Police Chief Jackie Lee “Jack” Roy
(1949-2024)
Jack was born June 25, 1949 in Casey County, Kentucky to Dorothy Chapman. After moving to Hamilton County, he attended Lockland High School where he participated in basketball, Actors Workshop, Safety Patrol, Gymnastics, Choir, Spanish Club, Drama Club, the Junior-Senior Class Play, intramurals, and on the Dictaphone staff. He graduated in 1968.
On March 21, 1971, Jack was inducted into the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War as a Military Policeman. Specialist 4 Roy was honorably discharged on April 12, 1972 with a National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
On September 25, 1970, Jack married Elizabeth Mae “Betty” Bauman. They made their home in Elmwood Place and shared the rest of their lives in marriage, family, and politics.
On December 6, 1972, Jack joined the Elmwood Place Police Department as a parttime Patrolman.
In July 1973, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Cincinnati, completed the Hamilton County Police Academy, and, on July 2nd, joined the Wyoming Police Department.
As an Elmwood Place citizen concerned for the perceived disorder occurring there, Patrolman Roy ran for the Elmwood Place Village Council in November 1979. Patrolman Roy earned more votes than every other candidate and another Republican earned the second most. This set off a political firestorm in Wyoming. Officer Roy was told to either give up the council seat or be dismissed for a violation of nonpartisan political activities law. He was sworn in at Elmwood Place on January 1, 1980 and fired from Wyoming on January 4th. He was reinstituted on April 22, 1980 while his case was appealed. After wins and losses in appeals, his wife, Betty, took his seat in Elmwood and he stayed with the Wyoming Police Department. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that Betty and Jack were in it together.
Within seven months, he was promoted to Detective and participated in many newspaper-worthy investigations. He was also a member of the Hamilton County Police Association Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team. By May 1984 he was promoted to Detective Sergeant. In 1988, he became one of the few officers in Hamilton County trained in the instruction of the new Drug Abuse Resistance (DARE) training.
In 1989, an all-police band was formed under the auspices of the Hamilton County Police Association called Most Wanted. Sergeant Roy joined as their drummer.
In 1992, the Elmwood Place mayor and vice mayor were both charged with election fraud and Betty Roy was elevated to Mayor. She continued as such until handing the job over to another Republican in January 1994.
On August 1, 2000, Sergeant Roy was appointed Police Chief. Chief Roy retired on March 14, 2006 with 35 years of service to his country and two communities.
He was also a lifetime member of the American Legion and member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Patrick Council 1747 and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 74.
Chief Roy died on November 1, 2024 at the age of 75.
He is predeceased by his siblings, Connie Schmid and Ron Roy. Chief Roy is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth Mae “Betty” (Bauman) Roy; daughters, Anne Elizabeth (Eric) Buescher and Sarah Katherine (Darold) Girard; grandchildren, Katie (Paul) Ulrich, Rachel Buescher, Kyle Girard, and Lindsey Girard; great-grandchildren, Nova, Jack, Wesley, and Logan; and sisters, Diana Coffey and April Hoosier.
Visitation will be held 9:30 to 11:30 on Friday, November 8th, 2024, at St. Clement Church at 4536 Vine Street in St. Bernard. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m.
Donations may be made out to St. Clement Church.
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