Charles R. Lemmons was called the dean of Covington policemen. It stemmed from his record of never missing a day of work in his 36 years as a member of the Covington Police Department.

        He joined the force in 1943 and was promoted to detective with the rank of lieutenant in 1964. He retired in 1979.

        In a 1979 Enquirer article, Mr. Lemmons said he had enjoyed what he had done for the past 36 years because “it's like opening a box of Cracker Jacks. You come in today and you never know what you're going to be doing in the next 10 minutes.”

        Mr. Lemmons died Friday from heart failure at St. Elizabeth Medical Center Hospice, Covington. The Latonia resident was 87.

        Mr. Lemmons married Pauline Emma Juelg Aug. 3, 1940, at St. Augustine Church, Covington.

        Three years later, just after joining the Covington police, he was inducted into the Army. He served as a military policeman in the 16th Armored Division of the 3rd Army in England, France, Germany and Czechoslovakia. His group was the first to liberate Czechoslovakia.

        He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to the Covington Police.

        After his retirement in 1979, Mr. Lemmons helped care for his grandchildren and neighbors.

        “He was a servant of the community. His goal really was "What can I do for you?'” said his son, Robert Lemmons of Colerain Township.

        He was preceded in death by his wife in 1966.

        Other survivors include two daughters, Kathleen Hoffman of Villa Hills, and Carol Jackson of Florence; a brother, Joseph Lemmons of Covington; four grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

        Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Connley Brothers Funeral Home, Latonia, with a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Cross Church, Covington. Burial will be in Mother of God Cemetery, Fort Wright.

        Memorials: Alzheimer's Disease Association, 644 Linn St., Cincinnati 45203; or American Diabetes Association, Southwest Ohio Service Area, 2805 W. McMicken Ave., Suite 2, Cincinnati 45225.

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