Evanston came together to honor the memory and legacy of Evanston’s first Black police chief, William H. Logan Jr., who died July 21 at age 92.
The honors included a morning outdoor memorial service on Friday, Aug.16 at the Evanston Police Department, 1454 Elmwood Ave.
Saturday, Aug. 17 included a morning visitation and service at Evanston Township High School before burial in Northbrook at Sunset Memorial Lawns on Shermer Road. A repast was offered in the east cafeteria at the high school.
The memorial service outside of the police station entrance, which was draped in purple and black bunting, included bagpipers and the Evanston Police Honor Guard. The weather was nearly 80 degrees and sunny.
Logan’s framed police photograph sat on a table with candles below the platform where podium speakers shared stories and tributes about Logan.
According to the Evanston Police Department, Logan was born and raised in Evanston and joined the Evanston Police Department on February 11, 1957. In 1965 he became the first African American in the department to be promoted to sergeant. He was subsequently the first African American to be promoted to lieutenant (1967), captain (1969), deputy chief (1982) and ultimately chief of police. He served as chief from 1984-1987.
“Under Chief Logan’s leadership, the Evanston Police Department made significant
strides in community policing and building community trust. His vision and dedication to fostering positive relationships are reflected in what we do and how we do it every day,” a statement released by the police department said.
As chief, Logan also launched Evanston’s chaplain initiative.
Retired Evanston Police Department Chaplain Rabbi Dov Hillel Klein of Evanston told the Evanston Review, “Mr. Logan started the chaplaincy program and I was the one who brought the idea to him.”
Several clergy members collaborated as a team to develop the chaplaincy program, Klein said.
“I love (the late Chief Logan), he’s a mentor of mine, he stood up for our Jewish community many, many times because we were under attack from the city to prevent us from opening up our center, our synagogue,” Klein said.
“And he stood side by side with us throughout the years.”
Logan was chosen to serve as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s personal secuity when King came to Evanston in the 1960s, according to a police department Facebook post.
After retiring from the Evanston Police Department in 1987, Logan became director of safety at ETHS for 19 years.
Logan was a founding member of both the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and the Fellowship of African American Men
(F.A.A.M.), said the Evanston Police Department bio, noting Logan initiated groundbreaking work towards establishing equity within the law enforcement field.
“Chief Logan’s contributions extend far beyond his professional duties. As a mentor, a friend, a family member, and an inspiration for many of the sons and daughters of
Evanston’s 5th Ward, his impact on our community and the police department is
immeasurable,” the police statement said.
Logan and his late wife Marcia raised their family in Evanston.
On June 24, 2023, there was a community celebration for the Honorary Street Naming Celebration for William ‘Bill’ Logan Jr. on the corner by Logan’s residence.
In 2022, the party was postponed at the last minute when storms suddenly rolled in over Harbert Payne Park along McDaniel Avenue and Nathaniel Place in the neighborhood where Logan raised his family.
Tosha Wilson, Evanston Police sergeant and William H. Logan Jr.’s great niece, said to the audience, “He could have lived anywhere but McDaniel (Avenue) is where… he kept as his home.”
Son Gilo Kwesi Logan is raising his family in his childhood home.
To the memorial service audience, Gilo Kwesi Logan said, “On behalf of our entire family, from the center of our hearts, we are deeply grateful.”
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss presented a resolution. From the podium, Biss said, “Chief Logan was a trailblazer, he was someone who transformed this police department.
“He brought something that I think we almost take for granted now in the diversity of this department, the diversity of its leadership to reflect this community so well but that did not used to be how police departments operated,” Biss said.
“He changed things through his leadership, through his example, through the role that he played,” Biss said.
Logan’s family was given a new Evanston police uniform for their retired police chief and patriarch. But a signature detail was missing.
Evanston’s first Black female Police Chief Schenita Stewart, who took that office on Oct. 10, 2022 when she was sworn in, , stepped up.
“The star that my mother Marion Stewart-Moss (of South Chicago Heights) pinned on me on Oct. 10, 2022, I gave to Chief Logan,” Stewart said.
“I got permission from my mother first,” Stewart told the Evanston Review.
“I said, ‘Mom, he (Bill Logan) needs a star, and my mom said, ‘It would be an honor.’
“During a promotional ceremony,” Stewart explained, “you get to select an individual to pin your star and it’s an honor.
“And most people would love to retire with that same star to go in their shadow box and when I knew that Mr. Logan needed a star,” Stewart said, “I called my mom up and got permission to give him that star so he will be buried with that for eternity.”
Stewart’s voice showed deep emotion at this point.
“And it’s my honor,” the police chief said.
