For many in law enforcement, those that they serve side-by-side with every day become like family to them. But some take that phrase more literally than others.
On Wednesday morning, Columbus Police Department Captain Rick Jones celebrated his retirement with coworkers, friends and family after 27 years on the force. Two of his three sons– all law enforcement officers themselves– were also present for his retirement.
CPD Chief Joseph Daughtry presented Jones with a plaque honoring his service during his retirement party, and acknowledged his many years of serving the community.
“With him retiring, there’s a wealth of knowledge that’s leaving this place,” Daughtry told The Dispatch. “But the good thing about it is that once you’re part of a family, you can always reach out to family.”
Jones originally joined the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office in 1981 before moving to the Columbus Police Department in 1984. He switched between the agencies several times, adding up to more than 40 years in law enforcement total, he said.
“It’s bittersweet because I want to kind of move on and give other folks opportunities to do what I’ve done, but I hate leaving,” Jones told The Dispatch. “… I want to solve everything, but the reality is you can’t. So I’m going to pass that torch on to somebody else, and hopefully the new people coming onboard will pick it up and have the same passion.”
While Jones said he is sad to leave the department, he said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve others to learn from them.
“Every day is a new learning experience,” Jones said. “I’ve seen the very worst that people have done, but I’ve also seen the very best.”
Since he started working in law enforcement, Jones said the biggest changes have been in technology. When he started in the 80s, he had to leave his radio hanging from a cord out of the car window to pick up emergency signals, he said.
The other biggest change, he said, has been in the “community” focus of law enforcement.
“We’re trying to get into the community and trying to talk to the people, trying to establish rapport with them so they can feel comfortable talking to police officers, and making their communities safer and their neighborhoods safer,” Jones said.
Over the years, Jones rose through the ranks, becoming Captain of Investigations at CPD. Several of Jones’ coworkers expressed their admiration for his achievements throughout his career, and sadness that he would soon be leaving their law enforcement family.
But the comments that made Jones “overwhelmed and overjoyed” were from his sons, who have followed in his footsteps.
“Little” Rick, Greg and Steven Jones all serve as officers at different levels across the state, helping to protect and serve just like their father did before them.
“Little” Rick Jones said watching his father’s dedication over the years inspired him to become an investigator with the Amory Police Department, as a way to help others. He has been with the department for 13 years and in law enforcement for 18 years.
“When he was on call, we were all on call,” he said. “Because they didn’t have cell phones back then. They would call the house and I would have to go wake him up.”
Steven Jones is now a state trooper with Mississippi Highway Patrol. He said his father has always been his role model, as he grew up watching his father go to work every day. He worked for the Starkville Police Department for four years, before working for the Mississippi Highway Patrol for nine years.
“I got to see firsthand what he did, and I was completely sold from an early age,” he said. “Every decision I’ve made from being a child to my adult years has led me to where I am now, and all that came from my dad.”
Steven said that their other brother, Greg, was not able to be present, since he was currently at work for the Pearl Police Department.
Capt. Rick Jones joked that he would be excited to see his sons make chief or colonel one day, though he is not sure which would get there first.
CPD Chief Joseph Daughtry joked that with one Jones leaving the department, he would be happy to “take on another.”
And, though Jones’ last day was Friday, Daughtry said he is always welcome to “come home.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 38 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
