A HOUSE RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of leander alton respass, the first african‑american police officer in the elizabeth city police department.
Whereas, Leander Alton Respass was born on February 6, 1917, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to Henry Respass and Annie Lucas Respass; and
Whereas, Leander Alton Respass graduated from P.W. Moore High School, where he was the captain of the varsity football team; and
Whereas, Leander Alton Respass received several athletic scholarship offers and chose to attend Shaw University, where he played football until an injury caused him to leave the team; and
Whereas, Leander Alton Respass later earned an associate's degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Beaufort County Community College in 1972 and furthered his education by taking courses and training sessions at the College of The Albemarle; and
Whereas, Leander Alton Respass was married to Beulah Lamb Respass and was the father of 10 children, all of whom attended college; and
Whereas, Leander Alton Respass worked as a porter for the Standard Drug Company for 23 years; and
Whereas, on April 13, 1963, Leander Alton Respass began working as the first African‑American police officer in the Elizabeth City Police Department; and
Whereas, according to statements made by then chief of police, Clarence Owens, to the local newspaper, Leander Alton Respass became a member of the department on his own merit and was not sponsored by any organization; and
Whereas, at the beginning of his career, Officer Respass, at the age of 44, was assigned to a late night shift on the weekends in high‑crime areas that he patrolled on foot carrying only a night stick; and
Whereas, Leander Alton Respass gained the respect and admiration of the members of his community and his fellow police officers; and
Whereas, Leander Alton Respass excelled as a police officer, earning the rank of corporal in 1973 and sergeant in 1975; and
Whereas, after 21 years of service, Sergeant Respass retired from the police department in 1984 but remained on staff as a consultant until his death on March 21, 1993; and
Whereas, in remembrance and recognition of the 50th anniversary of Leander Alton Respass becoming Elizabeth City's first African‑American police officer, an event was held in his honor at the Museum of the Albemarle on April 21, 2013; and
Whereas, Leander Alton Respass' service on the Elizabeth City Police Department during the Civil Rights era helped to pave the way for the hiring of other minorities in Elizabeth City; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the life of Leander Alton Respass and commends him for his fortitude in succeeding as Elizabeth City's first African‑American police officer.
SECTION 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Leander Alton Respass, the Mayor of Elizabeth City, and the Chief of the Elizabeth City Police Department.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.