Weapons Instructor
Jack Denny
Jack DennyWeapons Instructor – Katella Training Division
By Alice McWilliams
If you’ve ever wondered what the secret to life is, Weapons Instructor Jack Denny might just hold the answer.
At 82 years old, he bikes 20 miles to and from work, and works out every other day.
“The secret to life is to be healthy. Damn right. If you start getting into drugs, and all that crap, pretty soon you’re not healthy and then you can’t do anything. If you’re not healthy you can’t work, you can’t eat, and you can’t do anything” says Instructor Denny.
“Your health is one of the most important things you have”. Jack Denny has been a Sheriff’s Special Officer with the Department for over 25 years, in a variety of different roles. He’s been at the central court, the airport, and social services, just to name a few. Now he works mainly at the Katella Training Division helping out at the armory, front desk, the firing range, and both mobile pistol ranges.
Sergeant Paul Gilmore says he’s like the energizer bunny. “He shows up on the spur of the moment whenever I need him. And he doesn’t stop for anything.” He enjoys working at the Sheriff’s Department mainly because of the people.
“I like people. That’s why I’m here. This is my family. The Sheriff’s Department is my family. We treat each other real good,” says Denny.
Investigator Barth Massey enjoys working with Denny. He knows when Denny is around because he usually finds baked goods that Denny has brought for people. “He’s a really good man. Very professional and gets the job done. And he’s always polite and pleasant.”
The most difficult part of the job for him was when he was working at the airport.
“Writing tickets to people who pulled up to the curb to park was very hard. People would get mad, argue, and call me all kinds of nasty words. Sometimes they would even drive off,” recalls Denny.
When he’s not at work, he enjoys working out, riding his bicycle, and going to the beach. He used to run about 15 miles from Seal Beach to Huntington Beach with some other Sheriff’s Special Officers, but now he enjoys just reading on the sand. He also likes to play guitar and listen to jazz. And just to spice things up, he bought a flute this week.
When asked if he knows how to play he says “No. But I’m gonna learn”.
He also likes to stay fit. “I just try to stay in shape. At my age I got to.” When asked if he eats well he says, “Damn right I do. I eat fruit every day”.
He opens up his lunch bag and pulls out an apple, a peach, and an orange. He’s also very good at staying away from unhealthy food. “Oh hell no. I don’t eat that junk.”
Most often anyone who runs into Jack Denny will have a smile on their face in moments. “Hell. Life’s boring if you’re not funny. Gotta keep people laughing,” says Denny.