In 1954, a Louisville Police officer was approached by a distraught 12-year-old boy who just learned his brand new bike had been stolen. The frustrated boy told the officer he’d whip the thief if he ever found him. The officer invited the youngster to learn to fight properly by joining the boxing gym where the officer mentored young fighters.
Over the years the officer helped mentor the young fighter as he went on to win six Kentucky Golden Gloves titles, two national Amateur Athletic Union titles, and the heavyweight gold at the 1960 Olympics and became known to millions as “The Greatest.”
Today, we join the world in mourning the passing of Muhammad Ali, and we are grateful for the legacy of Louisville Police Officer Joe E. Martin and his willingness to help a young Cassius Clay in need.
May we continue to find opportunities to invest in the lives of our youth, and may we see each encounter as an opportunity to influence “The Greatest.”
Special thanks to the Louisville Police Department