Sunrise

William Harold Logan Jr.’s sunrise began Friday, June 17th, 1932, at Evanston’s Community Hospital. Affectionately known as “Bill,” he was the first of three children born to the late William Harold Logan Sr. and late Rose Janet (Powell) Logan. Both of his sisters, Dianne Smith and Katherine Lavern Wright, preceded him in death.

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Roots

Descending from the Logan slave plantation, Bill’s father’s family fled the racial terror of the South in the Great Migration to Evanston from Greenwood, South Carolina in the early 1900s. During this time, his mother’s family descended from the White slave plantation in Missouri and came to Evanston, via Muscatine Iowa. Bill’s family instilled in him self-discipline, decency, value for education, and spirit of community that permeated throughout his life.

Bill was raised in Evanston’s historic 5th Ward. Growing up, his family was poor in resources, but wealthy in spirit. He worked while attending school and playing sports. He was employed setting pins at a bowling alley and making bumpers for buses at a factory, earning money to help his parents pay the bills. Living in poverty, fed his work ethic and sense of appreciation. Living with racial segregation, cultivated his strong Black identity. Living under racial oppression kindled the spirit of social justice within him.

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Early Leadership and Excellence

As a youth, Bill was musically talented, captain of his football team, and recognized as a “regular guy” by his classmates. He graduated from Foster School and Haven School, where he was class president and President of the Glee Club. Bill went on to Evanston Township High School (ETHS class of ‘51) where he was a tenacious football player, standout on the basketball team, and outstanding baseball player. At ETHS he was captain of the basketball team, the first Black football captain, first Black student athlete to receive the Meyerson Award for four years of Excellence in Football, first Black homeroom president, and first Black senior class vice president.

After high school, Bill was invited by the Chicago Cubs to try out for the Major League baseball team. Despite being the smallest man on the line, he also earned a football scholarship to Western Illinois University, where he majored in education. After a year and a half, Bill was drafted into the US Army. Instead, he signed up for, and was accepted into the US Air Force during the Korean War. There he served four years as a staff sergeant and communications specialist with a top-secret military clearance in Japan and Korea, receiving numerous awards including the United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Air Force-Good Conduct Medal, and the Korean War Service Medal from Korea.

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Beginnings

After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Bill married Marcia “Sissy” Barksdale in 1957 at the age of 25. To this union was born William “Billy” H. Logan III, Cheryl Lynn Logan, and Gilo Kwesi Cornell Gary Logan. That same year, Bill joined the Evanston Police Department (EPD) as a police/fireman, serving there for 30 years. He won an award for the best shot with a .38 pistol in his rookie class, became the first Black male juvenile officer, and was assigned to every division of the department.

Bill had the honor to be selected by the Evanston Police Department to be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s police bodyguard on two occasions when he came to Evanston in the 1960s. This encounter inspired him to return to college and in 1976 at the age of 44, earn his BA degree in Public Administration from Northeastern Illinois University.

To help fund his college education – no matter the weather - Bill served part-time for years as security watching parked cars in the parking lot of the world-famous Fanny’s Restaurant. He earned his degree while taking classes in the evenings, having a wife and three young children and serving as Captain in the Police Department.

During his 30-year career at EPD, Bill almost always held a second job. Prior to Fanny’s, he also worked security at Evanston Public Library and co-owned B & J Grocery Store and Meat Market on the corner of Church Street and Dodge Avenue with friend John Ingram.

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Indelible Mark

Bill advanced through all ranks in the department, from motorcycle policeman to becoming Evanston’s first Black Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy-Chief and ultimately, Chief of Police. Although he was already Captain, he helped form the Black Police Officers Association leading the tenacious fight against the City of Evanston and Police Department for discrimination against Black police officers and women in hiring, promotion, assignments, and discipline. They won their case in court, leading to the promotion of other Black officers and giving full status to female police officers including pay and assignments. As Chief, he promoted the first female officer to the rank of Sergeant.

Bill was the catalyst for a citywide Intergovernmental-Interagency Agreement to galvanize city government, schools and youth serving agencies to work together to assist at-risk youth and families. He started the first Foot Patrols and Gang Crimes Unit. Bill was an early proponent of many innovative programs including Community Policing, Out Post Sub Stations, Youth Bike Patrols, and the Police Citizen Research Advisory Committee.

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Humanizing Law Enforcement

Bill’s approach to policing was innovative and dynamic. More than just incarcerating criminals, he fervently believed: “It is crucial that victims receive just treatment for their criminal victimization and suffering.” He did not just bust up gangs, he met with gang members to “hear their needs and concerns and work with them to get them back in school and legally employed.” Bill was the first police officer to serve on the State of Illinois Human Relations Commission and was instrumental in establishing Human Relations courses in Illinois.

When he became Chief Logan, Bill walked the Main Street, Dempster Street, Central Street, and Downtown Evanston business districts, introducing himself to business owners, hearing their concerns, lending his support, and building trusting relationships with them. As a police officer, neighbor, and family man, it was not unusual for Bill to receive a phone call in the middle of the night from someone needing help with something, and helping them. He was a restorative practitioner before the term ‘restorative justice’ existed.

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National Prominence

Under Bill’s leadership, EPD was one of the first police departments in Illinois to have an Officer Friendly Program and Police School Liaison Officers unit. As Captain Logan, he was given the assignment to develop a Youth Outreach program and the department's Victim Witness Bureau. The program became a state and national model.

As Chief Logan, Bill negotiated with Northwestern University to give their safety/security department full police power for them to develop their own police department. Four months into his tenure as Chief of Police, serial killer Alton Coleman and accomplice Debra Brown - who were on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list for their killing spree across six states - were caught in Evanston’s Mason Park without incident.

Bill received the department's highest commendation award for Valor for Outstanding Performance Above and Beyond the Call of Duty by placing his life in jeopardy in a successful effort to disarm a felon and free a hostage. He is a 1972 graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy in Washington D.C.

As a thought leader in law enforcement, Bill published over a dozen publications. As an instructor, he received recognition for numerous hours and subjects he taught in several police academies in Cook County. As a consultant, Bill participated in the selection of Chiefs-of-Police and other high-ranking police positions in over 70 cities throughout the US and Caribbean.

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Innovation

After retiring from the Evanston Police Department in 1987 at the age of 55, Bill became Director of Safety at Evanston Township High School. He served in this capacity for 19 years before retiring in 2006. During his tenure he introduced new initiatives, including implementing a motor patrol for safety staff, crossing guards, a telephone hot line, and certifying safety staff in CPR/First Aid and defibrillator use. He was the lead person in developing a school crisis plan and coordinating school drills with police, fire, and hospitals, and played a major role in developing and implementing the 500-camera system.

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Service to Humanity

Bill had a long history of serving his people, his community and his country. Seventy-nine (79) years ago at Haven School, he was the first Black student to win the High Point Activity Award for outstanding service. Sixty-six (66) years ago in 1958 at twenty-six (26) in his first year with EPD, he co-founded The Chessmen Club of the North Shore. Fifty-six (56) years ago in 1968 at thirty-six (36) as an EPD Lieutenant, he co-founded FAAM, the Fellowship of African American Men Youth Basketball and Cheerleading Program where he coached both of his sons to championships on the Sonics. Forty-eight (48) years ago in 1976 at forty-four (44) as an EPD Captain, Bill was a founding and life member of NOBLE, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives with over 4000 members. In 2001, on their 25th year anniversary, he was honored by President George Bush as a founding member of NOBLE. In 2003, Bill received "The distinguished Alumni Award" from ETHS.

During his tenure, Bill served on numerous boards and committees including, but not limited to Evanston Community Development Corporation (ECDC), Evanston Community Foundation, Evanston Human Relations Board, Evanston Historical Society, Evanston McGaw Y.M.C.A., Evanston Mental Health Society, City of Evanston Parks and Recreation, NAACP - Evanston Chapter, Rotary Club of Evanston, Hospice Board of the Midwest, Levy Senior Center Foundation, and the Saint Francis Hospital Adult and Child Guidance Department.

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If Not for Sissy

Bill’s accomplishments and legacy would not have been the same without the unconditional love and devotion of his dear wife, Sissy. She was an essential ingredient in his success as a family man, entrepreneur, law enforcement officer and community servant and leader. Sissy is the one who had the vision and took the initiative to collect and archive the family legacy including all of Bill’s accomplishments. Without her leadership, creativity, and unyielding support, there would not have been a “Chief Logan” as we know and honor him today.

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Leisure

Bill knew how to chill. Back in the day he could be found chillin’ in his back yard BBQing and listening to his music, washing his car, vacationing with his family, on cruises with his wife, working out at the YMCA, and going to Bears’ games. As he aged, he could be seen working out at the Levy Center, watching sports on TV, telling stories, being with his family, remembering where he came from, and reminiscing on his beautiful wife of 52 years.

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Legacy

Bill’s life and legacy, his civic and community work, and the key ingredient to his success in law enforcement, are encapsulated in the African ethic of Ubuntu, which is the values and practices that people of Africa or of African origin view as making people authentic human beings – a person full of care, community, respect, responsiveness, restoration, empathy, and interdependence displayed toward one another. True to the definition, Bill was and is part of a larger and more significant relational, communal, societal, environmental, and spiritual world. He lived by the Ubuntu notion that, “humanity is a quality we owe to each other.”

This ethic of Ubuntu was inspired in Bill at a young age. It was cultivated in his upbringing in Evanston’s racially segregated, economically impoverished, culturally rich and relevant 5th ward Black community. This communal impact is reflected in the Ubuntu adage, “I am, because we are, and because we are, therefore, I am.”

Bill was a man full of faith. His life exemplified the quote, “Hands that serve, are holier than lips that pray.” Service to his family, his community, and to his country was infused within him from the family, culture and community he came from. He gave his life serving God through serving humanity.

Bill’s life’s work was his worship. More than living by faith, he lived his faith. A quote he learned from his father that resonated like a dramatic plea every time he recited it, reflects this truth. It passionately states: “There is a destiny which makes us brothers (and sisters); none goes their way alone. What we give into the lives of others comes back into our own.”

Bill firmly believed he received so much in life by giving so much to others. More than just bringing value and meaning to his life and the lives of others, this love was his greatest wealth. Throughout his golden years until his last day on earth, Bill Logan was a humble and eternally grateful man.

The ethic of Ubuntu holds that, “a person is beautiful when they become who and what they were born to be.” Bill Logan was not a perfect man. Bill Logan was a beautiful soul.

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Those Who Remain

William Harold Logan Jr. made his transition to the ancestral world 7, 21, 2024 at home embraced in the love and care of his family. His memory will be cherished by his devoted children:  

• William “Billy” H. Logan III

• Cheryl Lynn Logan (James) Bottoms

• Gilo Kwesi Cornell Gary (Miah) Logan

• His three cherished grandsons Ulaiassi Kwabena Logan, Olu Sekou Logan, Ali Salif Bill Logan, who affectionately referred to him as “Grandad”

• All of Evanston

• Paula and Tony Barksdale (niece and nephew) of California

• David Barksdale (nephew) of Washington D.C.

• Lonnie Wilson (nephew) of Evanston

• Lynn Wilson (niece) of Evanston, Sharon Riley (niece)

• Gail Burton (niece)

• Dena Smith (niece)

• Herbert Smith Jr. (nephew)

• All of Texas

• Lifelong family friend and brother-in-spirit, Vincent “Skip” (Betty) Little of Florida

• Cherished care providers Vivienne Noble of Mt. Prospect

• Elsie Fowler of Evanston

• Abolaji Falaye and Samuel Gyamfi of Chicago

• Kristine & Aida Smith of Buffalo Grove

• A host of cousins

• Grand and great grand nieces and nephews

• All of the Logan, Powell, White, Cromer, and Barksdale roots of the family

• His Evanston village

• People of all walks of life that he touched during his 92 years on earth.