INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today announced former sheriffs Oatess Archey and Frank Anderson as this year’s recipients of the state party’s “Lifetime Achievement Award”. The accolade is presented during the Indiana Democratic Party’s Hoosier Hospitality Dinner each year to Hoosier Democrats who have demonstrated a life’s worth of public service and a commitment to create a better future for families in the Hoosier State.
Both Archey and Anderson will receive the INDems’ “Lifetime Achievement Award” posthumously as they passed away recently. Representatives for both honorees will accept the award during the annual dinner at the Indiana Convention Center Friday evening.
“Oatess Archey and Frank Anderson were trailblazers in public service and role models for Black Hoosiers and families across the nation – especially in Grant and Marion counties. Their work to overcome racial prejudices and commitment to protect and serve their communities was transformative, inspired other Black Hoosiers to pursue a career in public service and public safety, and no doubt provided a lasting impact on the nation,” said Mike Schmuhl, Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party. “Archey and Anderson’s legacies will forever be a part of Indiana’s history books, and the Indiana Democratic Party is honored to present these leaders with one our Party’s highest honors.”
Honorable Frank Anderson served as Marion County Sheriff from 2003 to 2011. Prior to his elected service, Anderson also was appointed to two terms as United States Marshal for the Southern District of Indiana from 1977 to 1981 and 1994 to 2001. During his tenure as Marshal, Anderson led the creation of the Federal Witness Protection Program. Additionally, Anderson started his career in the Marion County Sheriff’s Office serving as the first Black deputy assigned to its Road Patrol division. Anderson served in the U.S. Navy and was a graduate from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis.
Oatess Archey served as Grant County Sheriff from 1999 to 2007, making him the first Black Sheriff in state history. Prior to his historic election, Archey worked for the FBI and U.S. State Department for nearly twenty years – working on cases like the Los Angeles Riots in 1992 and the assassination attempt of President Ronald Reagan in 1981. Prior to his time in law enforcement, Archey famously overcame racial prejudice in Marion by becoming a beloved teacher and coach in the area years after being offered only a janitorial position following his graduation from Grambling State University.
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