Jerry Parr, American Secret Service agent, died at 85

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Jerry S. Parr, born on September 16, 1930 and died October 9, 2015, Jerry was a retired Secret Service Agent.

He was one of the agents protecting President Reagan on the day of his assassination attempt on March 30, 1981.

Jerry received his B.A. in English and Philosophy from Vanderbilt University in 1962.

In 1987, he received his M.S. in pastoral counseling from Loyola University in Maryland. Jerry was also an ordained minister.

In 1987, he received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from Eureka College.

Jerry ‘s interest in joining the Secret Service originated as a boy after watching Code of the Secret Service (1939) starring Ronald Reagan as agent “Brass” Bancroft.:18 After joining the service, from 1962 to 1968, Jerry conducted 15 foreign and 65 domestic protective surveys for various Presidents and Vice Presidents, and worked with security, intelligence and law enforcement professionals in all 50 states and in 37 countries.

From 1969 to 1978, he worked for the Foreign Dignitary Division as a mid-level supervisor on Humphrey, Agnew and Ford details.

As Deputy Special Agent in Charge, Foreign Dignitary Division, he directed security for 56 foreign heads of state.

From 1978-1979, he was Special Agent in Charge of the Vice Presidential Protective Division, where he directed security for Vice President Mondale.

In 1979, Jerry moved to the Presidential Protective Division, where he was Special Agent in Charge and Head of the White House Detail.

There, he directed security for Presidents Carter and Reagan.

In 1982, he became Assistant Director of Protective Research, and in 1985, Jerry retired from the Secret Service.

Jerry carried a 3″-barreled Smith & Wesson Model 19 chambered in .357 Magnum.

On March 30, 1981, John Hinckley, Jr. opened fire on newly elected President Reagan as Reagan exited the Washington Hilton Hotel after giving a speech.

Upon hearing gunshots, Jerry pushed Reagan into the President’s limousine, which started heading to the White House.

Jerry noticed that Reagan was bleeding and ordered the limousine to go to the hospital.

Jerry came to believe that God had directed his life to save Reagan, and became a pastor after leaving the Secret Service.:224 Jerry was very active in his church in Washington, D.C., where he was a former co-pastor, retreat leader and spiritual director.

He served on the Board of Directors at Joseph’s House, an organization for men with AIDS. Jerry also co-founded Servant Leadership School.

Jerry Parr died of congestive heart failure at a hospice in Washington, D.C. on October 9, 2015, aged 85.

He was survived by his spouse of 55 years, three daughters and four granddaughters.