The salutatorian in the class of 1942 of Booker T. Washington High School, John Sanders was one of the first Black police officers who, amongst hundreds of onlookers who celebrated the occasion, integrated the Atlanta police force on April 3, 1948. This group became known as the “Atlanta Eight.”

In spite Mayor William Hartsfield’s intent for the officers to integrate the Atlanta police force as Jackie Robinson had integrated baseball, the Atlanta Eight were still relegated to segregation as they were assigned a separate, makeshift precinct in the basement of the Butler Street YMCA; could not drive squad cars or step foot in police headquarters; could not wear their uniforms to or from work, and; could not arrest White people. In fact, they were instructed by Mayor Hartsfield to “just go to the call box” if they see a White person committing a crime and wait for a White police officer to arrest the suspect.

John Sanders left the police force within a year of taking his oath and reenlisted in the Army.