The city of Dowagiac is planning to dedicate its police station to former Chief George Grady this month.
Grady was appointed acting chief by the city of Dowagiac in August of 1964, making him Michigan’s first Black police chief, and only the second Black police chief in the United States.
The city of Dowagiac will honor his legacy by dedicating the Chief George L. Grady Police Station with a ceremony on August 24 at 11 a.m.
Grady was born and raised in Dowagiac before joining the Navy during the Korean War. He served as a deep-sea diver during his time in Korea, one of the first African Americans to perform that duty.
When he returned to Dowagiac after the war, he joined the police department. One year after being named acting chief, he became the chief, and served for ten years. He stepped down in 1974 due to health issues and died in 1977.
The dedication ceremony will feature remarks from former Grand Rapids Chief of Police Eric Payne, a Dowagiac native.
