9 June 2025
By Fritz Esker
Contributing Writer
Sidney H. Cates III, the New Orleans Police Department’s first Black deputy chief, passed away peacefully at his home on May 31. He was 94.
Cates became deputy chief of administration for the New Orleans Police Department in August 1970 at the age of 39. Before his appointment, he was commander of the department’s community relations division. During his time with the community relations division, he received the Alfred E. Clay award from the Children’s Bureau of New Orleans for his contributions to the welfare of children by designing, implementing and supervising programs sponsored by the community relations division.
After being sworn into the deputy chief position, Cates immediately called for better academic and on-the-job training for officers and more clearly defined objectives for police from policy makers.
“Police are underpaid and overworked,” Cates III said in a Times-Picayune article on September 5, 1970. “Their training procedures are too outdated and are universally in need of being overhauled.”
After joining the police force in 1955, Cates III rose through the ranks to become the first Black sergeant, lieutenant and captain in the history of the New Orleans Police Department. While working as a police officer, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University of New Orleans.
Cates’ son, Orleans Parish Civil District Judge Sidney H. Cates IV, issued a statement about his father’s passing.
“My dad’s tremendous integrity, unstoppable tenacity, strong work ethic, deep Christian faith, and God-given ability guided my father in every aspect of his life,” he said. “His guiding attributes and my mother’s and extended families’ support were the bedrock of my father’s life and career.”
In 2022, the Louisiana House of Representatives formally commended Cates III for his career of service, stating in their resolution that Cates “demonstrated exceptional courage, dedication, and leadership throughout his storied career.”
Cates III was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He served from 1951-1953, which included service during the Korean War. He received the Nations Service Medal, Bronze Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal.
Many local organizations received Cates’ support during his life, including the New Orleans Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee, Hibernia Bank and Harrah’s Casino. He also served as the executive director of the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO).
A lifelong Catholic and graduate of Xavier Prep, Cates III received the highest honor that can be bestowed to a layman when then-Archbishop Philip Hannan recommended he be named an Equestrian Knight in the Southern Lieutenancy of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem (the organization that cares for the Holy Sepulcher). This is the only lay order recognized by the papal office. He also was a member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver, achieving fourth degree status in that organization.
Cates III had two children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Betty Foster Cates. Funeral services were held on Friday, June 6 at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in New Orleans East.
This article originally published in the June 9, 2025 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.