Leroy Stover: Birmingham’s First Black Police Officer
Leroy Stover: Birmingham’s First Black Police Officer
On December 14, Birmingham’s NAACP chapter will honor Birmingham’s first black police officer with a lifetime achievement award. Leroy Stover joined the Birmingham Police Department in 1966 and retired as Deputy Chief in 1998.
His niece, Bessie Stover Powell, has published a book chronicling her uncle’s 32 year career. The book describes Stover’s struggles, rejection, and success.
Stover spoke with WBHM’s Sarah Delia about the book and his career. He started by describing his first day on the job where he was abandoned by his white partner at roll call. Without the help of a friendly bus driver who was also white, Stover wouldn’t have made it to his beat and possibly through his first day.
Bill advances which would further protect police from criminal, civil prosecution
A recent bill in Alabama’s legislature would establish new legal protections for police officers who use physical or deadly force on a person while in the line of duty. Bill supporters say it will improve police safety, recruitment and retention. But critics worry it would give police officers immunity from criminal prosecution.
S-Town co-creator Brian Reed pulls back the curtains, goes deep into how the podcast was made
S-Town took the world by storm when it was released in 2017. Downloaded more than 100 million times, it’s become one of the most popular podcasts ever released.
In the fight over Louisiana’s execution plans, religion plays a prominent role
Faith activism against the state's plan to resume executions adds to a history of religious engagement with social questions in the South.
Syrian Jews return to Damascus for the first time in decades, hoping to build bridges
Thousands of Jews left Syria in 1992, when they were allowed to emigrate. The visit by a small delegation of U.S.-based Syrian Jewish religious figures last week was their first time back since then.
Republican Sen. Josh Hawley discusses his mission to hold big tech accountable
Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri talks about his mission to hold tech companies accountable even as they try to align themselves with President Donald Trump.
Thailand deports dozens of Uyghurs to China, activists say
The detainees were part of a group of some 300 Uyghurs who fled China and were arrested in Thailand in 2014. Thailand deported more than 100 of them to China in 2015, drawing condemnation.