Wall of Fame nominee rose to colonel of Michigan State Police

By: 
KERRY HAMILTON SMITH

Colonel Ritchie T. Davis

Editor’s Note: This is one in a series of stories about Tecumseh High School alumni who were selected to the Tecumseh Alumni Association Wall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held May 10 at Tecumseh High School.

 

Colonel Ritchie T. Davis (Ret.) credits Coach Vic Lawson for laying down the law when he was a member of the Tecumseh High School (THS) basketball team. Years later, the law became Davis’ life.

Davis graduated from THS in 1955 and received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice/social science from Michigan State University (MSU). He went on to earn his master of public administration degree from Western Michigan University, and also trained at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Executive Institute and the FBI National Academy.

Davis began his career as a lawman with the Ann Arbor Police Department where he was a patrolman for three years. Later, he was a patrolman for the MSU Department of Public Safety. In 1963, he became a Michigan State Police (MSP) Trooper, serving at the Mt. Pleasant and Jackson posts. Later he worked  for the MSP in the training division as instructor and training school commander and then worked as the affirmative action officer and recruitment coordinator. He continued through the ranks and served as the MSP Deputy Director in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before being appointed Director of the MSP by Governor James Blanchard. Blanchard promoted him to Colonel in 1991.

“I was really active with equal employment opportunity as a sergeant,” Davis said, noting that the first black officer was appointed in 1967. “I was instrumental in promoting the diversification of black and Hispanic troopers.”

In 1991, 13.5 percent of the force were minorities. “I thought it was quite an accomplishment,” Davis said proudly. “It affected the population of the state and helped prevent insurrection throughout the state. In the early ‘70s, we promoted one of the first blacks to Major. He was the highest-ranking state police officer in the United States.”

At that time, Detroit was still reeling from the riots of the late 1960s; it was a tumultuous and tenuous time. Davis was staying at the Eight Mile Road Armory in Detroit when a familiar face came knocking.

“Coach Lawson was a Major in the National Guard and he woke me up. I took him for a ride with me,” he remembered. “After that, he always joked that I was trying to get him killed that night,” he chuckled. “I maintained a close relationship with him until he died.

“He was instrumental,” Davis said about Lawson’s influence on him. “I played basketball for him for three years. He laid down the law. He told us, ‘If you get caught drinking or smoking, you’re done.’ I was always a straight shooter. I kind of credit him for the fact that I never smoked. That was a time when everyone smoked.”

Following his career with the MSP, Davis conducted management training as a consultant for the MSU School of Criminal Justice, Unisys Corp., Criminal Justice Management Institute, and Michigan Department of Civil Service. He served as project director for the Michigan Truck Safety Commission and was an instructor/trainer in management and supervisory training for Macnlow Associates. His final position was on the Michigan Gaming Control Board after being appointed by Governor John Engler.

“It was the very best of times,” Davis said about his career. “In my 33 years we did a hell of a lot more good than we did harm.”

Davis has published numerous articles and papers and has received numerous awards and commendations. Most recently, Davis was inducted into the MSU School of Criminal Justice Wall of Fame last fall.

Davis moved to Tecumseh from Charlevoix when he was in the eighth grade. “I came to Tecumseh kicking and screaming; I didn’t want to come,” Davis remembered.

Besides basketball, Davis played football and ran track while at THS. For at least 20 years, he held the record for the 100- and 200-yard dash. One of his favorite high school memories was when he and three other seniors were invited to stay at the cottage of his shop teacher, Mr. Ronk, in Newaygo where they fished. “How the four of us were chosen I don’t know, but I remember that better than my senior trip,” Davis said. He still stays in touch with classmate and Tecumseh resident Ashley Chase and last year made several trips to Tecumseh to help plan his 60th high school reunion.

Ironically, Davis now makes his home in Charlevoix where he enjoys views of Lake Michigan, watching the freighters and viewing the islands from his house on four acres adjoining state land. He is spending his retirement gardening, traveling and hunting in the Upper Peninsula with his sons. “I have it whipped — and I know it,” Davis chuckled. He and his wife, Marsha, have five children, six grandchildren and three great-grandkids.

“It’s humbling to begin with,” Davis said about being named to the Tecumseh Alumni Association Wall of Fame. “When I think of all my fellow classmates and their accomplishments, it’s hard to believe, but it’s certainly appreciated.”

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Tecumseh Herald

 

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