By Felix Hoover

For YourNewsColumbus.com

This year’s Black History Month observance shows that contemporary people merit recognition as much as those in the past.

A prime example was the program conducted on Monday, Feb. 23, by the Columbus Division of Police in which Chief James G. Jackson was honored for more than five decades of service.

Officer Henry Washington recited some of the chief’s history with the division, which began in 1958, progressed to his being appointed chief in1990 and essentially has wound up. He officially retires on March 16, but has been using vacation days since late November.

City officials, clergy members, police division retirees and the chief’s friends and family members attended the ceremony at the Police Training Academy on N. Hague Avenue.

Emcee Angela Pace, director of community affairs at WBNS-10TV, recalled lively discussions with Jackson on the job and off, especially at the old Marble Gang restaurant on Mount Vernon Avenue.

She recounted one exchange in which she asked the chief why he stayed on the East Side when he could afford to live anywhere he wanted.

His response, Pace said, was that he wanted children in the neighborhood to see a black man going to work every day.

Jackson’s efforts to be a role model weren’t lost on black retired officers who worked with him.

“He’s a good leader,” said retired Sgt. Charles McFadden.

In 1974, when a white officer refused to partner with McFadden, Jackson intervened

 “He was not only a good teacher, but a good father figure,” McFadden said.

Retired Patrolman Ulysses Brant said, “He’s a very strong and determined man. He is highly respected by all of the officers, especially the black officers.”

Safety Director Mitchell Brown said, “Chief Jackson is a living legend. He embodies the character that our young people should look up to.”

Jackson, who grew up in Columbus, remembers when the Maryland Park, now Eddie Saunders Park, and the YMCA had the only pools where blacks were allowed to swim. White restaurants allowed blacks take-out service or no service at all.

Despite racial and other barriers, Jackson rose through the ranks to become the division’s first black chief.

Like many other Americans, he said he never thought he would see that day when this country would have a president who is a person of color.

“Change is here; I’m proud to have seen it; change is still going on,” Jackson said.