Get To Know Your Plymouth Township Police: Sgt. John Jackson

The Plymouth Township community relies on its police force to keep them safe.

Our spotlight of local law enforcement aims to connect the community with the officers that protect them.

This week we talked with Sergeant John Jackson.

Name

Sergeant John Jackson, currently assigned to the Highway Patrol Unit

Years on force

33 years completed, retiring in 18 months

Background

“I grew up as a child in Cheltenham Township, lived in Deptford, NJ for Junior High School, then attended high school in Hollywood, Florida. I moved to Plymouth in 1978 and became very involved in the fire department and EMS. I was Chief of Plymouth Fire company from 1988-1994.

I have been married for 34 years to Kim, I have a daughter Jamie, 28 and a son Matt, 25. I have lived in Plymouth Township since 1979. I like to ride my Harley Davidson motorcycle and have been all over the east coast on it. I am President of the Montgomery County chapter of the Centurions law enforcement motorcycle club.

I worked as an automotive mechanic until 1981 when I was hired by Plymouth Township as a patrolman. I attended the Pennsylvania State Police Southeastern Academy and graduated in April 1982. I worked patrol from 1982 until 2009. During that period I was a member of the SWAT team.

In 2009 I was transferred to the Highway Patrol Unit. Part of my duties in Highway Patrol is overseeing the motorcycle unit. The two week police motorcycle certification was the most difficult training of my career. I am the most senior officer on the force right now. When I started there were 19 officers. We now have 46 officers.

Many things have changed in police work during the last 33 years. Geographically there is very little undeveloped open space in the township. There are many new office complexes shopping centers and housing developments. Technologically we had nothing more than a rotating lightbar and siren with a shotgun in each patrol car. The cars had no am/fm radio or air conditioning.

Today’s vehicles are built specifically as police cars with state of the art LED lighting, custom paint and graphics, mobile computer with modem mounted in the car that lets the officer run checks, type reports and issue tickets without a pen.”

Reasons for wanting to be an officer

“My grandfather was a police officer for 39 years. I watched his dedication to people and duty growing up and decided from a young age that I wanted to be part of that.”

Most rewarding moment

“I have had many rewarding moments in my career. I have been in the right place at peoples worst moments and was fortunate enough to be able to help them in their time of need on many occasions. This is one of the most satisfying parts of police work. I have delivered two babies and saved a few lives.

Most difficult moment

The on duty murder of Officer Brad Fox from my department is obviously the worst thing I have had to deal with in my career.

Favorite thing about the area

“There is always something to do. Plymouth has movie theaters, shopping centers, restaurants interstate highways yet in 5 minutes you can be in your residential neighborhood cutting your lawn away from all of the traffic.”

Favorite late night snack

“I like Tony’s Pizza in the Valley, Outback, Boathouse and The Pub in Conshy.”

Know of an officer that deserves recognition? Let us know at justin.heinze@patch.com.