SLARPO is sad to announce the passing of St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department retired Lt/Col. Atkins W. Warren. Atkins passed away on August 6, 2010 in a hospital in Gainesville, Florida from complication with Parkinson’s Disease.
Atkins began his professional career on May 3, 1948 with the St. Louis, Missouri, Metropolitan Police Department, where he served in nearly all operational areas. Beginning as a patrolman, he rose through the ranks to become the Department first African American Lieutenant Colonel. He was in charge of Internal Affairs, Inspection and Evaluation, and Watchman Divisions. He left to accept the Chief of Police position in Gainesville, Florida, in September 1980.
Atkins joined the Justice Department Community Relations Service in 1984 serving in a variety of positions at the National Headquarters Office in Washington, D.C. between 1984 and his appointment as Regional Director in 1990. These included: Special Assistant to the Director (1988 to 1990), Associate Director for the Office of Technical Assistance and Support (1987-1988), and Administration of Justice Specialist (1984-1986).
Prior to joining the Community Relations Service, Mr. Warren was one of the first Black Chiefs of Police in a major city in the United States, serving as Chief of Police in Gainesville, Florida, from 1980 to 1984.
Before joining the St. Louis Police Department he served in the U.S. Coast Guard. Mr. Warren received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, cum laude, from Webster University in Webster Groves, Missouri, in 1975, and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Webster University in 1979.
A founding member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Warren served as its national president from 1981-1982. He is also a life-member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police; a member of the Police Executive Research Forum, the Missouri Police Chiefs Association, the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and a former member of the Florida Police Chiefs Association. Atkins was a member of the St. Louis Association of Retired Police Officers since its’ inception.
Funeral arrangements: Wake: Friday, August 13, 2010 5-9 pm, Greater Bethel AME, Gainesville, Florida, 32641. Funeral: Saturday, August 14, 2010, 11 am, Greater Bethel AME 701 S.E. 43rd St., Gainesville, Florida, 32641. Burial: Monday, August 16, 2010 in the AM National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida.