In the 1950s, Bernard Lewis, Phillip Stelly and Julius Guillory joined the Opelousas Police Department during a time of racial segregation.

OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY)-- Three trailblazers were honored Saturday for being the first Black police officers in Opelousas.

In the 1950s, Bernard Lewis, Phillip Stelly and Julius Guillory joined the Opelousas Police Department during a time of racial segregation. As a result, they were honored for their contributions to the community.

During the ceremony, the families of each officer gave their remarks on how they have been impacted by their legacies. A couple of Lewis' family members were there. Bernard Lewis' grandson, Bernard Lewis III, said his grandfather's testament to inspire and uplift resonates with him.

"I've heard a lot of stories about my grandfather from being a young man to the age I am now," he said. "I'm still hearing stories and it's just beautiful to see that somebody related to me was able to make a big difference in his community in his time."

Donovan Lewis, Bernard Lewis' grandson, said these group of men have shaped a narrative of resilience and progress for those behind them.

"Them being the first black police officers is a small portion of what they left," he said. "As far as impact on this city, on the people of the city, on people who've been in the city, who've left the city, I learned a long time ago it's not what you leave people, it's what you leave in people."

Opelousas Police Chief Graig Leblanc said it's important for new generations to understand the power of their roots.

"It's very important that we fill our younger generations, our kids with the information of who they are, where they come from, what their family did, to give them that pride to be able to get up and go out and do great things," Leblanc said.

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