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Being Black in Lincoln: Albert Maxey recalls his days walking the beat

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Editor's Pick Topical Featured

ALBERT MAXEY

Being Black in Lincoln: Albert Maxey recalls his days walking the beat

From the Being Black in Lincoln: The series series

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The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Lincoln in 1964 to speak at Pershing Auditorium shortly after he won the Nobel Peace Prize, and Lincoln Police Officer Albert Maxey (right) was assigned to spend the day with him.

Omaha World-Herald file photo

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Albert Maxey (14) was a starting guard on the 1956 Crispus Attucks High School team in Indianapolis that won the state championship.

Courtesy photo

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When Albert Maxey joined the Lincoln Police Department in the 1960s, there was only one other Black officer on the force. Maxey became a shift commander in 1973.

Courtesy photo

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In retirement, Albert Maxey turned to painting at the Burkholder Art Project, where he has an apartment upstairs.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

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Reach the writer at 402-473-2657 or nmcconnell@journalstar.com.

First in a series

During the spring semester, professors in the UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications launched a senior-level class: Being Black in Lincoln.

The goal for students was to provide a largely white community with an intimate look at the challenges of being Black in Lincoln. In the end, 12 stories were written about Lincoln residents -- former basketball players, Black Lives Matter leaders, preachers, teachers, businessmen and former convicts -- representing a diverse cross section of the Black community. 

Other stories will be featured this summer in the Journal Star and at JournalStar.com.

In this Series

Being Black in Lincoln: The series

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Albert Maxey, 6.10

In retirement, Albert Maxey turned to painting at the Burkholder Art Project, where he has an apartment upstairs.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Lincoln in 1964 to speak at Pershing Auditorium shortly after he won the Nobel Peace Prize, and Lincoln Police Officer Albert Maxey (right) was assigned to spend the day with him.

Albert Maxey (14) was a starting guard on the 1956 Crispus Attucks High School team in Indianapolis that won the state championship.

When Albert Maxey joined the Lincoln Police Department in the 1960s, there was only one other Black officer on the force. Maxey became a shift commander in 1973.

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