Newport honored retired Lt. Col. Robert McCray with a proclamation for “Robert McCray Day.”
McCray is a lifelong Newport resident who dedicated 36 years of service to the Newport Police Department, retiring in 2010 as Lieutenant Colonel and Assistant Chief of Police. McCray was Newport’s first African American police officer appointed as a patrolman on March 19, 1974, rising through the ranks to sergeant in 1982, lieutenant in 1985, lieutenant colonel in 1989, and assistant chief in 1996.
“I went through some tumultuous years when I went into the police department being the only African American in the department, and I would have succeeded if it wasn’t for the community,” McCray said.
McCray was the Fraternal Order of Police’s number two president for 13 years. He also devoted himself to Newport’s youth and families, contributing to organizations such as Youth Incorporated, Campbell County Boys and Girls Club, the Newport summer softball programs, and Shop with a cop and Food Basket programs, mentoring countless individuals, including future police officers.
Newport named Feb. 24, 2025, “Robert McCray Day” in honor of his achievements.
“I am honored. I am privileged,” McCray said. “I don’t know if I deserve it. I will put this in a place in my home, and I will think of all the people that’s here today and all the people’s shoulders that I stood on to get me here today.”