Jack Mintz

Written by Sue Brown

Not wanting to sit around and watch TV after his 2nd retirement from the Air Force, OTHO MINTZ (known as Jack) has enjoyed since 1998 his connection with the CITRUS HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT and the Sheriff’s VIPS program (Volunteers in Participation with Sheriffs). At the same time he has been a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Over the years, Jack’s duties have involved taking and writing reports, working with computers, restocking supplies in the police vehicles, and with the other volunteers representing the police Department at events. Volunteer jobs done by VIPS volunteers include doing vacation home checks, taking down illegal signs, assisting with D.U.I. check points, crowd control at events, safety fairs, and teaching bicycle safety at schools.

Jack served 21 years in the Air Force including the periods of the Korean and Vietnam wars where he was stationed in Taiwan but spent much time in Cam Ranh Bay and Saigon working as a jet engine mechanic. He also had tours of duty in the U.S., Europe, Africa, and South America, and in 1975 he was honored with the Distinguished Service Medal upon retirement from active duty. Then Jack and his wife settled in the Citrus Heights area and Jack worked as a civilian employee for McClellan Air Force base for 21 more years, starting as an aircraft mechanic and finishing in quality control.

Otho Jackson Mintz III was born in Hopewell, Virginia, in 1936, raised with three sisters and schooled in the Alexandria area. He has a son living in Florida and 3 grand children from his first marriage. Jack has many areas of interest including computers, photography, and gold panning. At home he has built computers to his own specifications and for fun maintains membership in three computer clubs. He is an avid photographer and offers to take pictures at Citrus Heights events, some of which have made it into print. Jack used to enjoy gold panning in Downieville on the north fork of the Yuba River. He did find some gold, but never “struck it rich”.

Jack is enthusiastic and committed to volunteerism. He says, “I like to get out and do things. I get a good feeling when people acknowledge that I've done something to help.”