On behalf of the Evansville Police Department Administration, Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 73, Evansville Police Department Foundation and Evansville African-American Museum we invite and encourage you to attend Saturday’s Legacy Service and Reception honoring Officer Jacob Thompson, JR who served from 1877 to 1878. He was one of the first African-Americans appointed to the police force, served from 1877 to 1878, and died from tuberculosis at age 25. And though his tenure on our department was brief, we believe his personal story merits honor and sincere recognition.
Jacob Thompson was born a slave in Boyd County, Kentucky in 1852. His family moved to Evansville in 1867 when he was about 15-years-of-age. At a time when African-Americans met resistance for advancement at every level, Jacob Thompson focused on education, public service, and “giving back†to the community. He was one of two African-American men to first gain admission to the Normal School (now Indiana State University at Terre Haute), an institution for training elementary school teachers. He taught at schools in both Vanderburgh and Warrick County and was active in local politics. Thompson was appointed to the Evansville Police Force on April 7, 1877. At his death he was remembered as a, “…Faithful and intelligent officer, a man of fine character…an ornament to his race and living testimonial to the possibilities that lie before them in spite of prejudice and sophistryâ€.
As there are no direct descendants of Thompson’s line, he is survived only by his law enforcement family.
This unique event is open to everyone.
Saturday, February 20 Events
Oak Hill Cemetery Service: 12:00 PM – Reception, African-American Museum: 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM
For full details, view this message on the web.
