Leroy Stover, Birmingham’s first Black police officer, died at age 90.

Today, the police department in Birmingham, Alabama is mourning the passing of former Deputy Chief Leroy Stover, the city's first Black police officer. Stover passed away on November 2nd, aged 90.

Stover's induction into the police force in 1966 marked a major milestone in the Civil Rights Movement. The Birmingham police department paid tribute to him on social media, stating "Today, our hearts are heavy as we morn the loss of former Deputy Chief Leory Stover. As the first black officer to integrate the Birmingham force, his legacy and work at the Birmingham Police Department paved a way for others to follow in his footsteps."

Stover was a native of Selma, graduating top of his class in 1952 and then joining the U.S. Army as a paratrooper. Despite facing discrimination and isolation from his colleagues, Stover persevered and eventually rose through the ranks, ultimately being promoted to Deputy Chief in 1992, before retiring six years later.

Johnnie Johnson, the second-ever Black police officer of Birmingham, joined one day after Stover. Johnson went on to become the first Black police chief in the department's history and appointed Stover to his highest role in the force.

Stover's impactful life story has been documented in a book by his niece titled "Leroy Stover, Birmingham, Alabama's First Black Policeman: An Inspirational Story." In March 2015, the West Precinct of the Birmingham Police department was also renamed in his honor.

In 2021, the Birmingham Police department further celebrated Stover's legacy by restating his message, "You live right, treat people right, right will follow you."

Stover will forever be remembered as a pioneer for the Black community in law enforcement, and his legacy will live on.

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