Funeral set for Jack Simpson, 50-year law enforcement veteran who died at 96

A legendary lawman, who investigated cases during some of the United States’ most significant moments and who continued his career well into his ninth decade, has died.

Jack Simpson, an investigator with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, died Wednesday at the age of 96, Sheriff Ezell Brown said in a press announcement.

“Today we mourn the loss of one who truly demonstrated that ‘age is just a number,’” Brown said. “Both the citizens of Newton County and the law enforcement profession benefited from his intellect, skills and perseverance.”

Simpson worked as an FBI agent for 20 years before becoming a deputy at the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, where he worked for another 10. He joined the Newton County Sheriff’s Office in 1999 and was recognized for 20 years of service there in December 2019. He was employed as a deputy in Newton County until his death, working three days a week as an investigator and teaching diversity training to deputies.

“He was a walking history book, author, speaker, and even found time to write a column for the Rockdale Citizen. He actually lived the history that most of us read about in textbooks, and we are blessed that he freely shared it with us,” Brown said.

In his time with the FBI, Simpson was involved in some of the most important and well-known cases in U.S. history, including the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., former Alabama Governor George Wallace’s “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door” moment, and the murder of Lemuel Penn. As one of the primary investigators in the Penn murder case, Simpson’s work to arrest and charge the Klansmen responsible is chronicled in the book “Murder at Broad River Bridge” by Bill Shipp.

In his later life, Simpson gained recognition and acclaim for his career and became known as one of the oldest living peace officers in the country, according to a Newton county statement. In 2016, at the age of 91, Simpson and Brown traveled to the Jackson Division Leadership conference where Simpson was the guest speaker. He also received a congressional citation from Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson, the statement said.

“We are all better because we came in contact with this ‘giant of a man,’” Brown said. “He will be sorely missed, and we will feel the void of his passing.”

Simpson will be laid to rest in Canton, according to Newton County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Caitlin Jett. Two viewings will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Scot Ward Funeral Home in Conyers. The funeral will take place Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., also at Scot Ward Funeral Home, and will be followed by a procession to Simpson’s entombment in Canton.

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