When introducing Akron Police Chief Stephen Mylett to the First Friday Club of Greater Akron, Father Norm Douglas described him as someone who “has a servant’s heart. He is wonderfully, deeply dedicated to the Catholic charism and it influences what he does,” said Father Douglas, pastor of St. Vincent Parish in Akron.
Mylett, the youngest of seven boys, was raised on Long Island in New York.
“I was the last hope for a girl,” he quipped, recalling how his brothers convinced him he was adopted.
The Myletts lived in a small, one-bedroom home and had to learn to get along. They had a pretty normal family life, Mylett said. “I couldn’t have asked for better parents than the ones God selected for me.”
Things weren’t perfect, however, as Mylett and his father struggled with their relationship at times. His father’s drinking also caused problems and eventually, his parents separated but did not divorce.
After high school, Mylett joined the United States Air Force. He recalled a Bible gifted to him by his father that helped him through some difficult times, including the breakup of a serious relationship during his Air Force days in England. He said his faith didn’t remove the pain from the breakup, “but it helped me endure it.”
He spent time doing security work, which led him into a 34-year career in law enforcement. “I heard the calling to be a servant,” Mylett said, noting many family members including his father served as police officers and inspired him.
“My dad told me ‘The job is not about you. It’s about doing God’s work and being there to serve others.’ That stayed with me,” he added.
When he thinks about who he is, Mylett said he is “a Catholic husband, father, police officer and chief.” He and his wife have four children and three grandchildren.
He recalled a difficult time in his career when he suffered a severe back injury. He and his wife had two young children and he was in severe pain and suffering despair because he was considered medically retired. However, after two major surgeries, doctors considered his recovery “essentially a miracle. “I loved my career and wanted to stay with it,” he said. After recovering, he hasn’t had another break in service.
Over the years, Mylett has worked hard and risen through the ranks moving to larger police departments and more important leadership positions. He spent more than two decades in Texas before moving to Bellevue, Washington where he served more than six years as police chief. He was there in 2020 when the George Floyd murder took place and said it was a tough time for police officers. “I saw things I’d never seen before. I didn’t recognize our country.” However, Mylett said he “was blessed to be a part of the healing period after that.”
Mylett said he felt his calling might be elsewhere after his years in Bellevue. When he learned of the Akron police chief search, he applied and was chosen for the position. He moved to Akron in August 2021.
He called the June 27, 2022 shooting death of Jayland Walker by Akron police officers “a tragedy all the way around.” Mylett said the 25-year-old “was in tremendous pain” prior to the circumstances that culminated in officers shooting him more than 40 times.
Mylett said he decided that the department would turn the investigation over to the state attorney general’s office. “We walled off the police department and let the AG do an independent investigation,” he said. Ultimately, no charges were filed.
After the grand jury refused to indict any of the officers, Mylett said several nights of protests occurred in Akron with the potential for violence, which fortunately did not occur. But he said the trust between the police and public has been fractured.
“In my humble opinion, the level of prayer raised up in this city was the reason Akron didn’t burn down. I give great glory to and thanks to God because without his presence, one can only imagine what could have happened,” he added.
Another time when he relied on his faith was when his then 21-year-old daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. “She’s my third child, my beautiful child both inside and out. She was worried about how her illness was affecting those around her,” Mylett said. They turned her care over to a major cancer center in Texas. He said they saw the tumor on X-rays and repeated the tests.
Soon after, he said the doctor told them the tumor was gone, no further treatment was needed, she would be discharged and could have children.
“To say it was a miracle was an understatement. It was a total gift from God,” Mylett said, “I never lost my faith. My prayer was that the Lord’s will be done. I love my daughter, but she’s God’s if he wants her back, but I asked that he please not take her.”
When asked by Father Douglas to address the First Friday Club Mylett said he wasn’t sure what to tell the audience about faith. That’s something we all have in common, he added, noting that we turn ourselves over to the Lord and ask him to guide us in the direction he wants us to go.
He is troubled by the things he sees today and said he reminds people that they “are valued, loved and God has his hands on you. The only way to get through this is prayer.”
Mylett said as Akron continues to heal in the wake of the Jayland Walker shooting death, he is focusing on community engagement, improving the process and employee recognition. His goals are to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and make Akron a better place to live.
“I want to see the police in more non-enforcement roles,” he added.
Click here to learn more about upcoming First Friday Club of Akron programs. The next event is a panel of alumni from the four Summit County Catholic high schools: Archbishop Hoban, Our Lady of the Elms, St. Vincent-St. Mary and Walsh Jesuit. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Aug. 3 at Walsh Jesuit, which is hosting the program. The cost is $25 and includes appetizers and adult beverages.