Cold Case: Help Us Uncover a Missing Piece of Newark Delaware Police History

As we celebrate Black History Month, we take this time to reflect on the history and legacy of the Newark Police Department. This year, we’re showcasing an important and mysterious chapter of our story: the legacy of Newark’s first Black police officer, William Thompson.

In his extensive research, Newark Police historian Bob Barnes wrote a book detailing the history of the department dating back to 1867, including details about Officer Thompson. Records from 1915 reveal that a delegation of community members petitioned City Council to hire a Black officer to serve the New London Avenue area.

Later that year, William Thompson was sworn in as a Special Police Officer on a trial basis. Historical records indicate that he served part-time for approximately 14 months, which was common at the time, as most officers at the turn of the 20th century were part-time Special Police Officers.

Despite confirming these facts through handwritten City Council meeting minutes and newspaper articles from the Newark Post, much of Officer Thompson’s story remains untold.

To uncover more about this historical figure, the Newark Police Department’s History Committee is diligently researching historical records and working with community partners.  Together, we are working to piece together this lost chapter of Newark’s history.

We need you, our community, local historians, and cyber sleuths, to help us honor Officer Thompson’s contributions. Can you help us find stories, photographs, documents, or information about William Thompson? Your insights could be the key to solving this historical “cold case.”

If you have information, please contact Corporal Peter Barnes, Chair of the Newark Police Department History Committee, at pbarnes@newark.de.us, or send us a direct message here on social media.