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Officers honored at Black History event

Tanya Parker, Dante Jeter, Earlean Jones, Gerard Spencer and Kyle Wilson

WEIRTON – It was a full house as Weirton turned out to honor Weirton Police Detectives Gerard Spencer and Jason Turner and Hancock County Deputy Dante Jeter during a Black History Month celebration at the Dunbar Community Center Feb. 19.

The three officers were honored for their outstanding work and place as role models to the young people of the community in a ceremony organized by Earlean Jones.

Each said he was humbled and appreciative on the honor and thanked the community for the recognition.

Turner, an officer for 9 years, spoke about following in the footsteps of Spencer, who has been a member of the Weirton department for 18 years, and John Currenton, the city’s first black officer. He also was inspired by his uncle, Sylvester Turner, the first black member of the city fire department.

“I would see him come in after fires,” he said, adding he didn’t realize his uncle was the first until much later.

Turner also spoke about the importance of Black History Month in reminding people about the advances made in science and medicine by black inventors and scientists; strides made in music, literature and the arts by black artists; and the roles of black educators and athletes.

Turner spoke about the importance of communication with the community and his desire to help the young people in the community.

His position as a role model is “always in the back of your mind. You want to do things right.”

Spencer also pointed to Currenton as an early role model.

“I grew up on Weir Avenue and would see him coming and going in his uniform,” he said.

Spencer pointed to former Weirton Chief Ralph Fletcher’s encouragement in his becoming an officer.

Jeter, an officer for 4 years, also is the prevention and resource officer at Weirton Elementary School. He said becoming an officer “fulfilled a a lifelong dream.”

Both men spoke about a hesitancy in approaching the position, because there were so few black officers. They also spoke about the importance for black youth to see black police officers and know that there is no career choice that is closed to them.

They also spoke about the foundation for the community which black Weirtonians helped establish and the necessity of looking back on those people’s accomplishments.

The officers also spoke about the particular role that black officers play.

“The law knows no color,” Spencer said, noting that being a police officer means being part of a fraternity that doesn’t care about the color of a person’s skin, but about the uniform they wear.

Turner, in particular, spoke about being able to interact with and build a rapport with the community, including young black men in whom he sees his younger self.

The event also included several displays of famous black Americans and Weirtonians in particular. The Weirton city resolution declaring February Black History Month in the city also was on display.

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