by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
When a police officer retires, the reception is usually part-funeral, part celebration and part roast. That’s how Sgt. Jim Suber’s retirement went Friday when he was honored for his 32 years with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Cameras were on the tables and Sheriff John Rutherford was shooting photos as different members of the JSO came to the podium to tell stories, lament about what they’ll do next and give their best wishes to Suber. Rutherford gave his best, also.
“It’s nice, when you’re in a position of leadership, to be able to turn to someone and say, ‘Get it done.’ When you give something to Jimmy, you never have to look back,” said Rutherford.
Undersheriff Frank Mackesy had plenty to say about Suber, who said the day was bittersweet. But Mackesy warned, before Suber finally leaves, there will have to be a shakedown.
“We want the keys back to your two motorcycles, the fleet and the mobile command center,” quipped Mackesy.
There were other sentiments and presentations, too. Chief Bill David who said the department and the city is going to miss Suber a lot. A representative from the NFL gave Suber a gift because he handled all the escorts for the visiting teams when they came to Jacksonville. Baker County Sheriff Joey Dodson made Suber a lifetime honorary deputy of that department. Cary Rosoff of the Secret Service gave Suber a plaque and letter from the director. Joe Trottie of the JTA gave Suber a plaque because the Super Bowl wouldn’t have been such a success were it not for the communication between the JSO and JTA. And, a representative from NAS Jax gave Suber a plaque for his support of the Blue Angels. “He’s been escorting them since they were flying crop dusters,” said the representative.
Suber started with the JSO in 1975, but he told Rutherford he’d been with JSO for 51 years — his father, Jim, started with the sheriffs office when he was 1 year-old.
There’s no word on what Suber will do next, but he is an avid hunter and fisherman. He’ll be able to go on a vacation — Stevens presented him with $2,000 for a vacation. And he can play golf, too — the NAS representative game him passes for their course.