Camden People - Gilbert R. Upshaw

GILBERT UPSHAW served as a detective on the Camden Police Department and with the Camden County Prosecutors Office as a polygraphist. He was the member of a family that has a long record of service in local law enforcement. Older brother Robert Upshaw served in the Camden Police Department's Communications Division, his other brother Frank Upshaw served in the Patrol Division, and his sister Brenda Upshaw Cannon, served with the Camden County Sheriff's Department. A third brother, Jerome, served for over 30 years in the United States Air Force.

Gilbert Upshaw was born in Camden to Allen Upshaw and his wife, Elizabeth Freeman Upshaw. The couple was living at 1028 Sycamore Street on April 4th of 1930, when the Census was taken, brother Robert then a newborn baby. Allen Upshaw, a Virginian by birth, was then working as an "automobile repairer". The Freeman family had been living in the neighborhood as far back as 1887, when they were in the 700 block of Baxter Street, a small street that runs between Sycamore Street and Kaighn Avenue. The family would remain in the 700 block of Baxter Street through 1910, then move to the 900 block by the end of 1919. 1028 Sycamore Street was the home of maternal grandmother Emma Freeman. Her other children, John, Clifford, and Martha Freeman also lived at the address.

When the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled, the Allen Upshaw family lived at 1015 Kaighn Avenue. Allen Upshaw was then working as a driver.

Gilbert Upshaw followed his older brother Robert's career path, and joined the Camden Police Department around 1961. He was promoted to Detective in June of 1967. By this time he was living at 1525 Wildwood Avenue in Parkside. After leaving the Camden Police Department, he was hired by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office as a polygraphist. In that capacity he administered lie-detector tests in many high profile cases.

Gilbert Upshaw last lived in Sicklerville NJ. He passed away in September of 2002.

Camden Courier-Post - June 22, 1967

9 Camden Police Earn Promotions

Lt. Howard Clayton, 55, 30 year veteran on Camden's police was named acting captain of the service division yesterday, while five city patrolmen were sworn in as detectives by John T. Odorisio, city clerk.

A sixth patrolman, Isaiah Pitts, 37, of 2920 Berkley Street, unable to attend promotion ceremonies because of illness, will be sworn in on return to duty. He's a 10-year veteran.

As acting captain of the service division, Clayton will head the identification, traffic and communications bureaus.

Patrolmen promoted yesterday were Augustus Balzano, 31, 3165 Merriel Avenue, and David Del Rossi, 27, 1466 Mount Ephraim Avenue, both three year veterans; John Phoenix; 35, 1333 Princess Avenue, Robert Mentz, 30, 2608 Baird Avenue, and Gilbert Upshaw, 36, 1525, Wildwood Avenue, all six-year members of the force.

The six men will earn $6625 a year as detectives; a $200 increase in present salary. All have been acting as detectives.

Deputy Police Chief William Yeager also announced the appointment of Sgt. Peter Paull, 42, a 16-year man on the force, as acting lieutenant. Paull will be in charge of the communications section.

Frank Senatore, also 42, and an 18-year veteran, will be transferred from the patrol division to the detective division Monday morning, Yeager said .

Present during the swearing in were Police Chief Harold Melleby, Yeager, and Captain John Watkins, head of the detective division..

Camden Courier-Post - September 27, 2002

UPSHAW, GILBERT R. SR.
of Sicklerville, NJ on September 22, 2002, age 71 years.
Father of the late Gilbert R. Upshaw, Jr. Brother of the late Mrs. Brenda M. Cannon and Jerome S. Upshaw. He is survived by a son Laurence Upshaw; 2 daughters, Francine Lingham and Connie Wallace; 12 grandchildren; 2 brothers, Robert A. and Frank E. Upshaw; 3 sisters-in-law, Cynthia Upshaw, Ruby Upshaw and Pamela Upshaw of Red Lodge, England; a devoted friend Martha Drummond; cousin Corrine Boyd; 3 neices, Jerri Upshaw-Wilkinson of Essex, England, Sharon Upshaw of Colorado; and Victoria Upshaw-Starks of Brandon, FL, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services: Wednesday 1pm at THE CARL MILLER FUNERAL HOME 831 Carl Miller Blvd. Camden, NJ where friends may call after 9am. Interment Harliegh Cemetery. A public viewing will be observed Tuesday evening from 6-8pm at the funeral home.