FAMILY
POLICE CHIEF KENNY KAVANAUGH , LEFT , AND FIRE CHIEF SHAWN GRANT DISPLAY HISTORIC PHOTOS OF THEIR FATHERS WHILE KICKING BACK IN GRANT ’ S OFFICE RECENTLY .
BORN AND BRED TO SERVE
JFD and JPD chiefs talk about family links to public safety
BY JEROD CLAPP
Legacies mean something different to every family , but for the heads of Jeffersonville Police and Fire departments , that legacy is one of service .
Shawn Grant , Jeffersonville Fire Chief , and Kenny Kavanaugh , Jeffersonville Police Chief , both chose careers in public safety . But they also have fathers who did the same , and they both worked for each other ’ s departments .
Grant ’ s father , Marvin , retired as a major with Jeffersonville Police after about 20 years of service . Kavanaugh ’ s father , Les , was the first black firefighter at the Jeffersonville Fire Department , sworn in during December 1965 and retired 27 years .
Both men said growing up , they were instilled with a sense of duty to help others , which ultimately led to their career choices .
26 Jeffersonville Fire Department / 150 years