By Payton Tholstrup

The Geary County Sherriff’s office has announced that Sheriff Dan Jackson is retiring effective January 19th, 2024.

Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, he served seven years in the Navy and 18 in the Marines. During his military career of 25 years, he also served in seven combat tours. He worked for the Junction City Police Department for five years and on the I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force through Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office.

In June of 2014, Jackson joined the Sheriff’s Office on road patrol. In January 2018, he retired as a patrol lieutenant and returned to the department in February the next year, working with investigations.

On May 9th, 2019, Jackson was sworn in as Geary County Sheriff after the position was vacated by his predecessor due to legal issues. He ran for office in 2020 and was elected during the pandemic.

During his time in office, he implemented a joint dive rescue team with the Junction City Fire Department. The Geary Sherriff’s Office Special Response Team was formed with his guidance and he had the idea to have a substation constructed near Milford Lake to house the department’s water craft. Housing it there ensured that there would be no cost to taxpayers.

Recently, he has been moving the department forward with national accreditation through The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

Sheriff Jackson and his wife, Lynn Devine, have a family of seven children and 10 grandchildren. He has spent his life serving not only the local community, but the country as well. After retirement, he plans to enjoy golfing and spending time with his dog Gunny, as well as take care of lawns and work in his shop.