A. C. Roper
A. C. Roper Jr. (born November 6, 1963) is a lieutenant general in the United States Army Reserve and retired police officer who is currently 10th deputy commander of the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and vice commander of the American element of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Before that, he served as the deputy commanding general of the United States Army Reserve Command (USARC) and prior to that, as deputy chief of the United States Army Reserve. In his civilian career, Roper was chief of the Birmingham Police Department from 2007 to 2017. Roper's promotion makes him the first black United States Army Reserve lieutenant general.
A. C. Roper Jr. | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2023 | |
| Born | November 6, 1963 Birmingham, Alabama |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1983–present |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | 76th Operational Response Command 80th Training Command 415th CBRN Brigade |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal (4) Joint Service Commendation Medal Combat Action Badge |
| Alma mater | United States Army War College (MSS) University of Alabama (MS) |
| Spouse(s) |
Edith Roper (m. 1985) |
| Police career | |
| Department | Montgomery Police Department (1983–1985) Hoover Police Department (1985–2007) Birmingham Police Department (2007–2017) |
| Service years | 1983–1985 (MPD) 1985–2007 (HPD) 2007–2017 (BPD) |
| Status | Retired |
| Rank | Chief of police |
Roper graduated from Phillips High School in Birmingham, Alabama and enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He left the university after his sophomore year to join the Montgomery Police Department. Roper eventually completed a bachelor's degree at Troy State University. He later earned an M.S. degree in criminal justice from the University of Alabama and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the U.S. Army War College.