Gardner, Ralph D., 1923-....

According to the dates on the reports available in this collection, Ralph D. Gardner was employed by the Pennsylvania State Police from at least 1925 until 1944. He rose in rank from Private in the 1920s and early 1930s to Lieutenant by the 1940s. In the early 1920s he was assigned to Troop “C” and stationed at Reading, Pennsylvania. By 1929 he had been assigned to the Bureau of Fire Protection and stationed at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Although Gardner investigated a variety of crimes, including larceny, gaming devices, robbery, assault, liquor violations, and missing persons, he specialized in the investigation of suspicious fires. Most of his reports, with occasional notes, clippings, or correspondence regarding court appearances related to a case, document cases of suspected arson.

In his job with the Bureau of Fire Protection, Gardner was also responsible for the inspection of facilities and equipment which stored or dispensed flammable material, such as gasoline stations, as well as inspection of buildings for fire code violations. After investigating a 1929 fire which occurred in the Pennsylvania State capital building, Gardner’s report outlined fire prevention upgrades needed in that building.

Biographical information is derived from the collection.

From the guide to the Ralph D. Gardner papers, 1919–1967, 1925–1944, (University of Delaware Library - Special Collections)