Lemmie Gibson served in the U.S. Army Air Force for six months during World War II, and was employed at the YWCA. He served as a deacon in the Friendship Baptist Church, and chaired the church's Boy Scout Committee. Gibson's father, Calvin Gibson, was a deacon at Shiloh Baptist Church.
Gibson took the Police Department civil service exam and scored the highest grade possible. Gibson was appointed Massillon's first African American police officer in July 1955.
In an Evening Independent article June 3, 1955, Mayor Lash stated, "I'm highly pleased to have the privilege of being in a position to approve this appointment. I'm proud to welcome Mr. Gibson to the department."
Sadly, Gibson passed away just a few years later in 1958 at the age of 31.
Image courtesy Evening Independent