Solomon Spencer

Solomon Spencer was born December 2, 1927, in Baltimore Maryland to SOlomon and Agness Spencer. At the age of 10, the family moved to Detroit. Living in "Black Bottom," Solomon attended Duffiled Junior High School and Miller High School where he excelled at football and baseball. He earned All-City honors in football in 1944 and 1945. In February of 1946, Solomon enlisted in the US Army where he served in Italy in the 98th Field Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. he was honorably discharged in January, 1949. From 1949 to 1951, Solomon worked for the US Postal Service. On August 27, 1951 he was appointed to the Detroit Police Department, where he was assigned to the Third Precinct on Detroit's eastside, known as the Hunt Street station. He was assigned as an acting detective to the 19th Precinct Detective Squad from 1969 until 1964. When he returned to uniform patrol work. In 1964 he was selected to be the first Black patrolman assigned to a four man Precinct Cruiser, known throughout the City as The Big Four. In 1970, he bagan his recovery from alcoholism. He served with the Gang Squad, the Youth Services Bureau and the Identification Bureau. In 1973 he was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to the Personal Affairs unit of the Medical Section of DPD. he spent his last 11 years of police duty as the head of the DPD Psychological Services Unit. During his time in Personal Affairs he became a nationally recognized expert on police stress and stress related illnesses. His expertise led him to be featured in an ABC Television prime time reoprt on police stress titled: "Shattered Badge" He was also featured in the Free Press' Detroit Sunday Magazine on November 21, 1982 and profiled by Jerry Stanecki of WXYZ - TV News in 1986. Solomon conducted and lectured at serveral seminars on police stress. He was also considered and expert on Alcoholism and Fingerprint Classification. Solomon retired from the Detroit Police Department in April of 1987 after 35 years and 10 months of service. During his time on the force, Solomon was awarded 10 Meritorious Action Citations (1952-1968), one Chief's Unit Award in 1977 and in 1981 the prestigious Chief's Citation and Medal. Since his retirement, Solomon kept very active traveling and taking leadership roles in his bowling leagues and his block club. He was also active in the Miller High School Alumni Association. Solomon Spencer is survived by his longtime companion, Judi Scheidemann, his sister Mildred Brandon, his son Steven and daughter-in-law JoAnn. He is also survived by 3 granchildren: Andaiye, Sloane and Jamal. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15251 Harper Ave., Detroit, Michigan 48224. Please take a moment and sign the online guestbook.