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Council approves historical marker honoring Chief James Franklin Sutton at his South Branch Street home
Summary
Monroe City Council approved a $2,100 historical marker to honor Chief James Franklin Sutton, who served as Monroe’s first African American chief of public safety and was a community leader; staff said funds are available in the public safety budget.
The Monroe City Council approved the installation of a historical marker honoring Chief James Franklin Sutton, to be placed at 106 South Branch Street.
Staff presented background on Chief Sutton: born in Monroe in 1940, a graduate of Winchester High School (1959), U.S. Army veteran assigned to military police duties, a longtime member of the Monroe Public Safety Department (joining in 1967) who advanced through supervisory ranks and was appointed chief of public safety in 1996 before retiring in 1997. Staff said Chief Sutton was “a trailblazer and pillar in the Monroe community for decades.”
City staff reported a vendor quote of $2,100 for the marker and a four‑week delivery timeline, and said installation would be scheduled when the marker arrived. Staff further stated that the funds are available in the public safety budget.
Council action: a motion to approve the historical marker and to correct the narrative to indicate the address chosen as the birthplace/residence was moved, was made and seconded; the motion passed by voice/hand vote. Council discussed conducting an unveiling ceremony.
Staff will order the marker, coordinate installation with public works, and schedule an unveiling once the marker is received and installed.
