Herbert Jenkins

Background

Herbert Turner Jenkins was born on June 7, 1907 in Lithonia, Georgia to police officer Gordon Alexander Jenkins (1886-1932) and his wife Jane "Jennie" Elliott Jenkins (1888-1978).

Career

Jenkins moved to Atlanta in 1924 to work in its first automotice dealership. He joined the force in 1932 and was made chief in 1947. He served as chief for 25 years until retiring in 1972 shepherding the city through racial strife during the desegregation of public transportation, public schools and parks.

Fully backed by Mayor William Hartsfield, he was able to bring all parties to the table helping Atlanta progress mostly peacefully through straits that crippled other Southern cities.

After retiring he became a researcher at Emory University which he was able to parlay into books about Atlanta history.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Atlanta and the Automobile
  • Forty Years on the Force: 1932 - 1972: Herbert Jenkins Reminisces on His Career with the Atlantic Police Department