Remembering a pioneer: Waynesboro’s first black police officer honored at funeral

More than 200 people attended the funeral of Waynesboro’s first African-American police officer Tuesday morning, to pay their respects and celebrate his life.

Several members of the Waynesboro Police Department joined Eugene Calvin Perry Sr.’s family in the rows of Westminster Presbyterian Church, including Deputy Chief William Maki.

“He was one of the old-timers and he knew what he was doing,” Maki said. “He was handpicked at our time in a difficult society. Gene had what it took to be a good police officer.”

Perry joined the police department in 1963, during the frenzied years of the national civil rights movement. Maki turned to the pages of the Bible as he complimented Perry’s family, whom he referred to as “good fruit.”

“I see much evidence of good fruit in Gene Perry,” he said.

A brother to six siblings and a father of three children, Perry was an active member of Union Baptist Church, an avid Washington Redskins fan and a member of the Waynesboro Union Male Chorus. The chorus performed some of Perry’s favorite religious selections at the funeral.

Perry’s son Anthony G. Perry offered a eulogy near the end of the service.

“Let me just first say: I’m not sad,” Perry said. “When heaven is your home there’s no reason to be sad.”

“Amen!” the gatherers echoed.

Perry spoke of his father’s accomplishments, his strong will and his devotion to his family and faith.

After the service Eugene Perry’s body was taken to Riverview Cemetery, where he was buried in the early afternoon.