Zerby going to the Olympics


OLYMPICS UPDATE FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY UNDERSHERIFF JON ZERBY

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Olympic cop/fan recalls golden Games

posted 03/11/02
San Juan County Undersheriff Jon Zerby recently returned from the assignment of a lifetime -- working security at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Zerby also became a cyber columnist, supplying regular updates to San Juan Islander's readers from the Games. Last week he reflected on his working vacation in Salt Lake.

The most memorable part of the Games was "all the cooperation of all the people," Zerby said. "There was no real traffic problem. They (organizers) did "a great job of planning."

Most of the Games-goers were patient with the intense security. "I think they understood because nobody got blown up in the Medals Plaza," Zerby said.

In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, spectators were concerned and were "pointing out other people" they considered suspicious, Zerby said. "A lot of people wanted security.... Nobody seemed to mind the delays and intrusions."

While the spectators appreciated the security officers, few realized the volunteers worked 12-hour-plus days with only a couple of days off in three weeks. The law enforcers, who came from across the country, also spent up to a couple hours traveling to their posts. "There was not a lot of time for doing much else," Zerby said.

One unit mounted snowmobiles and toured the surrounding mountains in bitterly cold temperatures. Another camped in travel trailers with frozen water pipes at the remote bobsled run. Others guarded the same street corner, pacing only a few yards, night after night.

Even if the officers had some time, they didn't get to roam freely. "We didn't get to go into the events and walk around," Zerby said. Unless they were covering an event, the volunteers obtained tickets like other fans.

Fortunately for Zerby, he drew his dream detail -- the figure skating and speed skating in the Delta Center. "I had a lot more fun than 90 percent of the volunteers," he said. "I can't think of any better assignment for the whole place."

Zerby saw the exuberant Sarah Hughes skate her flawless, gold medal-winning long program. He witnessed gold medal winner Apolo Ohno's blazing speed and controversial finish in the 1500-meter sprint.

A figure skating fanatic, Zerby spent the games in relatively cozy confines and met some of his favorites, including Brian Boitano, Victor Petrenko, Katarina Witt. He also chatted with non-skating celebrities including former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young, world record sprinter Mo Jones and former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani. He watched this year's champions and future stars practicing, joking around when there was no pressure. "They were all very cool, very friendly," Zerby said of the celebs.

He even spent time as an escort for the Games darling couple -- Canadian figure skating pair skaters Jamie Sale and David Pelletier , who were being mobbed by admirers. "They were very pleasant. I spent a couple of hours with them.... They were fun, very talkative. It was really good to see them get their gold medal."

Seeing action live was exhilarating but Zerby relished sharing previews with his wife Kris Cozine, an ice skating fan who stayed behind on San Juan Island. "My biggest joy was tormenting Kris before the events," he said.

Zerby not only informed his wife and other islanders about the Games, he also served as an ambassador for San Juan County. The volunteer police officers dressed in their own department's uniforms and Zerby often was asked about his San Juan County, Washington patch. He handed out postcards with maps of the islands and played promoter by extolling the area's virtues, especially to potential San Juan County deputies.

In talking with his fellow officers from mini to mega-metro departments, Zerby learned: "Cops are pretty much the same as anywhere else."

The majority of the officers, including Zerby, used vacation time to cover their volunteer assignments. That helped the strapped local cops. "We took a lot of burden off of the Salt Lake City Police Department," Zerby noted. "We saved them millions."

For now, Zerby, who took time off before and after the Games, is "ready to be back" in San Juan County. Zerby doubts he will serve at another Winter Olympics, but if he does, he might be protecting some stone sliders. "I'm going to go for a curling assignment next time," Zerby said, explaining the icy variation on shuffle board became popular with officers who watched it on closed-circuit televison in his dorm. "We said, "What a goofy sport. We could do that.'"

Until, or if he attends the Olympics again, Zerby has plenty of memories and souvenirs to share with friends. His scrapbook includes his mug with many sports and other greats. His memorablia collection includes the 2002 U.S. Skating Team's pin and many other coveted keepsakes. He flies a 2002 Winter Games flag on his patrol car and has full-size flag for home.

"If they had Olympic underwear I'd have some," Zerby said.

Kris' take on the Olympics

posted 03/12/02
Yes, Jon and I would talk just prior to the network airing the figure and short-track skating events. Of course he'd already seen what was about to be aired. I didn't want to know the results until I could see for myself (I'm the figure skating fanatic of the family)and and yes he would "torture" me that he was watching in person and even talked w/ some of the skaters while I was home waiting to see the delayed broadcasts, the rat. However, I did go to SLC twice when he was there and did get to "hang out" at Park City and downtown Salt Lake City while he was working. It's quite exciting to be there. I think the friendliest group was the Secret Service, of all folks. Guess they were glad to be stationed there too. The last day we skied at Alta (thank you Don Eaton for recommending Alta - it was wonderful!)

-- By Kris Cozine

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