Joey
Powell

JOEY POWELL was another one of the fine crop of boxers that came out of Camden in the 1920s and 1930s. H was born in Camden, New Jersey on December 17, 1909 to John J. Pawelek and his wife the former Katarzyna Zajac. His parents had moved to Camden not long after the birth of his brother Stanley Pawelek. Five daughters were born after Joseph's birth, Nellie, Teresa, Cecilia, Mary and Angela Pawelek. Both brothers "Americanized" their names in the 1920s and were in the newspapers quite often, Joey Powell as a boxer. Stanley Powell for getting in trouble with the law.

Joey Powell remained active in boxing after he left the ring as a member of Camden's Veterans Boxing association Ring 6. His list of well-wishers for the banquet program of 1959, which honored Sgt. Ray Smith, is an interesting mix of boxing figures, policemen, politicians, journalists, and bar owners. He was also active in his community, with St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Camden, the Polish American Citizens Club of Camden, he South Jersey Chapter of the Polish American Congress, and he served many times as the chairman of the committee which sponsored and organized Camden's Pulaski Day parade and celebrations.

Last a resident of Deptford, New Jersey, Joey Powell died at home in November of 1992.

Camden Courier-Post
August 29, 1928

Joe Spearing - Joey Michaels
Roxie Allen - Emery Cabana
Patsy Carlo
Kid Boots - Joe Lill
Joe "Kid" Kelly - Freddy Bailey
Frankie Mack - Joey Powell

Joe Spearing - Joey Michaels - Roxie Allen - Emery Cabana - Sgt. Ray Smith - Edward A. Welsh
Kid Boots - Joe Lill - Joe "Kid" Kelly - Freddy Bailey - Frankie Mack - Joey Powell

Camden Courier-Post
September 1, 1928

Joe Spearing - Joey Michaels
Roxie Allen - Emery Cabana
Sgt. Ray Smith - Edward A. Welsh
Kid Boots - Joe Lill
Joe "Kid" Kelly - Freddy Bailey
Frankie Mack - Joey Powell
Thomas Walters
George Dean
Joe Valentine

Camden Courier-Post - August 11, 1930

FIRPO AND WILSON CLASH IN WINDUP HERE TONIGHT
Lively Battle Anticipated as Pennsgrove Scrapper Trades Wallops With Philadelphia Foe in Eight-round Headliner at Convention Hall
POWELL BATTLES DAN TAUB IN SEMI-FINAL

BY STEVE O'KEEFE Sports Editor, Morning Post

Camden will welcome the return of King Biff, tonight. A five-bout bill, featuring Young Firpo, of Pennsgrove, in the main event, will be presented by the Camden City A. C. at the Convention Hall and in the view of Matchmaker Jim Toppi the huge civic shed should shake under the impact of punching by the 10 rival knucklers.

Firpo, now being groomed as one of the outstanding lightweights in this vicinity is hitting harder than ever before during his ring career but his eight-round clash with Tommy Wilson another stiff puncher, is regarded as a dangerous step. If the anticipated knockout wallop lands on the wrong chin tonight the stock of Firpo preferred is due to tumble into the depths and as a result the flow of bets that has followed the Pennsgrove youth throughout the Winter season in Phila­delphia, seems to have been checked by a fear that Wilson will "cross up" the dope on the duel.

With this bout as the topnotcher, Camden fans feel assured of a pleasing finale tonight. This added to Matchmaker Toppi's emphatic prediction that the preliminary bill promises everything desired indicates an evening crammed with exciting entertainment.

Firpo Hits Hard in Drills

Firpo, a former caddie, became popular here several years ago when he first punched his way into the pugilistic picture but it was not until last Fall that he really became a polished performer. Tackling some of the "big game" in Philadelphia he fought courageously and with marked success. His latest triumph was at the expense of Johnny Sheppard, the Boston veteran, at the Philadelphia Arena. This followed a victory over Al Bryant, New York Negro, in a bout abbrev­iated by the solid smacks of the Pennsgrove pounder.

During his gym drills in Philadelphia Firpo has displayed amazingly well-timed pokes and appears even more aggressive than heretofore. He went through a pair of strenuous four­round workouts and his sparring partners gladly welcomed the sound of the quit signal.

Wilson breaks into the boxing game here by way of Millville where he has been slugging away at foes with reckless abandon. The Philadelphian toppled Lew Jackson, another Pennsgrove ringster, in two rounds recently and prior to that hit has way to a victory on points over Joey Powell, of Whitman Park. These two triumphs alone rate him high here but those who have watched him in action declare that his real worth can be determined best when pitted against a boring battler of the Firpo type.

There may be a few rounds of the usual "warming up" process before the fireworks begin but after that it will be a case of who connects with the sharpest sock, if he wins tonight, has sharpest sock. Firpo, if he wins tonight has a "shot" pending with Emory Cabana here two weeks hence. Matchmaker Toppi also has another bout in view, a return scrap between Roxie Allen and Alf Ros, the Algerian who beat the focal Italian at Newark several weeks ago.

The eight-round companion feature tonight will show. Joe Powelll in his return to a local ring against Danny Taub, of Philadelphia. Powell has hung up a creditable record during the past year but finds the Taub tussle tonight in the nature of a severe test for the Quaker City rap artist has won 22 battle's without a miss.

Nick Trajan, of Palmyra, meets '''Reds'' Foy, of Camden, in the third six-inning contest. Harry Little, former Middle Atlantic A. A. U. title­holder, is slated to mingle with Davey Taylor of Merchantville, in the second fuss while Stewart Guest tackles Teddy Baldwin, of Philadelphia, in the opener..

Camden Courier-Post - March 17, 1936

'JOEY' POWELL REARRESTED AS COUNTY OPENS HOLDUP PROBE
Orlando Acts as City Cops Free Former Boxer in Payroll Plot
FRAMEUP CHARGED BY ANOTHER SUSPECT
Prisoner Says Ex-Fighter Got Him in on Theft, Tipped Police

Joseph "Joey" Powell, former boxer who was arrested by city police in connection with a South Camden holdup and subsequently released, was rearrested by county detectives last night.

Powell was taken into custody on orders of Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, who also ordered the arrest of a second suspect.

Camden police turned the case over to the prosecutor's office after the arraignment of Walter Lewandowski, who was caught in a police trap Friday night as he allegedly attempted to steal a $800 payroll at the Eavenson & Levering Company's plant at Fourth Street and Ferry Avenue. He formerly was employed there.

Two Others Implicated

Lewandowski implicated Powell, 25, of 46 Woodland Avenue, and Leonard Rogalski, 20, of 1219 South Tenth Street, in a plot to steal the payroll, according to Police Chief Arthur Colsey.

Powell thereupon was taken into custody and questioned, then, according to Colsey, he was released temporarily, in his own recognizance, pending further investigation. Rogalski was not arrested until County Detectives James Wren and Casimir Wojtkowiak took him in last night. The same detectives arrested Powell. Both suspects were charged with attempted holdup and robbery and committed to the county jail. 

Lewandoski,24, of 924 Atlantic Avenue, also in county jail, committed without bail by Police Judge Lewis Liberman Saturday.

According to Chief Colsey, Lewandowski made a statement in which he accused Powell of plotting the holdup and making him the “goat”.

"The holdup was Powell's idea” Colsey quoted Lewandowski as saying. "He got me in on it, and Rogalski was supposed to take part, too. Rogalski got “cold feet” though, and Powell sent me in while he was supposed to watch outside.”

"Instead he beat it because he had tipped off the police that the place was going to be held up."

Released After Quiz

On the strength of Lewandowski's statement, patrolman Edward Suski was sent to arrest Powell. After questioning, however, the former pugilist was released.

"We found no evidence against Powell," Colsey explained. "Lewandowski's story looked like an attempt to get himself off easier.

"We turned the case over to the prosecutor's office, as we always do after making an arrest that seems to clear up the case."

Lewandowski was captured by Sergeant Gus Koerner and City Detective Clifford Carr. The detectives were tipped off that the factory office was to be held up and laid in wait for the man.

When Lewandowski showed up, Carr and Koerner pointed revolvers at him. He fled down a stairway and Carr fell on him. The two grappled and the detective says the man pointed a .32 caliber pistol at him. Carr overpowered him with blow on the head with the butt of his revolver.

Camden Courier-Post - March 18, 1936

WIRTZ ORDERED TO FACE INQUIRY BY MRS. KOBUS
Carr and Koerner Will Be Questioned In Holdup Case
CAUTION IS URGED BY JUSTICE LLOYD

Detective Stanley Wirtz, suspended by Police Chief Arthur Colsey yesterday pending investigation into charges that he supplied the guns and an automobile for a holdup, has been ordered to appear today before Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety.

Wirtz, who has been in charge of the city accident bureau, will be asked to "give his side of the story," Commissioner Kobus said.

Later the public safety head will question City Detective Clifford Carr and Police Sergeant Gus Koerner in connection with the capture of an alleged, bandit last Friday night, in an attempted holdup of the Eavenson & Levering Company payroll clerk.

Doran Accuses Wirtz

County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran yesterday charged that Wirtz had supplied the guns and automobile to be used in the holdup and then posted Carr and Koerner inside the plant to capture the bandits.

Wirtz, Doran said, admitted the charges in a statement given in the office of Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando.

No motive for the detective's action were revealed by Doran.

Following the questioning of Wirtz and Sergeant Koerner at the prosecutor's office, both men visited the office of Justice Frank T. Lloyd late yesterday.

Justice Lloyd said later he had conferred with Commissioner Kobus in regard to the case.

"I advised the commissioner," Justice Lloyd said, "to go cautiously with the investigation and gather the facts before taking any action. It is a common thing for officers to lay traps for men who are prone to commit crime, although they have no business to encourage crime. I think it is bad policy to suspend any policeman before the facts of the case have been heard."

The charges against Wirtz came after an investigation was ordered into a statement made by Walter Lewandowski, 24 of 924 Atlantic Avenue, who was captured when he attempted to hold up a clerk at the wool scouring company, Ferry Avenue and Jackson Street. Lewandoski claimed he had “been framed" and named Joseph Powell, a police stoo1 pigeon, as the one who planned the holdup and then informed Wirtz of the plans.

Powell has been a police informer for some time, according to Chief Colsey. The latter said he had taken Powell into custody for questioning and had released him in his own recognizance. Chief Colsey admitted Powell had given police the tip resulting in Lewandowski’s arrest.

When Lewandowski was nabbed, his gun was loaded with blank cartridges. This gun, according to Chief Doran, was given by Wirtz to Powell, who in turn gave it to Lewandowski. Another youth, Leonard Rogalski, 20, of 1219 South Tenth Street, was supposed to take part in the ho1dup, but "got cold feet and ran away” police were told by Lewandoski.

Doran’s statement follows:

"Stanley Wirtz, Camden city detective, supplied the gun and the automobile used in the attempted hold­up of the Eavenson & Levering Company payroll office Friday night. Statements were given us by three suspects all tally.

“Walter Lewandoski worked at the Eavenson & Levering plant, but was laid off there February 28. On March 3 he had money coming to him and he returned to the plant. Joseph Powell accompanied him. Powell talked to Lewandoski then of the payroll, and suggested the holdup. Powell then got in touch with Stanley Wirtz, and told him that Lewandoski was going to stick up the payroll March 4.

"Wirtz on that night loaned Powell a car but someone got cold feet, and the holdup was not attempted. The following week, on March 13, last Friday, Wirtz took a car to Powell’s home and there turned over to him two guns and the automobile. Wirtz then had detectives posted at the scene to arrest the bandits when they made the holdup attempt.

"Powell met Lewandowski and Rogalski and drove them to the plant. There Powell turned over to his two companions the two guns that had been given him by, Wirtz. Rogalski got cold feet and refused to go through with the holdup. Powell then went into the plant with Lewandowski. After Lewandowski went in the door, Powell ran from the building.

“Sergeant Gus Koerner and Detective Clifford Carr, hiding in the office arrested Lewandowski. Powell knew where these officers were hiding.

"Wirtz was outside the building. He did not catch Powell."

Chief Doran said that no one implicates Koerner or Carr in any way in the statements received.

Koerner said:

"I was doing police work. I was brought into this case on a tip that a holdup was going to be staged and I had no knowledge of the guns or the car. I didn't know what it was all about but merely was there to perform my duties as a policeman.

Wirtz is 37 and lives at 1197 Thurman Street. He was one of the first of the new policemen to be appointed to the department in 1924 after Civil Service was put into effect following the adoption of Commission government in 1924. He is a veteran of the World War and got a special rating for that reason when he took the Civil Service examination. In 1931 Wirtz was appointed as an accident investigator in the detective bureau and has served in that capacity ever since. He has a good reputation as a policeman and has never been in trouble before.

About four years ago Wirtz figured in an automobile accident that caused serious injury to one of his legs.

Rogalski was not arrested until County Detectives James Wren and Casimir Wojtkowiak took him in Monday night. The same detectives arrested Powell. Both suspects were charged with attempted holdup and robbery and committed to the county jail.

Lewandowski also is in county jail, committed without bail by police Judge Lewis Liberman Saturday.

Camden Courier-Post - March 19, 1936

WIRTZ TO HEAR FATE IN BANDIT QUIZ TODAY
Colsey Doubts Cop Will Face Charges; Case to Go to Grand Jury

Decision on any action to be taken against Stanley Wirtz, suspended Camden detective charged with having furnished the guns and automobile for a holdup, will be made today by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus and Police Chief Arthur Colsey.

Wirtz, with Sergeant Gus Koerner and Detective Clifford Carr, was questioned yesterday, and decision was reserved.

Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, however, said he would place the case before the grand jury.

The charge involved the attempted holdup of the Eavenson & Levering Company payroll, in which one of the alleged bandits was captured at the scene last Friday night.

"No charges have been preferred against Wirtz,” Mrs. Kobus announced after the investigation.

"And I don't believe any charges will be made," Colsey commented, adding:

"Commissioner Kobus and I are going over the reports and statements of all concerned at 10:00 AM tomorrow and a decision will be made then.”

Suspended Tuesday

Wirtz was suspended Tuesday after County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran announced Wirtz had admitted supplying the pistols and car, allegedly used in the abortive attempt to obtain a $800 payroll at the wool-scouring plant. 

Wirtz was still under suspension last night, Colsey announced. 

William B. Macdonald, court stenographer, recorded the statements made by each man,

Koerner and Carr were "planted" in the office of the company before the holdup and frustrated the attempted crime, capturing Walter Lewandowski, 24, of 924 Atlantic Avenue.

"All three made full statements to us;" Colsey said and then declined to reveal what the statements contained.

Denies Stories Clash

Asked if there was any conflict between the statements made to Doran and those made to Mrs. Kobus and him, Colsey said:

''No, I wouldn't say so."

Wirtz appeared briefly before the commissioner and chief at the start of their probe, which was conducted in Mrs. Kobus' office. He left the room after about two minutes and told reporters, sitting outside:

"I refused to make a statement. I  made one yesterday and that is enough."

Mrs. Kobus, however, said Wirtz did not refuse to make a statement but, instead, asked for a little time to consider his statement.

"He said he had been In court all day and was nervous,” Mrs. Kobus said.

No Charges Made

Asked for a statement at the conclusion of the investigation, Mrs. Kobus said:

"No charges have been preferred against Wirtz. This was not a hearing on any charge. This was an investigation of reports which I read in the newspapers. It is the duty of the police officials to investigate any such report, and Wirtz and the other two detectives who figured in the case were called in to make statements. 'This was not, a trial and I do not care to make a statement now about what went on."

The suspension of Wirtz came after an investigation was ordered into a statement made by Lewandowski.

Lewandowski charged that he had been "framed" by Joseph Powell, a police stool pigeon. He named Powell as the one who "planned the holdup and, said Powell then informed Wirtz of the plans.

Rearrest Made

Doran said Wirtz, admitted dealing with Powell and giving Powell two pistols and an automobile for use in the holdup. As a result Powell, who had been arrested and released by city police, was rearrested by the county detectives.

In addition, Leonard “Rags” Rogalski, 20, of 1219 South 10^th Street, was arrested by the county detectives. They said Lewandowski told them Rogalski originally was intended to take part in the holdup but got "cold feet", and backed out at the last moment.

Powell, Lewandowski and Rogalski are held in the county jail.

When informed last night of the statements made by Mrs. Kobus and Colsey, Prosecutor Orlando said:

"I have nothing to do with the discipline of the police department. I will present the full facts of this holdup to the grand jury and, that body may take any action it desires."

Jury to Get Case

Asked if he would request an indictment against Wirtz, Orlando said:

"I will give the grand jury the full facts. The members will decide for themselves what action to follow."

Doran was in conference briefly with Mrs. Kobus and Colsey before the three detectives were questioned. He said he gave them statements made by Lewandowski, Powell and Rogalski, and also by Wirtz.

Later Doran returned to Mrs. Kobus' office with a copy of charge of carrying concealed deadly weap­ons, preferred in 1930 against Lewandowski in 1930, when Lewandowski was 18.

This charge was no-billed, Doran said.

"He was listed as a mental case," Doran said, "and was examined by the county physician and pronounced O.K." .

Joey Powell
William T. Feitz
Charles Zeid

Joey Powell
Sgt. Ray Smith

Veterans Boxing Association Ring 6
11th Annual Banquet - April 20, 1959

Camden Courier-Post
November 18, 1992