Opelika Police Department remembers the life of its first Black female officer
Sgt. Lucy Kirk – Photo from Opelika Police Department
OPELIKA, Ala. (WAKA) – The Opelika Police Department is remembering the life of retired Sgt. Lucy Kirk, its first Black female officer.
Kirk died on Monday, April 27. She was 80 years old.
Sgt. Lucy Kirk – Photo from Opelika Police Department
The department remembers her for not just wearing the badge, but breaking barriers. Kirk joined the Opelika Police Department in 1975 as a parking control officer. She made history in June 1979 by becoming the first Black female officer in the city’s history.
Kirk rose to the rank of corporal in 1988 and sergeant one year later. She served as one of the area’s first hostage negotiators and was the first Black officer in the Investigations Division, working in Detective and Youth Aid.
Sgt. Lucy Kirk was the first female to receive the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary 5404 Certificate of Appreciation. – Photo from Opelika Police Department
Kirk was the first female to receive the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary 5404 Certificate of Appreciation.
Kirk retired from the Opelika Police Department in 1994. In honor of her service and lasting impact, the City of Opelika publicly honored her for her pioneering role and dedication to the community.
Sgt. Lucy Kirk in 2023 – Photo from Opelika Police Department
Her funeral will be Friday, May 1, at 11AM at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church on Uniroyal Street in Opelika.
