Author Thomas Mullen Revisits Atlanta’s First Black Police Officers

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In 1948, eight African-American men joined the Atlanta police force. They inspired Thomas Mullen's latest novel, Lightning Men. / Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center

In the Jim Crow South, the laws of the land separated black and white. As racial tensions grew, some police departments added African-American officers to their squads. Atlanta hired eight men in 1948, but their authority was greatly restricted. These officers inspired Thomas Mullen’s first novel, “Darktown.” We talked with him about his follow-up work, “Lightning Men,” ahead of an appearance at the Decatur Book Festival this weekend.