CULLMAN, Ala. (WIAT) — Jack Springer, who served as an officer with the Cullman Police Department for 51 years before retiring in 2019, has died following a battle with myelofibrosis. He was 80.
"His dedication, kindness, and willingness to help others left a lasting impact on those who had the privilege to work alongside him," the CPD wrote in a statement on Facebook Thursday.
Growing up in Cullman, Springer joined the Air Force after graduating from St. Bernard Preparatory School. According to The Cullman Tribune, Springer served with the Air Training Command and Security Services in both the United States and Turkey before coming back home in 1964.
After several years of working for the Cullman Power Board, Springer joined the police department in 1968, serving for decades before retiring and serving in a reserve capacity.
“You’re not going to get rich; never," Springer told The Cullman Tribune in 2018. "You’ve got to love it, and you’ve got to love the people."
In addition to his career in law enforcement, Springer also taught vocational electric work at Wallace State Community College for years, as well as being active as a security guard at Cullman High football games and the Cullman County Fair.
Springer is survived by his wife, Shirley, and two sons.