The first Black woman promoted to a supervisory rank in the Morristown police bureau said so long Thursday before a cheering crowd outside town hall.
“It’s still sinking in. I’ve got to remember that I don’t have to come into work today,” said newly retired Beverly Downey.
Her historic promotion to sergeant in the pandemic depths of 2020 was cause for virtual celebration. She got the real thing for her last-day “walkout,” a police tradition.
Sgt. Beverly Downey retires: Video by Bill Lescohier for Morristown Green:
“Beverly Downey to us was a great police officer and a great supervisor,” said Police Chief Darnell Richardson, the first African American to attain that rank in Morristown.
“She will be greatly missed. She was an asset while she was here, and hopefully the next journey in her life is a great one,” the chief said.
Inspired by a cop cousin, Downey took the Civil Service test and was hired in 1990. She was the third woman to serve, Richardson said.
“I was welcomed with open arms, because there was very limited diversity and they were excited that I was joining the force,” recounted Downey, a Morristown High graduate.
When Downey was promoted, she was praised as a sensitive, compassionate officer who comforted parents dealing with trauma and regularly visited the 4H Club to show kids she cared about them.
She served on a diversity panel at the high school and, according to a teammate, captained her softball team as a hard-hitting right fielder.
Downey said she plans to stay in Morristown until she decides what’s next. Women contemplating a life in law enforcement should go for it, she said.
“It’s a great job. It’s a great opportunity. They shouldn’t be deterred. It’s a very fulfilling career.”
Morristown Green photographer Bill Lescohier contributed to this story.
So long, Sarge: Video by Bill Lescohier for MorristownGreen.com:
