MSP, Chief Douglas DeLeaver

Douglas “Doug” DeLeaver was born December 22, 1946, on the eastside of Baltimore, Maryland. The fourth of eight children, he was born to the late James and Clara DeLeaver (née Gaskins). Uniquely, Douglas is the only one of his siblings who does not have a middle name. He passed away peacefully at home on October 16, 2024. Douglas was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System, graduating from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in 1964. Despite being built for basketball at 6’4”, Douglas lettered in golf, tennis, marching band and participated in two additional marching bands for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He furthered his education through numerous trainings and certifications related to law enforcement and criminal justice. In April 1974, Douglas eloped with Margie Washington. They renewed their vows after 20 years of marriage and celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2024. Their union bore their only child, Shareese Nicole. Doug was a proud Girl Dad, always boasting about Shareese, whom he affectionately called “Buttons” whenever he had the chance. Proud Poppy to granddaughters, Isabella and Avery, he loved to tell jokes, make special breakfasts, and play a hand slap game with them he named “Woozy Woozy.” Although girls surrounded him, Ellington, his son-in-law, was like a son to him. They enjoyed long conversations about sports and about Doug’s time as a police officer. Doug also loved the fact that Ellington was handy, a quality he did not possess. Douglas served in the United States Army from 1966-1969. Following his honorable discharge, Douglas began his 22-year career in the Maryland State Police (MSP), where he was a trailblazer for African American troopers. He was the 13th African American to join the Maryland State Police, graduating from the 64th class of the Maryland State Police Academy in June 1970. Throughout his truly diverse law enforcement career, Douglas worked narcotics, contract murders, alcohol speed enforcement, intelligence, hostage negotiations, equal employment, and administration units. He was a hostage negotiator, certified law enforcement assessor, and wrote and gave training courses throughout the nation related to law enforcement promotional processes. His proudest post was in the Executive Protection Unit, where he served Governors Mandel, Lee, and Hughes from 1977 1982. He retired as a 1st Lieutenant in 1992. Never one to sit idle, Douglas returned to the workforce after retirement, many times in fact. It became a running joke among friends and family about how many different agencies he had served and connections he had made over the years. Doug was employed with the Maryland Transportation Authority Police from 1998 to 2000 as the director of Strategic Planning and Development. He served as chief of the Maryland Transit Administration Police from 2000 to 2007. He served as superintendent of the Natural Resources Police (NRP), the first African American to lead the agency, and marking his return to NRP, where he previously served as a captain and then major. He also served as the director of government relations for the Maryland Department of Transportation. One of his most memorable accomplishments was his successful completion of the FBI National Academy Session #167, in Quantico, Virginia, in 1991. He earned a brick for completing the Yellow Brick Road, a 6.1 mile long, hilly, wooded running trail built by the United States Marines. He concluded his career in the private industry, holding positions as the chairman at Brekford and the director of security at Curio Wellness. As president of DeLeaver & Associates, he was a mass transportation consultant with the Office of Homeland Security. Douglas had many nicknames among his family and friends – Chief, Colonel, 1 Adam-12, Bingo Bear, Big Boy, Dudley/Dougley Do Right, and Frank to name a few. He was affectionately known as “Dude” by Margie and “Doogas” by Shareese. Doug was a devoted and distinguished public servant, committed to making a lasting impact through his service. He was very active in the law enforcement community including serving as the president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the Maryland chapter of NOBLE, as well as the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association. He had such a passion for NOBLE that he asked Shareese to write a poem, “Blessing of the Badge,” that is read at a yearly ceremony in honor of NOBLE members. In 2008, Doug was recognized in Ebony Magazine’s “Ebony Power 150” as one of the 150 Black leaders who made a difference in the United States. Doug was a member of many boards and governmental organizations related to minorities, law enforcement, and transportation. Doug previously was the president of the men’s group at his home church in Harford County, John Wesley United Methodist Church. Doug was truly a people person, and it did not take long for him to consider someone a close friend. He loved running errands and was on a first name basis with the employees at Giant, his favorite grocery store. He had dreams of winning the lottery, inventing a bumper sticker with a catchy phrase, and writing a book about his experiences as an African American police officer. While Doug wasn’t one for many hobbies, in his younger days, he played softball with the MSP softball league and loved to roller skate. He loved to play cards, especially poker and Uno. He was most passionate about cooking and felt most at home in the kitchen. Much to his wife’s delight, he did most of the cooking for the family and passed his love of cooking onto his daughter. He also loved to sit in his La-Z-Boy and watch TV with his beloved dog, also named Buttons. It’s no surprise that COPS was one of his favorite programs. Douglas is survived by his wife, Margie, their daughter Shareese, son-in-law, Ellington, granddaughters, Isabella and Avery, siblings Rodney (Mary), Jacqulyn (Curtis), and Michelle (Eric), as well as many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and loved ones. He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, as well as his brothers James and Jesse and his sisters, Janice and Cynthia.

Tributes

MSP, Chief Douglas DeLeaver

December 22, 1946 - October 16, 2024