INDIANAPOLIS — Former Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson passed away in his home early Saturday morning, the Sheriff's Department confirmed.
Anderson served as a United States Marshal before his 2003 election as the first Black Marion County sheriff. He served two terms in that position.
“I can’t give you a one-line quote to sum up the life of Frank J. Anderson,” said Sheriff Kerry Forestal. “He was so important to our community. Over the last 60 years, his direction and example in law enforcement – both at the federal and local levels – has positively influenced and affected the lives of many, many people. It certainly has mine. He will be truly missed.”
GALLERY: Former Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson
His time in the U.S. Marshals Service was distinguished by his role in the successful federal takeover of Indianapolis Baptist Temple in 2001. The stand-off lasted several months. But the mild-tempered Anderson ended the standoff peacefully.
"The pastor was kneeling down to pray, I kneeled beside him and put my arm around him and said, 'Pastor, it's time to go,'" Anderson told 13News during a 2021 interview for a profile as part of the station's Black History Month coverage.
While sheriff, Anderson started a youth program called "Stop and Think." He surprised the student participants by giving them his personal cell phone number and instructed them to call before they made a wrong decision. The program targeted at-risk youth.
Anderson grew up in Indianapolis and attended Shortridge High School. After graduating in 1965, he enlisted in the United States Navy before joining the Marion County Sheriff's Office, where he became the first Black deputy assigned to the Road Patrol division. He later transitioned to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Anderson is survived by his wife of six decades, Mercedes, his children, Henry and Franché and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office released the following statement about his passing:
"Frank J. Anderson died peacefully at home early in the morning of Saturday, April 30, 2022. Anderson served two terms as Marion County Sheriff from 2003 – 2011. Anderson was also twice appointed the United States Marshal for the Southern District of Indiana, first serving from 1977 – 1981, and then again from 1994 – 2001..."
"Former Sheriff Anderson grew up in Indianapolis. He attended Shortridge High School where he became the state wrestling champion. He would go on to be inducted into the high school wrestling hall of fame in 1990. After graduating in 1956, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in the Shore Patrol until 1959. He joined the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in 1961 and became the first Black deputy assigned to the Road Patrol division. In 1965, he transitioned to the United States Marshals Service as a Deputy Marshal, again blazing a trail in our nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency."
"After an already distinguished career, Anderson was appointed United States Marshal in 1977. In his 12 cumulative years as the U.S. Marshal, he created and led the Federal Witness Protection Program, brought a peaceful end to the 92-day standoff at the Indianapolis Baptist Temple, and oversaw the court-ordered execution of the Oklahoma City bomber."
"In 2002, Anderson was elected Sheriff of Marion County, the first Black individual to hold that position. Anderson was only the second Black sheriff in Indiana history. As Sheriff, Anderson diversified the agency, resolved a multi-decade lawsuit over unconstitutional jail conditions, and oversaw the creation of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department when two divisions of the Sheriff’s Office merged with the Indianapolis Police Department."
The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis also extended their sympathy to Anderson's family and friends with a statement released Monday:
"The community of Indianapolis is suffering a tremendous loss by the history making as the first Black Sheriff of Marion County. Sheriff Anderson was a positive influential voice for our city. He was always willing to point people in the right direction for a solution to their problems.'"
"Sheriff Anderson’s commitment to doing a quality job and set a high standard for the sheriff’s office. He leaves a tremendous legacy that cannot be neglected or ignored."
"Our thoughts and prayers will continually be with the entire Anderson family."