April 27, 2016
Nick Ut/AP
Former Philadelphia Police Commissioner and Los Angeles Police Chief Willie Williams comments during a news conference regarding a Police Commission probe in Los Angeles, Ca., on May 24, 1995.
Former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Willie Williams, the first African-American police chief in Philadelphia, passed away Wednesday. He was 72.
The Philadelphia Police Department expressed condolences as officers mourned Williams, who served as commissioner from 1988 until 1992.
.@PhillyPolice mourns the loss of former P/C Willie L. Williams -the city's 1st African American Police Commissioner pic.twitter.com/kxa4s3qVNs
— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) April 27, 2016
Williams was in Atlanta at the time of his death and had been battling pancreatic cancer, his daughter-in-law, Valerie Williams, told The Associated Press.
In a statement, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said Williams' passing is a reminder of his influential service to the city.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of Willie Williams’ passing," Kenney said. "He served this city with greatness, improving community-police relations and breaking down barriers as Philadelphia’s first African-American Commissioner. It was a privilege to know him and his family, who continue to carry on his legacy of service. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.”
Williams, born in 1934, became a Philadelphia police officer in 1962. He rose through the ranks and was promoted to Detective in 1972, Sergeant in 1974, Lieutenant in 1976, Captain in 1983 and Inspector in 1986. Former Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson Goode Sr. appointed him as Police Commissioner in 1988.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross recalled that he was sworn in as a rookie officer one year into Williams' tenure.
“He truly was my inspiration. He was the guy who set the tone for me, and let me know right away that I could do this," Ross said. “I’m just grateful I knew him. He is one of my heroes in this profession.”
Public Affairs Commander Lt. John Stanford said Williams' presence on the force during his youth continues to inform his understanding of the responsibility of police work.
“That was a name I knew even before I was thinking of pursuing policing as a profession. Seeing a face that looked like mine was powerful. To this day, it means making sure I do my job the way it’s supposed to be done.”
In 1992, Williams was chosen to lead the Los Angeles Police Department amid civil unrest and internal controversy over the beating of Rodney King. He also led the department during the O.J. Simpson murder trial, which prompted a review of the LAPD's handling of evidence and culture of abuse toward racial minorities.
In his final role, Williams served as federal security director at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
His son, Willie Jr., currently serves as a Lieutenant in the Philadelphia Police Department.
