| LeRoy Martin | |
|---|---|
 Martin, c. 1981 | |
| 56th Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department | |
| In office November 18, 1987 – January 29, 1992 | |
| Appointed by | Harold Washington |
| Preceded by | Fred Rice Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Matt Rodriguez |
| Director of Public Safety for the Chicago Housing Authority | |
| In office 1992–1994 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1929 (1929) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | August 31, 2013(2013-08-31) (aged 83–84) Dyer, Indiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Constance B. Martin (m. 1954) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Roosevelt University |
| Occupation |
|
| Police career | |
| Department | Chicago Police Department |
| Service years | 1955−1992 |
| Rank | Superintendent (sworn in November 1987) |
LeRoy Martin (1929 − August 31, 2013) was an American police officer for the Chicago Police Department. In November 1987, Martin became the third African-American and second permanent to serve as superintendent of the department, following the retirement of Fred Rice Jr. (who is noted as the Chicago first permanent African-American police superintendent; Samuel Nolan was the Chicago's first African-American police superintendent who served as interim in 1979).
Biography
Early life and education
Martin was born the fourth of five children in 1929 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents migrated to Chicago from Grenada, Mississippi in the early-1920s. Martin's father was a pullman porter. Martin was raised in the North Lawndale neighborhood on the city's west side, attending Richard T. Crane Technical High School. Martin later earned a master's degree in Public Administration and a bachelor's degree from Roosevelt University.
Career
In the 1950s, Martin worked as a bus driver for the Chicago Transit Authority. Martin joined the Chicago Police Department in 1955 as a patrolman in the Woodlawn and Burnside neighborhoods on the city's south side. Martin was appointed superintendent of the Chicago Police Department by mayor Harold Washington on November 18, 1987. Martin served as superintendent until January 1992. After his term as superintendent, Martin served as the Director of Public Safety for the Chicago Housing Authority from 1992 until 1994. Thereafter, Martin worked in the private sector security director for Central Management Services. In 1998, Martin ran as a Republican, challenging Michael F. Sheahan to be the Sheriff of Cook County, Illinois. Martin was unsuccessful.
Personal life and death
Martin was married to Constance B. Martin at the time of his death, having been married since 1954. Together, they had three children, Ron, LeRoy Jr., and Dawn. Martin died of a heart attack on August 31, 2013, aged 84, in Dyer, Indiana. A funeral service was held for Martin on September 6, 2013, with hundreds in attendance.
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | LeRoy Martin | 107,868 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 107,868 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael F. Sheahan (incumbent) | 903,053 | 71.11 | |
| Republican | LeRoy Martin | 366,867 | 28.89 | |
| Total votes | 1,269,920 | 100 | ||
References
- ^ "Heads of the Chicago Police Department". ChicagoCop.com. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ WTTW Chicago (VIDEO), Remembering Chicago Police Superintendent LeRoy Martin, 9/2/2013
- ^ JUDGE LeROY MARTIN JR. TRANSLATES LIFE LESSONS INTO SERVICE
- Former Chicago Police Superintendent LeRoy Martin dies at 84
- ^ "LONGTIME COPS VIE FOR SHERIFF'S BADGE". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. October 7, 1998. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- Former Chicago Police Superintendent LeRoy Martin Dies
- Former Chicago police Supt. LeRoy Martin mourned
- "OFFICIAL FINAL RESULTS PRIMARY ELECTION COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1998" (PDF). cookcountyclerkil.com.
- "OFFICIAL FINAL RESULTS GENERAL ELECTION COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1998" (PDF). results.cookcountyclerkil.gov.