Services set for Gary PD’s retired Lt. Jones

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Williams Jones. | File Photo~Sun-Times Media ptmet

Updated: January 30, 2012 10:31PM

GARY — The dozens of police officers trained by Lt. William Jones tell outrageous, hilarious, incredible stories about his unique way of imprinting critical lessons on them.

The tales are legendary, and true.

Jones, 59, died Friday of lung cancer. He retired from the Gary Police Department in March 2008, with more than 22 years of service.

Although he left as a lieutenant, he was “Sarge” to legions of young officers who dreaded his fierce lectures and worried about their unshined shoes in his presence but turned to him for help and advice.

“He’d put you out of the car,” Lt. James Walton recalled. Walton, who joined the department with Jones on Dec. 12, 1984, said if a rookie riding with Jones couldn’t name the intersection where he had stopped, they would find themselves walking to the next call.

“He’d tell them he’d see them there. He’d do it four or five times, and eventually, they got it,” Walton said.

“Train the babies, that’s what he always said,” Walton added. “He wanted to make sure the young ones following us did the job the right way.”

At roll call, Jones harped on certain topics, but it was by design.

“He would say the same things, but he did it so officers wouldn’t get complacent about their job or their safety. He was always on top of his game. He was never complacent,” Fraternal Order of Police president Sam Abegg said.

Jones was a devout Christian who wasn’t shy about sharing his beliefs with friends and strangers alike.

“He was a fine upstanding officer and gentleman and good friend,” Walton said. “He will be missed.”

Visitation for Jones will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday at Guy and Allen Funeral Home, 2959 W. 11th Ave. Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Baptist Church, 1831 Virginia St.

Reach Lori Caldwell at 648-3258.