Today, 100 years ago, Wednesday, April 1, 1925, the Yonkers Police Department appointed its first Black Officer, Thomas P. Brooks. He was the first African-American to serve as a police officer in Yonkers and Westchester County.
P.O. Brooks never had the opportunity to retire; he died in May 1959. Even though appointed, he was almost blackballed by the department’s PBA.
In December 1925, he foiled a $10,000.00 fur heist at 10 Main Street, while walking a foot post at 1 AM. Brooks and his backup apprehended one of the four suspects. Allegedly, a shot was fired in the air.
In January of 1928, PO Brooks and Edward Smith, the city’s first Black dog catcher, worked a case at 404 Prescott Street. The killing of 18 chickens.
PO Brooks’ first felony assault case happened in July of 1931. During a footpost assignment at Walnut St. and Ashburton Ave., PO Brooks observed four persons standing near a semi-conscious man bleeding from his head. Upon further investigation and the arrival of backup, the four were arrested and charged with felony assault.
In December of 1947, while walking a footpost, PO Brooks apprehended two suspects at 254 New Main Street. During this incident, one off-duty police officer, Ray Carozza, was seriously wounded, and an off-duty fireman, Anthony Polito, was murdered.
Back in the day, Thomas P. Brooks symbolized the true Yonkers Guardian and was a true Black Westchester Legend.
On Tuesday, February 26, 2025, Yonkers native and veteran Yonkers Police Detective Ken Davis gave a presentation celebrating the History of African-Americans patrolmen serving the City of Yonkers and the Yonkers Police Department at Yonkers Riverfront Library. The presentation titled ‘Long Rangers” celebrated the first three African-American Thomas P. Brooks, James Martin, the second Black Cop in Yonkers, and Stewart Freeman, the first Black Detective in the YPD.
Forty years after P.O. Brooks broke the color barrier in 1965, Rita Gross Nelson became the first woman of color to serve as a patrol cop in Westchester County. She became the first Black policewoman in Yonkers, blazing a trail for others, including Fredricka Hreyo, the second Black woman to join the force.
We celebrate these Black Westchester Legends in Law Enforcement!
