Historic Atlanta police officer dies at 93

Mar 5, 2013 - 18:34
 0  1

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - Johnnie P. Jones, 1 of Atlanta's first black police officers, has died at the age of 93.

Jones died Wednesday of congestive heart failure and representatives from Adams Funeral Services in Savannah said a funeral was held Tuesday moing at the First African Baptist Church.

Jones grew up in Atlanta, attended Morehouse College and served in the South Pacific during World War II.

Upon retuing from the war, Jones applied to work for the Atlanta Police Department and left the force after three years.

His daughter, Elmira Jones Williams, told the Atlanta Joual-Constitution (http://bit.ly/YQmS2F) Jones was not allowed to arrest white people and felt if he could risk his life fighting for the country, he should not have been treated like a second class citizen when he retued home.

Information from: The Atlanta Joual-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

What's Your Reaction?

Like Like 0
Dislike Dislike 0
Love Love 0
Funny Funny 0
Angry Angry 0
Sad Sad 0
Wow Wow 0
Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.