Dearborn Heights Police Commissioner Joseph E. Thomas Jr. died Oct. 2 on the age of 72.

The particular reason for demise was not publicly launched.

Thomas, recognized affectionately as “JET,” a nickname based mostly on his initials, had labored in Dearborn Heights since late January when he was appointed as the primary commissioner within the metropolis’s historical past.

Initially, he was appointed to a six-month time period, which had been prolonged as soon as already.

Shortly after coming to Dearborn Heights, Thomas and Mayor Invoice Bazzi employed Police Chief Jerrod Hart, and the 2 of them labored for months to replace division insurance policies and to enhance neighborhood relations between the division and residents.

Previous to coming to the town, Thomas had a number of different legislation enforcement jobs.

Simply earlier than coming to Dearborn Heights, he served because the director of public security for the town of Ecorse.

Previous to his Ecorse place, Thomas’ legislation enforcement management roles included chief of police for the town of Muskegon Heights, the town of Southfield and the town of Inkster. His longest-tenured job was in Southfield the place he labored for greater than 20 years between April 1991 and Might 2011.

He additionally was the general public security chief in Albion for greater than three years. Whereas in Albion, he additionally served as performing metropolis supervisor for a short while.

His coaching and consulting roles embrace being the founder and president of JET Consulting, Inc., the place he developed legislation enforcement-related coaching programs and curricula.

The consulting agency was named along with his nickname.

He additionally served because the deputy director of coaching for the U.S. Division of State (in Iraq), and adjunct professor for Jap Michigan College, Oakland College, Muskegon Group Faculty, and the Oakland and Schoolcraft Police Academies.

He additionally holds the excellence of Michigan’s first ambassador to america Military Reserve, reporting on to the chief Military reserve officer on the Pentagon, and the U.S. Congress – holding the equal of a two-star basic.

Thomas held a doctorate in instructional management from Jap Michigan College, in addition to a specialist diploma in instructional management and counseling, additionally from EMU. Thomas holds a grasp’s diploma in public administration from Western Michigan College, a bachelor’s diploma in arithmetic from Alcorn State College and an affiliate’s diploma in legislation enforcement from Jackson Group Faculty.

Thomas had an extended record of different coaching and academic programs he has accomplished, from organizations together with the U.S. Division of State Worldwide Teacher’s College (Baghdad, Iraq), the U.S. International Service Institute, the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety’s Middle for Home Preparedness, the Nationwide Fireplace Academy, the U.S. Secret Service Government College, the FBI Nationwide Academy and the Michigan State Police College of Administration.

Visitation is about for 4 to eight p.m. Oct. 6 at Kemp Funeral Residence, 24585 Evergreen, Southfield, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 7 at Phrase of Religion Worldwide Christian Middle, 20000 W. 9 Mile Highway, Southfield. A reception will observe at Plum Hole Nation Membership, 21631 Lahser Highway, Southfield.