First African-American state trooper in Louisiana honored
Algiers resident Ernest Marcelle Jr. was recently honored for his trailblazing work as an African-American in law enforcement: He was the first African-American state trooper in Louisiana and has worked for civil rights for 60 years.
The ceremony, hosted by the Rev. Aubrey Wallace at Heavenly Star Missionary Baptist Church in Marrero, also recognized Marcelle as the founder of the Black Organization of Police, a founding member of the National Black Police Association, and the recipient of many other awards for his work throughout the United States.
He grew up in Prairieville and graduated from Prairieville High School.
Marcelle said, "In 1953 and '54, I spent my summers living in Baton Rouge with my older brother. It was during one of these visits that I became active in civil rights, when I participated with the community leaders who organized the first bus boycott."
He said, “A lot of people think that the civil rights movement began with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but it actually began in 1953 under the leadership of the Rev. T.J. Jemison, who organized a bus boycott to protest a law which reserved the first 10 rows of seats for white riders.”
His law enforcement career began upon completion of high school in May 1957, when he entered the Louisiana State Trooper Academy in Baton Rouge and graduated in November 1957.
His first assignment in 1958 was as detective for the New Orleans division. He served as an investigator, undercover officer and, on occasions, security/chauffeur for Gov. John McKeithen. He was assigned to undercover investigative details throughout the state.
http://blog.nola.com/westbank/2014/01/first_african-american_state_t.html