The Life, Journey and Legacy of Detective (Ret.) Charles Edward Council September 22, 1929 November 3, 2019 Detective (Ret.) Charles E. Council was born September 22, 1929 in East Orange, New Jersey. He was the only child of Sarah (Cropper) and Charlie Council. Following the untimely death of his mother, when Charles was two, he was then raised in a loving and nurturing environment by his grandmother, Nora Pitts Cropper in Accomack, located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. He received his education in the Accomack County school system and graduated from the Mary Nottingham Smith High School. This school was the first high school for blacks in Accomack County, Virginia. Since 1952, Charles resided in Paterson, New Jersey. He worked at Curtis Wright Aeronautical Division as a Miller Machinist from 1952 through 1963. In 1962, he met and married Katherine Headspeth. She predeceased him in 1993. From their union, are two children - Carl and Monica. An engaged member of the community. Charles was a member of Community Baptist Church of Love of Paterson on Auburn Street. Reverend Frederick LaGarde was his pastor and Charles served as a member of the Senior Choir. On April 1, 1963, Charles joined the Paterson Police Department as a Patrolman. Also, as one of the first families to move into Riverview Towers, he managed and oversaw security for the new apartment complex. Because of the many citations and honors he earned as a Patrolman, in 1965 he was promoted to the Detective Bureau making him one of the first African American patrolmen to receive such an honor. This is significant, as it occurred at the peak of the Civil Rights Movement. This unique career opportunity allowed Detective Council to be a part of one of the United States' most impactful social movements. He met some of the most influential leaders of that time. Always known for his singing voice, Detective Council sang Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s favorite song, 'If I Can Help Somebody' for Mrs. Coretta Scott King during a Freedom Concert and reception hosted by radio station, WNJR in East Orange, New Jersey in October of 1964. Dr. King could not attend the event as he was accepting the Nobel Peace Prize abroad. On March 27, 1968, Pastor LaGarde asked Dr. King to bring the message of the Poor People's Campaign to the city of Paterson at the church. Detective Council served as a bodyguard and team member on Dr. King's security detail. Just eight short days later, Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Despite the obstacles and odds against African Americans at this time, Detective Council remained committed to the cause of social justice by continuing to pave the way for future generations to follow. In 1973, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) National Academy, based in Quantico, Virginia, invited him to participate in a highly specialized training in federal and state law enforcement procedure. He graduated as a member of the 92nd Session of this training and remained with the Paterson Police Department until his retirement in 1990. Later, Detective Council was appointed Director of Security for the Paterson Housing Authority until 2000. During his prestigious career with the Paterson Police Department, Detective Council received numerous awards, accolades and commendations. The JPBA Citizens awards, American Legion awards, recognitions from the Mayor's Office, the Passaic County Chief's Award for Excellence in Marksmanship (he was a Master Marksman) and the V.F.W. Merit Award, are a sampling of numerous tributes Charles received. Possessing a thirst for higher learning and for seizing opportunities to expand his knowledge, Charles pursued his collegiate and post-graduate education while working and raising a family. In 1977, he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Safety from William Paterson College, and in 1979, he graduated with a Master's Degree in Urban Education and Community Affairs from the same institution. In 1986, he joined First Baptist Church of Nutley, NJ under Reverend Lawrence Roberts. He was a member of the Senior Choir. After Reverend Roberts' retirement in 1996, he joined Faithful Christian Ministries in Hillside, NJ under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Dennis Malloy. Through the years, Detective Council had active memberships with several community, recreational and educational organizations, such as: o New Jersey State P.B.A. - Lifetime Member o Paterson Police Pistol Team o National Rifle Association (NRA) o F.B.I. National Academy, Associate Member o The Fraternal Order of Black Police Officers o Paterson Brothers in Blue o Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Delta Nu Lambda Chapter o The Lions Club of Paterson o The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People o William Paterson University Alumni Association o Road Rangers Motorcycle Club. In 2005, Charles met and married the Emily Miles' Belle Meade model, Tressi Allen, with whom he shared an abundance of joy, love and cherished memories. Also, his son Carl (Isolina) of Columbia, SC; two daughters, Monica (Courtney) Miles of Milford, PA, and Patricia (Maurice) Phelps of Clayton, NJ; cousin, Hinson 'Sonny' (Mable) Finney of Pocomoke, MD; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Headspeth of Passaic, NJ, and Marie Jones of Willingboro, NJ; five brothers-in-laws, Arthur Allen, Furman Allen, Theodore Allen Timothy Allen, and Kennedy Allen all of South Carolina; four grandchildren, Marquis (Allie) Nelson of Mountain home, Idaho, Chartre' Nelson, Columbia, SC, Dakarai Nelson of Mountain home, Idaho, and Courtney LaTonji Madison Council-Miles of Milford, PA; one great-grandchild, Zariyah Nelson of Mountain home, Idaho, and an abundance of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends will all uphold the legacy of such a fine and inspiring example of humanity.