by Rachel Witkowski
Staff Writer
Believe it or not, Jackie Brown and Ray Eminisor are buddies.
Brown is the activist who appeared before City Council Nov. 22 dressed as Aunt Jemima while reading Council the riot act over minority contracts. Eminisor is the JSO officer assigned to Council who tried to remove Brown before ultimately arresting her after she knocked him to the ground. The now infamous incident was played over and over on TV until both became practically household names.
It was the first arrest that Eminisor said he has made in the Council Chambers since he became sergeant-at-arms 10 years ago, and hopefully it will be his last since he expects to retire from his Council duties by the end of the month.
“I don’t hold a grudge,” said Eminisor in regards to the incident with Brown. “I’ve always felt that if you treat people the way you want to be treated, everything will go well.”
And even though Eminisor said he got a raspberry on his elbow and a lot of grief about being the first officer to hit the Chamber floors because of Brown, he’s still “cool” with Brown and she did apologize later for not realizing what she did.
“She gives me a hug and says hello when she comes to City Hall,” said Eminisor.
The situation with Brown might not have been the story Eminisor wanted to be remembered for, but within a month, Council will recognize Eminisor for 35 years of law enforcement service to the community and his years as sergeant-at-arms to City Hall. He will retire from JSO June 28 at 57 years old.
“He’s been consistent the whole career,” said JSO Chief Wayne Clark, who was trained by Eminisor and then became his chief. “He’s a good trainer.”
Eminisor’s reputation in law enforcement has stretched from JSO to City Hall to the White House. He joined the Army at 18 years old where he was selected to be military police security for the Army One helicopter for Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon. In 1971, Eminisor joined the Marine Unit near Jacksonville for 13 years and then joined the patrol division of JSO for 21 years where he was first stationed in Arlington. He currently patrols Zone 6, the area north of Trout River Boulevard. Officer Gary Carlson patrols with Eminisor and has worked with him for almost 30 years since they were in the Marine Unit.
“I think he’s fair and quick-witted,” said Carlson. “He’s a good guy, a good police officer and a good person.”
Eminisor was born and raised in Jacksonville but when he retires, he said he plans to travel across the country in a trailer. His first trip out of state next month will be as a chaperone officer for his grandson’s elementary class field trip to Washington, D.C. From there, Eminisor said he hopes to visit Alaska during his travels. He also has big plans for a wedding later this year.
Officer Ken Browning will be taking over Eminisor’s position as sergeant-at-arms for City Hall. Eminisor said Browning is a good police officer and will fit the position well.
“I love police work,” said Eminisor. “I’m satisfied with what I’ve done.”