A Look Back: The First Texas African American LEO killed in the line of duty

In February of 2000, exactly 21 years ago, then CLEAT President Ron DeLord discovered (through historical research) Texas law enforcement hero Deputy City Marshal Levi Neal of Bryan Texas was killed in the line of duty 100 years earlier. He is believed to be the first African American LEO to die in the line of duty in the State of Texas.

Deputy City Marshal Neal was shot and killed while escorting a man to jail on February 24, 1900. He had arrested the man and while walking towards the jail the man pulled out a pistol from under his coat and shot Neal. Neal is one of the early African American law enforcement officers to be killed in the line of duty in Texas.

In 2000, current Executive Director Charley Wilkison was the Director of Public Affairs at CLEAT. Wilkison and DeLord began their attempt to find the deputy marshal’s grave. It was discovered that Levi Neal had been buried in the ‘Freedman’ section of the Bryan Cemetery with a wooden marker that was destroyed by time and the elements.

In the process of attempting to honor this deputy, CLEAT worked with local officers and businesses to get a monument donated as well as hold a memorial service 100 years later. Wilkison solicited members from across the state for an Honor Guard and police bagpipes. DeLord delivered a eulogy, local dignitaries spoke and CLEAT made sure this hero was not forgotten.

This is an example of CLEAT’s long-held commitment to honor the fallen through our charitable arm, The Peace Officers Memorial Foundation, or POMF.

We are determined to not allow Texas’ law enforcement heroes to be forgotten.

See below for a segment from the Bryan Daily Eagle newspaper. Sadly, there are no surviving photographs of Deputy City Marshal Levi Neal.