Delco council honors first Black sheriff with celebratory breakfast

To put a wrap on Black History Month, the Delaware County Council took time out to look back at its own history. 

Jerry Sanders was the county’s first Black sheriff. He served his community in a variety of ways. The resident of Drexel Hill is the Chaplain of Deer Meadows Retirement community, in addition to his history in public service.

A breakfast on Friday, Feb. 27 honored Sanders in its council meeting room. After 24 years of serving as deputy sheriff, he retired in 1995. 

“We were honored to celebrate Delaware County’s first Black sheriff, former Sheriff Jerry Sanders, at his recognition breakfast [Friday] morning in the Council Meeting Room,” said the post on the council’s Facebook page. “Thank you to Senator Tim Kearney, Anthony Hardy Williams, Senator John Kane, Rep. Gina H. Curry, and Delaware County PA Sheriff’s Office employees for joining us in honoring his service to the residents of Delaware County!”

Sanders holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Development and Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University. He’s also received an Advanced Church Ministries Certificate from the Evangelical Training Association. He is an Associate Minister at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and serves on the board of directors of the church’s Community Development Corporation, whose mission is to foster better quality of life in its surrounding community. Additionally, Sanders is President of the Board of Directors of the Reba Brown Senior Residence, serves as President on the Advisory Council of Friendship Circle Senior Center in Darby, and sits on the Board of Trustees at the Baptist Home Foundation.