Colonel Jack B. Walsh
Colonel
Jack B. Walsh served over 29 years as a member of the Ohio State Highway Patrol,
culminating in a tenure as superintendent spanning nearly ten years.
Born July 30, 1935, in Portsmouth, Colonel Walsh graduated from Cedarville High School in 1953. Prior to joining the Patrol, Colonel Walsh served in the U. S. Army in the capacity of military police officer. Colonel Walsh entered Patrol service in January 1958 as a dispatcher at Georgetown. He began training 15 months later as a member of the 50th Academy Class.
Originally assigned to Marietta, Colonel Walsh was also assigned to Springfield, Chardon, and Norwalk before receiving his first command assignment in 1972 as Hamilton Post commander. He also served as an assistant commander of the Columbus District before transferring to general headquarters at the rank of captain. During his tenure at general headquarters, Colonel Walsh served as administrative assistant to Colonels Chiaramonte, Blackstone, and Reiss. At the time of his appointment to superintendent in July 1979, he was commander of the Piqua District.
Probably the greatest accomplishment attributed to Colonel Walsh's superintendency was the establishment of a fatality reduction program which resulted in an astounding 25 percent decrease in rural fatalities during the seven-year period of 1979-1986. Of particular importance to this success were: emphasized DUI enforcement; safety belt and restraint education backed by firm enforcement; continued use of selective enforcement-type programs in problem areas; multi-agency enforcement drives; and increased response capabilities through the creation of the Highway Emergency Hotline and the utilization of 9-1-1 systems.
Following the lead set by President Ronald Reagan, Colonel Walsh instituted Operation CIN (Confiscate Illegal Narcotics). Under Operation CIN, officers received specialized training in detecting the presence of illegal drugs during normal enforcement contacts. The CIN program immediately produced staggering increases in drug seizures, necessitating an extensive upgrade of the crime laboratory to keep up with controlled substances submissions.
During a time of severe energy shortages, Colonel Walsh helped develop, and later institute, one of the nation's most effective and imitated police fuel economy programs. So successful were these measures that the division exceeded all goals and rationing mandates set forth by the state of Ohio for government vehicles.
Colonel Walsh's concern for maintaining a healthy and physically fit force led to the construction of the Norris Lenihan Health and Physical Fitness Center at the Academy. He also emphasized officer safety by implementing the use of high visibility clothing during traffic control, overseeing the installation of recorders to monitor all telephone and radio transmissions, and directing the placement of cruiser screens and restraint devices.
Colonel Walsh's talented leadership was recognized on a state and national level. He was an active member or associate in the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Safety Council, the National Transportation Research Board, and the Ohio Peace Officers Training Council. In addition, he was a founding member of A Special Wish, a group which works to grant the requests of terminally ill children.
Colonel Walsh retired from the division May 15, 1989. Shortly after, representatives of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies recommended that the Patrol be accredited, capping a lengthy process initiated by Colonel Walsh.
The Patrol was forever changed by the many accomplishments realized during the superintendency of Colonel Walsh. His strong and capable leadership upheld the highest tradition of service for the which the division has become widely renowned.