Camden People - Donald Watson

DONALD WATSON joined the Camden Police force on August 22, 1940, along with Stanley Zuchowicz and William Large. William H. Neale followed them onto the force two days later. Both Neale and Watson would go on to serve as Chief of Police in Camden.

Donald Watson was appointed Acting Chief of Police in April of 1960 after Gustav Koerner retired. In August of 1960 William H. Neale was appointed Chief of Police. Donald Watson resumed his previous rank of Inspector. He was again given the duties of Acting Chief in May of 1964 when Chief Neale was ill. Chief Neale applied for his disability pension in February of 1965 and at that point Donald Watson was formally appointed Acting Chief of Police, pending a civil service examination. He was succeeded by Harold Melleby in March of 1967. Donald Watson retired in 1969.

For many years a resident of 935 Beideman Avenue in Camden's Cramer Hill section, Donald Watson passed away on March 21, 1991 at the age of 83, survived by his wife, the former Elizabeth R. Rowan, a daughter and five sons. Youngest son Jerome Watson served with the Camden Fire Department for over 31 years before retiring on January 1, 2000.

*Camden Courier-Post December 4, 1940**

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Joseph Caputi - Joseph M. Carroll - Roland Comerford - Vincent Conley - James Eskridge Joseph Hooven - Julius Kaunacki - William E. Kelly - William H. Neale - Francis J. Nelson John E. Opfer - Cecil H. Picou - Earl Quinton - Edward W. Tatem - Harry Tracy - Harold Vecander John H. Watkins - Edward Watson - Donald R. Watson - George T. Weber - Stanley Zuckowicz Philip Farrow - Anthony Bretschneider - John Gryckiewicz - Thomas Winstanley William Palese - Anthony Dzinski - Joseph Guarino - Martin Nelson - William Cleary - Otto Kaiser

	Camden Courier-Post October 8, 1964 John T. Odorisio - Keith Kauffman Anthony R. Saponare - Boyd Street Anthony C. Saponare - Rocco Saponare Frank Martelli - Line Street Louis Martelli - Casper Martelli Joseph Grace - Pfeiffer Street Richard Hailey- Kossuth Street Frank Valora - Pierce Avenue Francis McHugh - Clinton Street Charles Taylor - Magnolia Avenue Anthony Gambone - Myrtle Avenue George Corson - Penn Street William Horay - North 2nd Street Vincent Miller - Greenwood Avenue John Stinsman - North 22nd Street

Philadelphia Evening Bulletin - October 10, 1964

12 new police candidates sworn in

12 new men are reviewed by Camden Public Safety Director Keith Kauffman (far right in civilian clothes) and acting police chief Donald Watson.

The candidates were
Anthony R. Saponare
Frank Martelli
Joseph Grace
Richard Hailey
Frank Valora
Francis McHugh
Charles Taylor
Anthony Gambone
George Corson
William Horay
Vincent Miller
John Stinsman

Camden Courier-Post * November 8, 1968

Standing L to R: Edward V. Michalak - Donald Watson - Charles Galasso - John Huelas - Jerome J. Watson - Daniel J. Galasso
William H. Huelas - Ronald J. Boyle - Robert G. Boyle - George S. Szychulski - Glenn H. Moore - Marvin W. Bendy - Samuel Battle Jr.
Ronald Angemi - Robert C. Welch - George R. Abbey - Beideman Avenue - Atlanta Road - North 33rd Street - Mt. Ephraim Avenue Kaighn Avenue - South Merrimac Road - Ormond Avenue - Oak Walk