|
Home Search |
Published on Thursday, September 30, 2004
in the Bradenton Herald
MANATEE - Trooper Anthony Milledge was the first black Florida Highway Patrol trooper hired from Bradenton.
Today, he's the first black trooper to retire from Bradenton after 25 years of service.
Milledge was 25 in 1979 when then-Trooper Charlie Wells tried to convince him to join the FHP. It was a daunting proposition: Milledge would be one of a handful of black troopers in the entire state. But Milledge was game.
"I said, 'I'll give it a shot,' " Milledge said. "That's how it started."
On Sept. 19, 1979, Milledge joined and was eventually assigned to Troop F, which covers several counties including Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee. Though he said he was met with some resistance as a young, black officer in a predominantly white agency, he said the bond he made with his fellow troopers transcended any problems.
"There was resentment from several guys. Over the years it got better and better," Milledge said. "I don't think it was out of the ordinary. I was treated decent."
Throughout the next 25 years, Milledge would gain a reputation of being a quiet, hard worker whose family always came first - especially his boys' athletics.
All three of his sons have followed his footsteps as talented baseball players. His youngest, Lastings, was drafted by the New York Mets in 2003 and is considered a future superstar.
"I played a little bit," Milledge said laughing. "I didn't have the talent of my baby boy, he can do it all. He's the real deal."
Indeed the "real deal" is what Milledge wants to focus on in his post-retirement days. He said his son's career will take precedence as he moves closer to the major leagues.
"I know I can't be with him 24 hours a day, but I'm going to try," he said. "Just to make sure he's staying on the right track and back him."
In the meantime, the FHP is losing one of the "stalwarts of Manatee County law enforcement," said Ron Getman, a county commissioner and the former commander of Troop F.
"Tony's always been a solid employee. He just quietly went about doing his job and was deeply involved with his children doing sports," Getman said. "It's not going to be the same place when he's gone."
While Milledge acknowledges he will miss the camaraderie of his fellow troopers, he's been looking forward to today for a long time.
"I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel," he said.