West Hartford Mourning Elijah Suber, First Black Police Officer

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Elijah Suber Jr., West Hartford's first Black police officer who became a popular crossing guard after his retirement from the force, has died.

The WHPD announced Suber's passing "with a heavy heart" Wednesday afternoon.

Prior to working at WHPD, he served in the U.S. Air Force and moved to Connecticut after an honorable discharge, police said.

Suber worked as a Hartford police officer and worked for the Department of Corrections and served as a West Hartford police officer for more than 25 years until his retirement in 1996.

He was the first Black police officer hired by the town.

During his retirement, Suber continued to serve the town as a crossing guard at King Philip Middle School for many years.

"Officer Suber is being remembered by many as being kind, dependable and courageous and someone who devoted his life to serving his country and community," West Hartford police said in a statement accompanying the announcement. "We would like to send our condolences to the Suber family during this difficult time."