William H. West (policeman)

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Policeman William H. West in 1908

William Henry West (September 1842 – September 6, 1915) was an African American soldier and police officer in Washington, DC said to have arrested United States President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872.[1][2] This is the only known record of a sitting US president being arrested.[3][4][disputed – discuss]

Early life[]

West was born in Prince George's County, Maryland. In his youth, he was enslaved. He later fought in the American Civil War in Company K, 30th United States Colored Infantry formed in May 1863, which later fought in the Battle of the Crater. He was one of two black policeman working for the Washington DC Police Department during Reconstruction. He was later remembered as "gentlemanly" and fond of good horses, especially fast ones. He married Katherine 'Kate' Bowie in Washington, D.C. on 11 June 1867, with whom he had six children. West was appointed to the Metropolitan police force on August 1, 1871.

Arrest of Grant[]

In one version of various stories relating to West and Grant, in 1872 West was patrolling on foot near 13th and M Streets in Washington DC, when he stopped the President for speeding in his horse and buggy and released with a warning for excessive speed. The next day, West observed Grant repeating the behavior, and arrested him.

I am very sorry, Mr. President, to have to do it, for you are the chief of the nation and I am nothing but a policeman, but duty is duty, sir, and I will have to place you under arrest.[5]

Grant was taken to the police station and released on a $20 bond (equivalent to $430 in 2020). Grant did not contest the fine or arrest.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ "D.C. police once arrested a U.S. president for speeding". WTOP. October 6, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  2. ^ Rosenwald, Michael S. (December 16, 2018). "The police officer who arrested a president". The Washington Post.
  3. ^ "Which President Got a Speeding Ticket While Riding a Horse?". Ghosts of DC. March 4, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  4. ^ "The Thin Blue Line". U.S. Grant Cottage State Historic Site. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  5. ^ Sources differ on the exact wording of this quote, however all versions have the same gist and multiple sources ascribe to this particular wording.
  6. ^ Rosenwald, Michael S. (December 16, 2018). "The police officer who arrested a US President – could it happen again?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved December 17, 2018.

External links[]

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