James D. King

James D. King, well known Examiner of Questioned Documents and a 34 year Veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police died on Thursday, June 26, 2014 at the age of 86.
He was a retired Assistant Director of the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Laboratory and Chief of the Document Section. Jim was born August 12, 1927 in Harrisburg, the son of the late Mark Dickson King and Kathryn Enney King. He was raised in New Cumberland and the Harrisburg area. He graduated from William Penn High School and was an Army Veteran serving in the occupation of Japan. Following his discharge he joined the Pennsylvania State Police graduating from the Hershey State Police Academy in 1949. After five months of traffic duty in Troop G of Holidaysburg, he was assigned to crime investigations in all aspects and served in this capacity at both the Rockview and Lewistown sub-stations. At this time, Jim was a member of the PSP Rodeo Team participating in the precision mounted drill, rifle drill, dog, Indian trick riding and dressage acts. In 1951 he was also assigned Rodeo Music Coordinator.
In 1955, Jim was transferred to the Pennsylvania State Police Academy and served as an instructor of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedures, Fingerprints, Photography and Laboratory Police Aids. He was assigned in 1957 to the Detective Division, Regimental Headquarters, Harrisburg as an investigator on a state wide investigation. Upon completion of this investigation he returned to the Academy as an Assistant Training Coordinator and instructor.
In 1959 he was transferred to the State Police Crime Laboratory in Harrisburg and underwent a full time training program in the Examination of Questioned Documents, which included special course study at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana . Upon completion of his training in 1961, Jim returned to the Crime Laboratory and was instructed by the Police Commissioner to initiate and develop an Examination of Questioned Document Section, and train additional document examiners by establishing a formal training course.
Jim was promoted to Corporal in 1960, to Sergeant in 1962, and Technical Sergeant in 1965. In 1969 Jim was promoted to Technical Specialist III and became Chief of the Document Section and Assistant Director of the Crime Laboratory.
An expert in his field, Jim attended numerous seminars and training programs throughout United States and Canada, which were attended by the most qualified private and government Document Examiners from all over the world.
He had extensive experience in training and lecturing to various government officials, special investigators, and educational institutions, including Dickinson Law School. Jim also presented papers on the Examination of Questioned Documents at various professional meetings located throughout the United States.
He was qualified as an expert on the Examination of Questioned Documents and testified in practically all 67 County Courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Jim also testified in United States Federal Courts, and in the states of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Washington D. C. Additionally, he testified at Special Grand Juries, Disciplinary Proceedings of State and Local Agencies, and before various Governmental commissions.
Jim was certified by the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners, Inc. and was an active member in several professional organizations including:
• Fellow, American Academy of Forensic Sciences
• International Association for Identification (Past Chairman of the Questioned Document Section)
• Pennsylvania State Division of the International Association for Identification
• Lodge #41 Fraternal Order of Police
Upon retirement, Jim established a private practice of Examination of Questioned Documents, serving as a consultant for various attorneys, government agencies, and businesses, including the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey.
For over fifty years, Jim was a mason belonging to the Hershey Blue Lodge #666, Tall Cedars, Harrisburg Consistory, Zembo Shrine, Zembo Mounted Patrol, Zembo Luncheon Club, Zembo Concert and Marching Bands, and the Cumberland County and Hershey Shrine Clubs.
Jim was a well known drummer playing in the New Cumberland Town, American Legion, Shrine and Tall Cedars Bands. Before joining the Pennsylvania State Police, he also played in several local dance bands. He thoroughly enjoyed following the many activities of his three sons and grandchildren. He participated in the elementary PTA, helped organize the Lemoyne Youth Baseball Association, was an avid football Booster for Lemoyne Jr. High School and Cedar Cliff High School, and was actively involved in the Red Land Band Boosters as president and chaperone of the many band trips and competitions.
Jim was a Christian and long time member and usher of the Camp Hill Presbyterian Church. He was a former member of the West Shore Country Club where he enjoyed playing golf with friends. Being an avid golfer and loving warm weather, Jim purchased his first winter home in Boca Raton, Florida. Several years later, he moved to “The Landings” on Skidaway Island, Savannah, Georgia and finally settled in Sun City Hilton Head, South Carolina. After many years of enjoying a leisure life, Jim and Natalie moved back to Pennsylvania to be with family and friends.
Jim is survived by his wife, Natalie Miner King of 62 years, and three sons, Matthew and wife Jan of Knoxville, Tennessee, J. Bradford and wife Sue of Mechanicsburg, Brian and wife Lauren of Lewisberry, four grandchildren, Erica, Ryan and wife Korina, Bethany, and Carlie, one great-grandchild, Lucas, and a sister Marion L. Griffith of California.
Jim lived his life with fidelity and integrity as a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. He will definitely leave an empty space in the lives of those he loved.
Viewing will be held at 10am followed by funeral services at 11am Tuesday at Camp Hill Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in Rolling Green Cemetery, Lower Allen Township.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to:
Autism Society Greater Harrisburg Area
P.O. Box 101
Enola, PA 17025