(WHAS11) - On Saturday the man still in the forefront of the civil rights movement in Louisville passed away.  Reverend Louis Coleman was 64.

Then just hours after his death Coleman’s headquarters for many of his groups was burglarized.

As his civil rights colleagues mourn the death of Reverend Louis Coleman, they are also outraged at a break in at the Justice Resource Center.

One of Coleman’s last acts was to take guns off the street, but in the hours after his death, someone tried to get them back on the street.

Louis Coleman had not been dead nine hours when Metro Police got the call about a break-in in progress at Coleman’s Justice Resource Center office at 19^th and Maple.

Police called longtime JRC colleague Mattie Jones to the scene.

The guns were from Rev. Coleman’s gun buyback program.  Just last weekend he had collected an undetermined number off the street, intended to be destroyed.  Police don’t know how many - if any - guns were stolen.

Jones and her son took the guns from the scene, but later became nervous about carrying around five pistols and 17 rifles in his vehicle. So they called police.

Mattie Jones says police would not take the guns, instead suggesting that she follow them to police headquarters to secure them.

She says officers pulled away - and she was never able to find them - driving downtown streets with a cache of weapons.

Metro police say Jones must have misunderstood the officer, and that he told her to go to the Second Division headquarters and not downtown. 

Jones can only imagine today how Louis Coleman would react.

***Previous Coverage***

(WHAS11) - One of Louisville’s most well-known civil rights leaders has passed away.

The Reverend Louis Coleman was taken to Suburban Hospital after suffering from seizures; he later died at the hospital at the age of 64.

Coleman is known for leading the Justice Resource Center, a group he led in the fight for civil rights.

On Saturday, those that worked with Coleman at the JRC talked about the shock of his death and the great loss to the community; the loss of a man they call devoted and selfless.

Another group Coleman was active in, The Kentucky Alliance against Racism and Political Repression, also held a press conference.

***Previous Coverage***

Founder and spokesperson of The Justice Resource Center, Reverend Louis Coleman was a tireless activist for what he deemed inequality in the daily lives of minorities, the under-recognized and the underprivledged.

Saturday afternoon, Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson and Congressman John Yarmuth issued statements about the Reverend’s death:

“Reverend Coleman was a tireless fighter and a voice for those without a voice. We didn’t always agree with each other, but I never doubted his dedication and devotion,” said Mayor Abramson.

And Congressman Yarmuth said, ”Our community and state have lost a tireless advocate for those whose voices were rarely heard and whose rights were often ignored.  Louis Coleman’s passing leaves a vacuum that will be impossible to fill.  He often told me, in recent years, that he wished someone would step up and assume his role, but no one could.  Now, someone must. I will never forget his passion, his ferocity, his love, and something many people never saw, his humor.  His legacy will be a lasting one.”

Share your memories/condolences

I'm sorry he is dead but I think Louisville will be better off without him..

Glad he is gone!!! He was nothing but an agitator who caused more divisiveness between blacks and whites in this community that will take years to repair. I hope they buried his bullhorn with himneither will be missed.

On behalf of the white community in Louisville kentucky. "Free at last, Free at Last.. Thank God Almighty We are free at last. (from this loud mouthed man that for so long has caused a huge headache for the white business owners and general white community for so long.

They could'nt get him in the ground fast enough for me.... good bye and farewell....

I remember Rev Coleman when he sat outside of the Pendennis Club being served on a round table with white linen tablecloth and it was funny. My prayers are with the Coleman family.

im very sorry for your loss he was a good man god bless you

WE LOVED YOU AND YOU WILL BE MISSED. THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU DID FOR US IN LOUISVILE AND THE WORLD.GOD BLESS AND R I P

Rest In Peace Louis Coleman, There will never ever be another you! Thanks for your tireless efforts in the Louisville community, and Thanks Mrs Coleman and family for sharing your love one with us. He will be surely missed

My condolences to the family of Mr. Coleman. In the past I have had a negative experience with him and one of his groups of activist. However, in due time everything worked out.

You'll be missed very much. There will never be any another like you.

My family will miss Rev more than anyone could know. He was more than just my pastor but he was a second father to me and my wife. It's a shame a community doesn't realize what a hero they have in their mist until they're gone. We Love you Pastor Coleman.
Alex, Terrie and the whole Brown family.

welp we are all gunna miss the ole west end watchdog. he was a man of principle and equal rights for all. shame the man is gone, i bet that alot of louisvilles corporate businesses are too.
rip Lou