Remembering one of the first black police officers in Gulfport

Malachi Lee was one of the first African-American police officers sworn into the Gulfport Police Department in 1949.

Although Nellie Henry, Malachi Lee’s great-niece, was not born until four years after he died, she says her family continues to keep his legacy alive. “He had his own business in the City of Gulfport. He was a barber and then he went into law enforcement.”

In March 1949, Mayor Mitt Evans hired Lee and Zacharia Durr, making them the first African-Americans to join the Gulfport Police Department. At that time, Lee and Durr made up two of only three police officers in the state of Mississippi. “I tell my grandkids about it. It’s something that makes them feel positive about doing positive things in their life.”

Henry says growing up her family would always tell stories about Lee and how all he ever wanted to do was make a difference. “When my mom talked about it, he was a good person, a very good person.”

On July 14^th, 1950, Lee died from a heart attack while on duty. To commemorate Lee, a plaque with newspaper articles and his photo sits inside the second floor of the Gulfport Police Department. “He just wanted to do something positive for the neighborhood.”

Henry may not have known her great uncle, but she says at least she a photograph of him. “I’m proud to know that we had law enforcement in our family.”