BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY
First African-American state trooper in Louisiana honored
Heavenly Star Missionary Baptist Church in Marrero hosted a program honoring the first African-American Louisiana state trooper, Ernest Marcelle Jr. From left are LeVell Robinson, John Kansagaro, Pastor Aubrey Wallace, Deputy Secretary Superintendent of State Police Colonel Michael Edmonson, Marcelle Jr., Lieutenant Governor Jay Darden, Judge Barron Burmaster, Miles Jenkins, Keith Chopin, Alan Creecy and Leonard Banks.
By 
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.
Lt. Gov. Jay Darden recognized Marcelle for his accomplishments and service to the state, presented him with a certificate of commendation and proclaimed him to be an official “state ambassador.”
Other awards of recognition were presented by Westwego District 1 Council Member Glenn Green, who also represented Jefferson Parish President John Young, and Mayor John Shaddinger Jr. and the City Council of Westwego.
Southern Christian Leadership Council representative Alan K. Creecy, also presented Marcelle an award, recognizing his work with that organization.
Deputy Secretary Superintendent of State Police Colonel Michael D. Edmonson was the
Marcelle has been a resident of Algiers since 2002. He said many in Algiers don't know him because “Most of my work was done over the river. I have lived Uptown, in Carrollton and in New Orleans East, and now the West Bank.
People of Ages
The People of Ages held their 18th annual Christmas dinner at Second Zion Baptist Church Center 2025 Second Zion Ave. recently. Deborah Gordon served as moderator. Everyone was welcomed by Joseph Williams.
The program included a reading of Scripture of the first Christmas by retired teacher/librarian and the oldest member of the group, Doris Pitts.
The highlight of the program was Leonard Davis’ magic act, as he pulled a dove from a pan, and entertained the audience with other feats.
Marrero Academy for Advanced Studies
Dressed in colorful pajamas and slippers, Principal Londa Foster, staff and students at Marrero Academy for Advanced studies spent the day reading their favorite books. Parents and friends who visited classrooms to read to children were also dressed in colorful pajamas and slippers as students snuggled on blankets, comforters and rugs to listen.
The Snuggle Up and Read program is designed to promote a love for reading, parental involvement and provide a fun activity before the beginning the holiday vacation. Students were also treated to educational games, movies and other fun activities.
Councilman Mark Spears' toy distribution
Councilman Mark Spears Jr. held his annual toy distribution recently at the Housing Community Center.
Spears, his staff and nine of his fraternity brothers greeted children and distributed Christmas toys and refreshments to children of District 3.
Spears, Alpha Phi Alpha Nu Alpha Lambda Chapter Members, President Ernest Rieux and the executive director of Jefferson Parish Housing Authority teamed up to buy more than 300 toys.
Watson said that the Housing Authority staff went door to door distributing flyers to all residents in the area, who also spread the word to others. Many of the families have as many as five children.
Spears’ 15-month-old son also enjoyed meeting and greeting the children.
Spears said that his son was “getting an early start at learning how to give to others.”
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.
Lt. Gov. Jay Darden recognized Marcelle for his accomplishments and service to the state, presented him with a certificate of commendation and proclaimed him to be an official “state ambassador.”
Other awards of recognition were presented by Westwego District 1 Council Member Glenn Green, who also represented Jefferson Parish President John Young, and Mayor John Shaddinger Jr. and the City Council of Westwego.
Southern Christian Leadership Council representative Alan K. Creecy, also presented Marcelle an award, recognizing his work with that organization.
Deputy Secretary Superintendent of State Police Colonel Michael D. Edmonson was the
Marcelle has been a resident of Algiers since 2002. He said many in Algiers don't know him because “Most of my work was done over the river. I have lived Uptown, in Carrollton and in New Orleans East, and now the West Bank.
People of Ages
The People of Ages held their 18th annual Christmas dinner at Second Zion Baptist Church Center 2025 Second Zion Ave. recently. Deborah Gordon served as moderator. Everyone was welcomed by Joseph Williams.
The program included a reading of Scripture of the first Christmas by retired teacher/librarian and the oldest member of the group, Doris Pitts.
The highlight of the program was Leonard Davis’ magic act, as he pulled a dove from a pan, and entertained the audience with other feats.
Marrero Academy for Advanced Studies
Dressed in colorful pajamas and slippers, Principal Londa Foster, staff and students at Marrero Academy for Advanced studies spent the day reading their favorite books. Parents and friends who visited classrooms to read to children were also dressed in colorful pajamas and slippers as students snuggled on blankets, comforters and rugs to listen.
The Snuggle Up and Read program is designed to promote a love for reading, parental involvement and provide a fun activity before the beginning the holiday vacation. Students were also treated to educational games, movies and other fun activities.
Councilman Mark Spears' toy distribution
Councilman Mark Spears Jr. held his annual toy distribution recently at the Housing Community Center.
Spears, his staff and nine of his fraternity brothers greeted children and distributed Christmas toys and refreshments to children of District 3.
Spears, Alpha Phi Alpha Nu Alpha Lambda Chapter Members, President Ernest Rieux and the executive director of Jefferson Parish Housing Authority teamed up to buy more than 300 toys.
Watson said that the Housing Authority staff went door to door distributing flyers to all residents in the area, who also spread the word to others. Many of the families have as many as five children.
Spears’ 15-month-old son also enjoyed meeting and greeting the children.
Spears said that his son was “getting an early start at learning how to give to others.”
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