Patrolman William Jerome "Jerry" McCarthy, IV

My Dad….he was amazing in so many ways. Known by many, loved by all, he never met a stranger.

He worked hard and loved harder.

He was funny, kind, gentle, but at the same time was serious, stern, and strong. He was adaptable, always bringing his best self to any situation. He was a master at diffusing intense situations, and oftentimes he would incorporate his corny sense of humor to bring lightness to a heavy moment. If you didn’t get the jokes, his goofy smile and “surprise eyes” would be enough to turn things around.

He was truly one of a kind. If you knew him, you were better for it. He was smart, patient, fair, respectful and respectable. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and shared his passion with me, as we would spend hours in the woods or floating on the pond. He loved animals and the outdoors, riding on the tractor mowing grass, and always grew the most amazing garden, which he used weeding as punishment for my brothers and I.

He was a collector of ALL things, if you needed it, he had at least three; a trait of his I come by very honestly. The saying “He’d give you the shirt off his own back…” was literally written about him.

He always put family first. Even though he worked two, sometimes three jobs at a time, we always felt loved and valued. Being away took a toll on him, but he more than made up for the time away with time spent.

Come hell or high water, he somehow found a way to be at dance recitals, Taekwondo tournaments, First Communions, school plays, band concerts, awards ceremonies, football games, cheer competitions, and any other event that we asked him be there for. He may have arrived in uniform, and had to leave immediately after…but he was there.

He took care of his elderly Grandparents, immigrants from Italy, speaking little English. He spent so much time with them as a boy, hunting and fishing with Grandpa DeSanto, helping Grandma with chores and in the kitchen. She would make him pizza and home made pasta and sauce. As an adult, Sunday Dinners were a must. Some of my favorite memories are with us gathered around their tiny kitchen table, eating, laughing, and dipping Pizelles in coffee served in fancy cups with saucers. When they reached the age they could no longer do normal every day things, he took charge of their care, maintained their home, made sure meals were taken care of. He had help, lots of family pitched in, but you could tell his heart pulled him to do as much as he could.

He did the very same for his own parents as well, right up until the day he left this earth. The pain of losing “their Jerry” was more than they could take. With Grandmas dementia, she lost him all over again every time she asked “Where's Jerry?” The silver lining is that they all have been reunited in heaven, and that pain is now their joy.

Dad had 6 grandkids who lovingly referred to him as “Papa Jerry”. His refrigerator, at any given time, was an inch deep with their photos. He always had fun things planned during visits, and every trip to Papa Jerry’s house consisted of countless tractor rides, shooting and cleaning guns, and hours standing next to the pond fishing.

He was notorious for burning bagged popcorn, and making the cheesiest baked Ziti. His favorite meal was Eggplant Parmigiana, and he was always good for a trip to the Chinese Buffet.

I could go on, and on, and ON. My point to all this is to bring attention to the fact that my Dad wasn’t just a Law Enforcement Officer who died in the line of duty. He was SO MUCH MORE.

He was a son, brother, grandson, cousin, and nephew. He was a friend, coworker, mentor, boss, and friend. He was a husband, father, and grandfather. He was an amazing human.

He will forever be, My Dad.

Chrissy McCarthy-Head
Daughter

May 2, 2024