Black History Month: The First Black Atlanta Police Officers
In the 1940's, these officers were leaders and pioneers.
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Black History Month: The First Black Atlanta Police Officers
APD's 1st black officers
Courtesy APD
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Photos
This photo was taken nearly 65 years ago of the first African-American officers to be able to join the Atlanta police force.
The 8 officers became the city's first black officers on April 3rd, 1948. Stories have been released that though they were part of the force, the policemen were forced to use the changing facilities at nearby Butler Street YMCA and they were unable to arrest any one white.
Cascade Patch would like to salute those early pioneering officers that made a way for themselves when barriers were placed all around them. Leave a Comment in our Comments Section!
B.FLOWERS
4:04 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
God Bless these men for what they had to deal with. Let's ALWAYS remember that for whatever "privileges" we may enjoy today, many made extreme sacrifices & tolerated severe abuses for us to be where we are now. There's still a very long way to go so let's all do our part now so that our offspring will take the torch & lead the way into a much brighter future for all.
James Freeman
11:39 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The last living of the original black officers hired in Atlanta, George died February 27, 2013 in Savannah, Georgia. Johnnie Paul Jones died in Savannah and his funeral will be March 5, 2013.
Tanisha Pope
8:50 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
These men paved the way for the blacks not just in our city but for those across the words. These men are legends that will never be forgotten. My grandfather Robert McKibbens was amongst the "Atlanta 8" and he proudly served for many decades. He knew the privilege he was given and didn't take it lightly just as the others. Many officers today will never have as much heart as these men had. Rest in Heaven to them all.