Retired Dallas County Constable Cleo Steele Dead At 69

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Constable Cleophas Steele, Jr. died Wednesday after complications from heart surgery according to the Dallas County Democratic Party.

Steele was one of the first African-Americans to graduate from Southern Methodist University School of Law.  He was also one of the first attorneys to sign a petition supporting the desegregation of the Dallas Independent School District in the early 1970s.

"We are deeply saddened at the unexpected passing of Constable Steele," said Dallas County Democratic Party Chair Darlene Ewing.  "Our community will miss this longtime public servant.  The Dallas County Democratic Party family lifts up the Steele family in our thoughts and prayers tonight and extends our condolences to his loved ones and many friends and colleagues."

Precinct One Constable Steele worked in Dallas County Law Enforcement for more than 30 years.  He came into office after his predecessor, Constable Derick Evans was convicted of a felony for misconduct on the job.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued this statement on Steele's passing:

"I was saddened to hear of the passing of Constable Cleo Steele, who served Dallas County with distinction – first as a Justice of the Peace and later as a Constable – for more than thirty years. I knew Cleo Steele and his wife Barbara as people of strong faith and civic engagement. I will miss his friendship and his service."

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