Jack Hall

Jack L. Hall passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Grand Ledge, Michigan, at home peacefully with his wife Effie by his side. It should be mentioned that Hall made Michigan State’s history when he became the Michigan State Police’s first African American State Trooper in 1967.

Jack was born in 1941, in the city of Cairo, Illinois to Jake and Clemmie Hall. He attended the Benton Harbor school system from the third grade until he graduated from Benton Harbor high school with honors. While attending Benton Harbor high school, he was one of only a couple of students who accomplished perfect attendance during their high school experience. He was also active in school sports, playing football, basketball, and running track. In 2008, the MHSAA honored Hall's varsity basketball team in a game for the state boys' basketball championship with Detroit Austin as the LEGENDS OF THE GAMES. Indicating that these two teams played the best High School boys basketball game in the history of Michigan High School. This honor was held at Michigan State University.

He attended Benton Harbor Community College where he majored in engineering. All of his engineering credits were transferred to Lansing Community College where he changed his major to Criminal Justice. He graduated from LCC with honors. He also attended Michigan State University and graduated with honors with a BA degree in Police Administration, and finally he graduated from Western Michigan University with an MA in Public Administration with honors.

He was employed with the Michigan State Police for 25 years. He rose through the ranks with the department. He was assigned to both Flint and Niles as a Trooper. He was promoted to D/Sgt and assigned the MINT unit, which was located in Detroit, He as assigned to the Recruitment Section of the department as both Sergeant and Second Lt. He was also assigned to the Training Division aa a Lt. He was promoted to F/Lt and assigned the Ionia Post. He was promoted to Inspector and assigned to the First District as the assistant First District Commander. He was finally promoted to Captain and worked as an administrative assistant to the Director in charge of the department's Affirmative Action Section.

He retired from the MSP after 25 years of service in 1992, never taking a sick day.

He interviewed for the Department of Corrections' Internal Affairs Division along with 27 other applicants. He was appointed by the Director of Corrections to a position. Known for his integrity he was instrumental in establishing the Department of Internal Affairs Program. After ten years of dedicated service he retired for a second time. As with the MSP, Hall never took a sick day while employed with the DOC.

He received several awards even after being retired with the latest one in his hometown of Benton Harbor, Michigan and the last one being in November of 2025 by the MSP for their inaugural Ring of Honor.

Jack became a Christian at an early age, being baptized at the age of eight. He served as a deacon at the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Niles, Michigan. He was a member of The Friendship Baptist Church / Friendship House of Prayer Baptist Church being a member there for over 40 years.

Jack married his high school sweetheart Effie right out of High School, and they were married for over 65 years. They were blessed with two children, Marvin & (Sally) and Marilyn & (Thomas). 4 grandchildren, Michael (Deceased), Travis (Matthew), Matthew (Christine), David (Nikki) and 7 great grandchildren, David Jr, Jasmine, Leia, Elena, Jacklyn, Lucia Dean, and Malachi. He had eight siblings: Clem, Fannie, Adell (deceased), Maedell (deceased), John, Frances, and Helen and a host of brother in-laws, sister in-laws, nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

The Family of Mr. Jack Hall is requesting donations in his honor to Michigan State Police Fallen Trooper Memorial, at the address below:

Donations to the Fallen Trooper Memorial with check payable to: MSTAF-FTM

Michigan State Police Troopers Association

1715 Abbey Rd., Suite B

East Lansing, MI 48823

Or please feel free to donate to a charity of your choice in his honor.