Pioneer Police Woman Says the Heights Kept Calling Her Back

Breaking barriers in Chicago Heights did not come easy for longtime resident Ruth Carter. Ruth’s life reads like a movie script, from chasing the bad guys to eventually establishing a scholarship program.

But before all that, she was a student.

“When I was in high school at Bloom in 1967, during my junior and senior years, I lived in the projects on 5th Avenue,” Ruth said, discussing her life as a teen. ‘The younger children didn’t have anything to do in the summer. It was a close-knit community back then. People helped people. Crimes and drugs were not open like it is now.”

Reflecting on a different time, several years ago, Ruth remembered being active in the Heights.

“I organized trips for the kids,” she said. “I would go through the community. The different stores would donate food for sandwiches. The Hendersons, her and her husband would help me. They were mentors. “

During her teens, Ruth also modeled for the local clothing stores such as Hayman–Hawkins and Klines. 

“Chicago Heights had so many stores,” Ruth remembered. “They thought Lincoln Mall was going to be where the empty parking lot is now along Chicago Road. Turned out Lincoln Mall built out in Matteson, Carson’s went to Matteson. Then slowly restaurants, stores and three movie houses left, what was once a booming town, is not anymore.”

After high school, Ruth Carter joined the Army, she worked under General William Westmoreland during the Vietnam war. 

“I didn’t do any fighting,” Ruth clarified. “I was administrative. I’ve also always liked uniforms. It makes you look so professional.”

It wasn’t long after her service in the Army, Chicago Heights was calling Ruth back.

“I left here a few times and tried to live somewhere else,” she said. “My momma, who I love, is still here. I’ve lived other places but I always come back. There is always something missing. I like Chicago Heights. The people here, they are hard workers. I’d rather stay here than Chicago. There is a good spirit of this place.”

When Ruth returned, she said the streets of Chicago Heights were calling her, starting her path to becoming a pioneer.

“Three women were hired in 1977 as Chicago Heights police officers,” Ruth said. “We went on the streets in 1978, after the academy. We trained at the academy for 10 weeks. They had other women before us, but none had gone to the police academy and graduated.”

Ruth said the group's trailblazing status earned them a nickname.

“Because it was three females that got hired, they called us Charlies Angels,” she said.

Ruth said she still remembers her first night on the job as a police officer, for good reason.

“I went out with my training officer,” Ruth explained. “We pulled over a van, which was parked on a school ground.  Someone called the police and said they were selling drugs out of the van at Serena Hills. We pull them over and got them out. I told the driver to turn around so I can pat him down. He turned around and he cold cocked me. He knocked me out. When I woke up I was in the emergency room. That was my first night as a police officer, I’ll never forget it.”

As Ruth continued talking, she revealed photos of her as a police officer, of her holding the American flag. As the pages turned her life progressed.

Her time with the Chicago Heights Police Department brought Ruth one of her best days, and she was eager to talk about it.

“I was out with Sgt. (Frank) Burgess, a call came in about a burglary,” Ruth said. “He said, ‘Let’s take this Ruth.’ Sgt. Burgess told me he was going to go in the back of the home, and told me to stand by the front door.  He goes around to the rear door. I look in the picture window. I see two guys standing in the living room.”

Seeing the two men in the living room wasn’t as alarming as what Ruth heard them say.

“I know my sergeant is at the back door. I hear one guy say, ‘Here man take this ,“ Ruth said. “It was a 45 caliber revolver. He tells the (other) guy ‘Shoot him! Shoot him!’ When he did that, I yelled I was in the front doorway. They (saw) me, they turned around and almost ran over me going out the door. I drew my gun, ran down the steps and (my gun) wouldn’t fire. After that the department got rid of the 9 millimeters. They were going to kill my Sergeant. The guy with the gun stooped down and was pointing the gun at the back door. The guy with the gun didn’t know I was there. That was the best part of being on the police force. I saved his life.”

Ruth had only been on the force for a few years before she was compelled to do something different. 

“I was going to Prairie State College,” she explained. “I was helping to sell dinners for the Black Student Union, so we could have money to do things for the group. So this idea came to me, let’s take this and start it at my church, which is St. Bethel's.”

The idea grew into something more, and led to another way to support college students by using food.

“We got permission to use the kitchen. We cooked dinners, sold them to residents and started scholarships for the east side of town,” Ruth said. “The funds were raised for children who wanted to further their education. The scholarship is still in full force today.”

Ruth went on to work security at District 170 before becoming a teacher’s assistant, where she worked one on one with children that had behavioral disorders. 

Today, Ruth volunteers at her grandson’s school, Lincoln School. 

“I have to do something. I go and help with the fifth graders,” Ruth explained. “I cut out letters, numbers. I read to the children. If they are writing a report, I critique it and check their spelling. I want the students to know I care. I get hugs from the kids. I love that.  After that, I go and help my mom. She’s 88. My mom always told me ‘Ruth, you can do anything, all you have to do is set your mind to it and stick to it.’”

Ruth is still not done. She has a heart to help others. 

“I’m looking for a senior who needs some love and good cooking,” Ruth said. “I have that motherly love.  I’m not a wonder woman anymore. If there is an elderly person that needs some taking care of that needs a good person to see after them, that’s me.”