The Tulare Fire Department was established in the early 1900’s but it was not until 1965 when the first African American would join the ranks of the Firemen.
Leroy Patterson became the first African American to be hired to the Department in 1965, leaving his job at Armstrong’s Tire Company in Hanford, California. He would work a brief time before leaving the Department. Mr. Patterson died April 14, 1992 but his mother Mrs. Beatrice McLin still recalls his days as a Fireman.
Jerry Carolina a seasoned fire fighter with the County Forestry Division in Pixley California would become the second African American to join the Ranks of Firemen in January of 1972 He would remain with the Department until March 15, 1974 Mr. Carolina died October 4, 2004
Robert Murphy would later join the Department April 1.1974 - November 4. 1988, when he would leave and join the Visalia Police Department.
David Murphy would later join the Department September 16, 1974 until August 5, 1979.
Jack Lenox would later join the Department August 1, 1975 until leaving October 13, 1977.
Willard Epps would join the Department May 9, 1984, and today has become the first in Tulare to earn the rank of Battalion Commander in 2004, his promotion made him the highest ever African American to reach the rank higher than Captain, he became only the second African American to be promoted to the rank of Battalion Commander in the San Joaquin Valley joining Commander Byron Darlington Visalia Forestry Division.
Carlton Jones would serve the Department from November 7, 1994 until mid 2002 when he would leave Tulare and join Fresno City Fire Department.
With pride the above African American Men are recongnized for thier service to the City of Tulare and Community as Fire Fighters.
David Murphy was the first to achieve the rank of Captain, with Willard Epps reaching the Rank of Battalion Commander.
* Information provided by Fire Chief Michael L. Threlkeld, although unable to verify Leroy Patterson Dates.
Leonard Smith First TulareTransit Superintendant
The city of attempts to provide transportation for the citizens of the City fell on the lap of Leonard C. Smith & the city manager Joseph Donabed to create a working solution for the needs of the city. Mr. Smith, while working for Able Industries and having the means to provide transportation throughout the city the first transit system was created. The city would call it Dial-a-Ride. Operating out of Able industry the dispatcher would communicate the request for a ride to the drivers, which were few at the time in 1984. By 1990 the city would take on the transit needs establishing the Tulare Transit Mr. Leonard Smith became the first Superintendent in the surrounding Kings, Kern, and Fresno County. Mr. Smith would see the building of the current Transit Center in 1998, After nearly Twenty Years he would retire from the City on June 1, 2000. But would still provide his expertise when sought. Today the old system has been replace with a bid out options replacing the transit superintendent completely
Mr. Smith received city honors in 1998 as being named Supervisor of the year. Please refer to Tulare Advance Register June 20, 2000 by Julie Fernandez
Mr. Smith today remains active in many different senior programs, The Transit system has been turn over for bid joining the other counties as of July 3, 2004 Leonard recently became the Chaplin for the Amvets and still remains an active member of his church and the community.
Leroy Young would become the first African American Postal Carrier in 1955. He joined Edgar Washington as new city hires that year. Mr. Washington was hired to serve with the Police Department. Leroy recalled working along side his father cleaning the Post Office before his father would pass after undergoing surgery in 1948 at the age of 50. Leroy recalls having one of the largest routes before retiring and leaving Tulare for Los Angeles for numerous years. He has since returned to Tulare. Both he and his father served in the United States Army during World War II. Now 79 Leroy loves to share history of the old days.
Leroy's Sister Roberta Young followed in his foot steps becoming the first African American Female to work at the Post Office
Edgar Washington,
First African American Police Officer & Firemen
Leroy Young
First African American Postal Carrier
The City of Tulare Police Department would hire it's first African American in 1955, when with the backing of the local Chapter of the NAACP Edgar Washington was hired, he would remain with the Department until 1965 when he became the first African American to serve with the Tulare County Sheriff Deaprtment until 1972 when he retired from Law Enforcement.
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Kelly
Mr. Jerry Carolina
Mr. Willard Epps
Henry B. King became Tulare's first African American licensed in Real Estate working in the private sector and finally working in the City of Tulare Development Planning Agency
Jack Kelly born August 23,1920 in Canada became a standout at Tulare Union High offered a scholarship to Fresno State where he attended from 1942-1943 before entering into the United State Army during WWII, after serving two years he returned to College later in 1949 becoming one of the first African Americans to be hired with the Fresno Police Department he would later become the first African American to reach sergeant in Fresno, after retiring from the force Mr. Kelly focus of making young people aware of the rich history of the San Joaquin Valley Jack Kelley is the founder and first president of the African American Historical Museum of the San Joaquin Valley. The museum features painting, artifacts, photographs, and biographies of historical African-Americans, who made significant strides in the areas of medicine, law, education, religion, politics, and agriculture.
George Washington Archer became the first non-white sheriff deputy when he was hired by Court Smith to patrol the areas of Allensworth, California in 1910. Mr. Archer would later give up the badge and take on farming before the family relocated to Tulare in 1918
