my considered opinion that the general public owes a big thank you to its honest and hardworking police officers on a daily basis.

	William Feitz, Detective, Camden Police Department Joined the Camden Police Department March 1, 1928 Died September 2, 1934 After trailing a car with four bandits ,Detective Feitz was shot from behind after following three of them into the house at 243 Sycamore Street. He was taken to West Jersey Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrivals. He was survived by his widowed mother, his wife, and children. The killer of William Feitz, Charles Zied, was arrested on a later date, tried, and executed in New Jersey's electric chair on June 22, 1936.
	Leon F. Puszcykowski, Officer, Camden Police Department Joined the Camden Police Department 1938 Died October 23, 1939 Office Puszyckowski was injured when his motorcycle collided with a truck on the driveway behind Camden High School. Taken to West Jersey Hospital with a compound fracture of his arm, he died on the operating table seven hours after the accident. He was survived by his parents, a wife, two children, and three sisters.
	George F. Jefferis, Officer, Camden Police Department Born April 4, 1897 Joined the Camden Police Department July 1, 1926 Died September 5, 1951 While assigned to motorcycle traffic patrol, Officer Jefferis, a 25 year veteran of law enforcement, was struck by a motor vehicle while on his motorcycle. He died at Cooper Hospital in Camden while being treated for injuries received in the accident. He left a wife and one daughter.
	Carmin Fuscellaro, Jr., Sergeant, Camden Police Department Born July 11, 1926 Joined the Camden Police Department January 17, 1949 Died February 4, 1961 Known to his brother officers as “Fussy”, Sergeant Fuscellaro was very progressive during his 12 year career with the Camden Police Department.. He was instrumental in the formation of the accident investigation unit and heavy duty rescue unit. Once this unit was in operation he turned his attention to the formation of a K-9 unit, of which he was in command of at the time of his death. Sergeant Fuscellaro died of shotgun wounds he received during a jail escape, at the old Camden Jail on the 6^th floor of City Hall, Camden NJ. He was accidentally shot and killed by another officer when he was mistaken for an escaped prisoner. Sergeant Fuscellaro and his canine partner were searching City Hall when the other officer shot him. At the time of the shooting canine officers and the inmates wore the same type of coveralls. He was survived by his wife.
	Charles W. Sutman, Officer, Camden Police Department Born July 17, 1947 Joined the Camden Police Department November 25, 1968 Died July 5, 1969 Officer Sutman died of shotgun wounds received while responding to a domestic dispute assignment. He was killed by a shotgun blast from a second floor window. His training officer was able to take cover, but Officer Sutman’s Police Academy classmate, Officer George E. Schultz, was also killed as he tried to come to Officer Sutman’s aid. Officer Sutman’s young life was tragically ended only seven months after he began his law enforcement career. He was survived by his wife, 2 year old son, and an unborn child. The murderer or Officers Sutman and Schultz was sentenced to life imprisonment.
	George E. Schultz, Jr., Officer, Camden Police Department Born September 28, 1942 Joined the Camden Police Department November 25, 1968 Died July 5, 1969 While responding to a domestic disturbance call, Officer Schultz observed his Academy classmate Officer Charles Sutman gunned down by a shotgun blast from a second floor window. As he attempted to assist his brother officer, Officer Schultz was killed by the same assailant as he exited his cruiser. Officer Schultz’s career was ended tragically only 7 months after it began, and he left a his wife and one daughter. The murderer or Officers Sutman and Schultz was sentenced to life imprisonment.
	Rand J. Chandler, Sr., Officer, Camden Police Department Born April 17, 1947 Joined the Camden Police Department November 25, 1968 Died September 2, 1969 Officer Chandler was killed during the riots that disrupted Camden in the Summer of 1969, by a shotgun blast. Officer Chandler was shot and killed during a civil disturbance. He had been assigned to guard vehicles and equipment with two other officers when an unknown suspect opened fire with a shotgun from a nearby rooftop. Officer Chandler and an 11-year-old girl were killed. Officer Chandler was the third member of his Academy class to be killed in the defense of law and order within a year. He was survived by his wife and two children, a son and a daughter. The murderer of Officer Rand J. Chandler was never arrested.
	Elwood L. Ridge, Officer, Camden Police Department Born May 21, 1944 Joined the Camden Police Department August 9, 1968 Died July 2, 1973 Officer Ridge, known to his brother officers as "Woody", was killed by gunshot wound from his own weapon which was taken from him while answering to a domestic dispute assignment. While attempting to separate the two offenders Officer Ridge's handgun was taken from his holster and he was shot. Elwood Ridge had grown up in the lower end of Camden County. His father owned the White Horse Motel on the White Horse Pike, and "Woody" Ridge lived there as a boy. He was married, with no children, his wife was about 4 months pregnant at the time of his death. Officer Montell Williams was the first officer on the scene after was shot. He related in November of 2002: "Woody was never dispatched to the domestic but drove up on it at the corner of Broadway and Van Hook Street. After being shot he walked across the street to Rudolph's Original Liquors and asked for help. The man inside helped him lay down and loosened his clothes to aid his breathing then called the police. Three of us arrived almost simultaneously at the scene, there was me and my partner Bill Athey and Woody's normal partner Chet DeShields. Chet and Woody were more than just regular partners, they were very close friends even off duty. " A large funeral was held for officer Ridge. The Philadelphia Police Department provided manpower for traffic duty to free up Camden officers so they could attend the funeral The shooter, Derrick C. Butler, was arrested by Philadelphia police for throwing bottles at cars and then bragged to them that he had just killed a Camden police officer. Derrick C. Butler was sentenced to life in prison.
	Stuart L. Roberts, Officer, Camden Police Department Born September 20, 1951 Joined the Camden Police Department February 19, 1974 Died October 1, 1975 Officer Roberts was assigned to plain clothes duty with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Unit. He was shot to death while on duty. Officer Roberts was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect who was barricaded in a home. During the incident Officer Roberts was shot with a shotgun. Officer Roberts left a wife and two daughters.