Floyd Churchwell, First African American Police Officer in Sandusky

 

Born in Tennessee in 1930, Floyd Churchwell moved to Sandusky as a teen, graduating from Sandusky High School in 1947. After having served in the Korean War, he was appointed to the Sandusky Police Department in 1956 as its first African American officer.

By 1965, Officer Churchwell was promoted to Sergeant; he achieved the rank of Captain two years later, on August 16, 1967.

In 1979, Captain Churchwell was appointed to be the Sandusky Police Department's community relations and court officer. 

Sadly, Captain Churchwell died suddenly on October 8, 1980, but he has left a continuing legacy of service to the community. During his brief lifetime, he served in many roles, including as trustee of Ebenezer Baptist Church, a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, past master of Progress Lodge 85, and several others. Sandusky's Churchwell Park is named in his honor, and the Floyd Churchwell Court #8, Most Ancient Prince Hall Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho, was constituted in Sandusky in 1988.