LeRoy Martin (1929[1] − August 31, 2013) was an American police officer for the Chicago Police Department.[4] In November 1987, Martin became the third African-American and second permanent to serve as superintendent of the department, following the retirement of Fred Rice Jr. (who is noted as the Chicago first permanent African-American police superintendent, Samuel Nolan was the Chicago's first African-American police superintendent who served as interim in 1979).
LeRoy Martin | |
|---|---|
 Martin, c. 1981 | |
| 56th Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department | |
| In office November 18, 1987[1] – January 29, 1992[1] | |
| Appointed by | Harold Washington |
| Preceded by | Fred Rice Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Matt Rodriguez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1929[1] Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | August 31, 2013 (aged 83–84) Dyer, Indiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Constance B. Martin (m. 1954) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Roosevelt University |
| Occupation |
|
| Police career | |
| Department | Chicago Police Department |
| Service years | 1955−1992 |
| Rank | Superintendent (sworn in November 1987) |
Biography edit
Early life and education edit
Martin was born the fourth of five children in 1929[1] in Chicago, Illinois.[2] His parents migrated to Chicago from Grenada, Mississippi in the early-1920s.[2] Martin's father was a pullman porter. Martin was raised in the North Lawndale neighborhood on the city's west side, attending Richard T. Crane Technical High School.[2] Martin later earned a master's degree in Public Administration and a bachelor's degree from Roosevelt University.[5]
Career edit
In the 1950s, Martin worked as a bus driver for the Chicago Transit Authority.[5] Martin joined the Chicago Police Department in 1955 as a patrolman in the Woodlawn and Burnside neighborhoods on the city's south side.[5] Martin was appointed superintendent of the Chicago Police Department by mayor Harold Washington on November 18, 1987. Martin served as superintendent until January 1992.[5] After his term as superintendent, Martin served as the Director of Public Safety for the Chicago Housing Authority from 1992 until 1994.[5] Thereafter, Martin worked in the private sector security director for Central Management Services.[5] In 1998, Martin ran as a Republican, challenging Michael F. Sheahan to be the Sheriff of Cook County, Illinois.[5] Martin was unsuccessful.
Personal life and death edit
Martin was married to Constance B. Martin[2][3] at the time of his death, having been married since 1954. Together, they had three children, Ron, LeRoy Jr.,[3] and Dawn.[5] Martin died of a heart attack on August 31, 2013, aged 84, in Dyer, Indiana.[6] A funeral service was held for Martin on September 6, 2013, gathering hundreds.[7]
Electoral history edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | LeRoy Martin | 107,868 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 107,868 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael F. Sheahan (incumbent) | 903,053 | 71.11 | |
| Republican | LeRoy Martin | 366,867 | 28.89 | |
| Total votes | 1,269,920 | 100 | ||
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Heads of the Chicago Police Department". ChicagoCop.com. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e WTTW Chicago (VIDEO), Remembering Chicago Police Superintendent LeRoy Martin, 9/2/2013
- ^ a b c JUDGE LeROY MARTIN JR. TRANSLATES LIFE LESSONS INTO SERVICE
- ^ Former Chicago Police Superintendent LeRoy Martin dies at 84
- ^ a b c d e f g h "LONGTIME COPS VIE FOR SHERIFF'S BADGE". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. October 7, 1998. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- ^ Former Chicago Police Superintendent LeRoy Martin Dies
- ^ Former Chicago police Supt. LeRoy Martin mourned
- ^ "OFFICIAL FINAL RESULTS PRIMARY ELECTION COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1998" (PDF). cookcountyclerkil.com.
- ^ "OFFICIAL FINAL RESULTS GENERAL ELECTION COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1998" (PDF). results.cookcountyclerkil.gov.