MIAMI — George Gibson, the oldest living retired officer from the Miami-Dade Police Department, celebrated his 99th birthday among his former colleagues and community members on Friday. Gibson, who served more than 40 years on the force starting in 1956, became one of the county's first Black police officers at a time of intense segregation and racial discrimination.

According to CBS News Miami, the respected nonagenarian didn't just enjoy a drive-by salute, but was also feted with a cake shaped like his badge — a mark of honor for a man who faced barriers within his profession. "My career started back in the 50s, when so many problems were going on," Gibson told CBS News Miami, recalling an era when "The black community had no black officers. I was one of the first black officers to serve."

Gibson's legacy extends beyond his own service in the field of law enforcement. In a recent encounter with Stephanie Daniels, the first Black female director of the department, Gibson was recognized for his pioneering efforts that helped pave the way for others. "He most definitely paved the way," Daniels said in a statement obtained by Local 10 News. "And I have to say thank you."

Throughout his policing career, Gibson faced challenges within the department that served as a reflection of the societal racism of the time. He was suspended by the department chief three times for arresting white men, a policy infraction that epitomized the racial tension of the era. According to Local 10 News, even being physically imposing, Gibson had to resort to public phones to call in police reports because he was denied basic equipment like a handheld radio.

Gibson's courage didn't just make a mark on law enforcement but also, resonated within the community and beyond. He confronted and established an unlikely friendship with a grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, leading to a canceled hate rally in Homestead. "I walked right up to the grand wizard and I told him I said look two words don’t make a right," Gibson recounted in his interview with Local 10 News. After retiring from the police force, he continued to serve as a preacher, sharing wisdom gained from decades straddling lines between law enforcement and social justice.