Title created by cataloger. Rolland Joseph 'Speedy' Curtis was born in Louisiana in 1922. After serving three years in the Marines during World War II, he and his wife, Gloria, relocated from New Orleans to Los Angeles in 1946. Curtis served four years with the Los Angeles Police Department, but resigned from the force in order to pursue both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from USC. He later became involved in city politics, as an associate of Sam Yorty, and later a field deputy to City Council members Billy Mills and Tom Bradley. He was briefly director of the Model Cities program in 1973. Rolland J. Curtis died in his home in 1979, the victim of a homicide. An affordable housing complex on Exposition Blvd. near Vermont Ave. was named in his honor in 1981, along with a nearby street and park.; Elected in 1963, Billy G. Mills (1929-) was the third African American to serve on the Los Angeles City Council, a seat he held until 1974 when he became a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. He was the first African American chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee, winning over fellow Councilman Tom Bradley by just three votes. Los Angeles City Council Member Billy Mills (center) is pictured in conversation with Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officers Daryl Smart (right), and Officer Bressert (left) at an unknown location. The officers are holding their motorcycle helmets, and the American flag is visible in the background. Photograph circa 1969. See images 00127998 through 00128007; 00142024, and 00142025 for additional photos in this series.
Type
image
Format
1 negative : safety ; 10 x 13 cm. Photographic safety negatives
Mills, Billy G Los Angeles (Calif.).--Police Department African American men Men African American politicians Politicians City council members Motorcycle police Police Helmets Badges Uniforms Sofas Flags Draperies Los Angeles (Calif.)
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