Published on February 19, 2026
Photo Caption: Photograph of Officer Fletcher Ray (right), with Detective Larry Jones (left) and Sergeant Harold White (middle) taken at the Arlington Police Department at 717 W. Main Street in 1971.This photograph is part of the collection entitled "Arlington Police Department Collection" and was provided by the Arlington Public Library to The Portal to Texas History, a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries.
By the Office of Communication
As Arlington celebrates its sesquicentennial throughout 2026, we are sharing stories about the people, places and moments that made The American Dream City what it is today.
This month, we are celebrating another pioneer in Arlington's rich history: Officer Fletcher Ray, the city’s first full-time Black police officer.
Officer Ray joined the force in 1969, when Arlington was a close-knit community of about 89,000 residents and the police department had fewer than 100 officers. He served the Arlington community until 1971.
Officer Ray, a veteran who had also served as a military police officer, passed away in June 2012. He was laid to rest in the DFW National Cemetery.
Visit Arlington150.com for more historical articles, photos and events planned throughout 2026.