Richard Holden (highway patrol) explained

Col. Richard W. Holden, Sr. (died August 22, 2014) was the first African-American commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. In 1969, he became one of the first six African Americans to join the Highway Patrol. Holden took charge of the Highway Patrol in 1999, following a series of scandals. He retired in 2004 after a 35-year career in law enforcement with the rank of colonel.^[1]

Dates of rank

1984—first sergeant
1987—lieutenant
1990—captain
1993—major
1997—lieutenant colonel
1999—colonel^[2]

Death

Holden died on Friday, August 22, 2014, at the age of 67. On August 27, 2014, all North Carolina flags were lowered to half-staff to honor him.^[3]

Notes and References

Web site: Holden, first African American to head NC Highway Patrol, dies. 2014-09-15.
Web site: Col. Holden Retires From State Highway Patrol: Will Serve as Law Enforcement Adviser to Governor . 2014-09-15 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130418151023/https://www.ncdps.gov/NewsRelease.cfm?id=19 . 2013-04-18 .
Web site: Flags at half-staff honoring first African-American commander of Highway Patrol. 2014-09-15. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140918015931/http://www.wnct.com/story/26380809/flags-at-half-staff-to-honor-first-african-america-commander-of-nc-shp. 2014-09-18.