Life Stories – Archive 01
This page is dedicated to the following New York City Police Council of Retired Guardians who have passed away:
| Ret. P.O. John F. Brown Ret. Sgt. Kurt Bottoms Ret. Sgt. Paul V. Morton Sr. Ret. Det. Joseph Butler | Ret. Lt. James Montgomery, Jr. Ret. Sgt. Jacque Maurice Ret. Lt. Wade Williams Ret. Det. Gamon Stewart |
Click Here to return to the Memorials main page.
Ret. P.O. John F. Brown
No additional information available at this time.
Ret. Sgt. Kurt Bottoms
Kurt Roland Bottoms came into the world on February 21, 1946, born to parents Clifford and Carmen almost a year after they were married. They settled into their lives together in Manhattan, N.Y., later moving to Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects where they spent most of his early childhood years. After his mother’s passing when he was 7, he relocated to Selma, Alabama with his father for a few years before moving into the Bertrand household in St. Albans, Queens, N.Y. He instantly became part of his Aunt Barbara and Uncle Charles’ family, and his two cousins, Donald and Michele, became his brother and sister. Later his father Cliff remarried his stepmother Amy and had three additional children, Jon, Marceau, and Barbara. Although they lived in Selma, he and his siblings maintained a close relationship. Kurt attended P.S. 15, J.H.S. 59, and Andrew Jackson H.S. in Queens, NY, and continued his studies at Franklin & Marshall College.
He entered the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves at the age of 20 and was discharged 6 years later. Kurt embarked on his career with the NYPD in 1969 and dedicated 33 years of service to the city of New York, achieving the rank of Sergeant. He served in precincts all across the city, starting in Harlem, and then moving to Queens and other areas of Manhattan. Kurt was even chosen as the face of the NYPD for one of their recruitment campaigns. His years leading up to his retirement were spent in the Chief of Patrol’s Office, where his penchant for organization and eye for detail served them well.
Kurt met Patricia 3 months before he began working as a police officer. They met on the F train while en route to their jobs in Manhattan. According to Pat, “He took one look at me in my navy lace minidress and he was hooked.” They chatted all the way to 50th Street and 6th Avenue. When they parted, Kurt asked for her phone number, at which point Pat replied, “I’m in the book.” Kurt took the initiative and did look her up in the phone book. They went on a date in his 1969 red VW beetle to the bowling alley on Springfield Blvd. & Jamaica Ave., and the rest is history. Kurt and Pat enjoyed 53 wonderful years of marriage, 34 of those years spent in Queens, NY, and the past 19 years in Palm Coast, FL. During that time, they have created many beautiful friendships with bonds that have lasted a lifetime.
After marriage, Kurt and Pat had three daughters who they adored: Jennifer born in 1975, Carmen in 1980, and Dana in 1981. Kurt was the true definition of a girl dad. Always teaching his daughters everything he knew without limiting them to traditional gender roles. His girls shoveled snow, mowed the lawn, played tennis and baseball, and were the only house of 3 girls that had a basketball hoop. In turn, he learned how to play double dutch, and was even a Girl Scout troop volunteer. He was an amazing Dad and his legacy is evident in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. After retirement, Kurt was never one to sit idle, when there was something more worthwhile to do. Always on the go, he was heavily involved in the African American Cultural Society and the Men of AACS. He enjoyed playing tennis and, more recently, pickleball, on a weekly basis. He loved music, especially The Spinners, The Temptations, Motown hits, Oldies but Goodies, and jazz. Kurt spent the rest of his time visiting with family and friends around the country and locally, and traveling the world with his wife. Kurt left this earth on Thursday, September 12, 2024, and is survived by his wife, Patricia; his daughters, Jennifer (Victor) Bottoms of Rosedale, NY, Carmen (Arturo) Bottoms-Merchant of Rosedale, NY, and Dana (Andrew) James of Henderson, NV; his grandchildren, Stefawn, Sean, Roshane, Sydney, Bryce, Justin, Jordan and Chase; his great-grandson King; his siblings Donald, Michele, Jon, and Barbara; his aunts Una and Patricia; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Kurt was a one-of-a-kind individual and a true gentleman. He will forever live on in our hearts and through the treasured memories we all share.
Ret. Sgt. Paul V. Morton Sr.
No additional information available at this time.
Ret. Det. Joseph Butler
No additional information available at this time.
Ret. Lt. James Montgomery Jr.
No additional information available at this time.
Ret. Sgt. Jacque Maurice
No additional information available at this time.
Ret. Lt. Wade Williams
September 28, 1941 – August 6, 2024
Wade Williams was born on September 28,1941 in Inwood, NY, to Sidney and Peggy Williams, the third of five children. He had three brothers, Leroy, Sidney and Bernard and one sister, Ella. Wade and his siblings grew up in the Bronx where he met his ‘band of brothers’ (Bob, Paul, Percy, Donald and Neil) with whom he would develop life-long friendships. Educated in the NYC Public School System, Wade graduated from Morris High School in 1962 and eventually earned a B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice from CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice in January 1978. He began a life dedicated to serving his fellow Americans when he enlisted in the United States Army in June 1962, served during the Vietnam Era, and received a Purple Heart. He obtained the rank of Staff Sargent, receiving an honorable discharge May 1969.
Wade would continue his life of service when he began his career in law enforcement which spanned more than 20 years. In December 1969 he was appointed to the NYC Department of Correction before being sworn in as a NYC Housing Police Officer January 1972. He proudly served the people of NYC working in the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan, rising to the rank of Lieutenant, S.A. Wade was also an instructor at the Police Academy, CO of PSA 9 Rockaway Satellite and other assignments at locations around NYC before retiring from the force July 1992. During his career, Wade always exhibited a high degree of integrity and responsibility, encouraging those he worked with to do the same.
Wade was affiliated with many organizations, including being a Lifetime Member of The NYPD Guardians Association, National Black Police Association, life member The NYC Police Council of Retired Guardians, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Organization of Black Law Executives (NOBLE), a member of AMVETS, an active board member of the Housing Guardians, and the Retired Trustee of the NYPD Guardians for 25 plus years. During his retirement he continued his life of service. He volunteered for years with Pro-Am Basketball League working with inner city youth. He devoted much of his time to Citizen’s Care, a senior citizen organization at 117th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue in Harlem, which also supported several senior citizen sites. He also served as Chairman of the Board for the Citizen’s Care Day Care Center, Inc. and he poured his wisdom and energy into this community based childcare center until his death.
Through his accomplishments, Wade always dedicated himself to his family. He met his wife Lora in Harlem, and their 56-year union began in 1968. From this union two children were born, a son Wade Jason who followed his father into law enforcement, and a daughter Christina. Wade was devoted to his family and was elated when his family expanded and his children married, the birth of his granddaughter Briana, and her brother Andrew. He also had special relationships with his daughter-in-law Sandra and son-in-law Gilbert, nieces, nephews and godchildren. “Uncle Wade” was adored by the younger members of the family for several generations. Distinguished, Honorable, Reliable, Kind, Steadfast, Elegant, and a true Gentleman are some of the words used to describe him. Wade had a wonderful spirit and loved cruising and traveling around the United States. He enjoyed watching sports and talking politics and being around people and knew someone wherever he went.
Wade was preceded in death by his parents Sidney and Peggy, brothers Leroy and Sidney, sister Ella, his son Wade Jason and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Lora, daughter Christina, brother Bernard, sister-in-law Debra and Mattie, son-in-law Gilbert, daughter-in-law Sandra, grandchildren Briana and Andrew, a host of beloved nieces, nephews, godchildren, many friends, his NYPD brethren and former colleagues. He will be missed by all he served. At Ease Lieutenant… Job Well Done. Our hearts might be bruised but will recover and become capable of seeing the beauty of life once more. It has happened before and will happen again. When you lose someone, you love, you gain an angel you know. Wade was diagnosed with cancer three times in his lifetime, and he showed great strength. The family would be honored if a memorial gift donation would be made to the American Cancer Society in his name.
Ret. Det. Gamon Stewart
No additional information available at this time.