By Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher, GwinnettForum
Sept. 30, 2025 | Since the time she was six years old, ever since President John Kennedy was assassinated, Yvette Summerour of Lawrenceville had always wanted to be a Secret Service agent, protecting the president. She is the daughter of the late Tim and Ruth Summerour of Lawrenceville.
“When the president was assassinated, it really affected our family, especially my mother. I wanted to do all I could do so that she would not have to go through that sorrow again.” So she focused on her goal.
She would graduate from Central Gwinnett High School, then go to the University of Georgia and graduate, majoring in psychology and sociology.
Understanding the requirements of the Secret Service, Yvette knew that she would have to have law enforcement experience to join the service. She applied to the Gwinnett Police Department, which was directed in that day by the legendary John Crunkleton. Joining that force made Yvette Summerour the first Black female police officer in Gwinnett County history.
She says of a black woman joining the force: “I do not recall a time when it was not respectful. From age 7, when we were forced to integrate the schools, I learned to have balance and get along with whatever group you were in. In the years when I was the first Black female officer, I just followed the guidelines that we had. The other officers were always respectful. Because I was female, perhaps they protected me more. I told them I appreciated them being with me, and I knew that if I needed help, they would show up.”
Yvette joined the Secret Service just after the attempt on the life of President Ronald Reagan. She continued as an agent for 27 years, until President Barack Obama’s second term. She was on the Presidential detail for five and a half years, from President Bill Clinton’s first term until midway of his second term.
After her presidential detail assignment, she was moved to other positions in Washington, and eventually assigned to the Atlanta Secret Service office in 2005, as its supervisor. She retired in 2013.
She thoroughly enjoyed her Air Force One experience. “The attendants on the plane know that you have been out there working perhaps for 12 hours on the detail, and you have been sweating with the heavy vest, and all equipment. When you get on that plane, you can relax, and decompress on the big, wide leather seats. You are given a cold towel and a lemonade, and there’s nothing like flying on Air Force One. You want to never fly in any other way.”
When moving back to this area, she sought to buy a home in Lawrenceville, but couldn’t find what she wanted, so was delighted to buy a home in Snellville, where she still lives.
Once retired at age 55, after her father’s death, Yvette didn’t slow down. She felt the Holy Spirit telling her something. She enrolled at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, earning a master’s degree in Christian Education. She attends Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, where she teaches Bible studies and is the assistant director for Christian Education. Fittingly, she is also on the security team at the church.
“All my life, I’ve wanted to protect the president. God told me this was his plan, and I have been as comfortable as I have ever been doing that.”
On Friday: yes, another Central Gwinnett graduate joins the Secret Service.
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