Former U.S. marshal and JPD chief Robert Moore writes autobiography
JANS – Robert Moore’s Off My Neck is a compelling, firsthand account of resilience, leadership, and transformation in the face of America’s enduring racial challenges. The manuscript chronicles Moore’s journey from a 40-acre farm in segregated Algoma, Mississippi, to becoming the second Black U.S. Marshal appointed by a president in Illinois history (under William Jefferson Clinton in 1994).
Spanning his early life, military service, and a 50-year career in law enforcement, the book weaves personal anecdotes with broader historical context, offering readers an intimate look at one man’s internal fight against systemic racism. While the book shows signs of greatness, it can still be considered as a work in progress – evident in OCR artifacts, truncated – however, it pulses with raw authenticity and a powerful narrative arc that demands refinement but already inspires.
Moore structures his story chronologically, beginning with a heartfelt dedication to his mother, Nannie Moore, whose values of education, family, and fortitude shaped his worldview. Born in 1943 amid Jim Crow laws, he recounts humble beginnings on his father’s farm, the sting of segregation (like buying food from the back of cafés), and his decision to join the U.S. Army in 1962 instead of accepting a basketball scholarship. Migrating north to Rockford, Illinois, in 1965, Moore navigates factory work, marriage, and entry into law enforcement as a jailer and deputy sheriff. His career escalates through roles in the Illinois State Police, where he pioneers affirmative action programs, faces hostility as an “uppity n—–,” and authors influential papers on increasing Black police executives.
Subsequent chapters detail his moves south to Savannah, Georgia, as Chief of Detectives (reducing homicides by 40%), back to Illinois for child welfare leadership, and his triumphant appointment as U.S. Marshal despite anonymous smear campaigns alleging sexual harassment and racism. Moore also reflects on historical ties, like the role of Black deputy marshals in integrating the University of Mississippi in 1962, and his tenure as Jackson, Mississippi’s Police Chief from 2002–2005, where he implemented crime-fighting strategies amid political turbulence. The manuscript ends on a reflective note, emphasizing legacy-building through family, advocacy, and his return to purchase part of the family farm.
