Pioneering Evanston police chief is being remembered

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — William Logan, Jr., Evanston's first Black police chief, has died at the age of 92.

Logan was Evanston Township High School's first Black football captain. He also served in the military.

Logan joined the department in 1957 and rose through the ranks before becoming the first Black chief. He retired in 1987.

During his time with the department, he protected Martin Luther King Junior during a visit to Evanston and ran chess and basketball programs.

Logan was also a founding member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), which works to this day to establish equity in law enforcement.

“Chief Logan dedicated his life to public service, demonstrating unwavering commitment, integrity, and leadership throughout his career. He broke barriers and opened doors for many—a door that I walked through 35 years after his retirement,” said current Evanston Police Chief Shanita Stewart.

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