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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Former Columbus Police Chief James G. Jackson, the city’s first Black police chief and longest-serving chief, passed away at the age of 91.
Jackson joined the Division of Police in 1958. He worked his way up through the ranks, eventually becoming a deputy chief in 1977, where he stayed until taking the police chief’s job in 1990.
He retired in 2009 after 19 years of leading CPD. At the time of his retirement, he was also the nation’s longest-serving chief and had been with the city for 51 years.
“When I joined the Division of Police, I had the honor of serving under Chief Jackson,” FOP Lodge 9 President Brian Steel said. “His unwavering commitment to the community and steadfast leadership left a profound impact on our Division. As the last civil service police chief, Chief Jackson made it clear that his duty and loyalty were to the people of Columbus, not to the city’s politicians.”
Columbus Public Safety Director Kate Pishotti called Jackson “the epitome of a public servant.”
“He broke barriers and charted paths to progress for all who followed. A respected and revered leader, he held the Columbus Division of Police to the strictest standards of excellence, shaping the agency into a national model. Columbus is better for his 51 years of service. With gratitude, we honor his life and legacy, and send our deepest respects to his family.”
