The Littleton Police Department (LPD) family is deeply saddened to announce the death of Lieutenant Charles William "Bill" Black. Lt. Black passed away June 17, 2007, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Many people considered Lt. Black the heart and soul of the Littleton Police Department during his 28-year career. Lt. Black's leadership, dedication and professionalism earned him the respect of his fellow law enforcement professionals across the nation.
Lt. Black grew up and attended school in Texas, ultimately earning a master's degree in speech and theatre from Texas State University in San Marcos in 1974. During his school years, he won many awards for his writing skills, and continued to write throughout his life. Lt. Black's writings were published in many national publications.
Prior to becoming a police officer, Lt. Black owned and managed bicycle shops, recorded a comedy album, performed in theatre and a traveling comedy show, and supervised and trained rural health care teams in problem-solving and group communication.
Lt. Black was an avid two-wheeler, traveling throughout the world on both bicycle and motorcycle. His journeys took him throughout North America as far north as Alaska as well as South America and Europe. His other interests included big game hunting from South Dakota to South Africa, fly-fishing, and his two beloved Dachshund hounds.
Lt. Black started with the Littleton Police Department in January 1979. Early in his career he was promoted to corporal and then sergeant. For the last eight years he served as watch commander at the rank of lieutenant.
Lt. Black dedicated his life and career to the training of police officers focusing on officer safety, firearms and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). He was a highly valued SWAT team member for his entire career, ultimately becoming the team's leader. He excelled as a tactical team member, mentor and supervisor. Lt. Black was responsible for coordinating the 20th annual national convention of the National Tactical Officers Association held in Denver in 2003. With the increase in homeland security issues over the past few years, Lt. Black became a highly regarded instructor on the topics of Incident Command, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Counter-terrorism awareness.
Lt. Black's love of teaching led him to become an adjunct instructor at Arapahoe Community College in 1983, teaching in both the associate's degree in criminal justice program, as well as the police academy. He created the academy's arrest control and firearms curriculum which is still in place today. He was also a staff instructor at Thunder Ranch in Mountain Home, Texas, one of the most prestigious private firearms training facilities in the world. He also traveled the country as a guest lecturer on SWAT, sniper, and tactical topics.
Lt. Black was a founding member of the Littleton Police Department's Use-of-Force program and functioned as both the program manager and a staff instructor for firearms and defensive tactics for most of his career. Lt. Black was a Master Firearm's Instructor. He was instrumental in developing a nationally recognized firearms training program and was responsible for the LPD's firearm's program for many years. He also served on the P.O.S.T. (Police Officer Standards and Training) Firearms Subject Matter Expert committee and was recognized last fall by Attorney General John Suthers for his contributions to law enforcement firearms training. Lt. Black developed LPD's first patrol rifle program which he has taught to numerous agencies across Colorado. Because of his expertise,
Lt. Black was a consultant nationally on firearms and tactical issues.
Lt. Black is survived by his wife, Guadalupe "Pete" Gonzales, whom he married in 1984. His niece, Dispatcher Mary Clark, is also part of the Littleton Police Department family.
Services were at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 21st 2007 at the Denver First Church of the Nazarene, 3800 E. Hampden Ave. in Englewood, CO. Services were followed by a 21-gun salute and a private procession. There was no gravesite service.
Lt. Black put humor into words
American Handgunner - May June 2008;
Bill's Passing
Many people considered Lt. Black the heart and soul of the Littleton Police Department during his 28-year career. Lt. Black's leadership, dedication and professionalism earned him the respect of his fellow law enforcement professionals across the nation.
Lt. Black grew up and attended school in Texas, ultimately earning a master's degree in speech and theatre from Texas State University in San Marcos in 1974. During his school years, he won many awards for his writing skills, and continued to write throughout his life. Lt. Black's writings were published in many national publications.
Prior to becoming a police officer, Lt. Black owned and managed bicycle shops, recorded a comedy album, performed in theatre and a traveling comedy show, and supervised and trained rural health care teams in problem-solving and group communication.
Lt. Black was an avid two-wheeler, traveling throughout the world on both bicycle and motorcycle. His journeys took him throughout North America as far north as Alaska as well as South America and Europe. His other interests included big game hunting from South Dakota to South Africa, fly-fishing, and his two beloved Dachshund hounds.
Lt. Black started with the Littleton Police Department in January 1979. Early in his career he was promoted to corporal and then sergeant. For the last eight years he served as watch commander at the rank of lieutenant.
Lt. Black dedicated his life and career to the training of police officers focusing on officer safety, firearms and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). He was a highly valued SWAT team member for his entire career, ultimately becoming the team's leader. He excelled as a tactical team member, mentor and supervisor. Lt. Black was responsible for coordinating the 20th annual national convention of the National Tactical Officers Association held in Denver in 2003. With the increase in homeland security issues over the past few years, Lt. Black became a highly regarded instructor on the topics of Incident Command, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Counter-terrorism awareness.
Lt. Black's love of teaching led him to become an adjunct instructor at Arapahoe Community College in 1983, teaching in both the associate's degree in criminal justice program, as well as the police academy. He created the academy's arrest control and firearms curriculum which is still in place today. He was also a staff instructor at Thunder Ranch in Mountain Home, Texas, one of the most prestigious private firearms training facilities in the world. He also traveled the country as a guest lecturer on SWAT, sniper, and tactical topics.
Lt. Black was a founding member of the Littleton Police Department's Use-of-Force program and functioned as both the program manager and a staff instructor for firearms and defensive tactics for most of his career. Lt. Black was a Master Firearm's Instructor. He was instrumental in developing a nationally recognized firearms training program and was responsible for the LPD's firearm's program for many years. He also served on the P.O.S.T. (Police Officer Standards and Training) Firearms Subject Matter Expert committee and was recognized last fall by Attorney General John Suthers for his contributions to law enforcement firearms training. Lt. Black developed LPD's first patrol rifle program which he has taught to numerous agencies across Colorado. Because of his expertise,
Lt. Black was a consultant nationally on firearms and tactical issues.
Lt. Black is survived by his wife, Guadalupe "Pete" Gonzales, whom he married in 1984. His niece, Dispatcher Mary Clark, is also part of the Littleton Police Department family.
Services were at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 21st 2007 at the Denver First Church of the Nazarene, 3800 E. Hampden Ave. in Englewood, CO. Services were followed by a 21-gun salute and a private procession. There was no gravesite service.
Lt. Black put humor into words
American Handgunner - May June 2008;
Bill's Passing
The Littleton Police Department (LPD) family is deeply saddened to announce the death of Lieutenant Charles William "Bill" Black. Lt. Black passed away June 17, 2007, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Many people considered Lt. Black the heart and soul of the Littleton Police Department during his 28-year career. Lt. Black's leadership, dedication and professionalism earned him the respect of his fellow law enforcement professionals across the nation.
Lt. Black grew up and attended school in Texas, ultimately earning a master's degree in speech and theatre from Texas State University in San Marcos in 1974. During his school years, he won many awards for his writing skills, and continued to write throughout his life. Lt. Black's writings were published in many national publications.
Prior to becoming a police officer, Lt. Black owned and managed bicycle shops, recorded a comedy album, performed in theatre and a traveling comedy show, and supervised and trained rural health care teams in problem-solving and group communication.
Lt. Black was an avid two-wheeler, traveling throughout the world on both bicycle and motorcycle. His journeys took him throughout North America as far north as Alaska as well as South America and Europe. His other interests included big game hunting from South Dakota to South Africa, fly-fishing, and his two beloved Dachshund hounds.
Lt. Black started with the Littleton Police Department in January 1979. Early in his career he was promoted to corporal and then sergeant. For the last eight years he served as watch commander at the rank of lieutenant.
Lt. Black dedicated his life and career to the training of police officers focusing on officer safety, firearms and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). He was a highly valued SWAT team member for his entire career, ultimately becoming the team's leader. He excelled as a tactical team member, mentor and supervisor. Lt. Black was responsible for coordinating the 20th annual national convention of the National Tactical Officers Association held in Denver in 2003. With the increase in homeland security issues over the past few years, Lt. Black became a highly regarded instructor on the topics of Incident Command, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Counter-terrorism awareness.
Lt. Black's love of teaching led him to become an adjunct instructor at Arapahoe Community College in 1983, teaching in both the associate's degree in criminal justice program, as well as the police academy. He created the academy's arrest control and firearms curriculum which is still in place today. He was also a staff instructor at Thunder Ranch in Mountain Home, Texas, one of the most prestigious private firearms training facilities in the world. He also traveled the country as a guest lecturer on SWAT, sniper, and tactical topics.
Lt. Black was a founding member of the Littleton Police Department's Use-of-Force program and functioned as both the program manager and a staff instructor for firearms and defensive tactics for most of his career. Lt. Black was a Master Firearm's Instructor. He was instrumental in developing a nationally recognized firearms training program and was responsible for the LPD's firearm's program for many years. He also served on the P.O.S.T. (Police Officer Standards and Training) Firearms Subject Matter Expert committee and was recognized last fall by Attorney General John Suthers for his contributions to law enforcement firearms training. Lt. Black developed LPD's first patrol rifle program which he has taught to numerous agencies across Colorado. Because of his expertise,
Lt. Black was a consultant nationally on firearms and tactical issues.
Lt. Black is survived by his wife, Guadalupe "Pete" Gonzales, whom he married in 1984. His niece, Dispatcher Mary Clark, is also part of the Littleton Police Department family.
Services were at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 21st 2007 at the Denver First Church of the Nazarene, 3800 E. Hampden Ave. in Englewood, CO. Services were followed by a 21-gun salute and a private procession. There was no gravesite service.
Lt. Black put humor into words
American Handgunner - May June 2008;
Bill's Passing
Many people considered Lt. Black the heart and soul of the Littleton Police Department during his 28-year career. Lt. Black's leadership, dedication and professionalism earned him the respect of his fellow law enforcement professionals across the nation.
Lt. Black grew up and attended school in Texas, ultimately earning a master's degree in speech and theatre from Texas State University in San Marcos in 1974. During his school years, he won many awards for his writing skills, and continued to write throughout his life. Lt. Black's writings were published in many national publications.
Prior to becoming a police officer, Lt. Black owned and managed bicycle shops, recorded a comedy album, performed in theatre and a traveling comedy show, and supervised and trained rural health care teams in problem-solving and group communication.
Lt. Black was an avid two-wheeler, traveling throughout the world on both bicycle and motorcycle. His journeys took him throughout North America as far north as Alaska as well as South America and Europe. His other interests included big game hunting from South Dakota to South Africa, fly-fishing, and his two beloved Dachshund hounds.
Lt. Black started with the Littleton Police Department in January 1979. Early in his career he was promoted to corporal and then sergeant. For the last eight years he served as watch commander at the rank of lieutenant.
Lt. Black dedicated his life and career to the training of police officers focusing on officer safety, firearms and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). He was a highly valued SWAT team member for his entire career, ultimately becoming the team's leader. He excelled as a tactical team member, mentor and supervisor. Lt. Black was responsible for coordinating the 20th annual national convention of the National Tactical Officers Association held in Denver in 2003. With the increase in homeland security issues over the past few years, Lt. Black became a highly regarded instructor on the topics of Incident Command, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Counter-terrorism awareness.
Lt. Black's love of teaching led him to become an adjunct instructor at Arapahoe Community College in 1983, teaching in both the associate's degree in criminal justice program, as well as the police academy. He created the academy's arrest control and firearms curriculum which is still in place today. He was also a staff instructor at Thunder Ranch in Mountain Home, Texas, one of the most prestigious private firearms training facilities in the world. He also traveled the country as a guest lecturer on SWAT, sniper, and tactical topics.
Lt. Black was a founding member of the Littleton Police Department's Use-of-Force program and functioned as both the program manager and a staff instructor for firearms and defensive tactics for most of his career. Lt. Black was a Master Firearm's Instructor. He was instrumental in developing a nationally recognized firearms training program and was responsible for the LPD's firearm's program for many years. He also served on the P.O.S.T. (Police Officer Standards and Training) Firearms Subject Matter Expert committee and was recognized last fall by Attorney General John Suthers for his contributions to law enforcement firearms training. Lt. Black developed LPD's first patrol rifle program which he has taught to numerous agencies across Colorado. Because of his expertise,
Lt. Black was a consultant nationally on firearms and tactical issues.
Lt. Black is survived by his wife, Guadalupe "Pete" Gonzales, whom he married in 1984. His niece, Dispatcher Mary Clark, is also part of the Littleton Police Department family.
Services were at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 21st 2007 at the Denver First Church of the Nazarene, 3800 E. Hampden Ave. in Englewood, CO. Services were followed by a 21-gun salute and a private procession. There was no gravesite service.
Lt. Black put humor into words
American Handgunner - May June 2008;
Bill's Passing
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