Dorothy Evans, the first African – American woman to work within the Selma Police Department (SPD), passed away Oct. 31 at age 74.

According to Evans’ daughter, Shelia, in the early 70s, Selma City Councilman F.D. Reece took issue with their being no African – Americans working in the SPD.

Shelia said her mother heard about an opening for Chief of Records from her Avon saleswoman, who was the wife of a Selma police officer.

Evans had to take a typing test to interview for the position and, according to Shelia, she scored higher than anyone else in the class.

Evans then began her career at the SPD in 1972, going on to serve as the SPD’s Chief of Records for 29 years until her health forced her to retire in 2001.

Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum, who was once an officer with the SPD, said that Evans was like a mother figure to everyone at the department.

“Shen used to roll our shirts with a lint roller,” he said. “…She was always smiling too. Once you saw her, your whole mood would change.”

Granthum also mentioned what a hard worker Evans was.
“She always dotted her ‘i’s’ and crossed her ‘t’s’,” he said. “And if you were turning in paperwork, you made sure you did too.”

Though Shelia was very young when her mother began her job with the SPD, she remembered how much her mother loved her job.

“Back then, I couldn’t have said it. But right now, I’m proud,” said Shelia. “She was such a great role model… in all aspects.”

Evans’ funeral will be held at Saturday, Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. at Morning Star Baptist Church with Rev. Booker T. Booker officiating.

Burial will follow at the Serenity Cemetery directed by Randall Miller Funeral Service, Inc.