The city of Evanston mourns the passing of a local luminary, as William Harold Logan Jr., the city's first Black chief of police, died at age 92. According to a Chicago Tribune report, Logan died of natural causes on July 21 in Evanston, leaving behind a legacy that transcended his role in law enforcement, penetrating deep into the weave of community life.
In his career spanning three decades with the Evanston Police Department, Logan, who saw the department as more than a place of work but as a vessel of service to his community, climbed the ladder from patrolman to the department's first Black chief in 1984. He was renowned for implementing an officer-friendly program and for starting negotiations with Northwestern University to develop its own police department. Alongside policing, he was a co-owner of a local grocery store and meat market, and even after retiring in 1987, his commitment to Evanston continued with a long stint as director of safety at Evanston Township High School, as per the Tribune.
But Bill Logan's impact was not confined to his official roles. Gilo Kwesi Logan, his son, highlighted his father's work with the community in a different light. He told the Chicago Tribune, "He did a lot of work dismantling a lot of gangs in Evanston, and even back then, instead of just arresting offenders, he was meeting with gangs and asking them what they needed and if they were interested in going back to school." This approach to law enforcement is described as ahead of its time, aiming to connect humanity with humanity.
The broader contributions of Logan to Evanston's African-American community are also remembered. As executive director of Shorefront Legacy Center, Laurice Bell called Logan a "quiet giant," as per ABC7 Chicago, noting his role in co-founding the Chessmen Club, a social service organization, and highlighting his desire to ensure visibility and opportunities for other Black residents in the community. His legacy, marked by a stretch of McDaniel Avenue now bearing the honorary name "William Bill Logan Jr. Way," is a testament to his deep roots and lasting influence in the place he called home.
Evanston's first Black female Police Chief, Schenita Stewart, in a sentiment echoed by Logan's family and colleagues, thanked him for his integrity and leadership, describing him as a mentor. A visitation and subsequent funeral service for Logan are scheduled to take place on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Evanston Township High School, according to the Tribune. His enduring legacy continues to influence and inspire leadership and community service in Evanston.
