Camden People - James McTaggart

JAMES McTAGGART served as a member of the Camden Police department for many years, as did his brother John McTaggart. He was one of the first officers on the scene when the activities of "voodoo doctor" H.H. Hyghcock were discovered, at 413 Liberty Street. He eventually reached the rank of sergeant before his career ended.

The 1929 Camden City Directory shows James McTaggert living at 1236 Browning Street.

By 1947 James McTaggart had passed away. He was survived by his wife Mary, daughters Esther and Mary, and sons Hugh and Joseph. The family resided at 1315 Mount Ephraim Avenue, with the exception of Joseph, who then resided at 3185 Waldorf Avenue in East Camden.

Camden Courier-Post - January 7, 1928

JEWELRY CLERK HELD IN ROBBERY OF STORE
Loot Valued at $2000 Taken From Broadway Shop;
Second Visit of Thieves

Climbing to the roof of a shed in the rear of the Greenetz & Pellicoff jewelry store, 833 Broadway, burglars entered the shop early today and carried away $2,000 in loot.

At noon today, Joseph Shapiro, 29 years old, 215 South Fifth Street, a clerk in the store, was being grilled by Detectives George Ward and Thomas Cheeseman, after being booked at police headquarters as having been arrested “on suspicion.”

August 29 four suspected robbers were captured by police only a few minutes after they had smashed the plate glass window and snatched a tray of jewels at the same store.

Policeman John McTaggert reported the burglary this morning. He is the brother of Policeman James McTaggert, who participated in the capture of the four suspects last August.

Included in the loot of the burglars this morning were 35 watches left at the shop by their owners for repairs. At the shop it was said the owners of the watches would be reimbursed. Other articles stolen included 26 bracelets, 12 diamond bar pins, 15 pair of earrings, three fountain pen sets, and six strings of beads.

At 7:30 this morning, Patrolman McTaggert noticed several men standing in front of the jewelry store. He learned that they had just discovered an open window and, investigating, found the shop had been robbed.

The watches and other articles of jewelry were taken from trays and showcases. A safe in the store was left untouched.

The building next to the jewelry store at 831 Broadway is unoccupied and it was through this structure that the burglars entered. They climbed to the roof of a shed at the rear, entered a second story window and followed a corridor to an inner door of the jewelry store, forced open the door, and entered.

The capture of the four men at the store more than four months ago resulted in commendation from Chief James E. Tatem for the three officers who participated. With Policeman Edward Smith and Frank Truax, Patrolman James McTaggert took the four men at revolver’s point. The men arrested at that time, still awaiting trial, are James Toner, 54 years old, 1204 Vine Street, Philadelphia; Mervin Campbell, 24 years old, 2309 Carlisle Street; James J. Kelly, 25 years old, 2121 Brandywine Street; and Frank MacCrossan, 33 years old, of 1328 Pearl Street.

The proprietors of the store are Joseph and Michael Greenetz, 1468 Haddon Avenue, and Abraham Pellicoff, 1417 Haddon Avenue.

Camden Courier-Post - March 29, 1930

300 POLICE OFFICIALS OF STATE MEET HERE
78 Departments Represented at Benevolent Association Session

More than 300 state officers and delegates representing 78 New Jersey police departments were present yesterday at a meeting of the State Patrolmen's Benevolent Association at Tenth Street and Kaighn Avenue yesterday.

All state officers were present at the afternoon meeting, including State President Dennis Byrne, of New Brunswick; First Vice President Henry Miller, of Rahway; Second Vice president, August Harasdzira, of Garfield; Recording Secretary Michael McKeever, of Trenton; Financial Secretary Thomas Higgins, of West Orange, and State Treasurer William Mallon, of West New York.

Police work used in various cities was discussed. Plans were made for the state convention in Wildwood September 14, 15 and 16. Everett Joslin, Herbert Bott and George Weber were named local delegates to represent the local union, No. 35 at the Wildwood convention.

Chief of Police Lewis H. Stehr welcomed the delegates. A telegram of welcome was read from Director of Public Safety David S. Rhone, who is in Washington.

The committee in charge of yesterday's meeting consisted of Clifford Flenard, president of Local No. 35; Stanley Wirtz, Edward Cahill, Frank Wilmot, John McTaggart, James McTaggart and Howard Henery .

Camden Courier-Post - July 6, 1932

POLICE SERGEANT TRUAX BURIED AT HARLEIGH

Police Sergeant Frank Truax, who died Thursday night from a complication of diseases, was buried yesterday in Harleigh Cemetery.

More than two score policemen, as well as city officials, attended services at the funeral parlor of Frank J. Leonard, 1451 Broadway. Rev. E.M. Munyon, pastor of Eighth Street M.E. Church, officiated. More than 50 cars were in the procession that wound its way to the cemetery. A patrol wagon was used to carry the flowers sent by numerous individuals and organizations.

Pallbearers, all policemen, were John Cole, Joseph Lenhart, James McTaggart, Andrew Truman, William McGrath, Paul Jackson, Joseph Mardino, and Clarence Boyer.

Sergeant Truax was 50 and resided at 1139 Kenwood Avenue. He died five minutes after being taken to Cooper Hospital. He had been a member of the police department since 1917, and was made a sergeant in 1930. he is survived by a widow, Linda, and a sister, Mrs. Viola Wilkinson.

CAMDEN COURIER-POST - February 17, 1928
DETECTIVES HOLDING 3 BURGLAR SUSPECTS Clothing Stolen From Store, Teacher's Desk Looted; Bell-Ringer Arrested

Frank Evans - John W. Golden - Gus Koerner - James McTaggert Ann Street - Atlantic Avenue - Broadway - Erie Street - Front Street - Locust Street Sycamore Street - Woodland Avenue Broadway School - North Camden Francis Smith - Raymond Walker