John Louis Pickens, 69, passed away on March 11, 2019. He received a Bachelor's degree in Applied Science from Maryville in St Louis, MO and a Master of Arts in Business Management from Webster University. He had a lifelong law enforcement career included training at the St Louis Police Academy and Federal Bureau of Investigations Academy as well as a host of organizations including time as the President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE). He also served in the Air Force for three years. He worked in St Louis City and Uplands Park as a police officer where he earned a promotion to Lieutenant. From there he served as the first Black Chief wherever he went. Those stops included time as Chief of Police in Pine Lawn, MO, the University of Missouri St. Louis, and Chief of Police at Northern Illinois University. His most prestigious career appointment came after an intense interview process when he was selected to direct the then largest university in the United States as Chief of Police at ASU. He eventually retired from the police force in 2014 and then became Executive Director of Security at ASU where he served until September 17, 2018. John leaves four sons, one grandson, six granddaughters, eight great grandchildren, three sisters, one brother and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. One brother predeceased him. (Source: ASU Foundation)