Captain Robert Patton

Captain Robert Patton

Robert Patton - First African American recorded as being promoted to the rank of Captain in the Illinois State Police.

Robert Patton was one of two African American Troopers hired in 1951. In 1955, Patton became the first African American to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the Illinois State Police under the new State Police Merit System that was established in 1949. In 1958, Patton was one of the original 40 officers assigned to the Toll Road Battalion known as District 15.

Patton later became the Lieutenant of the District 15 Communications Section, which was manned by seven sworn officer and handled all the radio traffic for the Tollway. Patton was instrumental in the design of some of the Communications Section's original procedures and forms.

In 1968, Patton became the first African American promoted to the rank of Captain in the nation when he became Commander of District 15. When Captain Patton retired in 1977, he was the highest-ranking Africa American in any state police force in the United States. A college scholarship has been named in his honor. It is awarded annually to five students selected by the Illinois Association of Black Law Enforcement (ABLE) Officers.