The funeral for 91-year-old Buster Turner Jr. was held Friday at Sunlight Baptist Church in Beaumont. The 32-year retired veteran of the Beaumont Police Department passed away Monday at Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital.
Turner held his head high with dignity as a Beaumont police officer through a time when America was racially divided. Those who attended his funeral say he never pulled his gun as an officer because he knew how to talk to people. They say he was a mentor and never held grudges.
In 91 years, Buster Turner Jr. positively touched the lives of everyone he met.
"My grandfather was a servant to all. I learned so much from him," says Bruce Rideaux, Turner's grandson.
Rideaux says his grandfather was more of a father figure.
"A couple of times, he would take me to school when I was a little kid and he would let me ride in his police car," Rideaux says.
Those were the good times. But, Turner also told tough stories about the hard times when he pushed forward during a time of racial segregation.
"The force didn't really take kindly to him. So, they actually had him serve warrants from time to time in Vidor. As you can understand, that was not necessarily to do his job, but maybe get him to move on," Rideaux says.
Graham Van Dyke worked with Turner in the 1950's as one of the first African American officers hired on at the Beaumont Police Department.
"We couldn't arrest whites at that time. If a white would come disturb the peace, we had to call a white car to come pick them up," says Van Dyke.
Police chief Jim Singletary recalls those days.
"He endured a lot of hatred, blind hatred. But, he took it and never held a grudge," says Singletary.
Former Precinct 6 Constable Joseph Simmons says Turner couldn't be promoted at the police department so he took him under his wing.
"I hired him as a part-time deputy and I placed him in rank as Lieutenant and he was very proud of that," says Simmons.
Chief Singletary says, "His personality, his sense of humor, his experience, and his intelligence would transcend today. He would be a good cop today.
Comrades remember a man who served our community and our country as a World War II veteran. His legacy will forever leave a lasting impression.
"He was a great man. I just hope to be half the man he was one day," says Rideaux.
Turner also played in the Chicago American Negro Baseball League. He was married to his wife, Lorena, for over 50 years before she passed away.
Turner is survived by his daughter, Daisy Brooks.
