Crime & Safety
Arizona's First Black Homicide Detective Passes Away
Jim House joined the Phoenix Police Department in January of 1972.
June 25, 2020
The Phoenix Police Department is mourning the loss of retired Officer Jim House. As the first-ever black homicide detective in Arizona, House left a lasting legacy on the department. Former colleague Ira Williams remembers Houses's contributions to the force."Jim was an inspiration to me in my early years," Lt. Williams said. "He was a mentor, he was an advisor, someone you could speak to."Ira Williams is a Bureau Chief and Lieutenant with the Investigations Division at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.
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He and House worked at Phoenix Police around the same time. "I met Jim when he was working the walking beat on West Buckeye Road in South Phoenix," Lt. Williams explained. "I was working patrol."House joined the Phoenix Police Department in January of 1972. During his career, he worked in patrol, auto theft, assaults, robbery, and homicide. When he joined the Homicide Unit, he became the first black homicide detective in Arizona. Lt. Williams said House helped show the way for minority officers."Some of the African American officers looked to Jim as a mentor and a teacher and gave good advice as far as investigations and how to deal with people in the community," Lt. Williams said. Lt. Williams described House as a gentle giant.
He was large-framed, and to some, a bit intimidating. But, he said, that was confidence. House was a leader: understanding, respectful, caring, and community focused."He leaned on his experience in his relationship with the community to give him that presence and authority," the lieutenant said. "He didn't use his police authority, in my opinion, to do anything other than what he was supposed to do on the job and promote the good will of the police department. He'll be missed."
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Jim House gave 21 years of service to the Phoenix Police Department and went on to work as an investigator for City Housing after he retired. He died from medical complications at the age of 77 on June 17, 2020.
This press release was produced by the City of Phoenix. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
