State Police Trying To Identify A Piece Of New Jersey History

TRENTON - The battered nameplate apparently belonging to H. Norman Schwarzkopf was found nearly 50 years ago, in a field next to where Charles Lindberg lived at the time his baby son was kidnapped.

Schwarzkopf was the first superintendent in the history of the New Jersey State Police. The nameplate, which belonged to his family for years, was later given to the State Police.

"We believe it dates back to 1932," according to a post on the State Police Facebook page. "We are looking for anyone who may be able to identify what this nameplate may have been used, for such as a briefcase or a horse saddle."

The inscription reads "Col. H.N. Schwarzkopf, N.J. State Police, Trenton, NJ. Phone Trent 4212."

Lindberg had set up a command post in his heated garage after the baby was kidnapped in 1932. Their secluded property spanned East Amwell and Hopewell townships. Schwarzkopf slept in the garage during the time he coordinated the investigation, according to a 1991 post in washingtonpost.com.

The 20-month-old baby's body was found six weeks less than five miles from the Lindbergh home, with a massive skull fracture.

Bruno Richard Hauptmann was charged with the baby's death. He was electrocuted in April 1936, still proclaiming his innocence.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Jersey State Police Recruiting Unit at 609-882-2000 ext. 2582. They will be able to put you in contact with the archivist, Mark Falzini.

Photo: Courtesy of New Jersey State Police