By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Wayne G. Davis, a 25-year veteran of the FBI who served as special agent in charge of the Detroit, Indianapolis and Philadelphia field offices, died earlier this month.
Davis was 81.
Davis began his career with the bureau in 1963 after becoming one of the first African Americans to graduate from the FBI Academy. His first assignments were in Detroit, Newark and Washington, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
After leading the Indianapolis office for two years, Davis became the first Black person to serve as special agent in charge of the Detroit office in 1981.
In 1985, Davis was appointed to head the Philadelphia office.
“Wayne’s promotions to special agent in charge of the Detroit and Philadelphia offices made him one of the highest-ranking Black agents in a well-earned position of authority in the FBI,” Jerri Williams, who served as Davis’ media specialist in Philadelphia, wrote in a tribute. “Considering the times we are living in today, with tensions between the Black community and law enforcement, Wayne Davis’ life and career is something we can all celebrate.”
Davis was born in New York City, where he attended public school before earning a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Connecticut in 1960.
He is survived by his wife, Lois, and his daughters Adrienne and Cheryl, two grandchildren, and a brother.
Remembering former #FBIIndianapolis Special Agent in Charge Wayne Davis who passed away Friday. SAC Davis led the Indianapolis office from 1979 – 1981. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. https://t.co/pAaxjgTqeB
— FBI Indianapolis (@FBIIndianapolis) July 17, 2020
