Yonkers Police Officer Rita Gross Nelson, with officers L-R-Scott, Downes and Belton
On September 18. 1974 Police Officer Harold Woods, a Yonkers native, and eleven (11) year veteran of the Yonkers Police Department was killed in the line of duty while he bravely intervened to stop an armed robbery in progress at the former A&P Supermarket at the corner of Nepperhan Avenue and Odell Avenue. Officer Woods selfless courageous actions cost him his life as he made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve the people and City that he loved. Officer Woods left behind his wife Dorothy and three (3) young boys. He received a full Inspectors funeral service and is listed on city, state, and federal monuments to fallen officers.
Fast forward 48 years later Officer Woods widow Dorothy is returning to Yonkers for a visit. To further memorialize his bravery, the Yonkers Police Department reached out to Councilman Anthony Merante. Councilman Merante took swift action by sponsoring a City Council resolution to honorarily dedicate the portion of Nepperhan Avenue between Odell Avenue and Cross Hill Avenue as “Police Officer Harold Woods Way” with an unveiling ceremony.
Councilman Merante stated, “The honorary naming of Police Officer Harold Woods Way in the City of Yonkers is a fitting and well-deserved tribute to a true hometown hero.”
ABOUT RITA GROSS NELSON
Rita Gross Nelson, born in 1937 in Harlem, was a Yonkers native who grew up on Bushey Avenue, attended Yonkers Public Schools, and graduated from Roosevelt High School as her father before her. She then joined the United States Air Force and honorably discharged in 1958. She attended Paul Quinn College, Waco Texas and Fordham University, N.Y.C.
Rita Gross Nelson joined the Yonkers Police Force as a Parking Enforcement Officer (Meter Maid) and was appointed the first Permanent African American Female Police Officer, and the first Woman to walk “”patrol”” in the State of New York in 1964. After 23 years of service, she retired and became the first African American Director of Security for the Hudson River Museum. After ten years, she again “”retired””, but shortly accepted a position at Columbia University where she trained Security Officers, as a Licensed State Security Officer Instructor.
For many of these years she also served as Private Security for VIP’s such as Coretta Scott King, Shirley Chisolm, Robin Givens and Dorothy Irene Height. In 2000, at the request of then Superintendent Joseph Farmer, Rita came out of retirement again, accepting a position in Yonkers Public Schools System as Court Liaison for at risk youths and State Trainer for School Safety Officers. She also had the distinction of being the first female to hold these positions.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Rita Gross Nelson was the first Female member of the Westchester and Rockland Guardians Assoc. and served as Secretary for 6 years. She was also a charter member of the National Council of Police Societies; and served as 1st Vice President of Council of Police Societies.
Rita was a concerned citizen of Yonkers. She served in, as well as supported, many local organizations, including: serving as Past Matron of Terrace City Chapter #26; Yonkers Prince Hall Order of Eastern Stars; Life Member of the Yonkers Branch NAACP; and Board Member of the Nepperhan Community Center, serving as Secretary until her illness and passing. Rita was a Life Member of Runyon Heights Improvement Association, the neighborhood she loved, lived in, and resided until her death in 2015.
FAMILY
Rita was the proud mother of 3 daughters; Carol Gross, Celleste Gilbert, and Maria George. She was an even prouder Grandmother of the late Miranda George, Nikhol George Yoshii, Keith and Kyle Gilbert, and blessed with a Son-in-Law Shige Yoshii and Great Grand-Daughter Luna Yoshii. Rita never met a child that she did not love and nurture as her own, claiming many young men and women as sons and daughters.
Rita used to say that she was second-generation Yonkers, gave birth to the third, and lived to see the fourth and fifth arrive. “I AM Yonkers, I’m not just passing through” was her motto with regard to her City.
