In 1953 Pitmon Foxall II , home from distinquished service in the Korean War as a military police officer, began his law enforcement career with the Omaha
Police Department. He worked along with his uncle in a segregated department that denied them the same status and pay as white officers even though they did the same work as white police officers. At that time black police officers in Omaha worked only with fellow Black officers and assignments were restricted to the black community. “There might have been obstacles that would have stopped some people”, said his son Pitmon Foxall III, “but dad was able to transcend those difficulties.”
Undaunted by the prevailing attitudes of the times, Pitmon embarked upon a long, rewarding career which spanned nearly four decades, during which times he rose through the ranks. After brief assignments as beat and cruiser officer, he worked as detective in the homicide unit with his uncle and other noted black detectives such as Bill Smith and Monroe Coleman. Their efforts resulted in solving some of the most challenging homicides of the times. Pitmon’s success in solving difficult crimes could be attributed to his ability to talk to people from any background as well as his genuine concern and respect for others.
Pitmon spent much of his career working in community relations. Pitmon, along with Sgt. Marvin “Mac” McClarty, spent nearly 20 years of his career in the police division’s community relations unit at a time when civil unrest was prevalent and attitudes among police and minorities were strained. He worked to improve relations within the department and in the community as a whole. Much of his spare time was devoted to police sponsored community activities and attending scores of community meetings aimed at improving police-community relations. He also worked with young people in the city through camps. He felt that camps were a learning process for both kids and police officers. Pitmon was also involved with a police athletic league for youngsters and a ride-along program through which citizens could witness police work firsthand.
With his high degree of professionalism and ethics, Pitmon became a role model for young minority officers. His premise for being a successful police officer was basic - treat everyone with the same basic human respect. Pitmon not only gained the respect of the community but also that of fellow officers, both black and white.
While Pitmon began as a Patrolman in a segregated police department he broke many barriers during his career on the department including achieving a number of “first” positions - first Black patrol sergeant in 1961, first black lieutenant in charge of the homicide unit in 1984 and the first black Public Safety Director in 1989. As Public Safety Director, Pitmon oversaw the police, fire, and 911 communications divisions. His service in that position engendered a greater degree of trust among the black community toward police. He always promoted fairness in the treatment of minorities by the police.
Throughout his 39- year law-enforcement career, Pitmon was able to deal with challenges and remained optimistic. “Dad knew so many people and was so well-liked,” according to his son Mark Foxall. “In the 1960s and 1970s, it was fashionable to say negative things about police officers and I don’t know of anyone who was negative to him.”
The Foxall family has a history of serving in law enforcement. A late uncle, Pitmon Foxall, spent 35 years as an Omaha officer and detective. He helped inspire Pitmon Foxall II to become a police officer who, in turn, inspired his two sons, Pitmon Foxall III and Mark. Pitmon Foxall III is a deputy chief with the Omaha Police Department and Mark is Assistant Director for Community Services with the Douglas County Department of Corrections. Mark has also worked for the Omaha Police Department and the FBI. On November 6, 1992, Pitmon Foxall II retired as Omaha’s Public Safety Director and the same year retired from the police department.
Pitmon was honored for his 39 years of dedicated service to the city of Omaha at a recognition dinner July 15th, 1993. One letter received at the time referred to as “one of the unsung heroes, who against the odds chose to work in the criminal justice system at a time when the system did little to welcome them or value their contributions and failed to recognize that law enforcement worked for all citizens.” Another letter stated: “He certainly is a role model not only for black police officers in the black community, but also for people of all races.” Another individual described Pitmon as an “exemplary police officer who withstood the challenge and achieved unprecedented accomplishments, despite significant obstacles during his career with the Omaha Police Department. You have stayed and fought the battles of time and have won. Of Pitmon an admirer said” Without your advice, small talk, smiles, and all the little things many would have taken the wrong turn.”
Known as “Dosh” to his family and close friends Pitmon Foxall II was born on May 8, 1930 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; he died November 16, 2000 at age 70. Pitmon was well known for being a “family man” and his two favorite pastimes – hunting and fishing.
