OCEAN CITY — The resort community lost a familiar face last week with the passing of a long-time Ocean City police officer and former City Councilman Jay Hancock after a lengthy illness.
Hancock served as an Ocean City police officer for over three decades from May 1971 until his retirement in October 2002. He then served one term on the Ocean City Council from 2004 to 2008. Hancock served the OCPD in several capacities during his 31-year career with the department.
Early in his career, he was assigned to the Patrol Division, working various shifts to protect the streets of the resort. Later in his career, Hancock worked in the Services Division, performing front desk duties, supervising the detention facility and the communications area in the department’s old Dorchester Street facility. Hancock served the department in his most visible capacity as Public Information Officer for several years, during which he was the familiar face of the OCPD. He was also a member of the National Information Officers Association. After retirement from the OCPD, Hancock served on the City Council for four years during which he served on the Police Commission.
Chief Bernadette DiPino this week fondly recalled Hancock’s long service to the department, which mourned the loss of its former colleague.
“Our prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,” said DiPino. “Jay served this agency faithfully for more than three decades. This is a tremendous loss for both the community and our OCPD family.”
Mayor Rick Meehan echoed the chief’s sentiments during Monday’s City Council meeting.
“I like to ask we all recognize a moment of silence for the passing of a good friend to a lot of people in this room and very dedicated servant to the town of Ocean City, former Ocean City Police Officer and former Councilman Jay Hancock,” he said. “Jay Hancock served in our police department for 31 years, he then went on to serve one term as an elected official, City Council person here in Ocean City from 2004 to 2008, and he fought a lot of great battles, he had many health issues, but he was a great guy and I can tell you his one true love was the town of Ocean City.”
Services were held Tuesday.