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South Jordan Journal

Chief Lindsay Shepherd Retires After 31 Years Of Service

Apr 24, 2015 08:12PM ● By Aimee L Cook
You might say law enforcement is in the blood of the Shepherd Family. As a young boy, Chief Lindsay Shepherd was greatly influenced by his own father who was also in law enforcement and finished his career as Police Chief at the University of Utah. Chief Shepherd also has two brothers and a son who are currently police officers, a sister in the Bureau of Criminal Identification as well as a late uncle who was also an officer; it’s quite a family affair. 

Chief Shepherd began his career as a reserve officer in Draper City in 1983, and within a year he transferred to South Jordan as a patrol officer where he worked his way up the ranks and was appointed Chief of Police in 1999, making him the fourth Chief of Police for South Jordan. 

“I think the most rewarding was watching a police department that, when I started, had only a seven man department, progress to a full service organization with 50 officers,” said Chief Shepherd. “Being able to, through the police department, the city and the citizens of the city, maintain a low crime rate and help maintain a quality of life that our citizens can enjoy and have come to expect.”

Chief Shepherd said, of the challenges of his job, was remaining competitive with other agencies and making sure they continue to keep the City of South Jordan a safe environment, one that the citizens feel comfortable in when walking the streets. 

“I will miss the friendships I have made with other officers, city staff, and other police department organizations, and especially the people that have worked for me in my department,” Chief Shepherd said. “But I look forward to enjoying life and not feel the need to go a 100 miles per hour. I have seen a lot of change in South Jordan, and the quality of life here makes this a great city to live in.” 

Pam Rasmussen, Senior Animal Control Officer, has worked for Chief Shepherd for 22 years.  Rasmussen said that the Chief’s retirement is bittersweet; the department will be losing an icon. 

“It’s been an honor to work under Sgt. / Chief Lindsay Shepherd for the past 22 years,” said Rasmussen. “The Chief has his serious goal setting and achievement demeanor and then there is his ‘human cheer up’, prankster side.  He has continued to strive in making South Jordan City an enjoyable and safe community to live in.  He has carried his responsibilities to the highest level which flows over to the rest of the staff.  Besides being my supervisor for all of these years, he and his family have become great friends.”

Chief Shepherd says he plans to spend more time with his family, including finally getting to that ‘honey-do’ his wife has been patiently waiting on.