Meet Jack Doyle, a true Hemlock native whose roots run deep in this community. Born and raised here, Jack graduated from Hemlock High School in 1980, following in the footsteps of a family deeply connected to public service. Growing up close to the first responder culture, with his dad serving as a volunteer firefighter, Jack spent his childhood years hanging around the local police and fire departments. Those early experiences sparked a passion in him for serving others and set the course for his future. Active in school, Jack played basketball as a freshman, varsity football all four years, and participated in the Business and Office Education Club (BOEC), where he fondly remembers the pride of winning regionals and making it to States.
At just 19 years old, Jack was sent off to the police academy at Delta College by Dave McKeage, then Police Chief of Richland Township. Alongside his police training, Jack also worked on becoming an EMT and firefighter, building a versatile skill set that would serve him well throughout his career.
After a brief stint working part-time in Hemlock, Jack was hired full-time by the Saginaw Township Police Department, where he spent the next 31 years honing his investigative and leadership abilities. As a detective and later as a detective sergeant, Jack led a team of medics on the SWAT team and became a skilled accident reconstructionist. “My ability to figure out speeds and curves at a scene, using algebra and calculus, really helped in that role,” he recalls. The same skills that took him to the BOEC states in high school also made him an invaluable asset in accident reconstruction, where he helped build a collaborative team that worked with departments across the county.
Jack retired from the Saginaw Township Police Department in 2013, but his retirement was short-lived. He soon returned to Hemlock as an officer and in 2015, he achieved his lifelong goal of becoming the Richland Township Police Chief. In addition to his role in law enforcement, Jack is also a certified firefighter and EMS responder, allowing him to serve his community in multiple capacities.
“It was always my goal to come back to Hemlock and be the police chief, taking over from Bob Dalton,” Jack shares with a smile. “We love it here, all the changes happening, and I don’t miss many games. We’re enjoying getting to know a whole new generation of Hemlock families.”
After moving to Saginaw Township in 1984, Jack and his family returned to Hemlock in late 2019, building a home and settling back into the community he’s known and loved all his life. Married for 15 years, Jack is a proud father of three, a stepfather to two, and a grandfather to six. While half of his grandchildren live in Virginia, the other half are thriving little Huskies. With three of his grandchildren attending Hemlock Public School District, Jack stays actively involved in sports and school activities as a grandpa, when he’s not serving and protecting our community.
Jack Doyle’s dedication to Hemlock, both as a first responder and a community member, is a testament to his deep-rooted love for this town. His journey reflects a life of service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the place he’s always called home.