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.
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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.
