State trooper in Trumbull retires with party to fight hunger

NILES – When Jim Quinlan decided to hold his retirement party after patrolling Trumbull County roads for 25 years as an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper, he chose to give rather than receive.

On Friday, the 51-year-old Quinlan of Liberty, threw his party at McMenamy’s in Niles, paying $5,000 for the food and drinks out of pocket. The 120 guests paid $20 each, bought 22 gift baskets they bid on and bought chances for a 50/50 raffle. The party also served as a 50-year surprise birthday celebration for his wife, Susan.

Quinlan didn’t keep the money that was donated because it all went to Second Harvest Food Bank.

Quinlan spent his entire career at the OSHP’s Warren post in Southington.

“There are a lot of families in need and it [donations] are kept local,” Quinlan said of the food bank, noting that the agency purchases $15 worth of food for each $1 it receives.

This hasn’t been his only fundraising effort for Second Harvest.

He recalled having six child car seats and deciding to auction them off at Plaza Donuts in Liberty, where he stops for coffee. Those who wanted to participate in the auction were required to bring canned goods. The money and canned goods went to Second Harvest.

“I’ve always enjoyed helping people,” the retired trooper said.

It wasn’t unusual for him to find a down-on-his-luck pedestrian on Interstate 80, drop him off at a Hubbard truck stop and give them $10 or $15.

It’s ironic that he is known to speeders as the “Evil Trooper Quinlan.”

Originally, Quinlan thought of a career in law enforcement but because he had a few speeding tickets as a young man, he didn’t believe the patrol would want him in its ranks.

His aunt, who was in law enforcement, told him the test was going to be given and he decided to give it a try. He has remained at the Warren post during his career.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com