Captain John J. McKenna was recognized by Delaware County Council as he is retiring after a distinguished and exemplary career of nearly six decades in law enforcement.
Captain McKenna was accompanied to Council by his daughter Maureen Dillon, of the County’s Information Technology Department, granddaughter, Alyson Dillon, and Alyson’s friend, Dean Wood.

Captain John McKenna was born in the anthracite coal region of Lackawanna County, in Dunmore, near Scranton, where he grew up. He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in 1950 at the outbreak of the Korean War and served in that theater of operations in the 11th Regiment of the First Marine Division. After he returned home when hostilities ended in 1953, John was a truck driver for a short time until he joined the Pennsylvania State Police in 1954. His duties took him to Gettysburg, York, Chambersburg, Harrisburg and Hazelton before arriving in Delaware County as commander of the Media Barracks, a post he held until given command of Troop K, which includes Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. He achieved the rank of Captain. 1st ad Fact Sheet: John J. McKenna

In 1982, after 28 years as a State Policeman, Captain McKenna embarked on a second phase of his career in law enforcement when he was appointed Chief of Detectives and Director of the Criminal Investigation Division by District Attorney John Reilly.

For the past 30 years, he has served faithfully in that position for District Attorney Reilly as well as DAs Patrick Meehan, Patricia Holsten, G, Michael Green and Jack Whelan. His tenure during the last three decades has also included serving as Chief Deputy Sheriff.

Captain McKenna is a widower who was married for 43 years to the former Mary Eastman, who passed away in 2001.

Joining in commending Captain McKenna for his distinguished and exemplary career wer District Attorney Jack Whelan and Common Pleas Judge G. Michael Green, who served as District Attorney for nine-and-a-half years, as well as by members of the DA’s Office, CID and numerous police departments in Delaware County.

In addition to a resolution from County Council, presentations to Captain McKenna were made by DA Whelan, East Lansdowne Borough Police Chief John Zimath, President of the Delaware County Association of Police Chiefs, and Lt. Joseph Ryan on behalf of CID.