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James D. Schaffer

Blue Ash Police Captain
Hamilton County PICA Coordinator
Greater Cincinnati Police Museum Facilities Director
Greater Cincinnati Police Museum Webmaster

Jim was born in Covington and grew up there until 1979. He attended Dixie Heights High School in Fort Mitchell and Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, graduating from both.

From 1974 to 1979, he worked as a store detective for the Mabley and Carew Department Store at their locations in downtown Cincinnati, Swifton, Beechmont, and Western Hills.

Jim joined the University of Cincinnati Police Department in 1979. He attended the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy and Norwood Police Academy earning a Basic Peace Officer certification. He was later assigned as a Detective in 1980.

In 1982, Officer Schaffer transferred to the Montgomery Police Department and later was assigned as a Detective.

In 1987, Officer Schaffer joined the Blue Ash Police Department and was again assigned as a Detective. About 1991, he was promoted to Sergeant and later served again as a Detective Sergeant. On August 7, 1994, he spearheaded an investigation into a theft ring run out of a hotel, identified 30 suspects from South Carolina, and recovered $69,000 in stolen clothing. By 2001 he was considered an electronic surveillance expert in Hamilton County. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2001 and to Captain in 2002. In 2006, Captain Schaffer was awarded the Cincinnati Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Law Enforcement Commendation Medal for several extraordinary accomplishments in his career.

Captain Schaffer retired in 2013 and was appointed as Police Chief of the Greenhills Police Department from which he ended his career as a law enforcement officer.

He continued in law enforcement as an advisor and consultant joining in 2016 the Lexipol Public Safety Police Management Systems and Solutions organization. He worked with law enforcement agencies across the country in the development and implementation of public safety policies.

He continues his law enforcement association with the Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society. In 2006, had was instrumental in the construction and opening of the museum. He served as the Facilities Director and Webmaster. He continues to serve as its Grant Committee Chairman 51 years after taking his first job in security.

He has also been extremely involved in the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He joined the SAR in 2006. He served as the Cincinnati Chapter’s Treasurer for a year, Second Vice President for a year, and President from 2009 to 2010. He served as the Ohio Society Secretary for two years, Second Vice President for a year, First Vice President for a year, and President in 2015. In 2017, Jim was awarded the Ohio Society SAR Samuel Hubbard Award. He then served as the Central District Secretary/Treasurer for two years. Finally, he served the National Society as National Trustee and Alternate Trustee for membership of 37,000 people in all 50 states.

James D. Schaffer

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