Former RVC Police Commissioner John McKeon dies at 68

Former Rockville Centre Police Commissioner John (Jack) McKeon died on April 24, 2020 after a battle with Agent Orange Parkinson’s disease and Covid-19. He was 68.

McKeon was known for his love of family, kindness to friends, tireless devotion to duty and a brilliant sense of humor. He dedicated his life to caring for his family, community and country.

McKeon enjoyed a 37-year career with the Rockville Centre Police Department, retiring in 2010 as the longest serving police commissioner in the department’s history with 19 years as “The Commish.” Prior to his appointment as police commissioner, McKeon served as a uniformed police officer, plainclothes officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, commanding officer of operations and deputy to the police commissioner. He was sworn in to the Rockville Centre Police Department on Feb. 13, 1973. He was a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy and CEO Academy located at Quantico Virginia, earned associate, bachelor and master’s degrees in criminal justice and security. He was awarded certifications as a Protection Professional and Fraud Examiner, and was a commercial fixed-wing pilot, having flown in both civilian and military capacities.

McKeon, a resident of Islip, also served as a commander in the U.S. Navy, Officer Agent with NCIS and a soldier in the U.S. Army. He worked his way up through the enlisted ranks to Navy Commander. Commander McKeon served in numerous stateside assignments, as well as overseas tours in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Korea, Spain, Italy, North Africa and Scotland in which he was involved in counter-terrorism and “force protection” duties in support of active duty American forces. Following 9/11, he was recalled to active military duty. McKeon served close to a year in the Middle East as an NCIS agent assigned to counter-terrorism duties. He served on active duty in support of Operations Southern Watch, Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom.

In 2009, he was chosen as the Herald’s Person of the Year. Former Mayor Eugene Murray told the Herald at the time that one of the reasons he chose McKeon as commissioner was respect — both the respect people had for him and the respect he showed everyone else, fellow officers and community members alike. “He was very fair and he commanded a lot of respect,” Murray said. “He was excellent with the public, and also with families — he saved a lot of families a lot of embarrassment by working with some of the young people, or even an older person who got into some kind of trouble. If it wasn’t too serious a crime requiring an arrest, he would take care of them — counsel them and see that they got home OK if something was wrong.”

“Rockville Centre was very kind to me,” McKeon said prior to his retirement. “It allowed me to get an education, I was able to pursue a military career, I was able to pursue an aviation career, a police career. I have nothing but gratitude.

“I hope that I left this place a little better than when I found it,” he added. “If I did, I’m grateful. If I didn’t, and you think I didn’t meet muster, I need to apologize. At best, I was an ordinary guy doing a pretty difficult job. I can tell you the truth, I did my best, and I hope I left the place a little bit better.”

By far, his family said, his proudest accomplishment was his role as husband, father, and pop-pop.

“To know Jack was to love him – he always greeted you with a warm smile, funny joke and a story,” his wife Katie said. “He was a loyal friend to all and there are countless stories about how he positively impacted or changed someone’s life for the better.”

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Jack, daughter Katie, his adoring granddaughter Kylie, brother Kevin, nieces, nephews and countless friends who were considered family.

A private service will be held for him on May 5.