Celebrating the extraordinary legacy of John Lyght, Minnesota’s first African American sheriff, elected in 1972, who broke barriers and championed justice in Cook County. Born to a hardworking family that relocated to Minnesota under the Homestead Act, John’s journey was marked by resilience and dedication. From working multiple jobs to support his family to serving in the Air Force, John’s path to law enforcement was unconventional yet inspiring. His reputation for fairness and integrity earned him the trust and respect of his community, leading to multiple re-elections until his retirement in 1994.

Sheriff Lyght’s empathy and hands-on approach in serving his community are legendary. Known for personally attending to crime scenes to spare families from the grisly details, he embodied compassion in his role. One of his most memorable traits was his disdain for “foolishness,” a term he often used to describe absurd situations, like dealing with a neighbor’s escaped lion. Despite the challenges and discrimination he may have faced, Sheriff Lyght treated everyone with fairness and respect, becoming a beacon of integrity. Let us honor his memory and strive to emulate his unwavering commitment to justice.