By Mike Simmons
The last day of Police Week is also the 42nd anniversary of the death of my father, Jim Simmons. Jim was a Pensacola Police Officer from 1964 until his death in 1982. Jim was born in Pensacola to Earl and Leccie Simmons. He grew up in Pensacola – downtown on the corner of Garden and “L” Streets. He attended Pensacola High School, graduating in 1952. From there, he enrolled in Southwestern Bible College in Waxahachie, Texas, where he attended for two years.
While at college, he met my mother, Loetta Head, a petit brunette from Crestview, Florida. They married in 1954 and Dad joined the United States Air Force. He was immediately sent to Laon-Couvron Air Base in Laon, France. My sister, Jacqueline was born there in 1956. After Jim was transferred back to the United States and the young family lived much closer to Pensacola in Montgomery, Alabama, our sister Christina was born in 1958. Dad was offered a position as an AFROTC instructor at the University of Florida, so the family moved to Gainesville, Florida. It was still close enough to Pensacola that a trip was made home every month or so. While there, our sister Lisa was born in 1960, I was born in 1962 and my brother Jimmy was born in 1963.
Shortly after Jimmy was born, Dad got out of the Air Force and we came home. We moved into a house on the corner of “N” and Romana Streets, three blocks from Dad’s parents. Within a few months, Dad pinned Pensacola Police Badge #45. He spent the first ten years working in Patrol, mostly on Beat 10.
Due to multiple airplane hijackings in the early 1970s, the federal government began requiring a police officer to be assigned to the airport. Dad volunteered, and loved it! He got to know the employees, instituted new security procedures, and coordinated a lot of the tasks assigned to the other airport officers.
After I graduated from Pensacola High School in 1980, I attended Pensacola Junior College. Because Dad was still an officer, I could not join the police department, so I became a corrections officer at the Escambia County Jail.
Three weeks after I began my criminal justice career, Dad died of a massive heart attack. The head of the family was gone, and my mother, my siblings and I were devastated.
Like any other family, we continued. In the 42 years since, we have lost my sister Chris to cancer, but our family has increased in number to 48. But we still miss him. Nowadays, though, the memories are good ones, and we cherish them. And, every year, we remember May 18.
Well done, Dad.
Loved your mom and Dad great family sorry I didn’t meet you until later years
Thank you!
Thank you!
Wow beautifully written! I remember him coming to my grandparents house on M st in his squad car! He let us look inside but then a call came in and he had to go!!
Thanks for that memory.
I remember Jim well. I enjoyed working with him. It seems he had something to do with a wildlife rescue organization. I remember him bringing an owl to the station one evening.
Yep, you are right. He and my mother started a Wildlife Rescue organization. It was a different one from the current one. Lots of wild animals, but the owls were his favorite!
Great history, thanks for sharing with us. God bless
Thank you, Fahad!
Great story. I met your parents in the early ‘80s. My Dad wore the PPD badge in the late ‘60s and knew your Dad. I remember going over and seeing the birds. We loved the owls too and were fortunate to have a few weekend overnight visits with a barn owl named “rubber neck” that was eventually released. Mom fostered an African Grey that your folks had at the sanctuary and he became part of our family for nearly 40 years! Appreciate all your stories and for keeping this history alive.
Wow, Fred. You bring back some memories. I remember your dad. Thanks for the post. What year did your father start at PPD?
It was before my time. Mom said she thinks it was late ‘65 and for only 3-4 years.
I enjoyed reading about your dad and family. I worked with your mom at Escambia Farmers Supply around ’74-’75 and met your dad a few times. Loved your mom and her passion for all living things. (My last name was Williams then.) Really enjoyed helping her in the pet department and came home with lots of fish and birds!
My mother is still around, and doing great! She is 89, but goes like she is 50! Thanks for the comment!
Mike