Passing Of Manchester's First Female Police Officer Mourned

MANCHESTER, CT — The Manchester Police Department is mourning the loss of it's first female officer and a local law enforcement pioneer.

Retired Lt. Patricia Ann Graves passed away on Jan. 12, police announced on Thursday.

Graves was the first female police officer to serve the Town of Manchester with the Manchester Police Department. She was sworn in as an officer in 1966 and had a "distinguished" 30-year career that included many "firsts" within the department.

Graves was the first youth services officer (1972), the first female sergeant (1974) and the first female lieutenant (1979).

Graves was also the first female officer from the New England States to attend the FBI National Academy (in 1975 for the 102nd session).

"The men and women of the Manchester Police Department extend our condolences to the family of Retired Lieutenant Patricia Ann Graves," the department said in a statement.

Photo Credit: MPD

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