Gwendolyn Parrish, who blazed a trail for minority women in the Baltimore County Police Department, died at age 56 on Sept. 3.
In 1999, Parrish became the first black woman to hold the rank of sergeant in the county's police force, according to a release from Baltimore County police.
At the time of her death, the 31-year veteran had served in the Baltimore County Police Department longer than any other black woman, police said.
Parrish died due to complications from an illness, police said.
Born in eastern Baltimore County, Parrish served in the Edgemere, Dundalk and Woodlawn stations, police said.
After her promotion to sergeant in 1999, Parrish worked at Wilkens Station, which patrols Precinct 1 that includes Catonsville and Arbutus.
Since 2002, Parrish had worked in the Department's Records Management Unit, police said.