Kathryn M. Battle was the victims’ assistance officer for the Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Division.
Battle died Sept. 3, 2012 after a bout with breast cancer. She was 57.
She was a devoted church woman and dedicated mother of two sons.
She was born in Philadelphia to James McNeil and Jaundice Grant. She graduated from John Bartram High School in 1972. She joined the police force in 1987 and worked for a time as a street cop out of the 17th District in South Philadelphia.
After a stint as an undercover narcotics officer, Battle transferred to the 12th District at 65th Street and Woodland Avenue to work with crime victims’ families. She served as a homicide victims’ specialist for the last 10 years.
She was often honored with certificates from the police department. She was a runner-up in the Daily News’ Fencl Award in 2001, when she was a victims’ assistance officer at the 12th District.
Battle was past president of the Guardian Civic League, the organization of Black police officers, and an active volunteer with the CHEERS (Community Health Enrichment Empowerment Resources Services) program.
She is survived by her mother and two sons, Christopher Tucker and James Headen.
Services were held Sept. 8 at Fifty-Ninth Street Baptist Church, 315 South 59th St. Burial was in Fernwood Cemetery.
