A. C. Roper

Summary

A. C. Roper Jr. (born November 6, 1963) is a lieutenant general in the United States Army Reserve and retired police officer who is currently 10th deputy commander of the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and vice commander of the American element of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).[2] Before that, he served as the deputy commanding general of the United States Army Reserve Command (USARC) and prior to that, as deputy chief of the United States Army Reserve. In his civilian career, Roper was chief of the Birmingham Police Department from 2007 to 2017.[3][4][5][6] Roper's promotion makes him the first black United States Army Reserve lieutenant general.[7]

A. C. Roper Jr.
Official portrait, 2023
Born (1963-11-06) November 6, 1963 (age 60)[1]
Birmingham, Alabama
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1983–present
RankLieutenant General
Commands held76th Operational Response Command
80th Training Command
415th CBRN Brigade
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (4)
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Combat Action Badge
Alma materUnited States Army War College (MSS)
University of Alabama (MS)
Spouse(s)
Edith Roper
(m. 1985)
Police career
DepartmentMontgomery Police Department (1983–1985)
Hoover Police Department (1985–2007)
Birmingham Police Department (2007–2017)
Service years1983–1985 (MPD)
1985–2007 (HPD)
2007–2017 (BPD)
StatusRetired
Rank Chief of police

Roper graduated from Phillips High School in Birmingham, Alabama and enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He left the university after his sophomore year to join the Montgomery Police Department. Roper eventually completed a bachelor's degree at Troy State University.[8] He later earned an M.S. degree in criminal justice from the University of Alabama and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the U.S. Army War College.[3][8]

References edit

  1. ^ "A.C. Roper". Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  2. ^ "Lieutenant General A.C. Roper (USAR)". Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Maj. Gen. A.C. Roper". Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  4. ^ "PN329 — Maj. Gen. A. C. Roper Jr. — Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". www.congress.gov. April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  5. ^ Jackson, Sherri (December 6, 2017). "Why is Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper retiring?". Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  6. ^ "Former Police Chief A.C. Roper heading to the Pentagon as deputy chief of U.S. Army Reserve". March 7, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  7. ^ Robinson, Carol (May 11, 2021). "Former Birmingham police chief makes history as first Black US Army Reserve lieutenant general".
  8. ^ a b Robinson, Carol (November 29, 2017). "Departing Police Chief A.C. Roper: 'I will always be a fan of Birmingham'". Retrieved July 14, 2021.

External links edit

  •   Media related to A. C. Roper, Jr. at Wikimedia Commons
Police appointments
Preceded by
Annetta Nunn
Chief of the Birmingham Police Department
2007–2017
Succeeded by
Patrick D. Smith
Military offices
Preceded by
???
Commanding General of the 415th CBRN Brigade
2011–2014
Succeeded by
George C. Frank Jr.
Preceded by
David J. Conboy
Deputy Chief of Army Reserve
2017–2019
Succeeded by
Michael C. O'Guinn
Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Reserve Command
2019–2021
Succeeded by
Gregory J. Mosser
Preceded by Deputy Commander of the United States Northern Command
2021–present
Incumbent