A cemetery in Louisiana in the southwest refused to accept the remains of a recently deceased Swartman, citing the ordinances of Jim Crow era that allowed such exclusions.
Darrell Semien, 55, sheriff of Allen Parish Sheriff, died this week after a brief battle with bladder cancer, and he was hoping to be buried near his home in Oberlin, about halfway between New Orleans and Houston.
When loved ones of Semien, who was black, approached Oaklin Springs Baptist Cemetery, they were repulsed by a representative who said the cemetery was for whites only.
“I was just looking at her and she said, ‘No coloreds are allowed,'” widow Karla Semien told KPLC, an NBC affiliate in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Creig Vizena, president of the Oaklin Springs Cemetery Association, confirmed that such language exists, showing KPLC a standard contract showing that Oaklin Springs only allows the burial of ‘whites’.
Vizena insisted he never knew that this ban, introduced in the 1950s, even existed.
“It never came up,” he said. “I take full responsibility for that. I have been the president for several years. I take full responsibility for not reading the statutes.”
The cemetery council has since changed its bylaws, according to KPLC.
Vizena said he was horrified and wanted to give the family of Semien for free.
“I can not sell one to you, but I can give one of mine,” he told KPLC. “That’s how strong I feel about fixing it.”
The family rejected Vizena’s offer and would rather execute him for the sake of Sonnier Cemetery in Oberlin, according to Allen Parish Funeral Home.
His funeral is on Saturday.
“It’s like we were nothing,” Karla Semien said, choking back tears and reflecting on her late husband’s career in law enforcement. “You know, (like) he was nothing. He put his life on the line for them.”
The deputy’s sister, Kimberly Curly, also said she could not overcome the initial refusal to accept her brother.
“Everyone dies, they bleed the same,” Curly said. ‘You die, you have the same color. Dead have no color. Why then would he be denied? ‘
Representatives of the Louisiana Cemetery Board could not be immediately reached for comment Friday.
Vizena did not immediately return NBC News’ request for comment.
Shamar Walters contributed.