Henrico resident Vivian Christian will have the opportunity to attend an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the first African-Americans to be hired by the Richmond Police Department in 1946, thanks to the generosity of the event’s organizers.

In a letter to the editor published in the April 14-16 edition of the Free Press, Ms. Christian wrote that she knew three of the four trailblazing officers and would like to attend the event, but could not afford the $50 ticket because she “lives off a very low income each month.”

When the organizing groups, the Richmond Black Police Officers Association and Engine Company #9, read of Ms. Christian’s quandary, they offered to pay for her to attend the event slated for 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Hilton Richmond Downtown, 501 E. Broad St.

They reached out to her this week with the good news.

The celebration will honor Officers Doctor P. Day, John W. Vann, Frank S. Randolph and Howard T. Braxton, who made history when they were hired May 1, 1946, by the Richmond Police Department.

They were the first African-Americans allowed to join the department, which was formed in 1807.

For more information on the event, call Betty Squire at (804) 347-5289, Robert Jones at (804) 640-3621 or Thomas Williams at (804) 382-3644 or email E9andAssociates@gmail.com.