Napoleon “Donut” Williams came by his nickname honestly: his high school football coach told him he was so skinny, the other team could run through him like a donut hole.
In the years that followed, he also earned the honor the Chattanooga Bar Association bestowed on him during its annual observance of Law Day Thursday, May 15 at the Marriott at the Chattanooga Convention Center: The Liberty Bell Award.
Following a powerful speech by veteran civil rights lawyer Dr. William Gray, Judge Clarence Shattuck took the podium to announce this year’s recipient of the award, given annually since 1964 to a citizen in recognition of his or her achievements that have strengthened the system of law and contributed to the welfare of the community. Past winners include individuals from all walks of life, with the exception of lawyers and judges, who are not eligible.
Judge Shattuck then proceeded to recall the life of Williams, a former policeman and the first African American chief of police at Chattanooga State. Williams was present, but was unaware he was the recipient of the honor:
“Our recipient today is literally a local boy who made good, and who has plowed new ground. If any of you have plowed new ground, you know it’s difficult because you run into many obstacles: roots, rocks, stumps, and hard-packed soil. Our recipient overcame the obstacles he encountered and plowed new ground.
“He’s a graduate of Howard High School, and became a Chattanooga City policeman in 1963. His abilities and personality propelled him up the ranks, and in 1968, he was promoted to detective, becoming the first African American in the department’s history to achieve that rank. He was very successful in this position, and was the lead detective in solving many crimes in our city. According to a former attorney general, he’d be the one to call, especially if there were few if any leads to investigate a major crime, and he was almost always able to acquire information and evidence leading to an arrest. Another attorney said of our recipient, ‘You could always rely on what he told you.’
“While working with the Chattanooga Police Department, he availed himself of various educational opportunities. He received an associates degree in criminal justice from Cleveland State Community College, completed a course at the federal drug enforcement agency in Miami, Fla., and later received a bachelor’s degree from UTC.
“He retired from the Chattanooga Police Department after 28 years with the rank of inspector. Thereafter, he became the first African American chief of police at Chattanooga State.
“He’s been remarkably active in his community, serving as president of his high school’s alumni association and co-chairman of the Southside Reunion, which brought together many former residents. He’s also been a valuable member of the Urban League, the Tennessee Black Caucus, the NAACP, the James Kelley Council, and his church, where he serves as a trustee.
“He’s always been interested in trying to help young people reach their full potential. Since his retirement from Chattanooga State, he’s continued to do just this. Working with members of several churches, he’s been active in the Stop the Violence program, and he’s been a great help to a number of young people in clearing their criminal records through the new expungement law, which has resulted in many of them being able to secure employment. He’s also co-hosted a weekly radio show that has as its main purpose getting the word out to the community of those in need.
“Our recipient is always available and willing to help in an community project, especially those involving young people. A joint resolution of the state legislature said, ‘With his heart of gold, his smiling face, and his tremendous sense of humor, our recipient has distinguished himself as a spirited public citizen of the highest order and an excellent asset to our community.’
“It’s with great pleasure that I present, on behalf of the Chattanooga Bar Association, the 2014 Liberty Bell Award to Napoleon ‘Donut’ Williams.”
Williams said only a few words when he stepped up to the microphone to accept the award, but they were as resonant as the speech Dr. Gray had given earlier.
“Dr. Gray,” he said, turning to look at the attorney to his right at the head table, “it took Dr. King to die. Four years after he was killed, I was permitted to join the [Chattanooga Police] Department, and I brought other guys with me. It took Dr. King to die to integrate the police department. But this ain’t about me, it’s about this community, and I love this community. Thank you.”