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Port Carbon Police Chief Retires

PORT CARBON — For almost three decades, Jon Bowman has responded to break-ins, crashes and fires as a member of the Port Carbon police department. For the...
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PORT CARBON -- For almost three decades, Jon Bowman has responded to break-ins, crashes and fires as a member of the Port Carbon police department.

For the past 13 years he was the man in charge, but last week bowman decided to turn in his badge.

He said he retired due to health reasons.

"In the end when you have to go over your pluses and minuses, I think I'm going to have a little more in the plus column," said Bowman.

The former police chief said he started his career in Mahanoy Township in 1986. Then he moved to Port Carbon in 1988. He said a lot of things in the area have changed since then.

"I can remember as if it was yesterday my first bagged lunch in Port Carbon watching the television on my lunch break and thinking there is no way I'm going to last here and 26 and 1/2 years later, here I am." said Bowman.

The former police chief remembers one police call fondly: a house fire he said he got there before the fire department. He went into the burning building and found a dog. Bowman said he did CPR and saved the dog. Another was rescued by firefighters.

"That pretty much, to see those two dogs at the vet afterwards with their little tails wagging was probably the best good feeling story that I could recall in my time," said Bowman.

Those who worked with the former chief said his dedication to the job will be missed.

"He would always do everything 125 percent," said David Everly, former police chief in Mechanicsville.

"I just wish him the best in whatever he decides to go into,"  said Scott Krater from Port Carbon.

At age 48, Bowman said he's not sure what career he'll take up next. But he did say the people of Schuylkill County will likely see him working around the area again.

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