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Share these stories using the hashtag #110Battle

"The Torch Has Been Passed."

1960

Before the passing of Samuel J. Battle, he was revisiting the manuscript written by famed poet, Langston Hughes called "The Battle of Harlem. Samuel Battle, after devoting his life to law enforcement and encouraging other African Americans to not only join the police department but the fire department as well, was happy to see his efforts come to fruition. Noting that the fire department in NYC had 600 black members and the police department had 1,200 black members, he said, "They are all my children and some grandchildren for whom I look back with great pride and forward with pleasures."

On his death bed, he told the men of the Battle and Cobb families, "The torch has been passed."

To read more about this and other stories, check out One Righteous Man by Arthur Browne.
To read more about this and other stories, check out The Black Shields by Roger L. Abel.

"The Torch Has Been Passed."

#110Battle Stories

View other stories told by today's police

In collaboration with the Black Police Experience (BPX) and the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers, Inc (NABLEO), we want to commemorate the heroics of Samuel J. Battle by asking black law enforcement to share their stories.  If you find a story on the Battle Continues.. timeline that you can relate to, please share.  

#110Battlestories

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Our timeline of untold stories is a collection of black law enforcement stories that will serve to illustrate their lived experiences and the need to transform police policies, practices, and consciousness. The Battle begins with Samuel J. Battle but continues as we commemorate the 110th year of blacks in law enforcement in NYC. Submit your story and help to create a pathway to justice.

 

Your story will contribute to the timeline, we will not display your name and we reserve the right to display the information that you provide. All submissions may not be used at this time and those selected will receive confirmation.

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"The Torch Has Been Passed."

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