Obituary: Donald Banham, a police officer who braved the color line

Donald Banham wasn't trying to be a trailblazer. He just quietly was one.

Banham became the first black police officer on the University of Minnesota Police Department in 1958, survived a nearly fatal accident while on duty and confronted racism in the Twin Cities housing market by buying a home in Eagan — the second black family to move into the suburb.

He died of kidney disease Feb. 25 at age 86.

Born in Minneapolis, Banham was one of seven children. He met his future wife, Rose, at John Marshall High School in St. Paul, where they both graduated. The two were wed in 1952.

Banham worked for Honeywell as a machine operator for about five years, but he wanted a job in law enforcement or other public service.

"It was not easy to get on at a police department or fire department at that time because of discrimination," Rose Banham said. "He saw an ad one day for the University Police and just went in."

Getting the job was the first challenge, but it wasn't the last. Banham was passed over for several promotions that his fellow officers later said he deserved, and students and others at the university didn't always accept his authority at first.

"His legs were up in a 'V' and I had to turn him every hour," Rose said. "We weren't on welfare and the police department took him off the payroll. Our house payment was $110, plus lights, gas and phone. We went on workmen's compensation, which was $90 a month, and my mom picked up the rest."

As soon as Banham could get out of bed, he went back to work with leg braces on.

The couple were living in south Minneapolis when, around the time their fourth child was born, they decided to look for new homes.

"Because of segregation, we couldn't buy certain houses. By accident one day, we started driving around the suburbs," Rose said.

In Eagan, a real estate agent tried to sell them a house next to the only other black family in town. The Banhams wanted something else: a house on a corner lot. "We weren't trying to be pioneers. We just needed a bigger house," Rose said. "And the neighbors accepted us."

"That was another challenge. We went over to Wisconsin because we knew some black families over there who sold us land," she said. "We had to buy where they would sell to us."

A highlight of his 27-year career was being assigned to be a bodyguard for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. when he visited the U. Banham retired from the department in 1984. "When you finally retire, it is time meant for enjoyment, but that was really short-lived because he started dealing with a lot of chronic pain," said Don Banham Jr., his oldest son. "But he didn't complain, he never said, 'Woe is me.' He just had a love for life and family that was infectious to a lot of people."

Banham loved barbecuing for friends and family. He regularly planned guys' trips with his sons, their friends and his friends.

In retirement, Banham drove cancer patients to their appointments. When he could no longer drive, he worked the phones, setting up patients with drivers.

Besides his wife and son Don Jr. of Lakeville, he is survived by son Craig Banham of Burnsville, daughters Audrey Smith and Karen Banham, both of Minneapolis, 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Services have been held.