Policeman William O. Steam

Denver Post: PUBLISHED: February 17, 2018 at 4:22 pm

First African American Denver police officer to die in the line of duty receives marked headstone

A warm ceremony at Denver’s historic Riverside Cemetery celebrated the bravery and service of Officer Willie O. Steam.

Volunteers at the Denver Police Museum, retired police officers and government officials joined together on Saturday morning to unveil the headstone of Steam, who nearly a century ago became the first African-American Denver police officer to die in the line of duty.

Steam served as a police officer in Denver in the Five Points neighborhood for 11 years. He was shot to death on February 1921 by a man named Keil O’Neil, who accused Steam of unfairly shutting down a party the week before. At the time of his death, the city paid for Steams funeral, but it recently came to the attention of the Denver Police Museum that his grave lacked a marker.

“Today’s ceremony will correct that oversight,” Michael Hesse, president of the Denver Police Museum said.

“You kind of wonder that,” he said, when asked why Steam’s grave had been left unmarked. “We don’t know, but we had the opportunity to bring him back to life today.”

Steam started working in the city as a night watchman and a janitor at the Denver City and County building but was then hired to patrol the predominately black areas of Denver. He was killed at 2128 Arapahoe St. on Feb. 18, 1921 at 8:15 p.m.

The graveside ceremony opened with a flag bearer ceremony followed by a series of speeches by Mayor Michael Hancock and Police Chief Robert White, among others.

“As our nation recognizes the many leaders and heroes for black history month, the Denver Police Museum is honored to have this opportunity to recognize and honor the sacrifices of Willie O. Steam,” Hesse said.

“Steam had a reputation of strong will. He would go into very difficult and very dangerous situations by himself. He would march into difficult situations many times without backup.”

White reminded the audience that in addition to showing great signs of bravery during his service as a police officer, Steam was also a veteran of World War I and had survived a gunshot wound, from which he fully recovered, seven years prior to his death.

Steam’s showed his courage by joining the Denver police force during a time of prevailing racial prejudice. For Steam to have joined the Denver police at this time, shows a man of character and fearlessness, Hancock noted.

“In the 1920s, for an African American to become a Denver police officer deserves recognition,” Stephanie O’Malley, former Denver public safety director, said after the ceremony.

“To honor him today and say we haven’t forgotten him is just something that is phenomenal. We can’t forget the people that give.”

The ceremony concluded with a prayer, followed by a reception with chocolate cake, dozens of cookies and warm coffee.

Today is the release of the movie ‘Black Panther’ and we want to share with our community that we also have superheroes of all races,” Hesse said. “We may not have superpowers but we have the bravery, tenacity and love for our community that have helped make our community what it is today,”

Police Officer-retired
NYPD

February 18, 2018