Retired Investigator and Sergeant Jay “Packy” Dempsey is a 25-year veteran of law enforcement and a 6-year Military Policeman in the Alabama Army National Guard. Over the course of his career, he served as a dual-purpose K-9 officer for more than 22 years, specializing in narcotics, criminal, and marine theft investigations. Rising through the ranks, he became a SWAT team commander and dedicated much of his life to protecting his community.

Dempsey’s work has taken him into some of the toughest investigations, including murders, rapes, bank robberies, and stolen vehicles. With his cadaver dogs, he helped recover multiple bodies and located more than 80 stolen vessels and marine-related equipment. His expertise also extended into instruction—serving as an FBI- and NRA-certified firearms instructor, as well as an ASP, Mace, Taser, and NNDDA K-9 instructor.

His outstanding service earned him recognition as a five-time Officer of the Year and recipient of the National Award for Bravery in the Line of Fire.

But beyond the accolades, Dempsey’s story is one of survival, faith, and redemption. His book, The Fastest 4 Seconds, is a true account backed by eyewitness testimony, investigators, news articles, and even dashboard camera footage from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office in Selma, Alabama. It covers the events leading up to and following a shooting that unfolded in just four seconds after a one-minute struggle with a suspect.

The book not only documents the incident and the investigation but also shines a light on the hidden battle that followed—undiagnosed PTSD, addictions, and the near collapse of everything he held dear. Through it all, Dempsey testifies to the undeniable hand of God working miracles in his life.

Today, he shares his experiences with law enforcement academies and Christian men’s groups, teaching the hard truth:

“You will not arise to the occasion—you will fall to the level of your training.” - Jay “Packy” Dempsey