Jerome McKown was hired as a Police Officer for the City of La Porte on the 1^st of November 1979.  During his 29 years as a police officer, he received numerous awards for his professional attitude and conduct.  Detective McKown graduated from the University of Houston, in December 1974, with his B.S.ED..

Detective McKown attended the Baytown Police Academy where he was elected as the class vice president and finished 2^nd academically in his class.  Since graduation, Detective McKown has had continual employment with the City of La Porte Police Department. McKown assignments with the La Porte Police Department include Patrol Division - 4 years, Crime Prevention and Public relations - 17 years, Detective over Professional Standards and Ethics - 8 years, and his current assignment for the past year as a P.A.R. Officer in the Support Services Division.  McKown has a Master Peace Officers certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education as well as a Firearms Instructor Certification. Detective McKown also had the privilege of teaching criminal justice classes for 6 years at San Jacinto Junior College – Central Campus.

Detective McKown is also very active in local and state organizations. He is immediate Past President of T.M.P.A., where he is served 2 years as president and 7 years as a board member before coming president.  He is also the Past Master of Hull Masonic Lodge.  McKown has also been named as a nominee for the 1988 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year from the Texas State Attorney General’s Office, La Porte Optimist Officer of the Year, Harris County Officer of the Month – February 1992,  Meritorious Award for Life Saving – on two different occasions, and American Legion Award for Officer of the Year.

Detective McKown is also a licensed United States Coast Guard as Master Inland Captain for motor vessel under 25 tons.  McKown is also professionally fishing in the Texas Redfish Series and the I.F.A. Redfish Series in the states of Louisiana and Texas.