Russell W. Neugent, 79, first black Mounted Patrol officer

Russell W. Neugent, 79, who in 1957 became the first African American in the Police Department's Mounted Patrol and afterward labored to introduce inner-city children to the sport of riding, died of lung cancer July 10 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The West Philadelphian's last request, made two days before he died, was to have his cowboy boots placed on his feet.

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, he began riding in Fairmount Park when he was 6. The young boy, who lived near the park, got a job exercising horses. He was paid 3 cents per horse.

After graduating from Overbrook High School in 1945, Mr. Neugent drove a cab and took several science courses at the University of Pennsylvania before joining the Merchant Marine.

In 1951, Mr. Neugent enlisted in the Army and was sent to Korea, where he was trained as an embalmer. After his discharge in 1953, he joined the Air Force Reserve. He was assigned as a paratrooper with tactical units at McGuire and Willow Grove Air Force Bases. He retired from the Reserve in 1973.

After leaving the Army, Mr. Neugent again drove a cab for a few years before joining the Police Department. A veteran and experienced horseman, Mr. Neugent was accepted by his colleagues in the mounted unit and even gained their respect, said his son, Eric.

His time with the unit was short, however. He left the department in 1959 after being cited and suspended for driving drunk, and striking a parked oil truck, while on duty on Christmas Day.

"Alcohol was my father's demon for a while," his son said. "But he got himself together and never looked back. He was a very strong man. I proudly grew up in his shadow."

Once again a civilian, Mr. Neugent worked as a mechanic on turbine engines at the Boeing Vertol helicopter plant in South Philadelphia until 1968. He then got a job with UPS, retiring in 1995 after 27 years.

Mr. Neugent married Ruby E. Neal in 1953. The couple raised two children in East Mount Airy before divorcing in 2000.

"My father always owned a horse and was happiest in the saddle," his son said. "He invested well and was able to support his family and his horses. He taught me to ride when I was a kid."

Mr. Neugent, who moved back to West Philadelphia in the 1990s, continued to ride until June, when he became too ill.

He was a longtime member of the Cowboys and Girls Association of Philadelphia, which helps poor children learn to ride. And he received numerous awards from the Philadelphia Police Department for participating in crime-prevention efforts.

"Dad worked with inner-city kids and taught them to ride," his son said. "My fondest memory of him was the look of love on his face as we rode together in Fairmount Park as friends."

Mr. Neugent was a Buffalo Soldier reenactor, depicting one of the black U.S. Cavalry soldiers who fought in the Indian Wars.

Dressed in a dark-blue jacket trimmed with yellow chevrons, sky-blue pants, billed cap, and square-toed, knee-high boots with spurs, he proudly thundered in parades carrying a saber sheathed in a silver scabbard.

He was in the United Horsemen's Association and trained trotters that did not make the grade to become racehorses for the Standard Breeders Association. Many of these horses were donated to the Belmont Stables.

In addition to his son, Mr. Neugent is survived by a daughter, Jill; two grandchildren; a sister; a brother; and his former wife.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. today at Pinn Memorial Baptist Church, 54th Street and Wynnefield Avenue. Tomorrow, beginning at noon, a ceremonial parade on horseback will be held at Fletcher Street Stable, 2600 Fletcher St., Fairmount Park.

Burial is private.

Donations may be sent to Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., Penn Tower Hotel, 15th Floor, Philadelphia 19104.