Jerry was born the son of Cecil and Ann (McGee) Miller on May 16, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Denby High School, class of 1954 and served in the US Army. Jerry earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Wayne State University and master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University. Jerry married Sonia Wilkinson in Shelby Township, Michigan on January 27, 1993. Jerry had a successful career in law enforcement, corporate security, and consulting. He spent 25 years with the Detroit Police Department, the last 10 years as a Commander in charge of downtown operations. While in that role he was awarded the Detroit Police Department Medal of Valor. After retiring from law enforcement, he became the executive director of security for the Detroit Medical Center and it’s six subsidiary hospitals. Jerry was then selected by Lee Iacocca to serve as Chrysler’s senior manager in charge of international, executive, and special security operations. He was a recognized expert in Crisis Management having presented at the World Conference on Disaster Management, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the American Society of Industrial Security. Upon retiring from Chrysler, Jerry formed J.P. Miller & Associates, a security consulting firm working with major corporations to improve their Critical Incident Planning and Management. He was named among Security Magazine’s Most Influential People in Security and was a former member of the Executive Board of the U.S. State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council.
Jerry lived an accomplished life, finding enjoyment with his family, friends, and his work. He was a fiercely loyal friend and family man who loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren immensely. He grew up a huge baseball fan and remained so his entire life. He enjoyed travel, golf, and his regular poker games with his close friends. He was a voracious reader and a huge history buff with a special interest in the Civil War and World War II. He was dedicated to assisting others, he volunteered his time and expertise in helping his church community by developing enhanced security protocols to keep the church congregation safe. Jerry especially enjoyed his part-time job as the family’s designated driver’s education instructor, it is notable that all his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren can parallel park in city traffic!
Jerry is survived by his beloved wife Sonia Miller; children and stepchildren Tom (Suzanne) Miller, Jim (Karen) Miller, Annette Miller, Paul (Susan) Stokes, Teri (Jerry) Carroll, and Todd Stokes; step daughter-in-law Janelle Stokes; 19 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many longtime friends who will miss him dearly. Jerry was predeceased by his son Ken Miller; and stepson David Stokes, both of whom had outstanding law enforcement careers.
Visitation will be held on Thursday December 18, 2025, from 3-8pm and on Friday December 19, 2025, from 10am until the time of the funeral service at 11am at Pixley Funeral Home, located at 322 West University Drive, in downtown Rochester, Michigan. Interment will be on Monday December 22, 2025, at 2pm at Great Lakes National Cemetery, located at 4200 Belford Road in Holly, Michigan.
Memorial contributions may be made in Jerry’s honor to Tunnel to Towers Foundation online at www.t2t.org
