Freeman Holifield joined the force in 1962.
For this Black History Month feature, we are shining the spotlight on a former college athlete, educator and fraternal leader that holds the distinction of being one of the first African Americans on the Huntsville police force.
Growing up in the South in the ‘40s through the ‘60s were turbulent times, especially for people of color. But it did not slow the pace of Freeman Holifield.
“I was born in Helena, Alabama. Grew up in Bessemer, Alabama to a father and mother who wanted all of their children to graduate from high school,†said Holifield. “I went through segregation and what I learned from that is you have to learn about America before you can be successful.â€
And Holifield made his mark as a student-athlete at Alabama A&M – making the Black college all-American team and catching the eye of professional teams.
But desegregation plans were in full effect in Huntsville, and it was a request by a fellow athlete that directed Holifield to an offer in law enforcement.
“In the summer of ‘62, after they had put together a plan to desegregate the police force, they gave us an examination that was a promotional test for a sergeant in the FBI. That’s the test that we took. So through elimination, I passed the test,†said Holifield. “I started naming things that I knew they wouldn't give me. So, I said you're gonna have to let me finish A&M. You got it. You’re gonna have to let me play football, you got it.â€
As one of the first African American police officers in Huntsville in modern times, Holifield had his challenges with the role.
“They told us to work the colored area. A lot of people said that you could not arrest white people at the time, so the Redstone Arsenal opened up and I applied for a job out there. I started teaching electronics and missile systems at Redstone and that panned out. I got a chance to go overseas twice by working for the government and it turned out really really good,†said Holifield.
He was also active in many community and fraternal groups and always has time to motivate our youth.
During the month of February, Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é is honoring the achievements and legacy of African Americans in North Alabama. For more on Black History Month, click HERE.
