Dallas County Sheriff's First African American Deputy Dies At 85

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – The Dallas County Sheriff announced Tuesday the department's first African American deputy died at the age of 85.

Jesse Everett Gill was hired as a deputy sheriff on January 16, 1954.

Gill graduated from Bishop College in 1951 and served in the Korean War from 1951 until 1953, according to a Dallas County Sheriff's news release.

Former Dallas County Sheriff Bill Decker hired Gill and assigned him to the Civil Section. After leaving the Department in January 1962, Gill pursued a teaching career in the Dallas Independent School District, where he retired in 2000.

More than a decade ago, the Dallas County Peace Officers Association established the Jesse Everett Gill Scholarship to honor this true pioneer and benefactor.

Gill demonstrated a life of service to others and garnered the respect and admiration of all that follow in his footsteps, according to the Dallas County Sheriff's Department.

Funeral Services for Jesse Everett Gill will be held Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.

The service will take place at the Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home located at 6449 University Hills Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75241.

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