[OCCUPATIONAL]. National Surety Medal for Valor presented to African American police officer Leslie H. Carroll. New York: Tiffany & Co., 1943.

14k gold award medal, weight approx. 2.4 ounces, 2 in. on the diagonal, 1 1/2 in. square (very faint nicks and scratches). Obverse with "Police Department / City of New York" and departmental arms; reverse with "National Surety / Medal for Valor" encircling identification to "Leslie H. Carroll / 1943." Stamped "Tiffany & Co." and "14 kt. gold." Original blue ribbon, suspension, suspension ring, and brooch pin together measuring approx. 2 x 1 1/2 in. (ribbon with some light soil and wear).

Tiffany medal presented to New York City rookie patrolman Leslie Holmes Carroll (1913-1989) for "conspicuous bravery" following an incident on 20 March 1943 during which a holdup suspect fired at the patrolman and Carroll returned fire killing the suspect. Carroll is identified in New York City newspaper reports as Shield 19,658 of the W. 135th St. station. He received the award in a Police Department ceremony on City Hall Plaza in June 1944. Carroll was mixed-race, born in Massachusetts to George Carroll and Nellie Carroll. He joined the New York City police force in 1942, and records show he was on the force at least through 1962. During the course of his career, Carroll received additional awards and commendations including the "Guardian Association Medal for Valor." By the 1970s Carroll had relocated to California and was serving as a pastor. He died in Sacramento in 1989 at the age of 75.

Awards and citations for African American NYPD officers are rare in this era. Though the National Surety medal was awarded for at least 22 years (1935-1957), this is is the only example located, and may be the only example awarded to an African American officer.

[With:] Photocopies of research and 6 x 4 in. blue velvet covered presentation box (wear, box not definitively original to the piece).