Early History of the Maple Shade Police Department

Chief Clarence Ward-

On February 1, 1914, Chief Ward was appointed the first patrolman of the township and became chief of the one-man department. As the department was expanded he remained as chief.

That is what Chief Ward's obituaries say, but it is a little more complicated than that. According to a January 15, 1925 Courier Post newspaper article, "Ward served the first two years as a patrolman in Moorestown and has been connected with the local department for the past fifteen years. Capably filling the position of patrolman up until seven years ago, when he became chief of police, succeeding Robert Broadwater who had previously held that position, resigning to enter other fields of endeavor."

Arthur Robert Broadwater, the son of William J. Broadwater, became the Moorestown Chief of Police in 1914 succeeding Thomas Murphy. It is not known if he ever served as a patrolman while living at Maple Shade. The 1900 census lists him as a blacksmith. The 1910 census- as an f maker at a Wagon Works.

I think the article misses the fact that when Broadwater served as a police chief it was for all of Chester Twp. I don't think there was a separate district for Lenola or Maple Shade.

So Chief Ward was Maple Shade's first chief. It is interesting that the 1916 and 1917 Maple Shade Progress newspaper never called him chief but referred to him as "Officer Ward." I think when he took over the old Cutler field office full time when Cutlers built an office at Main and Poplar in 1917 it helped signify a separate district. (Arthur Cutler always said he built a one room brick office at Main Street and Poplar Avenue in 1913 but it doesn't jive with all the other facts, whatever the case.)

That would coincide with the above mentioned newspaper article from 1925 saying Ward became Chief seven years ago. That would place it just about right.

Robert Broadwater-

Arthur Robert Broadwater was the son of William J. Broadwater.
According to the Chester Township 1900 census he was a blacksmith. He is 24 years old.

The Chester Township 1910 census lists him as Arthur R. Broadwater living at 108 Main Street, Maple Shade. For his occupation he is working at the wagon works. He is 33 years old.

It is unknown if he ever served as a policeman while he lived in Maple Shade.

The Morning Post (Camden, NJ) Jan. 3, 1914 says IN MOORESTOWN, Robert Broadwater Succeeds Thomas Murphy as Chief of Police. A. Robert Broadwater has received the appointment from the Chester Township Committee, of Moorestown, as Chief of Police of that town for the coming year, he succeeding Thos. Murphy.

A. Robert Broadwater, according to the Chester Township 1915 census lived at 213 Chester Ave., Moorestown. For his occupation he is listed as a Police officer. He is 37 years old.

According to a 1918 Draft Registration card A. Robert Broadwater is living on Main Street in Moorestown and works as a press hand at Victor Talking Machine Co. in Camden.

He is not on the 1920 census for Chester Township. In the 1930 census he is a hotel proprietor in Wildwood, NJ.

Segment of obituary from the Maple Shade Progess newspaper-

Independent Fire Co. No. 1 of Maple Shade, led the procession with the new Hahn pumper as former Chief Ward at one time served as assistant chief. It was former chief Ward's horse that drew the town's first fire engine when an alarm of fire was sounded by the old bell that once hung at Poplar and East Gradwell avenues. As the funeral procession passed the Municpal Hall, the firemen sounded the gong on top of the Municipal Building, which is tolled every time a prominent local citizen dies.

Although he retired from active duty on pension on August 1, 1937, former Chief Ward always retained the title of "Chief" unofficially. Residents, visitors and friends always called him "Chief Ward" and he will (?) always be remembered as "Chief."

Chief Ward died Monday in his home at 31 North Fellowship road, of a heart attack after two years' illness. Chief Ward retired on a pension two years ago after 23 years of service. He first served as a constable of Chester Township when it embraced Maple Shade, Moorestown and Lenola. He also was a deputy tax collector.

On February 1, 1914, Chief Ward was appointed the first patrolman of the township and became chief of the one-man department. As the department was expanded he remained as chief.

Ill health two years ago forced his retirement. At that time the townspeople presented him with a gold watch at a testimonial dinner held in the German Kitchen on July 15.

Surviving Chief Ward are his widow, Mary; two sons, Clarence and Amos; a daughter, Bessie, and two grandchildren.

Chief Ward was 68. He was born at Blackwood. For years he was a member of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association of New Jersey and a charter member of the Burlington County Chiefs' Association.

The funeral was held at 2 p.m., (today) Thursday at his home. Burial was in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Blackwood. John Belton, of the Belton Funeral Home, 14 West Main Street, a life-long friend of the chief's, was the funeral director.

Chief Ward, who retired on August 1, 1937, rounded out a quarter-century of police work, having been appointed a constable and special officer in Chester Township, which then embraced Moorestown, Lenola and Maple Shade, in 1909. In addition to his regular duties, Ward served as a deputy tax collector for Samuel Lippincott, coming to Maple Shade in 1914, when he served as police chief and in fact was the entire police force, having his office in that old two-by-four office on the present site of the Roxy Theatre. Ward was appointed road supervisor in 1914 and many of the young men and ladies today can credit Chief Ward for having opened the paths from their homes with that old familiar white horse, in order that they might attend school during the winter months.