William H. Ambrose Sr.

Arrangements unWilliam Hart Ambrose was born October 30, 1924, in New York City to Donald and Catherine Ambrose who immigrated from Antigua, British West Indies. His older siblings are Elwood, Oweda, and Conrad. His younger siblings are Wilma and Donald Jr. His mother named him William Hart after a silent film actor who was known for showing honor and integrity. William Ambrose himself was as a man of exceptional honor, integrity, service, and generosity. On Veterans Day 2015, at the age of 91 years, he was honored as a notable attendee at the Police Commissioner’s NYPD Military Officers Breakfast at Police Headquarters.

He served overseas in the United States Army during World War II 1943 through 1946 and was part of the Battle of the Bulge. He joined the New York City Police Department in 1947 when ethnic barriers tested his graciousness in the face of daily indignities. He joined with other brave police officers who founded the Guardians Association, which became no longer the social NYPD Guardians Club, but, instead, an activist civil rights group of African American police officers.

1960 was a significant year for William Ambrose. He married Gloria Green and became stepfather to her daughters, Alice and Carol-Ann Woodson. In June 1960, he also received his promotion to NYPD Sergeant. February 6, 1961, his beloved firstborn, Lisa, was born, followed by his firstborn son, William Jr. (1962), and his youngest son, Christopher (1964). He loved to watch sports with his sons and their friends.

Due to his reputation for honor, integrity, service, and generosity, Sergeant William Ambrose was assigned as the first supervisor of the newly established “Neighborhood Police Team” in the 77th Precinct in Brooklyn. This concept established satellite precincts working within the precinct bridging bonds within the community. They not only fought crime within the Bedford Stuyvesant community but also established bonds with families. It was normal for Sgt. Ambrose to leave his Queens home on his days off to handle situations at work when his subordinates were having difficulty. For example, he had an idea to paint the roof tops of apartment buildings so that police helicopters can see the addresses of residents. After a subordinate telephoned him saying the police officer had a personal event to attend, Sgt. Ambrose drove in to Bed Stuy on his day off in coveralls to paint rooftops of community residents. Because of Sergeant Ambrose’s legendary selflessness, New York City Mayor John Lindsay decreed that he would forever receive pay for the higher rank of lieutenant. The entire family was excited and honored when Mayor Lindsay chose only Sgt. Ambrose to be interviewed with the mayor of New York City on an entire evening television program regarding neighborhood policing.

In 1972, a pilot program allowed female police officer to operate squad cars and do foot patrol for the first time in the history of NYPD. Five of the first 15 female police officers were assigned to Sergeant Ambrose of the 77th Precinct. When interviewed, he referred to them as invaluable and irreplaceable. It follows that all three of his daughters, a granddaughter, and a niece became police officers. Two of them worked in police community relations, diffusing conflict between the police and the community, and one became a police sergeant. He is inspirational. He retired in 1986. During his recent illness, he would frequently awaken and ask if anyone needed anything. He asked if there were enough patrol cars to cover the area.

In 1990, he and Gloria moved to Ocala, Florida with his granddaughter, Candice Lee. They were again inspirational as one daughter and three more grandchildren moved to Florida afterwards. They enjoyed themselves in Marion Oaks with family and friends. Examples of his generosity and concern for family are infinite. He returned to New York to live with his son William Jr., his son’s wife, Cindy, and grandchildren Raven, Noah, and Jordan in Levittown, Long Island in 2014.

He is survived by his sons William Jr. (Cindy), and Christopher Ambrose, by his daughters Alice White (Fred), and Carol-Ann Rivere; his sister, Wilma Boyd; grandchildren Jaimi White, Marjorie White, Scott Rivere (Erika), Heather Mitchell (Cameron Lamont), William Ambrose III, Bryna Ambrose, Julian Ambrose, Alexa Ambrose, Raven Ambrose, Noah Ambrose, and Jordan Ambrose.

der the direction of Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Homes, Hicksville, NY.