Back in junior high school, I remember the Green Bay Packers winning a couple Super Bowls during the mid 90’s (1995 and 1996).  If it wasn’t for that football team, I probably wouldn’t have even known that town existed until the remarkable history that was recently made there.  Within the 152-year history of the Green Bay Police Department, it has finally sworn in its first African-American police officer, Soloman Ayres.

Ayres was very modest when questioned how he felt about “going down in the books” for his accomplishment:  “It's cool, but I don't really think about it all that much.  To me, I am just one of the guys. So as far as that's concerned, I don't think about it all that much.”  But that’s a respectable and non-controversial reply as well – it’s safe.  However, there is little doubt it’s disingenuous, too.

Before getting recruited at the city’s police force, Ayres had attended Green Bay West High school and was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay.  As a college graduate and native of the town, Ayres was considered to be a top qualifying candidate by Green Bay Police Chief Jim Arts:  "There's a two-year associate's degree requirement for the Green Bay Police Department.  And we've said all along…we are not going to lower our standards just to hire somebody. That's what some agencies in the Midwest have done and paid dearly for it."

Regardless of Soloman Ayres race, it is more so about him befitting the position based on his educational background, good moral character, and past history.  He worked for Green Bay Park and Recreation and had a cubicle job at Humana before he earned his badge and gun.  Ayres mentions, "As far as I'm concerned, I worked my butt off to get where I'm at. That's the way I want it looked at. If people want to take it as an historical event; they're going to … regardless of what I want them to believe or not. I worked really hard to get where I'm at, and I want them to see that factor of it.”

Of course, Officer Soloman Ayres is going to be a role model in the Black community.  Hopefully, he’ll inspire a good number of African-American men to want to attend college and go into law enforcement.  For now, there will be at least one brother keeping peace and order in the midst of those fanatical Packer’s supporters during this football season.