Emory Wright - SPPD's First Black Police Lieutenant.
Emory Wright was hired in 1968 after a stint in the US Army. He was the 13th Black officer in the 271 person department.
No Black officers had been hired in the five years prior to him.
After being an Internal Affairs Sergeant, he was promoted in 1983 and became the first Black Lieutenant.
Lt. Wright was a no-nonsense supervisor who fully supported his officers. He was a dedicated family man and known in the community as a great mentor and leader.
Retired Lt. Wright passed away on August 15, 2016.
