Chief Willie Lovett is pictured with wife, Mrs. Elaine Lovett and former teacher Mrs. Wilhelmenia Dean Savannah-Chatham County Metropolitan Police Chief Willie C. Lovett was remembered recently by members of First Congregational Church in Savannah.

“His teachers shaped and molded him,'' said Deacon Melvin Washington, who presented Lovett with the congregation's community service award. Lovett was honored because of his status as the first African-American police chief.

"Chief Lovett was in competition for that job. He continued to press on. .. Thank you for persevering," Washington said.

“These were ideal people,'' said former Savannah educator Wilhelmenia Dean, who taught Lovett and his wife at the Alfred Beach High School.

“I'd like to thank you very much. I admire anyone who has the dedication to become a teacher," Lovett said of the teachers in the congregation.

“One thing that I understand and always understood. No one is successful on their own."