Captain Jerry Leach

slideshow

Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

Portsmouth police officer Jerry Leach is a self-proclaimed “mama’s boy.”

“My mom died on April 3,” Leach said. “We buried her on April 7, and a week-and-a-half later I’m taking the captain’s test. I was trying to study, and it was hard to keep my mind on track. That first week after mom died I didn’t sleep because I was constantly thinking about her, and I just wanted to tell her things one more time.”

Despite the stress of Gloria Leach’s passing, Jerry Leach passed the test and was certified this week as Portsmouth’s newest police captain.

“I felt excited when I found out about it,” Leach said. “I’m ready for the next challenge in my career. I have been a police officer for 24 years, so it’s time for a new challenge in life. I always have believed you should try to do something different and try to learn new things.”

Leach said he will go from being on patrol to an administrative position, moving him from the street where he has answered calls, to an office in the Portsmouth Police Department.

Leach is known for being computer-savvy.

“I try to keep up with it,” Leach said. “I wish we would have had the computers we have today 24 years ago when I started,” Leach said. “It would have made my job a whole lot easier starting out.”

Jerry will have been married to his wife Jeannie for 23 years this October. They have two daughters, Kaity and Abby. He is a graduate of Clay High School in 1980, graduated from Shawnee State Community College (now Shawnee State University), in 1985. He received an Associate’s Degree in accounting and from Ohio University in 1986 a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration.

“I was going to both universities at the same time because I wanted to get through school as fast as possible,” Leach said. “I got two degrees in three years. When I get into something, I like to get into it with both feet and get things moving, and I like to see action going forward.”

Leach said he has tried to visit his father, Larry Leach, more since his mother passed away, but his mind still drifts off to thoughts of her.

“She would have been proud of me,” Leach said.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@civitasmedia.com. For breaking news, follow Frank on Twitter @FrankLewisPDT.