Chief Parker’s Widow Passes Away

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, February 11, 2000

On Thursday, February 10, 2000, Amelia Helen Parker, widow of former Los AnglesChief of Police William H. Parker passed away in her Silver Lake home of natural causes.

Mrs. Parker was found when Los Angeles Police Officers entered her home after receiving a call from a friend that had been unable to contact her. She was 91 years of age. Mrs. Parker, who never remarried, was active in equestrian sports following Chief Parker’s death.

William H. Parker was appointed Chief of Police in 1950 and was the longest running Chief of Police of Los Angeles in modern times, having served 16 years when he passed away in 1966. Chief Parker was a nationally recognized innovator in police administration, was a member of the California Bar, and also received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered on D-Day while landing at the beach at Normandy.

Chief Bernard C. Parks stated, "My condolences go out to the Parker family. Chief Parker was one of the greatest Police Chief’s of the century."

For Release 5:00 pm PST
February 11, 2000