Age, Biography and Wiki

Benjamin Ward was born on 10 August, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., is a New York City Police Commissioner (1926–2002). Discover Benjamin Ward's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 75 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation N/A
Age 75 years old
Zodiac Sign Leo
Born 10 August 1926
Birthday 10 August
Birthplace Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Date of death 10 June, 2002
Died Place Queens, New York, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 10 August. He is a member of famous with the age 75 years old group.

Benjamin Ward Height, Weight & Measurements

At 75 years old, Benjamin Ward height not available right now. We will update Benjamin Ward's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
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Benjamin Ward Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Benjamin Ward worth at the age of 75 years old? Benjamin Ward’s income source is mostly from being a successful . He is from United States. We have estimated Benjamin Ward's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income

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Timeline

1926

Benjamin Ward (August 10, 1926 – June 10, 2002) was the first African American New York City Police Commissioner.

Ward was one of 11 children and was born in the Weeksville section of Brooklyn, New York.

1944

He attended Brooklyn Automotive Trades High School, graduating in 1944.

Drafted into the Army after high school, he served as a military policeman and a criminal investigator with the Army in Europe for two years.

1951

Ward entered the NYPD on June 1, 1951, as a patrolman, becoming the first black officer assigned to Brooklyn's 80th Precinct, where he faced resentment from both white residents and white fellow cops.

He wasn't assigned a locker at the precinct, forcing him to dress at home and ride the New York City Subway to work in his uniform for three years.

During the next 15 years in uniform, he rose through the ranks to lieutenant, serving in the Patrol Division, Juvenile Aide Division, Detective Division, and Legal Bureau.

His rise was aided, in part, by his after-work studies at Brooklyn College and Brooklyn Law School (class of '65) that earned him undergraduate and law degrees—invariably with top honors.

He eventually served as special legal counsel to Police Commissioner Howard R. Leary.

1966

Ward left the uniformed ranks to become executive director of the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board in 1966.

Two years later he was named a Deputy Police Commissioner of Trials, serving as chief hearing officer in all departmental disciplinary matters.

Later he became Deputy Commissioner of Community Affairs with responsibilities for the Youth Aid Division and the Auxiliary Forces Section.

1972

On April 14, 1972, Patrolman Philip Cardillo and Vito Navarra responded to a "10–13" call at 102 E. 116th St. in Harlem, which was a Nation of Islam mosque where Malcolm X used to preach.

Upon arriving inside, they were ambushed by 15 to 20 men, one of whom, according to the ballistics report, shot Cardillo at point blank range.

Most of the police were forced out of the mosque and locked out, leaving a dying Cardillo and officers Victor Padilla and Ivan Negron locked inside.

Police eventually managed to break down the door and witnessed a man named Louis 17X Dupree standing over Cardillo with a gun in hand.

Before Dupree could be taken into custody, however, Louis Farrakhan and Charles B. Rangel arrived at the scene, threatening a riot if Dupree was not released.

Just as the police forensics unit was about to seal off the crime scene, they were ordered out of the mosque by the police brass.

Outside a mob had overrun the street and overturned a police cruiser.

Ward released the 16 suspects, an action for which he was later criticized by a grand jury.

He also apologized to the minister, Louis Farrakhan, for violating an agreement that the police would not enter the mosque.

1973

Mayor John V. Lindsay designated Ward as Traffic Commissioner in 1973.

Under his leadership, uniformed traffic controllers from his agency took on street duties, thereby freeing hundreds of police officers from traffic direction posts.

The following year he headed up what is now known as the Criminal Justice Agency that performs bail risk evaluations.

Three years later, Mayor Edward I. Koch named him to the first of three posts in his administration: Chief of the New York City Housing Authority.

1979

On August 13, 1979, he was designated to run the New York City Department of Corrections.

1983

He served as commissioner until December 31, 1983, when he accepted an appointment by Koch as New York City Police Commissioner.

1984

Ward was sworn in by Mayor Koch as the city's thirty-fourth Police Commissioner on January 5, 1984.

He was the first African American to hold that position.

Ward oversaw the nation's largest police department during increased drug use, ex. crack and a sharp increase in related crime, including drug related murders.

Ward's ownership also coincided with a period of culminating in the Tompkins Square Park Riot.

1989

Ward retired as NYC Police Commissioner on October 22, 1989.

After his retirement, he remained active, teaching and serving on various boards until failing health forced him to curtail such endeavors.

He served as an adjunct professor of law at Brooklyn Law School, an adjunct professor of corrections at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and an adjunct professor of the Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.

Ward's personal papers are housed in the Lloyd Sealy Library Special Collections at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

2002

Benjamin Ward died on June 10, 2002, at the age of 75.