Today, I pause to honor my father, the late Lucius D. Amerson, who would have turned 92 today. In 1966, he made history as the first Black Sheriff elected in the South, serving the people of Macon County, Alabama with distinction and courage.
As a child, I spent countless days by his side at his small office next to the county jail — unaware of the immense challenges he faced as “the first.” From surviving a serious on-duty car accident and confronting armed prisoners inside the jail, to being invited to the White House and inspiring others to seek public office, his journey was one of faith, resilience, and leadership.
Throughout my life, I’ve met people deeply touched by his example. His courage continues to guide me. Following my retirement, I made a personal pledge to help our sheriffs across America do their jobs better. That commitment led to the founding of the National Black Sheriffs’ Association (NBSA) — a national voice for Black sheriffs and a platform to inspire the next generation of law enforcement leaders.
If you’d like to help us continue this mission, please consider making a donation to support our work through our website: www.blacksheriffs.com.
His legacy lives on — not just in history books, but in the lives of those he inspired to serve with courage and conviction.