Knoxville Exhibit to Honor Black Firefighters

An August exhibit at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center will highlight the stories of black police officers and firefighters in Knoxville and Knox County from 1871 to the present. “It’s going to be a celebration of their hard work,” said Timothy Vasser, archivist for the Beck Center. “Even though people have told them thank you, they haven’t gotten their due.”

The exhibit will include photographs, newspaper clippings and personal reminiscences. The center will hold a grand opening Aug. 5 at 3 p.m.

Knoxville was among the first cities in the South to hire blacks as policemen, firefighters and for other city jobs. The City Council approved the hiring of Mose Smith, Knoxville’s first black officer, in 1882.

Black Knoxvillians organized a volunteer fire company as early as 1868. William Yardley, who later became the first black man to run for governor of Tennessee, served as the company’s first captain.

Knox County also employed black deputies and black constables. Melvin J.R. Gentle served as the first black member of the Knox County Court – predecessor of the County Commission – and became the county’s first black deputy in 1880.

No black officer held a rank above patrolman until 1956, when officers Ernest Scruggs and James Guess were promoted to the rank of detective.

The center is at 1927 Dandridge Ave. For more information, call 865-5248461.