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For the last 45 years, Thanksgiving Day has reminded me of an extraordinary person in the Public Safety world, not likely an isolated instance in their efforts. If you have, or had a Dee in your agency, let me know. We need to highlight the efforts of these folks and celebrate them for their support of our 1st responders. Once again, I am privileged to be able to share MY story. Enjoy.
It’s no great secret that I used to dispatch and was a sworn Special Officer for the Sparta Police Department in New Jersey—a small rural town in the most northwestern county of the state, bordering upstate New York and Pennsylvania – Way back in the 1900’s. It was a close-knit place; everyone had a nickname that fit, and mine will remain a closely guarded secret. 😎
In this modest single-seat center, we managed police, fire, and EMS Call-taking and DIspatch services for our town of 13,000 residents, the neighboring Borough of Franklin with approximately 5,000 residents, and another adjoining municipality, the small Borough of Ogdensburg, which consisted of a massive single square mile of country friendliness.
Our department ran four squads, consisting of a Sergeant, four Patrolmen, and a Dispatcher. Franklin had two units on the road, and the sleepy little Burg ran solo with backup from either side in the event the ‘BIG one’ hit, which never happened. Normally, dispatchers worked only in their squads, except when overtime opportunities came up. However, each year, we would fight for the privilege of working on Thanksgiving Day or the Night shift. The primary reason was straightforward: Dee Jones.
Dee was a lifelong resident of Ogdensburg, NJ, She was an active member of the Burg’s volunteer ambulance squad and well-known by every member of the Police, Fire and EMS teams of the three municipalities. EVERY YEAR, without fail, Dee would make trips to each department on Thanksgiving Day—once during the day and again at suppertime—to deliver hot turkey dinners with all the trimmings to those working and away from their families. She didn’t consider her job done until everyone was stuffed to their limits and Garrison belts extended at least two notches.
I don’t know how long after I left, Dee maintained this tradition, but I am sure it continued as long as she was physically capable. Sadly, in 2022 , Dolores “Dee” Marie Jones, 89, passed away, peacefully surrounded by her loving family in August of that year, at the Newton Medical Center in Newton, NJ.
Dee had been a resident of Ogdensburg for many years. It was no surprise that her job was working with Meals on Wheels, delivering food. For her efforts over the years, she was named Senior Citizen of the Year by the Mayor and council of Ogdensburg and the local Knights of Columbus. Dee always enjoyed holiday cooking for the Ogdensburg, Franklin, and Sparta police departments and often had one or more officers at her home for “cockeyed eggs.” She was also a very active member of the Ogdensburg Fire Departme`nt Women’s Auxiliary, loved bingo, and eagerly anticipated “Gooch’s Garlic Run” each year. That event was organized by Al “Gooch” Monaco of the Andover Police Department and the Blue Knights law enforcement motorcycle association that raised funds for sick and injured children. Sadly, “Gooch” passed away peacefully on July 6, 2023, at the age of 68.
These are two of my many friends and colleagues who have influenced how I live, work, and try to treat others. They are both clear examples that today’s Public Safety Professional can use as examples of how they build their own careers. Passion, Commitment, and Integrity.
If you’re in public safety and your department has its own version of Dee, be extra thankful. Public safety operates 24/7, 365 days a year. While they are out saving lives, often no support mechanism is in place to care for these heroes as they spend time away from their families. While bringing in food from a stranger may seem foreign these days, you can always call and ask what you can do that would be acceptable.
Whatever you arrange, remember that the least you can do is stop in or make a call (to a non-emergency number, please) and thank them for their service. In my opinion, it’s the least you can do, and I guarantee that it will make someone’s day—likely a memory they will cherish forever.
I wish everyone in public safety, as well as all the families who support our nation’s first responders, a very happy Thanksgiving. To the large extended Jones clan scattered around Northern NJ and Florida—I wish you a peaceful and loving Thanksgiving. I’m sure all of you will be thinking of Dee. I know I will, and I’ll be thankful for the short time I had with her during her time here.
Happy Thanksgiving, stay safe, and thank you, 911!
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