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  • Home
  • About
  • News
  • Events
  • Explore History
    • Hall of Mayors
    • Historical Photos
    • Map Room
    • Then & Now Photos
    • Timeline
      • Prior to 1875
      • 1876-1900
      • 1901-1925
      • 1926-1950
      • 1951-1975
      • 1976-2000
      • 2001-2026
    • Videos
  • Podcast
  • Coloring Sheets
  • 150th Store

Day: February 19, 2026

A Look Back: Arlington Police Department’s First Black Police Officer

Officer Fletcher Ray, Arlington's first African American police officer, with Detective Larry Jones and Sergeant Harold White taken at 717 W. Main jail. Both Sergeant White and Officer Ray are in uniform and Detective Jones is in a suit.

Officer Ray joined the force in 1969, when Arlington was a close-knit community of about 89,000 residents and the police department had fewer than 100 officers. He served the Arlington community until 1971.

Arlington TX Sesquicentennial logo

Celebrate Arlington, TX’s 150th Anniversary, featuring history, events, and interactive content.

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