We had our own Lightfoot here in Auburn, the first black (described as "colored") police officer on the force, hired in 1881. See
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb....ot/page21.html for biography and photo.
He was on the force for about 10 years (the police chief at the time of his hiring quit in protest) but after a while, as the papers put it in his obituary, the "novelty" wore off and he was considered a good officer. He was a big man; for his first arrest he had to throw a drunk over his shoulder and carry him to jail. Eventually he was fired for sleeping on the job but he bounced back, becoming an insurance agent. He married twice, losing his first wife to cancer while he was on the force, and remarrying a year or so later. He dropped dead in a local store at age 49 from a heart attack.
I love looking through old newspapers. It's amazing the amount of personal detail that used to be published.
From various issues of the Weekly Auburnian:
Death of Mrs. George B. Lightfoot. (March 3 1892)
Mrs. George B. Lightfoot, wife of Policeman Lightfoot, died Sunday at the home of Dr. Susan G. Otis in South Street, after a long and painful illness.
For months she had been a sufferer and a few weeks ago submitted to a very delicate surgical operation, by Dr. C O. Baker, a cystic fallopian tube and suppurating ovary having been removed. She has lingered since, but she was too weak to withstand the effects of the operation and death was the result.
Mrs. Lightfoot was a genial, warm-hearted woman who made friends rapidly and had a happy faculty of retaining them after she made them. Her husband will have the sympathy of a host of friends in his affliction. The funeral will take place from her late residence, 8 Jefferson Street, Wednesday at 2 p.m. Rev. F. D. Penney will officiate.
Mrs. Lightfoot's Funeral.
The funeral of Agnes, wife of Policeman George B. Lightfoot was largely attended from the family residence, 8 Jefferson Street, yesterday afternoon.
Rev. F. D. Penney, pastor of the Second Baptist church, conducted the services at the house, paying a high tribute to the deceased. A quartette composed of Mrs. Frank A. Skilton, Miss Mollie Scott, Clarence Goodrich and George P. Healy sang several hymns.
The police force turned out in a body, the bearers being selected from among them. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful, among them being a pillow from the police force, a wreath from Mrs. Joseph Mellor, a crescent marked "sister" from Miss Julia A. Lightfoot, a basket from Miss Theresa Lightfoot, a heart marked "Sister Agnes" from Mr. and Mrs. John W. Pike, a bunch of callas from Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Hickok, a bouquet from Mrs. Dr. Jenkins, cut flowers from George Barber, Mrs. C. N. Nelson, Mrs. T. H. Garrett, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Keyes. The remains were placed in the vault at Fort Hill.
George B. Lightfoot wishes to return his sincere thanks to the members of the police force, to the physicians who did all in their power to save his wife's life and to all neighbors and friends who sent flowers or in any way assisted him in his bereavement.
Tillman—Lightfoot (spring 1893, date uncertain)
George B. Lightfoot was married last Wednesday afternoon at 4:30o'clock to Miss A. A. C. Tillman by Rev. Mocton of the Presbyterian church of Hamilton, at the home of the bride's uncle, C. B. Campbell, 241 Hunter Street, Hamilton, Ont.
The bride was attired in a traveling gown of green and carried calla lilies. A wedding breakfast was served at the home of Mr. Campbell. The bride is an accomplished musician being especially proficient on the piano.
Mr. and Mrs. Lightfoot reached this city, Thursday evening, and will shortly take up their residence in Mr. Lightfoot's new home, 27 Lewis Street, which he has recently purchased and refurnished.
Mr. and Mrs. Lightfoot were tendered a reception at his residence in Jefferson Street on their arrival here and will have the best wishes of friends for continued prosperity.
Captain Lightfoot!!!!
. (nice try anyway, now get out of my head already Gordon 
hehe j/k).
