Richard Edwards - first "colored" policeman, 1898

New police on duty

Marcellus Martin, Chief - Official Acts of Mayor Kean.
Mayor Kean swore in the new police force, including Richard Edwards, colored, at his office, yesterday morning. The men were given rigid instructions and were informed by the mayor that they would be summarily dismissed if caught drinking. Marcellus Martin, who was chief two years ago, was designated to fill (?) the same place and Henry Martz was appointed lieutenant. John Hoffman, William White, Sebastin Flecktenstein, Michael Kean, and Patrick Hughes, the first three of the old force, were designated to fill vacancies on the force until the mayor and council makes selections tomorrow night.

A large crowd congregated at the station house last night at 9 o'clock to see the new force go out on the beats. Policeman Edwards brought up the rear of the procession. He was assigned in the Decatur and Frederick street extended beat last night.