Corporal J. Christopher Jordan

Collier County (FL) Sheriff’s Office

Washington, DC—The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) has announced the selection of Corporal J. Chris Jordan of the Collier County (FL) Sheriff’s Office as its Officer of the Month for January 2004.
Chris Jordan never knew maternal grandfather. Although Patrolman Charles Farkas was shot and killed in the line of duty more than 40 years before Jordan was born, he inherited his grandfather’s commitment and dedication to the people of their respective communities. A pride to his department and community, Corporal Jordan has truly fulfilled his promise to serve and protect the people of Collier County. He is known to be one of the first to respond to any call, always maintaining a calm and reassuring presence.
His first of many letters of recognition came when he was still a rookie, for his involvement in a kidnapping incident that took place just before Christmas 1999. He is credited with maintaining a high degree of professionalism and teamwork in what was potentially an extremely dangerous situation.
On November 29, 2000 several units from the Golden Gate substation responded to a call of a possible suicide. Officers on the scene reported that the gentleman, who had a cache of firearms, including semi-automatic handguns, shotguns and assault rifles, was alone and threatened to shoot anyone who attempted to enter the house. Corporal Jordan secured the perimeter, making sure that each officer was adequately covered. He assisted in subduing a potentially dangerous individual and although the incident ended without injury, there were several tense moments when it was unclear as to what the suspect would do once he exited his home.
In early morning hours of January 6, 2002 Jordan was awakened by a traffic accident near his residence. A suspect had been seen running from the traffic accident and although off-duty, Corporal Jordan joined in the search and was instrumental in assisting other deputies in locating the suspect and taking him into custody. In the commendation he received, it states that he “displayed the type of alertness, efficiency and dedication to duty that is in keeping with the highest standards of law enforcement officers anywhere.”
Corporal Jordan knows first hand the enormous fulfillment and exhilaration of saving someone’s life. Three days later, on January 9, 2002, again while off-duty, Corporal Jordan responded to another call for help by his neighbors. A local woman suffered a reaction to prescription medication and had stopped breathing. Again, with alertness and efficiency Corporal Jordan was able to establish an airway allowing the woman to breath on her own, thereby saving her life. That same year, on June 17, 2002, without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Corporal Jordan raced into a residence engulfed in flames to search for an unaccounted for resident. Although the air was thick with smoke and visibility was nil, Corporal Jordan continued his search until the elderly woman was located still asleep in her bed. For his heroic actions he was awarded the department’s Gallantry Star.
In addition to department citations and awards, the least of which is for his efforts to significantly reduce the crime rate in his district, Corporal Jordan’s personnel jacket is filled with letters from citizens and elected officials who are grateful for his service to their community. Undoubtedly the grandfather he never knew would be very proud.