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James N. Cherry Jr. was born in jackson, TN and received his education in the city school system.  His high school years were uinterrupted in 1943 by military service in the U. S. Navy.  He served until 1946 and upon completion of his service, he re-entered high school and graduated from Merry High School.  Upon graduation, he worked at several different jobs, at on point moving to Pontiac, MI for one year and then returned back to Jackson.

In January 1964, Chief Cherry began working at the Police Department where he became the first African-American uniformed patrolman in the history of the Jackson Police Department. In 1969, he was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to the Detective Division, now called the Criminal Investigation Division.  In 1972, he was promoted to Lieutenant and transferred back to the Patrol Division.  He was promoted to Captain in 1980.  In 1988, he was promoted to Deputy Chief and was in charge of the entire Uniform Patrol Division.  He was responsible for the day-to-day operation of this division. Chief Cherry was the highest ranking African American in the history of the Jackson Police Department.  He retired from the Police Department in July 1989; however he did not retire from the law enforcement profession.

In September 1990, he became a Marshall for the State of Tennessee Appellate Court System in the Western Section, where he worked both in jackson and Memphis.  His responsiblities included opening court, protecting the records, and keeping the peace during court preceedings.  Chief Cherry retired permanently in January 1997 after a long and illustrious career in law enforcement.  Chief Cherry was one of the most respected law enforcement officers in Jackson/Madison County and a true professional in every sense of the word.

He was active in several professional assocations, namely, the Fraternal Order of Police, Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Jackson Police Association.  He was a board member of the Boys and Girls Club and Crimestoppers.

Chief Cherry was a member of East Jackson Church of Christ, husband, father of five, and grandfather of six.