More than a dozen family members attended Monday night as Wildwood commissioners honored the city’s first African American police chief.
Edward Lynum, Jr., died Dec. 31 at the age of 94.
Family members watched as commissioners approved a proclamation, which Mayor Ed Wolf called “a great tribute to a great man.”
Commissioners also designated Lynum’s birthday of May 5 as Edward Lynum, Jr., Day and have named a roadway for him.
Besides his law enforcement career, Lynum also owned a construction company, building homes, churches and commercial buildings in Wildwood, Leesburg and Ocala.
He served as a deputy sheriff, police corporal and Wildwood police chief from 1968 to 1986.
He grew up in Leesburg, graduating from Lake County Training School and earning a bachelor’s degree from Bethune-Cookman University.
He spent April 1951 to March 1953 in the U.S. Army, where he worked as a cook in Germany, a mess hall sergeant corporal and was on active duty during the Korean War.
He is survived by his wife, Delores, and six of his seven sons.
The proclamation praised Lynum’s law enforcement career as well as calling him a “visionary entrepreneur and builder.”
“We do hereby honor and recognize the life, legacy and lasting contributions of Edward Lynum, Jr., celebrating his historic achievements, his service to his country, his leadership in law enforcement and dedication to community development,” the proclamation stated.