WASHINGTON — Former D.C. Police Chief Isaac Fulwood Jr. has died. Current D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham confirmed as he expressed his condolences late Friday night.
On behalf of all of the men and women of MPD – our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Chief Fullwood.
— Peter Newsham (@ChiefNewsham) September 2, 2017
Fulwood was 77, The Washington Post reported.
A D.C. native, Fulwood joined the police department in 1964, according to his bio on the department’s website. He served as chief of police from 1989 to 1992.
He took command during what the department’s website called the District’s “most tumultuous periods.” Then-Mayor Marion Barry was arrested for possession of crack cocaine during Fulwood’s tenure. And Fulwood is credited with keeping order in D.C. following unrest over the 1992 acquittal of L.A. police officers in Rodney King’s brutal beating.
During his time with D.C. police, Fulwood made strides in community policing, “long before ‘community policing’ was in vogue,” according to The Washington Post.
Fulwood went on to the U.S. Parole Commission, where he became chairman, and retired in 2015.
New: just learned former @DCPoliceDept Chief Isaac Fulwood has died. A strong leader during difficult times for DC https://t.co/cWWfQtSbOq
— Jackie Bensen (@jackiebensen) September 2, 2017
