James F. Thomas
(A biographical sketch from a Chester Times or Delaware County Daily Times newspaper clipping, "Know Your Police" from the collection of John C. "Snakes" Boyle, contributed by his granddaughters, Jane Boyle & Patty Boyle.)
The president of the Franklin Fire Co. is a Chester policeman - James F. Thomas.
Thomas, 35, has been on the force since Oct. 10, 1945. During that time he was assigned as patrol driver for 2 1/2 years and on the now defunct vice squad for nine months. He now works in a prowl car.
He's married to the former Elsie Keating of Linwood and they have two children, James Jr., 7, and Janice, 6. They live at 210 Concord av.
During World War II he served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was in the 1st Raider Battalion from Guadalcanal to Guam, was wounded twice for which he received the Purple Heart and was discharged as a sergeant.
Educated in the parochial schools and Chester High School, he was active in sports and is still a great follower of them. In 1951 he was managing the CIO Club when it won the baseball championship in the Teener League.
[Obituary]
