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GREENSBORO — A veteran police officer who gave 31 years of service to residents of Greensboro will be buried today.

Former Police Chief Conrad D. “Connie” Wade, 77, died early Monday after a series of long-term health issues.

Wade joined the police department in 1955 as a patrol officer. He rose through the ranks to become chief in 1984, a position he held until retiring in 1987.

Wade was admired in the police department and had a low-key, easygoing attitude that served him well during his short tenure.
A humble man, he was described as one who didn’t take credit for the department’s success during his tenure but gave the credit to the teamwork and professionalism of his officers.

“I am not a king, I am the leader of a group of leaders,” Wade said when named chief in August 1984. “We are not a one-man department. The decisions we make are joint decisions.”

That attitude rubbed off on his officers. Many who went onto leadership roles in the department cited Wade’s influence as helping them become better officers and people.

“He invested in people and he took a personal interest in folks,” said former Police Chief David Wray, who worked as a planning officer in Wade’s administration.

“I recognized I didn’t know as much as I thought I knew. He was always two chess moves ahead of you,” Wray said. “It was always something that caused you to grow. His footprints are throughout the police department.”

Under Wade’s tenure, the department became the first law enforcement agency in North Carolina to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies — a designation the department has renewed six times.

Appointing Wade as chief was one of the first decisions of former City Manager William Castarphen.

“It was a relief finding someone with the maturity and stability that Connie Wade had as an officer and as a chief,” Castarphen said Wednesday. “He was the epitome of professionalism and was an 'old-time’ chief of police. He was a center of calm and confidence.”

Former Mayor John Forbis said Wade was the “ideal image of what a police officer should look like and act like.”

“He was a real gentleman and an excellent police chief,” Forbis said. “He was well-respected by his officers because he worked hard to rise through the ranks.”

Wade was recalled as a man who cared deeply for his wife, Margie, and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. .
His burial is at 1 p.m. today at Sedgefield Baptist Church.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com