Alexandrian Becomes City's 1st Black Police Chief

Earl L. Cook took over as Alexandria's first black police chief Tuesday, more than three decades after he played for the newly integrated T.C. Williams High School football team that was later depicted in the movie "Remember the Titans."

Cook, a 30-year veteran of the department, has been acting chief since late last month when then-Chief David P. Baker was arrested for drunken driving in Arlington County. Baker, who retired after the arrest, pleaded guilty and served five days in jail.

Cook is a native Alexandrian who grew up in a public housing complex with six brothers and sisters. His neighbor and childhood friend was William D. Euille, the city's first black mayor.

City officials said that two decades ago, Trevor Hampton was named Alexandria's first black police chief, but after accepting the job he withdrew his name.

For three years, Cook has been second-in-command for the department, which has about 400 officers.

"It is an awesome responsibility to be a police chief," Cook said Tuesday in a tearful speech at City Hall that recalled his childhood and several friends and relatives who have died over the years.

"His local roots make him uniquely qualified for this position," Euille said.

Cook graduated from Duke University, then returned to Alexandria to join the police academy in 1979. He was a patrol officer and worked in criminal investigations for 10 years, then was promoted several times until he became assistant chief. In 2006, he became Baker's deputy executive chief after they both competed for the top job.

He lives in Alexandria and has three children and two grandchildren.