Garrett Hill Road To Be Named For Radnor's First Black Police Officer

ROSEMONT, PA — A local hero will be honored Saturday with a street naming event in Rosemont, according to Radnor Township.

The township Saturday is hosting an honorary street naming event to memorialize George Frederick Sydnor, the township's first black police officer who had a stellar high school and collegiate athletic career.

Officials will hold the ceremony from noon to 12:45 p.m. Saturday at AME Church of Rosemont located at 930 Conestoga Road, Rosemont.

An honorary street sign and banner will be dedicated in Sydnor's memory at the intersection of Williams and Conestoga roads in Garrett Hill.

Community members are invited to attend the ceremony.

After the ceremony, a reception is planned at Exit 13 Gastrobar, 910 Conestoga Road.

Call 610-688-5600, extension 141 with questions about the event.

Sydnor broke grounds by being the first black person to join the Radnor Township Police Department in 1964, according to police.

He served the township for 15 years, rising to the rank of detective.

Prior to his police service, Sydnor was a standout high school and collegiate athlete, winning national and state titles in track for Haverford High School, running for Villanova University's IC4A and NCAA championship track teams, and being a two-time co-holder of the 60-yard dash world record, according to his obituary.

He has been inducted into the Black Sports Hall of Fame, Villanova University Sports Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (Delaware County Chapter), Haverford High School Sports Hall of Fame, and Delaware County Athletes Sports Hall of Fame.

Police said pieces of his uniform are displayed in the Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum.

After leaving Radnor, he graduated from the FBI's National Academy and worked for Wyeth Laboratories and West Chester University, his obituary says.

When Sydnor retired, he worked as a crossing guard in Garrett Hill.