Volunteer football coach named Edmonton’s top cop of 2015

EDMONTON — A member of the the Edmonton police bomb squad who has been a volunteer high school football coach for over two decades has been named the city’s top cop for 2015.

The Kiwanis Club of Edmonton – Oil Capital annual honour recognizing an outstanding Edmonton police officer for their volunteer contributions.

The Kiwanis Club said it selected Sgt. Grant Jongejan because he has “been a dedicated and committed volunteer for over 20 years within the Edmonton community, work that is over and above his duties as a police officer.”

The force said Jongejan is an inspiration to other members. “In addition to taking on the duties of a high school football coach, Grant actively recruits other EPS members to volunteer their time,” said Acting Staff Sgt. Steven Maertens-Poole, who nominated Jongejan.

“His leadership and enthusiasm resulted in a total of five EPS members having a positive impact on hundreds of student athletes over the past two decades.”

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Jongejan coached high school football for 20 years with St. Francis Xavier High School, and most recently at Ross Shepherd High School.

“Grant is rare, and our community is so blessed with his service,” said Lee Burke, a teacher and former football coach at St. Francis Xavier who is also a friend of Jongejan.

“This is a humble person who never seeks to receive accolades, which he so richly deserves. I am so very proud to call him a friend.”

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Jongejan joined the Edmonton Police Service in 1995. He is a sergeant with the Tactical Section’s bomb squad and the current president of the Canadian Explosive Technician’s Association. He has also been a guest instructor at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa.

Jongejan graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor’s of Physical Education in 1993. He also has a Master’s of Science in Emergency and Disaster Management from Capella University.

Former Edmonton Eskimo Rob Brown was named the city’s top cop for 2014, and was chosen for saving the Eastglen High School Blue Devils football team from the brink of extinction.

READ MORE: Former Eskimo named Edmonton’s Top Cop

The Kiwanis Club of Edmonton – Oil Capital has been handing out the award to Edmonton police officers for 40 years.