Stanton "Bobby" J. Gardner III

Stanton J. Gardner, also named Bobby was one of two sons born to Stanton Gardner II and Jane Mildred Watkins Gardner on January 12th , 1933. He was raised in the West Philadelphia area of the city most specifically 57th and Haverford Avenue, and the 1300 block of North Alden street by his grandparents Stanton and Marie Gardner. He attended George Brooks Elementary school, William H. Shoemaker Jr High School, Overbook High School, leaving in April 1950 to join the United States Army. He received his Basic Training at Fort Knox (Kentucky) being named as the outstanding trainee of his company, the 84th Tank Battalion.

He remained at Fort Knox, serving as a Basic Training – Tank Crewman instructor, receiving an Honorable Discharge with the rank of Sergeant in 1953.

He worked in various factories in Philadelphia and the New-York Shipyard in Camden, NJ as a spray painter. In May of 1955 he joined the Philadelphia Police Department starting at the 23rd District at 19th and Oxford Street.

He was one of the many participants to perform in the First Police and Fireman Hero Scholarship Thrill Show. During his career of 15 years as a police officer he received many Merit commendations, Commendatory letters, including its highest honor The Medal of Valor. This was awarded for his involvement as a member of Captain Clarence Ferguson’s Special Investigation Squad during a narcotic raid and shooting in September 1967 on South 52nd street. During the raid one his partners was shot, the other shot at. During the exchange of gun fire he hit one of the members of the Drug Ring wounding him fatally. Seven people were arrested and drugs, equipment seized, the largest at that time in Police Department History.

As a result, he and his partner Johnnie Roach and Donald Broadus were inducted into the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor in March 1969.

After resigning the Police Department in May 1970, he became a member of the United States Marshall Service as a Deputy United State Marshal he received many letters of commendations, several cash awards, and the Department of Justice “Special Achievement award, and Outstanding Performance Rating”

He retired in May 1990 serving all of his career in the Philadelphia Office, spending time with his family and friends, going out to eat, driving his Cadillac listening to music, and getting his daily newspaper and Pepsi.

Stanton entered into final rest on Wednesday June 8, 2022 in Philadelphia, PA with his family by his side.

He leaves memories behind with his cousin Ida Flemming, Stephen Sheaffer, daughter-in laws: Teresa, Audrey, and Crystal, grandchildren: Tera, Aisha, Tyesha, MarcAnthony, Courtney, Semaj, Sekya, and Basil. His special niece Barissa Gardner (Khari Walker); great nephew and niece, Morgan and Kyree Walker (Arizona), his great-grandchildren Tah’eem, and Sa’fian, extended sons James Gardner, David, Jerome, and Bruce Pointdexter, and a host of family, friends, and all the neighbors of the 7900 block of Woolston avenue and Rugbsy street.

As he reconnects souls/spirit with his late mother and father, Stanton and Jane Gardner, eldest brother James Gardner and sister-in-law Lola Gardner, two wives from two separate marriages; Veronica Gardner and Elsie Gardner, two sons Stanton J Gardner (Lil Bobby) and Anthony Gardner and special friend of 54 years Gloria Poindexter.

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