James E. Robertson, Jr.

James E. Robertson, Jr.

James E. Robertson, Jr. of Hardy, VA (formerly Indianapolis, IN) died Monday, January 18, 2021. He was 85.

Jim was the only child of James E. Robertson, Sr. and Ruby E. Robertson. He grew up in Indianapolis, attended Broad Ripple High School, and received his bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, and criminology from Hanover College. He also received continuing education at Indiana Management School in Bloomington, IN.

In 1957, he began serving in the U.S. Army active duty (Army Intel Spec), graduating from the United States Army Intelligence Center at Ft. Holabird, MD as a Special Agent. He worked in the Army Counterintelligence Corps (113^th C.I.C Detachment in the Indianapolis Field Office as a liaison with the Indianapolis Police Department) until 1960 and, after that, on standby duty in the U.S. Army Reserve, honorably discharged in 1963.

Jim’s educational background and military service led him to a multi-faceted career in law enforcement, security, and private investigation. He managed the William J. Burns International Detective Agency in Indianapolis, was a Special Deputy for the Marion County Police Department, a Deputy Marshall in Williams Creek, IN, Chief Investigator and Executive Officer for Nora Patrol in Indianapolis, a consultant and sales manager for Dictograph Security Systems and General Alarm Co., and a sought-after educator for crime prevention seminars. Jim’s expertise in providing security positioned him over the years as a Security Chairman for the 500 Festival PGS Golf Tournament in Indianapolis, Security Consultant to the U.S.P.G.A. Golf Tournament at Olympia Fields in Chicago, and Director of Security at the U.S. Clay Courts Tennis Championships in Indianapolis.

During a hiatus from law enforcement and investigation, Jim worked for Farm Bureau Insurance in various management and training positions, but returned to his roots with a move to Lafayette, Indiana where he started his own business (James’ Bonds) as a bail bondsman and private investigator. He retired to Virginia in 2010.

Jim’s hobbies included reading crime and detective fiction and non-fiction, fishing, and golf. He loved music and was a talented drummer, often sitting in with local jazz musicians in his younger years. Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Wes, and Monk Montgomery (to name a few) were his musical idols.

Jim leaves behind his love wife, Lois, of 42 years. Their blended family includes Jim’s daughter Lisa (Doug), daughter Kristi (Scott), son Erik (Lisa), Lois’s daughter Catherine (Steve), daughter Jennifer (Duck), and daughter Rebecca (Mike). Together, they share 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are by Flanner Buchanan Washington Park North. Condolences can be made online at https://youtu.be/0VJYbaeghQg. Due to Covid restrictions, the funeral service will be limited to a small family gathering.