Trailblazing Retired Oklahoma City Police Officer Laid To Rest

It was a somber weekend for the family of former Oklahoma City police Detective Sgt. Joyce Thompson.

Thompson died March 10 at the age of 82. She was the Oklahoma City Police Department’s first Black officer who retire with the department.

Thompson’s career started in law enforcement in the early 1970s.

“She was a firecracker,” said Charmonique Bradford. “Serious about everything, sharp, fierce, all of the above.”

Thompson didn’t just break glass ceilings, she crushed them. She was also the first African American to fly Air One, the Oklahoma City police helicopter.

“That kind of always stuck with us, you know, to work hard and make sure we can do what we have to do and not depend on anyone,” said Bradford. “Just kind of get the job done.”

Dementia, family said, soon consumed the sergeant. Her stories, however, were never lost.

“Once she got dementia, she turned back into that active-duty cop,” said Bradford. “We would take her to doctor appointments and stuff. She was so used to being in charge and being the enforcer.”

Thompson’s career lasted more than two decades.

“She was nicked when she was a street cop, then that’s when she kind of converted to an office cop,” said Bradford. “She would (say), ‘well, I can take a bullet.'”

“I said ‘granny, were you shot?” said Bradford. “She said, ‘well, I was nicked, that was good enough.'”

With full honors during funeral services at Tabitha Baptist Church, Thompson was laid to rest at Trice Hill Cemetery.

It is the end of watch for a journey that is inspiring generations to come.

“She would tell us like she is not going to give us anything,” said Bradford. “She felt like if she could work and raise 5 kids, anyone can do it. That’s always our motto.”

Funeral services were under the direction of Rolfe Funeral Home in northeast Oklahoma City.