Vietnam Veteran, Peace Officer and patriot Dies
Retired Peace Officer Jack McLamb,69, died on Saturday evening, January 11, 2014 at Evansville, Indiana,. He had been fighting Parkinson’s for a number of years. He had worked for Phoenix Police for about 15 years and was the original “Officer Friendly.” But Officer McLamb was a lot of other things; Patriot, Activist, the original Oath Keeper, Author, and the consummate American Peace Officer.
Jack was born on July 18, 1944 in Washington, D.C., and schooled there, and later in Tucson, Arizona. After attending various colleges, focusing on areas of selected studies, he served honorably in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Various successful business ventures followed for Jack, until at age 32, he found what would prove to be his main life calling, as he entered the police academy in Phoenix, Arizona. Serving as a peace officer, Jack quickly rose to prominence, and his awards were many, making him one of the most highly decorated officers in the history of his Department of over 2000 officers.
Perhaps the most disappointing, disheartening event of Jack's life was being forced into medical retirement due to severe injuries suffered in the line of duty. He nevertheless continued his life work educationally as a writer/publisher, international speaker, and patriot radio broadcaster on several networks over many years. In 1998, Jack was led to relocate his police and military education association from Phoenix, Arizona to the beautiful mountains of north central Idaho. There, he lived happily until just very near to the time of his final illness.
What most endeared so much of the nation to Jack McLamb was his great, patriotic heart, his deep love for people, and their constitutionally-guaranteed rights and freedoms, in defense of which, especially, he devoted the last 37 years of his life. Both in active service and ever since, Jack was known to many as "Officer Friendly." The title stemmed from a national school program of that name, designed by Officer McLamb, in which police officers made the rounds to school classrooms and in various fun and meaningful ways worked to build a bond of trust and friendship between the children and the police. This fine program caught on within Jack's department, and eventually grew nation-wide in scope, once it was picked up and sponsored by the Sears Corporation. But just in general, all who knew "Officer Friendly" saw him as a living example and demonstration of all that it means to be a Peace Officer - a true friend of the people and protector of God-given rights and liberties, in distinct contrast to being a mere enforcer of man-made laws.
He was of a deeply sensitive nature. His artistic talents showed up early, in paintings dating back to his youth. He excelled in sports such as track, pole-vaulting and tennis. He enjoyed singing, and especially loved the ocean, and adventures like scuba diving and snorkeling.
Retired Peace Officer Jack McLamb,69, died on Saturday evening, January 11, 2014 at Evansville, Indiana,. He had been fighting Parkinson’s for a number of years. He had worked for Phoenix Police for about 15 years and was the original “Officer Friendly.” But Officer McLamb was a lot of other things; Patriot, Activist, the original Oath Keeper, Author, and the consummate American Peace Officer.
Jack was born on July 18, 1944 in Washington, D.C., and schooled there, and later in Tucson, Arizona. After attending various colleges, focusing on areas of selected studies, he served honorably in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Various successful business ventures followed for Jack, until at age 32, he found what would prove to be his main life calling, as he entered the police academy in Phoenix, Arizona. Serving as a peace officer, Jack quickly rose to prominence, and his awards were many, making him one of the most highly decorated officers in the history of his Department of over 2000 officers.
Perhaps the most disappointing, disheartening event of Jack's life was being forced into medical retirement due to severe injuries suffered in the line of duty. He nevertheless continued his life work educationally as a writer/publisher, international speaker, and patriot radio broadcaster on several networks over many years. In 1998, Jack was led to relocate his police and military education association from Phoenix, Arizona to the beautiful mountains of north central Idaho. There, he lived happily until just very near to the time of his final illness.
What most endeared so much of the nation to Jack McLamb was his great, patriotic heart, his deep love for people, and their constitutionally-guaranteed rights and freedoms, in defense of which, especially, he devoted the last 37 years of his life. Both in active service and ever since, Jack was known to many as "Officer Friendly." The title stemmed from a national school program of that name, designed by Officer McLamb, in which police officers made the rounds to school classrooms and in various fun and meaningful ways worked to build a bond of trust and friendship between the children and the police. This fine program caught on within Jack's department, and eventually grew nation-wide in scope, once it was picked up and sponsored by the Sears Corporation. But just in general, all who knew "Officer Friendly" saw him as a living example and demonstration of all that it means to be a Peace Officer - a true friend of the people and protector of God-given rights and liberties, in distinct contrast to being a mere enforcer of man-made laws.
He was of a deeply sensitive nature. His artistic talents showed up early, in paintings dating back to his youth. He excelled in sports such as track, pole-vaulting and tennis. He enjoyed singing, and especially loved the ocean, and adventures like scuba diving and snorkeling.