First African American Radnor Police Officer's Legacy Will Live On

RADNOR, PA — George F. Sydnor, the first African American police officer in Radnor Township and a Villanova University track star, will always be remembered in his hometown of Garrett Hill.

The Radnor commissioners recently named a portion of Williams Road from Conestoga Road to Lewis Lane in his memory.

Sydnor passed away on March 18, 2022.

Before the vote, Commissioner Sean Farhy, who represents Garrett Hill, discussed the importance of Sydnor’s legacy in the township.

Farhy said having the road named after Syndor will keep his legacy alive.

“This is very important not only to me as well as the community in Garrett Hill,” Farhy said. “He always had a smile on his face. It’s so special.”

Besides being a township police officer, Sydnor was also the first African American police detective in Radnor.

He stayed on the police force for 15 years before moving to the private sector.

He also worked as a private security supervisor at Wyeth Laboratories and West Chester University.

He was a standout sprinter at Haverford High School and Villanova University. He was also a star running back at Haverford High School.

He was a runner for Villanova University's IC4A and NCAA championship track teams, and a two-time co-holder of the 60-yard dash world record, according to his obituary.

After his retirement, Sydnor was a popular crossing guard in Garrett Hill.

Sydnor’s foster son Rev. Manuel Howard, pastor of St. John AME Church, Rosemont, said his father was everything.

“He raised seven children and 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild,” Howard said. “We’ll be Garrett Hillians forever.”

Farhy noted that the section of Williams Road is also named after Garrett Hill celebrity, Emlen L. Tunnel, who was in the U.S. Coast Guard in World War II and the Pro Football of Fame.

He was the first African American to play for the New York Giants, and the first African American to be elected to the Hall of Fame.