By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
James R. Leach Sr. lived and died Lake Orion.
Considered the ‘police father? to hundreds of policemen and women during his 56-year career with the Lake Orion Police Department, retired Chief James R. Leach passed away Sunday, December 6 from heart complications. He was 76 years old, and lived in Lake Orion all of his life.
A father, husband, friend, police chief, hero’many words define the man who made it his life to protect the public. ?
To his younger sister Sharon Wittkopp, who was full of his memories, he was a good big brother.
‘He picked on me all the time, but all I can think of is how good he was to me, and what a good big brother he was. He loved his family, and he loved the community,? she said.
The Leaches grew up on North Broadway in the Village of Lake Orion, where Wittkopps? first memories begin.
When she had her youngest daughter, Wittkopp’s husband couldn’t get home from work, so Leach, who was driving a school bus at the time, left his route and took her to the hospital.
‘He always called my youngest daughter Spanky because he thought he was going to be the first one to spank her,? she said. ‘There’s so many little things that you can’t believe.?
Wittkopp was once tied to a tree as a joke, which then caught fire, and was left on a raft on Long Lake which subsequently taught her to swim. She recalled how Leach pulled his own mother over for surpassing the speed limit, but the ‘devilish? things Leach was known for growing up made for her fondest memories.
‘When he wore that uniform, it was all professional. He just was a great guy. He did have a good life, and that’s what we can be thankful for.?
Leach was a police officer for the LOPD from 1959 to 2015, serving as the police chief for 19 years.
To Police Chief Jerry Narsh, his favorite word to describe Leach is ‘service.?
Leach was known for his passionate service to the LOPD, the Lions Club International, and to the community of family and friends who cherished him along the way.?
‘The other day I saw him in the grocery store. He came up to me and asked, ‘do you know what day it is.? I said, ‘no.? He said, ‘this is the day you started working for me.? It was November 22, 1982 and he knew the exact date and year. He always had dates in his head. It was humbling that he remembered that. The man was a walking encyclopedia,? Chief Narsh said.
Passionate, intelligent and current. In 55 years on the road, Leach learned all the evolving technology, and implemented new procedures and coursework into the LOPD program while teaching future officers their basic training.
Even while still working as a reserve officer in 2014, when he stopped working patrol on the road, you still couldn’t get Leach off the road. He worked the parades and festivals as both a member of the LOPD, and amongst his fellow Lions as an active member of the Lake Orion Lions Club.
‘He loved this town. He loved these people. He had a passion for everything he was doing in service,? Narsh said.
Leach began his career with the LOPD as a reserve police officer in 1959. He became a full time patrol officer in 1965, was promoted to Lieutenant in 1971, and Chief of Police in 1982, the title he wore until 2001. He remained on active duty as a part-time officer for the LOPD until 2014, when he returned to his first position as a reserve officer until he died. He also served as the President of the Oakland County Chiefs of Police from 1990-91.
‘He just wanted to be a part of the department. He didn’t want to leave his beloved LOPD,? Narsh said. ‘Jim Leach defined public service, and took advantage of every moment in life to help others around the world, and in his community.?
‘Jimmy, as I called him, he just loved the community, and that’s all he ever wanted to do, was be a policeman,? 30-year friend Joann Van Tassel said. Van Tassel, who became the Lake Orion Village Manager in 1999 when Leach was police chief, knew ‘Jimmy? for his giving nature.
‘That was his whole motivation, helping people,? she said.
Apart from his dedication to the LOPD, Leach was also a paid on call firefighter for the Lake Orion Fire Department, as it was known when he started in 1969, fighting fires for 19 years.
He was elected as one of the last Constables for Orion Township, was a Charter Member of the Lake Orion DeMolay and served as Master Counselor in Lake Orion along with serving as a State Officer. He served as the Cub Master of Cub Scout Pack #37 and was a Little League Coach for Little League Baseball. Leach was also a member of the Lake Orion/Oxford Knights of Columbus Council #4764 for 49 years.?
From 1985 to 1986 he served as the Lions Club District Governor of 11-A2, which oversaw the clubs of both Oakland and Macomb counties.
‘It is tradition when someone is elected as District Governor that someone pulls the ribbon for him. Jim Leach Jr. pulled the ribbon for his dad. And this last July, Jim Leach Sr. pulled the ribbon when Jim Leach Jr. became District Governor,? Van Tassel said.
Leach also earned the prestigious Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship award, given to members who have proven their commitment to the Lions Club mission through time and donations.
Leach also contributed his time and efforts to Leader Dogs for the Blind of Rochester Hills. Most recently he earned the Top Dog award for the Lions Club after the club donated more than $5,000 to the Leader Dog organization.
‘His heart was as big as the outdoors,? Van Tassel said.
The community agrees.
‘What a great man he was. Lake Orion will never know all the things he did for others, never asking for any recognition or praise. Jim was so good with the seniors who worshipped him. A treasure that will be sadly missed,? community member Pat Fitchena posted on Facebook.
Apart from his servitude, many will remember Leach for his contagious smile, sense of humor, and integrity.
‘Our job here on Earth is to serve others, and he did that in many different ways. His work here is done, but I hope that the many people he has affected, influenced and touched will carry on his mission to help others in their own ways. This is how we honor the honorable,? Krista Miri-Lester said.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Samuel and Josephine Leach and his daughter Kathleen. He was the brother of Sharon Wittkopp; loving husband of Karol; father of Carol Ketelsen, Laurie Dufour, and James Jr.; the Other Dad of Kim Leach; Step Father of Lynn Schlaf and Barbara (Mark) Schuller; grandpa for six and great-grandpa for two.?
A funeral will be held Friday, December 11 at 11 a.m. at the Lake Orion United Methodist Church located at 140 E. Flint St., after two showings that were taking place Wednesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home.
All law enforcement agencies were also invited to the Uniformed Police and Fire Walk Through Thursday, December 10 at 7 p.m. at Sparks-Griffin. ?
To many, Leach will always be known as Chief.
‘The license plate on his car was LOPD1. When I became chief he wanted to give me that plate. I told him no, you’ll always be LOPD1, the best I’ll ever be is LOPD2. That’s how sweet he was. I already miss my friend,? Narsh said.?