Late Precinct 7 Constable A.B. Chambers with Constable May Walker in 2005
Today Alan Bernstein penned this nice little puff piece about Democratic DA Candidate Clarence Bradford. Click here to read the story for yourself. However, here’s one small problem with his story:
The county never has elected an African-American to a law enforcement job.
I guess Mr. Bernstein forgot that in 1973, Harris County voters elected A. B. Chambers as Constable of Precinct 7. Constable Chambers is the first black, Constable in Harris County.
In 2001, voters elected Perry Wooten as Precinct 7 Constable. However, he wound up on trial and a convicted felon (remember “racism, sexism, all kind of isms!”).
In 2004, voters elected May Walker, the first black, female Constable in Harris County.
So Mr. Bernstein, just why would you overlook this tiny fact?
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: In a forum comment and in an email, Mr. Bernstein points out that countywide, no African-American has been elected to a law-enforcement job, the point he was trying to make with the line in question. We regret the misunderstanding.
Regardless, I think the information about African-American law enforcement pioneers in Harris County adds value to the conversation, even though their election took place in parts of the county rather than countywide.
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