Captain Jeff Tyler was celebrated for his many years of law enforcement service last week. The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office honored Captain Tyler with a reception on his official day of retirement Friday, January 31, 2020.
The event was held at the Bladen County Law Enforcement Center on Smith Circle in Elizabethtown. The room was crowded with family, friends and colleagues of Captain Tyler. Many stood, told stories and thanked Captain Tyler for his service.
“He is a valuable team member and he will be greatly missed,” Sheriff McVicker said.
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Members of law enforcement stood and gave tribute to all his years of service. He was presented with a plaque for his 25 years of service and a firearm to commemorate the achievement.
“Congratulations on a well deserved retirement. Capt. Tyler, you Sir have served the citizens of Bladen County well. Thank you for your service and for the dedication you have given Bladen County,” another admirer stated.
Captain Tyler went through Basic Law Enforcement Training at Bladen Community College, and began his law enforcement career on October 1, 1994 with the Elizabethtown Police Department, as a uniformed police officer.
He worked as a uniform patrol officer for three years with the Elizabethtown Police Department before being promoted to uniform patrol sergeant. While in this position Captain Tyler severed as a Field Training Officer as well as a member of the SWAT Team and supervised the Traffic Accident Team. He held this position for two years before being promoted to Investigator working criminal and narcotic cases.
Captain Tyler took a leave of absence from the Elizabethtown Police Department in 2000 and spent a 6 months tour in Kosovo with the United Nations Police Mission training their newly formed police force. While in Kosovo, Captain Tyler received several commendations including one for pursuing and capturing three murder suspects.
In May of 2005, Captain Tyler was offered and accepted a position with the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office as a Criminal Investigator. He was promoted through the ranks and is now the Captain of the Criminal Investigations Division.
During his career he earned an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement Technology from Bladen Community College, a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Mount Olive College and his Advanced Law Enforcement Certification from the North Carolina Sheriff’s Training and Standards Commission as well as several other awards and certifications.
He has served as the vice president of the Bladen County Law Enforcement Officers Association, he is a member of Bladen County Masonic Lodge as well as Bladen County Shrine Club. Captain Tyler donates his time helping needy children.
Captain Tyler is a member of Center Road Baptist Church and is married to his wife Kim of 28 years. He has two children, one son-in-law and one grandchild.
During his career in law enforcement he has helped train many young officers and considers this one of the highlights of his career. Captain Tyler thanked all those in attendance and reminisced about his service. However, he couldn’t go without giving credit to his wife, Kim, and other family members.
He said, “I think the real unsung heroes of any law enforcement career are the families. They are the ones that really allow us to do what we love.”
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