A retired U.S. Secret Service agent will share his experiences at the Northeast Oakland Historical Society’s (NEOHS) annual spring meeting on Tuesday, April 28 at the Oxford Public Library (530 Pontiac Rd.).
Radford W. Jones, a special agent from February 1963 through July 1983, will be the guest speaker.
During his career, he was in charge of several field offices and assigned to presidential, vice presidential and foreign dignitary details. He was responsible for coordinating security at the 1976 presidential inauguration and three political conventions. When Jones retired, he was the special agent in charge of the Michigan Division.
This event is open to the public and free of charge.
‘All are invited,? said NEOHS President Ron Brock. ‘His presentation runs about 40 minutes. I think it would be very interesting for people to learn what it’s like to be in the Secret Service.?
Following his Secret Service career, Jones spent 14 years with the Ford Motor Company, then in June 1997, he took a teaching position with Michigan State University, which he holds to this day.
In 2005, Jones was inducted into the MSU School of Criminal Justice Wall of Fame. Security Magazine recognized him in 2009 as one of the 25 most influential persons in security
Brock had a chance meeting with Jones during Oxford’s Lone Ranger Festival last year.
‘He stopped in the (historical) museum (downtown) and I talked to him for quite a while,? Brock said. ‘He was really tickled by the museum. He said you don’t see many like this anymore.?
Finding Jones to be a ‘very interesting? and ‘very engaging? person, Brock invited him to speak at the upcoming NEOHS meeting.
‘I thought, boy, our members would sure like to hear about his experiences,? he said.
Light refreshments will be served prior to Jones? presentation and information will be available about joining the NEOHS.
Dues are $12 annually or $125 for a lifetime membership.