Police Officer George R. Jones, Jr. P-550 (1952-2024)

George was born on August 10, 1952 to Mr. and Mrs. George R. Jones, Sr. of Westwood. His grandfather was highly respected Cincinnati Patrolman Clarence McMurtry. George attended Western Hills High School and graduated in June 1970.

From September 1970 to January 1972, he worked as a tow motor operator at Whiteway Light Manufacturing. He also enlisted in the United States Army National Guard in October 1971. In June 1972 he took a position as Security Officer with Cincinnati Security Company and resigned in June 1974. He began driving an ambulance for A-1 Ambulance Service on March of 1974 and was fired on January 6, 1975 for coming to the aid of two injured Cincinnati Police Officers against the company rules and regulations.

George joined the Cincinnati Police Division on April 13, 1975 in its 61st Recruit Class. He was promoted to Police Officer on September 5, 1975, issued Badge 550, and assigned to District 4 (5170 Reading Road). On December 5, 1976 he was laid off due to fiscal issues at City Hall.

Officer Jones joined the Germantown, Ohio Police Department as a Police Officer in April 1977 until September 1977.

In October 1977, he returned to Cincinnati and took a position as a Corrections Officer at the Cincinnati Workhouse. He was honorably discharged from the National Guard in October 1978. In August 1981, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office took control of the Cincinnati Correctional Institute and hired him as a Corrections Officer 2.

On March 14, 1982, while frequenting the Fire Hat Tavern on Harrison Avenue, a man entered wearing a ski mask and attempted to hold up the bar. He pointed a firearm at the barmaid and Deputy Jones stepped and challenged the robber. The robber turned toward Deputy Jones and Jones shot him twice, ending the threat.

On January 19, 1983, Deputy Jones resigned and moved to Long Beach, California seeking law enforcement opportunities there. He had accumulated 11 years of service to his country, county, and community.

Officer Jones suffered from severe arthritis, for which he took medication that included a small chance of throat cancer. He developed the cancer and battled through years of treatments and surgery before it metastasized to his lungs causing his death on September 22, 2024 at age of 72.
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