Napoleon Williams
Linda Jackson Barnes said Wednesday the Jackson family is "outraged about the statement by Napoleon "Donut" Williams concerning our loved one, James Spookie Jackson."
Mr. Williams, a well-known retired Chattanooga Police Department detective, told City Council members on Tuesday night that retired black police officers are not getting honor guards.
He said former detective Spookie Jackson died recently and there was no police presence at the funeral rites, though he had 27 years with the force.
Ms. Barnes, who retired as a lieutenant with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, said, "Napoleon Williams stated during the Chattanooga City Council meeting that Retired Detective Jackson did not receive proper police service from the Chattanooga Police Department during his passing/funeral and he was responsible for him being a detective. Once again we are outraged with Williams' statements and demand an apology for his false public statements.
"On behalf of the Jackson Family we are/were completely satisfied with the support and service of the Chattanooga Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department and all other police officers and departments. If we were not satisfied, we can and will speak for ourselves.
"No profession is perfect, including police. We have had our challenges just like so many. However, LT. Mark Kimsey’s statements were perfect today, the officers were perfect for Spookie on July 26, his home-going services July 30 and 31st, when our parents passed, father November 2018 and Mother 2007, both departments were perfect and present, professional and representative of us being a member of both departments.
"We have a family legacy of police officers dated back to the 1950’s. We are perplexed and discontent with retired detective Williams' false statements and his desire to capitalize off the passing of someone.
"I was trained, that news stories will pass in a day, that tomorrow will be another story. However, we will not stay silent and allow this fraudulent story to stand.
"We are forever grateful for all the love and support we have received from so many citizens, hundreds and hundreds.
"Pastor McDaniel acknowledge the good and the bad and said looking at this crowd, Spookie did good, one of the good police.
"Police Chief Roddy, all law enforcement officers thank you. Thank you for your kind words, Chief. Your acknowledgment of Spookie‘s tenacity and community engagement. That he trained so many officers, including him, and he was successful because of his relationships, his community supported him for the good.
"A dear family friend said it best. Spookie’s life exemplified the old gospel song “If I Can Help Somebody, My Living Shall Not Be In Vain."
Mr. Williams told the council that in the past, the police department had someone who made sure that former officers got honor guards.
Mr. Williams said he had recommended that Mr. Jackson be promoted from patrol to detective, and h said he served well. However, he added, "He wasn't as good as me. I didn't go home til I get you."
He said, "We gave you service. We just want our day."
Mark Kimsey of the Sheriff's Office said he strongly disagrees with the Williams statement.
He said, "In response to CPD Detective Napoleon Williams' (Retired) statement to the Chattanooga City Council regarding, "Black Officers" not receiving the same honor as other CPD Officers upon their passing after their distinguished careers. (And they were definitely righteous LEOs who broke down barriers most don't understand, today.)
"With all due respect, Detective Napoleon Williams, your statement was blatantly false, needlessly divisive and misleading.
"The entire available CPD Motor Squad was there, with 4 HCSO Motors to escort him, and his family, to Detective Jackson's final rest to honor the dedicated service of him, and his family to the citizens of our community.
"That's not even including the multiple marked patrol cars, from most local LE Agencies, in the procession, who donated their time to honor him.
"We did the same thing when his father, who raised him right, passed.
"Remember?
"I was there and I shook your hand, hugged you and you thanked us all for being there.
"As I thought, at the time, this is how it should be.
"Race, nor sex, nor sexual persuasion, nor postion in society, Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, CNN or FOX TV, rich or poor, Tennessee Vols, 'Bama or Georgia fan?
"These things didn't really didn't matter, in the great scheme of things when all of us lost a loved one.
"As did his sister Lt. Linda Jackson (Ret. HCSO) who gave me a hug with tears in her eyes.
"Your narrative is demonstrably false and I wonder why anyone would make up a story, out of whole cloth, that does nothing but divide our community unless they had an agenda that intended to work against the overall health of our community.
"We all, in Law Enforcement, Corrections, in Public Safety, and all righteous members of our community, bleed the same color and we all honor our fallen whether through battle, LODD, disease, or old age.
"No matter the sex or the race.
"You, sir, owe our entire community an apology for your demonstrably false statement, brother.
"As you have called me out when I have made an occasional error in judgment when I was a young and stupid LEO, I am respectfully calling you out on your most recent error in judgment.
"Sadly, I have to make this disclaimer, yet again.
"Reminding folks that the very same First Amendment, and all the other Amendments, apply to me just as they apply to Detective Williams, and anyone else who agress/disagrees with me, or him.
"The local men and women, who put their very lives on line so you, sir, can say this, whether based in fact, or not.
"I am off duty and I speak for no LE Agency, entity or group.
"I speak only for myself and most of my family."
Linda Jackson Barnes