Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Jim Lyon, Former Prescott Resident, Picked For Olympic Security

When an invitation went out in early 1995 giving law enforcement officers an opportunity to volunteer as members of a security force for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, Oklohoma Highway Patrol trooper Jim Lyon, formerly of Prescott, was quick to apply. Lyon is the son of Beverly Wicker and stepson of James Wicker of Prescott.

And now Lyon will be one of the few people, if not the only one, from Atoka County, Okla., to get a first hand view of the event held every four years at a site somewhere in the world.

This is the first time in the history of the Olympics that a volunteer Olympic Security Team, composed of retired or full time officers from around the United States, will be used.

With a maximum of 2,000 volunteers to be used during the July 19 through August 4 Olympics and with in excess of 10,000 applications, Lyon feels lucky to be one of four officers from Oklahoma, and to his knowledge the only trooper chosen.

The Atoka trooper mailed his application, with required information, in early February 1995. Information requested included the department for which he works, his background, any special expertise such as computer skills, training with dogs, bomb squads, etc.

Lyon provided a copy of his driver's license, Social Security number, a letter from his department showing whether he was active or retired, and a photo. It was also stipulated there would be a personal security check made prior to selection.

After long months of waiting, Lyon got word that he had not been selected as a volunteer. So, in disappointment, he threw all the information about the special force away.

About three days later he received correspondence that he had, indeed, been chosen and was given the term of his service as July 16 through 30.

Lyon said the volunteers are assured they will not work the parking lots, but would work the entries and inside the events. Preferences of the events he would most like to work were requested and the trooper responded with basketball, boxing and baseball in that order.

Lyon has to furnish his own transportation to and from Atlanta. He will be met at the airport and will undergo two days of training as to what is expected of him on security duty. The security officers will not carry weapons, he said.

Tailored uniforms, from cap to shoes, wil be provided each volunteer, along with a keepsake badge. Room and board at a University of Georgia dormitory, will also be provided during his stay.

Lyon said the volunteers will work eight-hour shifts and probably not have over one day off during their stay. He is taking vacation time from the OHP to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

Lyon has an athletic background, playing football and basketball in high school in California and Prescott, where he graduated. He also played basketball in the Air Force and was an intramural boxer.

His law enforcement career includes 10 years as a member of the Hope Police Department with a short stint at Texarkana. He joined the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in March of 1985 and has been assigned to Atoka as a member of Troop E since July 1, 1985.

Lyon said he has been on a weight reduction plan and getting in shape by running.