Manuel Curry | Policeman till death, 84

Sgt. Maj. Manuel Curry, 84, who was on the New Orleans police force for more than six decades and was believed to be the longest-serving full-time law-enforcement officer in the nation, has died.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley said Mr. Curry died Thursday at an area hospital. The cause was not released.

Research done in 2002 by the New Orleans chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police found that Mr. Curry had the longest active service career of any police officer in the country, police spokesman Bob Young said. He was still an active member at the time of his death, Young said.

Mr. Curry joined the department in 1946 and was in the city's Sixth Police District for more than 63 years.

Riley said Mr. Curry stayed on duty during Hurricane Katrina - at 80 years old.

- AP