BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

A memorial service will be held for a retired law enforcement officer who broke color barriers during his career. He was employed by three law enforcement agencies during his career.

Mr. Sammie Lee Philmore, Sr., died on June 21st after a lengthy illness. He was 85 years old. The Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, June 30th at 3 p.m., at Garden of Memories Funeral Home, 4207 E. Lake Avenue.

Mrs. Peggy Philmore said her husband of 31 years had been ill for the past year. He died at Hospice House, in Ruskin.

Mr. Philmore was born in Hillsborough County on February 27, 1927. He attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. After graduating from Middleton High School, Mr. Philmore obtained his A. A. Degree in Police Administration from St. Petersburg Junior College.

He joined the Tampa Police Department in 1957 and worked there for twenty years.

During his tenure with Tampa Police, Mr. Philmore became the first African American Sergeant assigned to the patrol division to command a squad in Uniform District I, retired Tampa Police Sgt. Rufus Lewis said.

After retiring in 1977, Mr. Philmore joined the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, where he worked for about 4 years. During his tenure with the Sheriff’s Office, Mr. Philmore became the first African American deputy to serve as a School Resource Officer.

Around 1981, Mr. Philmore transferred to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), where he retired in 1989, bringing to a close, more than thirty years as a law enforcement officer.

Mr. Philmore continued his education and obtained his B. S. Degree in Criminology from the University of Tampa. He also earned a Master’s Degree as well, his wife said.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Philmore is survived by seven children, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.