At its March 8 meeting, the Monroe City Council unanimously agreed to name the new police headquarters building the “Bobby G. Kilgore Law Enforcement Center.” Currently under construction, the facility, located at 450 W. Crowell St. in Monroe, is anticipated to open in 2023 and will centralize services provided by the Monroe Police Department.

Bobby Kilgore was a member of the Monroe Police Department for 30 years, including eight years as Chief of Police. He went on to serve on City Council, first as a member from 1997-2005, and then as Mayor of Monroe from 2005-2021. He obtained his A.A.S. degree from Central Piedmont Community College in Police Science and worked firsthand with crime prevention, fire policy, youth programs, and disaster relief and preparedness. Kilgore served on the North Carolina League of Municipalities Transportation and Public Safety Committee, National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Steering Committee, National League of Cities Board of Directors (2007-2009), North Carolina League of Municipalities Board of Directors, and the Governor’s Crime Control and Public Safety Committee. He was honored to become an Order of the Long Leaf Pine recipient in 2007. A member and deacon of Oakland Baptist Church, Kilgore also belongs to the Rotary Club and Civitan Club and is involved with youth team sports and D.A.R.E. activities. 

“Bobby Kilgore has been a leader in the City of Monroe and has been instrumental in the progress the City has made over the last several decades. Without him, our police force would not be what it is today, and it is fitting that the new police station be named after him,” said Monroe Mayor Marion Holloway.

Kilgore celebrates his 84th birthday today.