Fred D. Jackson (1921-2007)

A native of Huntertown who grew up "on the first lane,” Fred Jackson broke a color barrier in Kentucky by becoming the first African American to be elected constable in the state. Jackson was a WWII veteran and worked as a pilot for the Bluegrass Army Depot Signal Corps. A civil rights activist in Lexington, Jackson also ran a youth center and boxing program to help “keep kids off the streets.” The city of Lexington honored his legacy by designating November 19, 2021 as “Fred Jackson Day.”

Lexington Chief Deputy James Smith recalls Fred Jackson’s legacy in a WTVQ news story: “The way he did his job was not only to enforce the law but to have compassion for those who were having problems,” says Chief Deputy James Smith, adding that he believes Jackson’s teachings and values are still relevant today: “That everything starts with trying to either better yourself, better your choices and better people around you.”