On March 7, 1967 an officer was born to Deloris Powell and Charles McWright, Sr.; one destined to protect and serve. The moment his Mom Deloris looked into his eyes she knew his name would be – John Kevin - John, “God is Gracious”; Kevin, “Handsome Beloved”. “Mac” as he was affectionately known was graced with a passion from God before birth, a drive, and purpose which he realized at the tender age 4 of to become a police officer. When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up; he would emphatically state, “I want to be a police officer.” He would often play with his little brother and of course he was always the police officer. He was reared by his mother Deloris Powell and his stepfather Johnnie B. Powell, Jr. and encouraged to pursue his dream by his mother. He absolutely adored his mother and took to heart her wisdom, encouragement and advice.
He attended Samuel Cupples Elementary School. While in elementary school he played baseball with the Royal Knights along with his brother James “Peter” where he garnered the concept of teamwork. He then went on to attend Northwest High School where he played on the football team. It was in high school that John “Kevin” began to realize that he was handsome. While in class and tasked to take a test he signed his test paper with his new found name. As his teacher was grading the papers she realized that a name that was not listed on her roll had been signed on one of the test papers. When she asked the class, “Who is Romeo?” – John “Kevin” stood up and said, “I am Romeo.” Everyone in the classroom began to laugh and giggle.
Not long after graduating from high school he obtained employment with Barnes Hospital as a security officer. Realizing the passion and drive to be a “police officer” was still burning deep within – he enrolled in the Saint Louis County Police Academy and graduated on December 13, 1995; finally, and now a chance to fulfill his purpose, life’s destiny and dream. His first employment as a “police officer” was with the City of Pagedale Police Department. He then went on to gain further employment with the City of Pine Lawn Police Department and the Wellston Police Department. His final employment was with the City of Berkeley Police Department which he began in 1999 and where he served on the SWAT Team, as a Corporal and as a Sergeant; tasked with the responsibility of leading a team of 4 other police officers. As an officer if you had to encounter a fight – it was “Mac” that others wanted on their team.
In the fall of 2013 John Kevin broke his left thumb in an altercation with a suspect. Because the thumb did not heal properly it was difficult for Sergeant Mac to hold his service weapon. A decision was made by his team of orthopedic doctors to perform surgery on the thumb.
On January 3, 2014, at 9:11 am during surgery a tragic event occurred, and a (10-42) End of Shift was called, and the lights went out for Sergeant John Kevin McWright-Powell and he answered a higher call and (10-4) Affirmative to live eternally with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
