Harold “Skip” Nelson - First African American promoted to the rank of Colonel in the history of the Illinois State Police.

On November 2, 1979, Harold E. Nelson II (above) graduated from the Illinois State Police Academy in Cadet Class 62. Nelson’s first assignment upon graduation from the Academy was at Illinois State Police District 10, located in Pesotum. After completing the probationary period, Nelson worked as a patrol officer for approximately five years. In March 1984, Trooper Nelson became a Special Agent in the Financial Fraud and Forgery Bureau, Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). In December 1986, Nelson received his first promotion to the rank of Sergeant. In April 1988, Nelson was named the third Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Manager/Affirmative Action and was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant. In May 1993, Master Sergeant Nelson was reassigned to the Personnel Bureau as the Bureau Chief and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Nelson was promoted to Captain in 1994 as the Commander of District 14 in Macomb. In 1995, Nelson was appointed to Lieutenant Colonel in Region III as the Commander. The Human Resource Command was created in July 1997, and Lieutenant Colonel Nelson was named Deputy Director of the new division. Nelson’s responsibilities included overseeing education, training, and various human resource programs for the ISP. In December 1998, Deputy Director Nelson was promoted to the rank of Major. In January 2002, Nelson was appointed to the rank of Colonel in the Division of Internal Investigation and was the first African American male to attain the rank. He was later reassigned as Colonel over the Division of Operations, and in this role, Nelson was responsible for the Division’s 2,295 sworn and civilian employees in 21 patrol districts. After serving the ISP and the citizens of the State of Illinois for approximately 30 years, Nelson officially retired on September 30, 2009.

George Murray - First African American promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the history of the Illinois State Police.

On February 15, 1976, George Murray graduated from the Illinois State Police Academy. In March of 1991, Murray was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, becoming the first African American male to attain the rank. After serving the ISP and the citizens of the State of Illinois for 27 years, Murray officially retired on July 31, 2003.