Former Auburn Police Officer Grady ‘OJ’ Jones Passes Away Founded Auburn D.A.R.E. Program

AUBURN, AL. (THECOUNT) — Grady Jones, former Auburn Police officer, Vietnam veteran and founder D.A.R.E program within the Auburn city schools, has passed away. He was 72.

“OJ” Jones reportedly died following a long hard fought battle with cancer.

Jones is being mourned by thousands of Auburn families he helped over the years.

Auburn students who grew up knowing Officer Jones or “OJ” cared about their well-being and living a drug-free life. OJ’s interaction with the public, especially the youth was the perfect definition of community policing. OJ made Auburn a better and safer place with his kindness and service to others, reports WRBL.

According to Jones’ obituary, he passed away December 27, 2019, at his home in Auburn, Alabama after a courageous battle with cancer.

Visitation with the family will be Monday, December 30th at Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The service will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Parkway Baptist Church, Auburn, Alabama. The body will be available for viewing one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow directly after the service at Auburn Memorial Park.

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Geo quick facts: Auburn is a city in eastern Alabama. On the Auburn University campus, the sprawling Donald E. Davis Arboretum has a collection of native plants. The Jonathan Bell Lovelace Museum documents the university’s athletics history. The Jule Collins Smith Museum has art from the 18th–21st centuries. South of Auburn is Chewacla State Park with trails and a large lake. Southwest, Tuskegee National Forest is home to wild deer – wikipedia.