1st African-American Maryland State Trooper Passes Away

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The first African-American to be named a Maryland State trooper died last week, the police department reports.

Milton Sylvester Taylor accepted an appointment to the police academy on July 8, 1957 -- changing a barrier that limited one's acceptance into the police academy based on their skin color.

The then 24-year-old Taylor served his community as a trooper while enduring prejudices of the era.

For his first assignment, he was placed in the Investigation-Identification Division. He worked through the ranks becoming a trooper first class, corporal and sergeant to a detective sergeant in just over 12 years.

In 1973, Second Lieutenant Taylor was named chief of the Domestic Intelligence Unit and remained there for two years until he was named commander of the Criminal Investigation Section.

Lt. Taylor transferred to Planning and Research then to Automotive Safety Enforcement Division.

In 1980, he was promoted to Captain and placed on the Field Operations Bureau staff, making him the highest ranking African-American state trooper.

After more than 25 years of service, Taylor retired on July 1, 1982.

He was the first inductee into the Howard County African-American Museum on May 23, 1994.

In his spare time he was an avid runner and participated in races and marathons all over the world.