The news of former Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge’s appointment as the new director of the Monmouth County Police Academy prompted thoughts of the man he says in one moment, with one gesture became his mentor and motivated him to live his dream of being a police officer in his hometown — Chief Carl Jakubecy.

Jakubecy, when Breckenridge was a child in the 1960s, knocked on his mother Dorothy’s door and offered her a job as a crossing guard in a move that turned out to be yet another making of an icon to many kids in town.

The then chief, while offering the job, sat an enthralled little Breckenridge on his lap and plopped his police hat on his head.

Darryl Breckenridge said he knew at that moment what his life’s calling was. And it was realized.

He spent his entire police career in his hometown of Fair Haven, rising through the ranks to the chief’s position.

Now, after several months in retirement, the former chief is charged with the supervision of the place where law enforcement officers are trained.

He has said over and over again that the journey started with that one moment with Chief Jakubecy.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day honors Jakubecy as a chief’s unwitting mentor.

Have you had a moment like that in life that set you on a path? Who was your unknowing mentor?

Have you thanked a police officer today?

— Elaine Van Develde