 Anthony Banks
Detective Alton C. Parker
Detective
Homer Watkins |
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| Anthony Banks |
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The first Black police constable in Canada was
Anthony Banks. He was appointed by S. S. McDonnell the Crown
Attorney of Essex County. Constable Banks served in this role
for over 25 years. He married Susan Simpson and they had fourteen
children. His son Walter also served as a County Constable
and lived in Colchester. Following the death of his wife Anthony
Banks married a widow Mrs. William Rideout. |
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| Detective
Alton C. Parker |
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Photo Courtesy
of Freida Parker Steele |
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| Alton C. Parker was born Windsor in 1907. Mr. Parker was both
happily married to Evelyn and gamefully employed as a mechanic
when he answered the call to serve
and protect his community. In September of 1942 Parker became the
first Black Constable to be employed by the Windsor Police Department.
Although he faced opposition upon entering the force his outstanding
character won over the hearts and minds of his fellow officers.
He enjoyed serving the community and often encouraged other African
Canadian to join the force. In July 1951 Parker became the
first African Canadian to achieve the rank of Detective in Canada. |
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Such outstanding achievement in the field of
law enforcement would be almost impossible to overshadow. Remarkably,
Detective Parker is perhaps best known and most loved for his
dedication to serving the community out of uniform. He was
a founding member of ALPHA (Apartment Living for Physically
Handicapped Adults). He also served on the board of directors
of Goodwill |
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Dedication of Statue in Alton C. Parker Park
Photo Courtesy of Freida Parker Steele |
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Industries. In 1966 Detective Parker and his
wife Evelyn began hosting the |
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| annual Uncle Al’s Kids Party. An event that brought joy
to so many children. (Please see the Celebrations section of this
website) |
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Detective Parker received many awards. In 1976
Parker received both the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship
and the great honour of being named to the Order of Canada.
Although seriously ill his wife Evelyn was by his side at Rideau
Hall on this auspicious occasion. In 1977 he was awarded the
Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal. In 1986 Detective Parker
received the Harry Jerome |
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Detective Alton Parker Retires
Windsor Star 30/12/1970
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Award in recognition of his commitment to youth.
In 1988 Detective Alton C. |
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| Parker was named the Person of the Year by the North American
Black Historical Museum. |
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Alton C. Parker passed away February 28, 1989.
Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church where
he was a faithful member all his life. Detective Parker touched
so many lives that it was impossible for the church to accommodate
the great numbers of individuals who turned out to pay their
final respects. Therefore, the service was broadcast over speakers
to surrounding |
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Funeral
Service Honour Guard for Detective Alton C. Parker -
Photo
Courtesy of the Windsor Star 3/03/1989
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churches and carried live on CK..
Radio. |
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| In 1976 Broadhead Park, the site of Uncle Al’s annual kids
parties, was officially renamed Alton C. Parker Park in his honour.
(Please see the Historic Sites section of this website) In searching
for a words to describe Detective Parker certainly ‘Hero
and Mentor’ would be heard. However, his daughter Frieda
Parker Steele is most pleased that upon his death Detective Parker
was described by his fellow officers as simply “A Christian
Gentleman”. |
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| Detective
Howard Watkins |
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Howard Watkins was born in the Watkins family
home at 375 Watkins St (formerly known as the corner of Lot
and Peter St. ) His grandfather Allen Watkins was a former
slave who escaped in the 1830’s. Howard Watkins joined
the Windsor Police Department as a uniformed constable in
June of 1948. In 1960 Watkins joined the youth branch of
the force
and on May 1, 1960 he was made a Detective.
Detective Watkins was very involved with youth activities
and Sandwich Baptist Church. Howard was married to |
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Photos
Courtesy of the Windsor Star
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Laverda and had 4 children. Detective Watkins
passed away June 13, 1968. Hundreds of people attended his |
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| funeral at Sandwich Baptist Church and many
more lined the sidewalks outside. The funeral procession was lead
by a full police honour guard. Detective Watkins was buried in
St. John’s Anglican Cemetery in Windsor. |
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Funeral Service Detective Howard Watkins, photo
courtesy of the Windsor Start (Jun 12, 1968) |
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Gymnasium Named in Honour of Howard Homer Watkins,
photo courtesy of the Windsor Start (Nov. 21, 1968) |
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