First African-American Police Commissioner In Philadelphia Dead At 72

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- The first African-American police commissioner in both Philadelphia and Los Angeles has passed away at the age of 72.

The news was first reported Friday morning by the Los Angeles Times.

Williams was appointed police commissioner in 1988 by Mayor Wilson Goode after spending nearly two decades working his way up through the force.

Shortly after the unrest in Los Angeles in 1992, he was appointed to the top posting there, where he presided over a turbulent era.

At the end of his career, he was named federal security director at Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport.

A viewing will be held on May 7 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Zion Baptist Church on 3600 N. Broad St.

Services are at the church immediately following the viewing. will be at Chelten Hills Cemetery on 1701 E. Washington Lane.

Image courtesy Philadelphia Police Department.