By Mike Simmons
The Civil War was finally over. Truth be known, everyone was relieved. There had been a lot of killing, and a lot of damage, but the country could get down to the business of reconstructing. It was desperately needed. The state governments – at least the southern states – had to be restructured to reflect the new mindset. Each state had its own unique way of rebuilding. After the states came the cities. Most cities needed new charters. A city charter is a document that lays out the municipal organization, boundaries, officers, departments, process of elections, etc. Until a charter is finalized, a city is not defined – it’s not a city.
Since the war ended, many municipalities had been operating under temporary charters. During the recovery time, cities still needed to operate. In each city, the duties of the mayor, the public works, and the public safety had to maintain day-to-day management. This included the police department. Officers – some who served before the war and some new ones – served the people, kept the town safe, and put people in jail. Slowly, however, permanent documents were drawn up and set in order. When the new appointments to offices were made, they were often the same people who were already doing the job. Selma, Alabama, was no exception.
Armstead Cook was a butcher in Selma. But he felt that butchering meat was not his calling. Protecting and serving the public was. He was to be a police officer. When he joined the force, he found it was a good fit…and he was good at it.
On Friday, January 6, 1871, Selma’s newspaper, The Times-Argus, printed the following, “The following policemen have been appointed and qualified…Armstead Cook (member of the old police force.)” Even though no record exists of when he started with the police, Officer Cook had been there before Selma’s new charter was approved. Officer Cook served there with distinction, but, before long, Armstead decided to move to Pensacola with his wife, Ellen, and their three children, Sallie, Louis, and Hortentius.
He might have decided on another town to live in, but not the profession. In 1880, Armstead was a Pensacola Police Officer. In early 1882, Pensacola put into order its new city charter. The City Council, the mayor, and the marshal recommended the officers they preferred for the newly reorganized Pensacola Police Department. Among them was Armstead Cook. It was his second time! The officers’ names were read and confirmed.
Amazingly, this officer was present for the presentation of the new police departments in Selma and Pensacola. But the amazing part was…he was African-American! He was a law enforcement officer in the deep southern city of Selma Alabama in 1870 and a Pensacola Police Officer in 1882 – the first African-American in each!
Then, on Tuesday, August 1, 1882, The Pensacola Commercial reported that Officer Cook had been restored. There was some political difficulty from those formerly in power associated with him being an officer, but it was soon rectified. “Policeman Cook (colored), well and favorably known hereabouts has been restored to his position on the police force of the city, much to the delectation of the numerous friends who may be counted by scores in all races as well as shades of political bias. He will be in charge of the Street Brigade, and under his direction it is said more and better work can be accomplished than under any member of the force. It is to be hoped that he will give any genius he may have in this direction “full play,” as our thoroughfares are certainly much in need of it.”
The Thursday, June 18, 1896, edition of The Times-Picayune reported, “From Pensacola: Armstead Cook, an old negro drayman, who was formerly a policeman during Republican rule in this city, died suddenly on the street. His horse balked with a heavy load, which made him angry. He jumped off the dray and fell with the lines in his hand, dying in a few seconds. Heart disease was the verdict of the coroner.”
Indeed, the Saturday, Jun 20, 1896, edition of The Pensacola News reported, “Deaths: Armstead Cook, 65 years, heart disease” The old warrior was gone, as was an era.
Thank you, Sir, for your service and your trailblazing.