The thin blue line lost one of its true pioneers last week.
Mother, teacher and police officer Jean Larson passed away and left behind a legacy of service to the community that will be hard to surpass. Jean was the first woman to become a member of the CMPD uniform patrol division.
In 1973, Chief J.C. Goodman made the decision to allow women in the uniform patrol ranks and soon there after Jean Larson joined the ranks of Charlotte's boys only fraternity.
First female patrol officer Jean Larson also made another "debut" for women in 1979, when she became the first female sergeant in the department.
Today more than 225 women are sworn CMPD officers with more than 2 dozen in the command ranks.
From the Salisbury Post:
Carolyn 'Jean' Larson, 67, of Rockwell, North Carolina, formerly of Charlotte, passed away after a long illness on July 2, 2009, surrounded by family and friends at Rowan Regional Medical Center.
Jean was born October 9, 1942 in Stanton, Iowa.
She was educated in the Iowa and Nebraska School Systems and received a degree in elementary education at UNCC.
She was the first female to work as a patrol officer and first female patrol sergeant in the Charlotte Police Department.
She retired after 25 years of service.
Jean worked in the Salisbury School System for many years and was a long time member of the Christiana Lutheran Church. She resided in the Charlotte area before moving to Rockwell. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, extended family, as well as her police family.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Her family has asked in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Christiana Lutheran Church, 6190 US 52 Salisbury, NC 28146.
3 comments:
Goodbye "Mama" Jean......you were one of the first Sgts. I worked under. You were something else! Noone messed with "Mama" Jean.
We will surely remember you always.
She was like an Aunt to me and I knew her since I was about 8 years old. She was an inspiration to me and someone I looked up to and admired for her courage. I had wanted to see her and was wanting to visit North Carolina and didn't get there before she passed. She was a great friend to my family and always gave good advice. She was one of those rare people that helped nurture hope in people. I hope that her soul is happy and at peace, without the pain she was feeling from being sick. She was truly a good human being and I will miss her.
Love ya Jean!
LG Forester
Jean, my dear friend from college days forward. You have been such a blessing to me and all my family. I had no sister but you filled the gap. In your passing, you have taken a part of my heart with you. I will treasure the memories and will miss you so very much.
Love always,
N. Greene
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