Samuel J. Battle became the NYPD’s first Black police officer on June 28, 1911 in a swearing-in ceremony, going on to break other barriers as well. After nearly derailing his life as a teenager, Battle was determined to prove his doubters wrong.
Battle was born January 16, 1833 in New Bern, N.C. As a teenager, he was caught stealing cash from his supervisor’s safe, who said the boy would end up in prison within a year’s time. In interviews, Battle said that was the turning point in his life and motivated him to succeed.
In 1901, Battle eventually settled in New York and worked a few odd jobs. Motivated by his brother, Brooklyn police officer Moses Cobb, he decided to follow in his footsteps. The city forces merged in 1898, thus Battle’s historic distinction. (READ MORE)
