Casey Simpson

Casey J Simpson was the second child born to Everett and Mamie Simpson on December 4, 1925, in Big Black, Mississippi.  There was always a discussion about his birth date.  He was born on December 4, 1925.  However, his birth certificate listed his birthdate as December 9, 1925.  Back then it took five days for his birth information to arrive in Jackson from Big Black.  When the information was received in Jackson, instead of using the birth date included in the paperwork, the date that it was received in Jackson was stamped as the date of birth.

His parents divorced when he was ten years old. He moved with his mother and sister Rusie to Yazoo City, Mississippi.  This was a big move for the country boy, who soon transitioned into a city slicker. His mother earned money by ironing for white folks and his job was to deliver the pressed items and collect the money.  Unbeknown to his mother, he increased the price she charged and pocketed the difference.

While in high school, he had a good paying job at the Grill (a restaurant for whites only). This job allowed him to afford custom clothes and to be able to show out in school by shining his shoes with his twenty-dollar bills.  At age 18, he was drafted into the Marine Corp to fight in the Korean War.  After serving a two-year tour, he returned to Mississippi and received his high school diploma.  In later years, he would emphasize to his son who bragged about him being a Marine, that he was drafted and did not volunteer.

Like many blacks at that time, he migrated to Chicago for better job opportunities.  He moved in with his brother Leon who got him a job at the Campbell’s Soup Company.  He started out as a pickup person and worked as many hours as he could, making as much money as he could.  He returned to Mississippi where he married his first wife and upon that union had three sons Don, Gary (deceased) and Bruce.

Casey soon moved his young family to Denver, Colorado where they lived with his father until he was able to get an apartment. He was hired at Western Woods, a company that treated the wood poles that were used for phone lines.  Eventually, he was promoted to a position that was not open to blacks.  The position required an aptitude for reading and math, which Casey excelled in, and was also appointed as the Union President.  When the company was sold, the new owners removed vacation and holiday time for the employees.  Not being one to accept unfairness of any kind, Casey reported this to the National Labor Relations Board.  The company found out that Casey reported it and told him to either rescind the complaint or face termination.  He refused to do so and was terminated on the spot.  This was the catalyst of him applying to the Denver Police Department.

In 1956, Casey was the ninth black officer hired in the Denver Police Department.  He would spend his career blazing a trail by being the first black police officer to rise to the ranks of Detective, Director of the Training Academy, one of two of the first black Sergeants, Lieutenant, Captain and Division Chief.  He was also, at one point, in the running for Chief of Police.  He retired in 1988 as Division Chief (Chief of Detectives) with 32 years of service.  Casey was once quoted in an interview he did in early 2019 as saying:

“I don’t know if I felt any personal accomplishment by me blazing a trail because it had to be blazed eventually!”

This was classic Casey, meaning that the real personal accomplishment for him was to provide a comfortable life for his family.

During his tenure at the police department, his first marriage ended. In 1971 he married Evelyn V. Jones, and to this union Kacie was born.  Casey and Evelyn were married for 49 years, at one point they both recognized they were with each other longer than they were with anyone else.

He served on many committees and boards in the church and in the community, which included:  Campbell Chapel AME Church, The United Way, The Juanita Gray nominating committee, and on the Board of Directors for the Smith Knights Foundation.

Casey was confident that he had found the Fountain of Youth by walking daily for over 30 years.  At 91 he was still walking four miles a day, six days a week.  He kept himself busy by washing his cars, cutting the lawn, shoveling the snow, and making repairs around the house.  He was also a stickler for eating healthy and exercising and did not hesitate to share his healthy habits.

He attended California Poly Technical Institute, Pomona CA; The FBI Academy, Quantico, VA; and Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. During his tenure in the department, he received numerous awards and citations from the Denver Community which included several television and newspaper interviews, as well as speaking engagements.  He is listed in the Who’s Who Among Colorado’s Outstanding Leaders and is well respected by the Denver Police Department and the community at large.

The Lord called Casey home December 3, 2020 in Denver, Colorado at age 94; one day before his 95th Birthday.

He was preceded in death by his son, Gary Simpson; a great granddaughter, Leigh Ann Williams; two brothers, Leon and Timothy Simpson; three sisters Idell Gerald, Rusie Harris and Stella Simpson.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Evelyn V. Simpson; his children, Don (Sharon) Simpson, Bruce (Ollie) Simpson and Kacie Simpson; his sister, Ruby (Carl) Dudley, seven grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.