For Immediate Release: March 13, 2007
Senator Jonathan Nichols
Senate Honors Norman War Hero/Police Officer
The
State Senate this week honored the achievements of Col. Jerry
N. Cason of Norman, an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. Senate
Resolution 14, authored by Sen. Jonathan
Nichols, commends
Col. Cason on his many achievements and wishes him well upon
his retirement from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
“Colonel
Cason has dedicated his life to protecting the public’s safety,” said
Nichols, R-Norman. “Whether serving his country during Vietnam
or acting as Chief of the Highway Patrol, he never compromised his duty to
protect us.”
Cason served
nine years in the U.S. Army, during which time he rose from the rank of Private
E-1 to Staff Sergeant E-6. While serving in combat in Vietnam, he received
numerous medals and awards for valor and service, including: the National Defense
SVC Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic
of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Air Medal w/9th Oak Leaf Clover, Army Commendation
Medal with 2nd Oak Leaf Clover and many other.
Cason was
hired by the Norman Police Department in 1978, and worked as
a member of the Department’s pistol team and Special
Operations Unit. In 1982,
Cason graduated from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy and
was assigned to Cleveland County.
In 1992, he became Troop Commander of Training and Commandant
of the 46th Patrol Academy. In 1996, he was promoted
to Captain and was assigned Zone Commander and Director of
Training. In 1998, he was promoted to Major and assigned
Region Commander. Cason was then promoted to Lieutenant
Colonel in 2000, and Colonel in 2006.
“It’s
a true pleasure to have the opportunity to honor a man like
Colonel Cason,” Nichols
said. “Throughout his life, Colonel Cason has exemplified
character and courage.”
Cason is
scheduled to retire from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol on Thursday.
For more information contact:
Senator Nichols' Office - (405) 521-5535