John Charles Groome (police officer)

John Charles Groome
1st Superintendent of the Pennsylvania State Police
In office
July 1, 1905 – February 28, 1920
GovernorSamuel Pennypacker
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byLynn G. Adams
Warden of the Eastern State Penitentiary
In office
1923–1928
Personal details
Born(1862-03-20)March 20, 1862
DiedAugust 31, 1930(1930-08-31) (aged 68)
Spouse
Agnes Price Roberts
(m. 1884⁠–⁠1930)
Children3
EducationProtestant Episcopal Academy
ProfessionLaw enforcement
Signature
Military service
RankColonel
Battles/warsWorld War I

John Charles Groome (March 20, 1862 – August 31, 1930), was the first superintendent of the Pennsylvania State Police from 1905 to 1917. He was the former warden of the Eastern State Penitentiary and a Colonel in World War I.[1][2]

Biography

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 20, 1862, to Samuel William Groome and Nancy Andrew Connelly. He graduated from the Protestant Episcopal Academy in 1878. He became a member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry in 1882. On April 15, 1884, he married Agnes Price Roberts (1868–1937), and had three children.[3][4]

In the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry he was promoted to corporal in 1887, then sergeant in 1889. He was promoted to captain in 1896. He was active in the Homestead Strike in 1892 and the Coal Strike of 1902 in 1902. On July 1, 1905, he became the first superintendent of the Pennsylvania State Police.[3] He served as a colonel in World War I.[1]

He retired from the Pennsylvania State Police on February 28, 1920, and died August 31, 1930, at the age of 68.[3]

References