Betty Hightower worried every time her husband went to work.
“The times back then were not like they are now," she told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “But if you are a wife of law enforcement, you worry because things happen.”
But Robert Hightower Sr. dedicated his life to serving others. As the Georgia State Patrol’s first Black trooper, he worked more than 28 years for the department. And although Hightower retired in 1998 from the Department of Public Safety, his service continued, his family said.
Last week, Hightower died at age 77.
“We were with him when he took his last breath," Betty Hightower said.
The oldest of five brothers, Robert Hightower Sr. was born in Atlanta in 1943 and graduated from the former Turner High School in 1961. A career in public safety was his dream, and he went to work achieving his goal, his family said.
On July 13, 1970, Hightower was hired by the State Patrol, the agency’s first Black trooper, paving the way for countless others. But making history wasn’t something he bragged about, his wife said.
“He was a very humble man,” she said. “If people were talking about his accomplishments, he would sit there and smile. He was really down to earth. That was just his style.”
The couple, married for 58 years, had two children — son Robert Hightower Jr. and daughter Robin Moses. Betty Hightower also had her own career in banking and said she and her husband were always busy with their careers and their family, which includes three granddaughters.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Education was also a priority for her husband, who completed numerous degrees while working as a trooper. In 1976, Hightower earned an associate degree in police administration from DeKalb Community College, followed by a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Brenau College in 1982, the State Patrol said. In 1985, he completed his master’s degree in executive decision making.
His work experience, coupled with his continued efforts to further his education, led to numerous promotions for Hightower, who became a corporal in 1974. In 1979, he was promoted to sergeant and became a Certified Grievance Hearing Officer for the Georgia Merit System for 17 years. He was named a lieutenant in 1981, a captain in 1990 and a major in 1995.
Among the highlights of his career was carrying the torch leading up to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, his family said. Hightower also served as the venue commander for the Games. During his extensive career, he also provided security for the family of the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., as well as various government officials and leaders.
A year after his retirement, the state of Georgia proclaimed Feb. 15, 1999, “Major Robert Hightower Day” to recognize the precedent he set through leadership and service.
Credit: AJC
Credit: AJC
In recent years, Hightower served others through both his church and the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, his wife said.
Betty Hightower said she’s grateful for the life she shared with her husband, finding it hard to speak of him in the past tense.
“I really did have a lot of respect for my husband,” Betty Hightower said. “He was busy.”
A visitation for Hightower will be held Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Willie A. Watkins Historic West End Chapel. The funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at New Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta.
The Georgia State Patrol will pay a final tribute to Maj. Hightower with troopers from Troop C providing a funeral escort for the family. The GSP Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers.
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