George Sydnor, Radnor's First Black Police Officer, Dies At 86

RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA — The first African American member of Radnor Township's Police Department has died.

George Frederick Sydnor died on March 18. He was 86.

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.

He is survived by children Wanda Smith (Rev. Dr. Stanley Smith), Stanford (Skip) Sydnor (Diana), George (Willie) Sydnor (Kathy), Christopher Sydnor (Angie), Chad Sydnor, Rev. Dr. Manuel A. Howard (Vanessa) and Alycia Sydnor (John Geltz), 15 grandchildren, brothers Stanley and Reginald Sydnor, sister Elaine Johnson, sister-in-law Diane Sullivan, and many more.

According to Radnor Township Police, Sydnor's viewing is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at Church of the Savior, 651 N. Wayne Ave. in Wayne. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. at the church.