Black History Month: Rockford's first Black sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy chief

Chris Green, Rockford Register Star
Updated

How much do you know about Rockford's Black history? In celebration and recognition of Black History Month, the Rockford Register Star has partnered with the Rockford Public Library's Local History Room to bring our readers a local Black history fact of the day.

Visit rrstar.com or the Rockford Register Star newspaper each day throughout the month of February to read about the people, places and events that played significant roles in shaping the rich fabric of Rockford's Black history.

February 7, 2024

Rockford police officer Sam Gaynor leads Pilgrim Baptist Church members to the congregations' new home at 1703 S. Central Ave.
Rockford police officer Sam Gaynor leads Pilgrim Baptist Church members to the congregations' new home at 1703 S. Central Ave.

In a career spanning 35 years, Sam Gaynor achieved the positions of the first Black sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and deputy chief in the Rockford Police Department.

Sam Gaynor
Sam Gaynor

Want to learn more about Sam Gaynor? Visit the Rockford Public Library's Local History Room at rockfordpubliclibrary.org/local-history or in person at the Hart Interim Library, 214 N. Church St.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story contained the incorrect number of years Sam Gaynor worked as a Rockford police officer.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Black History Month: Rockford's first Black ranking police officer