Leon Adams

Track

Class of 1953

Inducted: 1985

While growing up in Long Branch, Adams had made up his mind that education and coaching track and basketball would be his life's vocation. That was until a leg injury cut short a promising athletic career at Lincoln University. Before he was injured, Adams captured the central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship in the pole vault. Adams had an outstanding career at Long Branch High School, lettering in three sports and gaining all Monmouth County recognition for football, basketball, and track. In 1953, the six foot four inch atoms held the state record in pole vault.

While Adams was a correction officer at Rahway State Prison, he decided to take the state police exam he entered the police academy in September of 1961. Adam was promoted to captain in March 1984 and commanded a staff of 64 men in the Special Investigation and Services Bureau, which is part of the criminal investigation section of the state police. Adams, a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives stands as the highest ranking minority in the division of State Police.