Madison Town Column: Jimmy Eldridge retiring from Madison Police Department

On my way to my to pick up my girlfriend at her house in the spring of 1996, I noticed something in my rearview mirror: the dreaded blue lights that let one know that you’re about to receive a stern lecture and perhaps become lighter in the wallet. I pulled to the side of the road and was approached by a man I’d never met: Officer James “Jimmy” Eldridge. He was cordial as he asked for my license and registration, and he returned a few minutes later with a warning for my speed. He added that although he was from Madison, he had recently started working here for Madison Police, and that should I speed like this again, I was going to get a ticket. He ended our brief encounter with pleasantries and I told him it was nice to meet him. What a nice guy. About one week later, I had another encounter with Officer Eldridge. This time was short on the pleasantries, and a reminder of what he warned last time. He then returned with my first-ever speeding ticket. What a jerk.

About six years later, I landed at the department I would call home to this day in Ossipee. Coincidentally, the man I would call my supervisor was the same Jimmy Eldridge. He and I came to know each other over the years working together, and one of the many things that we share in common is that we were born and raised here in Madison, and we both still call it home. He has not, however, let me forget the ticket he wrote me, and managed the department throughout my career with the same “I’ll tell you only once” manner.