Remembering the Early Pioneers of Black Policing in America
One of the most under-represented aspects of American history is the involvement of African Americans in law enforcement across the country. While these historical pioneers and barrier-breakers were largely left out of history, their presence and impact can never be erased.
James L. Shelton was the first black police officer in Chicago Police Detective in 1871. Little is known of his service other than anecdotal stories that reflect him as a barrier breaker in uniform and an excellent detective who solved many
Bass Reeves, (July 1838 – January 12, 1910) had a remarkable life as a runaway slave turned deputy U.S. Marshal, gunfighter, farmer, scout, tracker, and railroad agent. Fluent in the languages of several Native American tribes, including Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole, and Creek, Reeves became one of the first African-American Deputy U.S. Marshals to serve west of the Mississippi River. Operating primarily in the dangerous Indian Territory, he faced a lawless land rife with horse thieves, cattle rustlers, gunslingers, bandits, bootleggers, swindlers, and murderers. Throughout his career, Reeves made an impressive 3,000 to 4,000 arrests and killed twenty men in the line of duty.
Horace Shelby was one of the Colorado Springs Police Department's original eight police officers and its first Black officer. Shelby joined the force in 1887. Officer Horace Shelby became the first to receive a pension and after serving with distinction for 22 years, achieved the rank of top patrol officer setting a record as the first officer in the department to serve for over two decades.
Robert William Stewart (March 1, 1850– July 27, 1931) was an American police officer who made history as the first Black officer on the Los Angeles Police force, appointed in 1886. Born into slavery in Garrard County, Kentucky, Stewart gained his freedom following the Civil War. He later moved to California and joined the LAPD in 1889. Stewart served until May 1900, when he was accused of sexual assault by a white teenager and subsequently arrested. While awaiting trial, the police commission dismissed him from his position. The jury eventually acquitted him of all charges. After he departed from the LAPD, Stewart worked as a janitor and laborer in Los Angeles. He passed away from prostate cancer on July 27, 1931, in Los Angeles.
James H. Burell previously worked as a Pullman porter, became the first African-American officer in the Saint Paul Police Department in 1892. His appointment occurred two decades before New York City hired its first African-American police officer. Burrell maintained a steady presence at the department's Rondo Sub-Station on the western outskirts of Saint Paul, historically the heart of the city's African-American community.
George Hardin George Hardin became Portland's first black policeman In 1894 after a group of Portland’s Black leaders recommended him to the police bureau. But, Hardin, didn’t stay on the beat for long due to the city's coffers running dry. Still, he remained active in public life, and twenty years later, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office appointed him a deputy on January 1, 1915, making him the first African-American officer in the department’s history.
Philadelphia's First Black Police Officers pictured circa 1905: The Black Cop of Philadelphia collection (Collection 3809), The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
John W. Patterson became Battle Creek Michigan's first black police officer in 1909 and served as Battle Creek's traffic cop. He was born in Omaha, Neb., in 1872, and made his way to Michigan in 1895 and became a well-known baseball player and coach with the Page Fence Giants of Adrian, a prominent Negro League baseball team. Patterson was also a good friend of then heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson who boarded Patterson during his travels through Michigan.
Samuel Jesse Battle (1883-1966) broke significant barriers as one of the first Black police officers in New York City, being sworn in on March 6, 1911. He advanced through the ranks to become the first Black sergeant in 1926, lieutenant in 1935, and parole commissioner in 1941. Born in North Carolina to former slaves Thomas and Annie Battle, Samuel was a record-breaking baby, weighing 16 pounds at birth. Known as "Big Sam" due to his imposing stature of 6'3" and 280 pounds, Battle's interest in law enforcement was sparked during his teenage years after he was caught stealing money from his supervisor's safe and threatened with prison. Throughout his career, Battle faced significant challenges as the NYPD's sole Black officer, including receiving threatening notes and attracting curious tourists.
While this blog post doesn't represent 100% of the first black police officers across the country, it is based on research of available data. We are certain that more officers have contributed to paving the way for black officers so we will continue to research to find more of their ilk. Please subscribe for updates about future episodes and part 2 of this tribute.
The Mission of Policing from a Black Perspective Podcast is to spark honest dialogue that will restore the “chest of goodwill” between communities of color and law enforcement that has been negatively impacted by sensationalized media coverage, relaxed training, hiring, and discipline standards along with toxic public policy, thereby reversing the overwhelmingly negative impact of policing within communities of color.
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