A funeral service was held Jan. 28 at Mt. Sinai Full Gospel Church, Jersey City, for Emmett Herbert “Hatch” Harrison. He passed away Jan. 19. He was born in Pleasantville to the late Henry and Annie Mary Harrison, and was the youngest of eight children. His siblings, all of whom predeceased him were: Wallace Harrison Sr., Willa Mae Lassiter, Henry Harrison, Vernon Harrison Sr., Vivian Locklear, Judson Harrison and Leila Harrison. Emmett graduated from Henry Snyder High School, Jersey City in 1942 and subsequently enlisted in the US Army.
He served two years in WWII in the Asiatic Pacific region as Corporal Technical Sergeant with qualifications as Sharpshooter Rifle Cal 30. Emmett received a Bronze Battle Star and a Good Conduct Medal. He continued to work for the military as a civilian at the Military Ocean Terminal Bayonne prior to joining the Jersey City Police Department in 1957.
After 31 years of service, Emmett retired as a detective from the police force in 1988. He moved to Chesapeake, Va. with his daughters in 1997 following the passing of his wife, Barbara Rosetta Wallace Harrison in 1995. She was the oldest daughter of Randolph and K. Lucille Wallace, who was the first African American Jersey City policewoman, sworn in 1951. Emmett is survived by four children: Marsha L. Harrison of Chesapeake, Va.; Emmett R. Harrison (Linda) of Jersey City; Deborah J. Gilliam of Virginia Beach, Va., and Stacey A. Harrison of Chesapeake, Va.; five grandchildren, Alexis Kelsick (Kern), Melinda Harrison, Mark Harrison (Danielle), Michelle Logan (Jason) and Nicole Harrison; and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by a host of many other family and friends. Services arranged by the Watson Mortuary Service, Jersey City.