by Maya Jung
Born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, since age 5 he has been in Stonington. A product of Stonington Public Schools, he served those schools for decades after graduating. He excelled on the playing fields and later made sports possible for those that followed him. He first drove the streets of Stonington as a teenager; as a Police Officer he protected those streets for 35 years. Jerry Desmond is the personification of Stonington Strong.
Born the middle child of James and Phyllis Desmond, Jerry attributes his work ethic, drive, and demeanor to his late parents. “Dad worked at EB and Mom at various dining spots. They gave my brother Walter, sister Patty, and I a great childhood. More so, they modeled that each has an obligation to help others and to give whatever we were doing our full and complete effort,” Desmond recalled. This gave Jerry the drive to be the first in his family to go to college.
An Education Major at SCSU, Jerry graduated when teaching jobs were scarce. “I was worried,” Desmond said. “I had worked so hard to earn my degree and it seemed I would not be able to use it.” Fate intervened as one of Jerry’s boyhood heroes, Stonington Police Officer Dave Erskine.
Erskine, who went on to be Chief of the Stonington Police, encouraged Desmond to apply as a patrol officer. Jerry also applied as assistant football coach at his alma mater as well as Head Girl Gymnastics Coach for the same beloved Bears. In 1980 Desmond became a Police Officer and Coach and stayed for over 35 years.
“Working with youth has been the most rewarding part of my career as both a Coach and Police Officer. To see kids grow from boys and girls into solid citizens and to be a part of that process is a gift to my life,” said Desmond. Coaching saw Desmond mold citizens and produce champions. A high point was the 1991 SHS State Championship Football Team.
“A wonderful group of young men,” Desmond stated. “They and my friend Coach Bob Mitchell gave me a season of a lifetime!”
A small town police department requires a myriad of responsibilities and expertise. With the encouragement of Chief Carl Johnson and Captain Charles Lopresto, Jerry attended every training program his schedule allowed. Desmond graduated from the FBI Training Academy and received a Masters Degree in Homeland Security from UCONN.
Days ago, Jerry Desmond retired. He began a new career and has more time to enjoy the best things in life. These are his beloved wife Jacquelyn, Nurse and co-owner of Babies Natural in Westerly, R.I., children Kyle and Katie and spouses, and grandchildren Landon and Charlotte. Arriving in December is new Granddaughter Cecile who will be adopted after a family trip to China!
THE RESIDENT salutes Captain Desmond. Jerry Desmond – Stonington Strong!