Sheriff Jerry Michael Modena Sr., (Ret.)

Sheriff Jerry Michael Modena, Sr., (Ret.), age 73, passed away at his home on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 18, 2015 at Mabel White Baptist Church, with burial at Macon Memorial Park. The Rev. Rex Odom, the Rev. Dr. Walter Glover and the Rev. Len Woodard will officiate. The family will greet friends on Sunday, May 17, from 3 – 6 PM at Mabel White Baptist Church and may be contacted at the residence. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Pine Pointe Hospice and the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes.

Sheriff Modena was born in Macon, Georgia on September 4, 1941 to Pete and Bertha (Hattaway) Modena. He attended St. Joseph’s School and was a 1959 graduate of Lanier High School. He served a three-year enlistment with the U. S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division, returned to Macon, and joined the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office on August 1, 1964 as an Assistant Jailor. There he rose through the ranks, retiring as a Major in 1994.

During his first 30 years of service, Sheriff Modena was the co-founder of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, and was the commander of the SWAT Team from 1972 – 1992. In 1983, he was recognized as Officer of the Year by the Exchange Club of Macon and the Shield Club, and in 1990 by The Fraternal Order of Eagles. From 1991 to 1992, Sheriff Modena was Major in Charge of Special Services, and helped set up the Bibb County Jail’s Work Release Program. While often working side jobs to provide a better life for his family, Sheriff Modena also focused on improving his education, and received an Associate’s Degree from Macon College, graduated from the Traffic Institute of Northwestern University, and received a Bachelor of Science from Brenau College.

After his retirement in 1994, Sheriff Modena became the General Manger of Lake Wildwood and worked as an investigator for the law firm of Reynolds and McArthur. In 2000, he was elected Sheriff of Bibb County, serving from 2001 to 2012. One of Sheriff Modena’s major accomplishments was the organization of a local “Homeland Security Task Force”, which in 2002 led to the organization of the All Hazards Council covering 25 Georgia counties. He was subsequently elected Chairman of the Council, but resigned from his position in 2005 to focus on coordinating the expansion of the Bibb County Jail from 585 to 966 beds, completed in 2007. Sheriff Modena also guided the creation of multiple sub-stations located throughout Bibb County, helping bring “community policing” and more rapid response times for Bibb County’s citizens. Throughout his three terms, Sheriff Modena focused on the needs of mentally ill persons incarcerated in the County Jail rather than receiving treatment targeted to their needs. His focus led to coordinated efforts to treat these inmates, including the creation of Bibb County’s “Mental Health Court”. He was instrumental in preparing the Sheriff’s Office to begin consolidation with the Macon Police Department in 2014. Sheriff Modena’s work was honored by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association in 2012, when he was named Sheriff of the Year. Sheriff Modena had planned to spend his retired years traveling, enjoying his family and writing a book. He leaves a legacy of dedicated public service, performed with fairness and integrity.

Sheriff Modena was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his beloved wife of fifty years, Mary Kathryn; his daughter, Melanie (Bo) Wilder; his son, J. Michael Modena, Jr. (Elaine); five grandchildren; his sister, Bonnie Modena Cox of Rome, Georgia, his brother, David Modena of Macon, one nephew, BJ (Mandi) Cox of Rome, Georgia, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and much-loved friends.

Visit www.maconmp.com to express tributes.

Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery has charge of arrangements.