Former Rebel takes over as Meridian Police Chief

James Reed, one of the first two African-Americans to play football at Ole Miss, was named police chief of Meridian, Miss., earlier this month by Meridian Mayor Cheri Barry.

A native of Meridian, Reed has served in law enforcement for more than 35 years including stints as a probation and parole officer with the state of Mississippi and as a supervisory special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

He had been living with his family in Jacksonville, N.C., prior to his new appointment.