Huntingburg hires Marine Corps vet as newest police officer

Becoming a police officer has been Andrew Jones’ lifelong goal.

Thursday, Andrew’s wife Jordan pinned a Huntingburg Police Department badge on the Marine Corps veteran’s chest at the Huntingburg Board of Public Works meeting. He will report for training in Plainfield, Ind. next Monday.

“He’s wanted to be a police officer since he was little,” Donald Jones, Andrew’s father, said with a grin while waving his hand at hip level indicating his son’s height when he first started talking about it. “Probably when he was in first grade was when he first said he wanted to be a police officer.”

The 2010 graduate of Jasper High School joined the U.S. Marine Corps right out of high school; graduating in May and reporting to Parris Island in August. After serving four years as a radio operator, he returned to the area and began working at Branchville waiting for the opportunity to work his dream job.

According to Jones, he is glad for the opportunity to finally serve in his chosen profession. He is looking forward to serving the community as the department’s newest officer.

Jones is the department’s 12 officer and replaced Officer Paul “Bucky” Lehr who retired in September after 32 years of service on the department.

Andrew and Jordan have two children and live in Jasper.