PW Classmates: Where did you go to college, and what has your career path been? What are you doing now?

Jerry Turner: After graduating from PW, I attended West Chester University, where I majored in Criminal Justice. Let’s just say my freshman year wasn’t exactly an academic success story! I quickly realized I needed to make some changes in my life.

During my second semester, I enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and headed off to boot camp at Parris Island in the summer of 1983. That experience certainly helped me get my priorities straight! I returned to college with a much different attitude, got my academics back on track, and discovered that I really enjoyed being a Marine.

During my senior year, I applied to the Marine Corps officer program and attended Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, during the summer of 1986. Little did I know that would be the first of many trips to Quantico over the next nearly 40 years!

After graduating from West Chester, I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and began six years of active duty as a Marine Corps Artillery Officer. I was stationed primarily in California at Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms, with deployments throughout Asia and Southwest Asia, including Desert Shield/Desert Storm. During that conflict, I served with the 3rd Tank Battalion as a Fire Support Coordinator. I left active duty in 1992 but continued serving in the Marine Corps Reserve for several more years, eventually finishing my Marine Corps career as a Major. As I transitioned out of active duty, I began pursuing a career with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Interestingly, during my final semester at West Chester, I had interned with the Norristown Police Department’s Detective Division and the Montgomery County Narcotics Enforcement Team. That experience had a tremendous impact on me and really sparked my interest in this line of work. In February 1995, I found myself back in Quantico, this time attending the DEA Academy. After graduation, I was assigned to the Philadelphia Division, where I was based out of for my entire 30-year DEA career.  Over those years, I worked on numerous criminal investigations, both domestically and internationally, and had opportunities to travel extensively. I also served as a firearms and tactical instructor and as a team leader on our Special Response Team.

I retired from the DEA in October 2024, after nearly 30 years. Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had two careers that I genuinely enjoyed and that provided so many unique experiences and lifelong friendships.

PW Classmates: So, what does retirement look like?

Jerry: Well, apparently, I’m not very good at sitting still!

One of my retirement goals was to travel more, particularly to Europe. My career took me to many interesting places around the world, but never really gave me the opportunity to explore Europe. Over the past few years, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit parts of 16 European countries, and I’m hoping to keep adding to that list!

I also picked up a pretty cool part-time job this year as a Major League Baseball Authenticator at Citizens Bank Park. Basically, we witness and authenticate game-used memorabilia, team-issued items, and player autographs. One of the perks is getting to watch Phillies games from the front row next to the dugout. Not a bad retirement gig!

I still do some private firearms instruction and have been helping develop safety and security training programs for places of worship. For fun, I enjoy a variety of different shooting competitions, particularly something called The Tactical Games. These are two-day competitions combining strength and cardio challenges with competitive shooting. They’re physically demanding, challenging, and a great motivation to stay in shape. And I’m especially thankful they have a 60+ age division! LOL!

I also really enjoy golfing. So, if any classmates are looking for someone to play a round with, please reach out! What better way to spend a few hours catching up?

PW Classmates: Are you married? Kids? Grandkids?

Jerry: I was married for several years and have been blessed with three wonderful sons. And earlier this year, I became a grandfather for the first time! Two of my sons followed me into law enforcement. My oldest is a federal agent, and another is a local police officer. My youngest is currently a senior at Virginia Tech, majoring in computer science/engineering.

One of the proudest moments of my career was having the opportunity to present both of my sons with their law enforcement badges. I also had the privilege of working alongside my oldest son for about a year before retiring. Those are memories I’ll always treasure.

I’ve also been fortunate to share the past 10-plus years with a wonderful woman who is currently working at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain. Needless to say, having someone special to share my European travel adventures with has been a pretty nice bonus to retirement!

PW Classmates: What did you dream of becoming when you were in high school?

Jerry: I was absolutely hooked on television shows involving plainclothes cops and detectives.  Baretta, The Rockford Files, Starsky & Hutch, Columbo — I watched them all! I guess somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought that would be a pretty cool career. The road from high school to where I eventually ended up certainly wasn’t a straight one, but somehow, someway, I found myself doing exactly that kind of work. Although, looking back, I don’t recall Jim Rockford having to write nearly as many reports as I did!

PW Classmates: What advice would you give to your high school self?

Jerry: Believe in yourself more. Challenge yourself more. And don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. But probably most importantly, appreciate the people and relationships along the way. You don’t always realize how meaningful those connections are until years later. And maybe spend just a little more time studying! LOL!

PW Classmates: What advice do you have for others about creating your best life?

Jerry: I actually laughed out loud a little when I read this question. I’m not sure I’m qualified to be giving anyone advice on creating their best life!

I think we’ve all said at one point or another, “I wish I knew then what I know now.” And that applies to so many different stages of life. But if there’s one thing I’ve come to appreciate, it’s that life isn’t necessarily defined by what you accomplish, but by how you go about it and the relationships you build along the way. Careers, accomplishments, and material things are great, but at the end of the day, it’s the people in your life and the experiences you share that really matter. And don’t wait until retirement to start enjoying life. Find things that challenge you, make you laugh, and give you something to look forward to.

PW Classmates: What would you like to say to all your classmates today?

Jerry: First of all, how in the world has it been over 44 years since we graduated from PW?!

It’s amazing how quickly the years go by. We all went our separate ways, built careers, raised families, and experienced our share of life’s ups and downs. But there’s something pretty special about reconnecting with people who knew you back when life was a whole lot simpler — and when we all had considerably more hair!

I’ve really enjoy seeing what so many of our classmates have been up to over the years. I hope everyone is doing well, staying healthy, and finding time to enjoy this stage of life. And seriously, if you’re ever interested in grabbing lunch, a beer, or playing a round of golf, I’d love to catch up.

Here’s to the Class of ’82!