Fred Morgan Sr., one of city's first black district fire chiefs

Fred P. Morgan Sr., 67, a retired 38-year veteran of the ChicagoFire Department and one of its first black district chiefs, died ofcancer Monday at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Hospital.

Chief Morgan, of the South Side, was born April 29, 1919, inShelby, Miss. When he joined the fire department on Feb., 8, 1944, hewas one of 16 blacks on the force.

He was assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau in 1959, promotedto lieutentant in 1963, became a captain in 1966 and was promoted tobattalion chief at headquarters in 1972.

After serving as battalion chief at the third and 10thbattalions, Chief Morgan was named fourth division marshal inJanuary, 1979.

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