Franklin retires from the MIPD force

Inspiring, sincere and humorous stories filled the air as a beaming Jennifer Franklin listened intently to each one with eyes lasered in on the speakers in full appreciation mode.

Thirty-three years have passed since Franklin began her career with the Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) and she hung up her badge on June 30 in front of a packed house at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center during her three-hour retirement party in front of family members, colleagues, friends and community members. Blue and gray balloons hovered above the festivities, which also featured food, cakes and a never-ending supply of hugs and smiles.

The roles in which Franklin, 56, served with the department during her robust tenure were emergency manager for the last 15 years, patrol officer, DARE officer and crime prevention officer.

From the speakers’ podium, Franklin’s 16-year-old daughter Isabel said mom taught her confidence in tough situations. Retired police sergeant Brian Noel called Franklin an icon, who once gave a group of large guys a tongue-lashing following their involvement in a bar fight after police arrived on the scene. Commander Mike Seifert said Franklin created leaders in the city, and her legacy will live on in all of them. Sporting a grin, union president sergeant Scott Schroeder described Franklin as being kind and dangerous.

“You are an incredible leader, you bring people together, you are able to mitigate differences and problems in a group better than anyone I’ve ever seen. You are a counselor to many, not just to me, and you should get mother of the year… of the century,” said police support officer Anna Ormsby, who also gave Franklin the personal moniker of role model and dear friend.

Franklin entered the MIPD orbit after serving in the United States Army, noted police chief Ed Holmes, who praised Franklin for her leadership in the emergency management realm. Holmes delved into Franklin’s personality: “Jennifer is very competent and kind and sweet, but she’s also really tough,” noting that he witnessed Franklin stand her ground against an argumentative man that she placed under arrest.

Following the party, Franklin explained to the Reporter why she’s retiring: “It’s time to give the reins over to people that are younger and it’s just time for me to have a new chapter.” She’ll spend time volunteering for her churches, St. Monica on the Island and St. Joseph in Issaquah, and being a stay-at-home mom for Isabel.

Franklin’s mother Maureen expanded on what the next installment of her daughter’s life will entail and the path she traversed to arrive there.

“You are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known. I know this will be the next chapter of your life, but I know it will be one of service to others, of giving and love and kindness. Your father and I and our family are so honored and proud of your accomplishments. Thank you for your service,” she said.

During her three-plus decades on the MIPD force, there were some challenges that Franklin had to face.

“I think a lot of them in the beginning — it still was an older era and so there was some difficulty with people not wanting women in law enforcement. So there was some of that to break through,” said Franklin, adding that she dealt with similar encounters in the Army and rose above those situations as well. “Did my thing and this is the way it is. Once people realize that you can do the job just as good if not better, then they’re fine.”

Franklin said one of the many highlights during her years of police service were forming relationships with her colleagues and community members. Through the job, she’s learned to be more patient and let kindness shine through.

She showered the crowd with thanks for being present and sharing memories, and gave a nod to the community volunteers/friends who helped her on the emergency management side of her job. Franklin and city lead volunteer Pat Hackett said that the new emergency management leader Amanda Keverkamp is a stellar replacement.

Hackett said that Franklin is “cool, calm and always kind” along with bringing consistency, unity and encouragement into the workplace in whatever situation arose.

Also on the emergency management front, Mayor Salim Nice discussed the impact that Franklin has made on the city and its residents: “It’s incredible to think about your career and it’s incredible to think about the lives that you’ve touched. Not just directly touched but the lives that are downstream from the people who you taught how to be resilient and manage emergency services at Mercer Island.”