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ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — Northwest Florida is remembering Jeri Schadee, the Pensacola Police Department’s first female officer, for her role as a trailblazer and mentor to generations of women who followed her into the profession.
“I had the privilege of working with Jeri early in my career and saw firsthand her strength, professionalism and dedication to the people she served,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said in a Facebook post.
Jeri Schadee, Pensacola’s first female police officer, has died (Photo courtesy of Escambia County Sheriff Chip W. Simmons’ Facebook page)
Simmons said Schadee “broke barriers, opened doors for the women who followed her and left a lasting mark on the Department and our community.”
“I am honored to have known her and to have served alongside her,” Simmons said.
Geraldine “Jeri” Schadee was born July 8, 1938, according to her obituary. She died on June 10, 2026, at age 87.
One of Schadee’s favorite quotes was, “She was born, she lived, and she died,” the obituary said.
People who knew Schadee shared memories in Simmons’ comments section, describing her as a pioneer, mentor and friend.
“Jeri Schadee didn’t just make history; she changed it,” Desiree Brantley Budd wrote. “Because she had the courage to walk through doors that weren’t open to women, countless others were able to follow.”
Mary Rebber said she met Schadee while working at the Sheriff’s Office and remembered her commitment to helping crime victims.
“Jeri, being with PPD, was a dedicated, wonderful lady who also helped victims of crime, so we clicked right away,” Rebber wrote.
Dennis Nordstrom recalled attending rookie school with Schadee in the early 1970s.
“Jeri and Wanda were the only two women in our Rookie school at PJC in the early 70’s,” Nordstrom wrote. “Rest in Peace Jeri, you were a pioneer for women in law enforcement.”
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Others remembered Schadee for her kindness, service and impact on women entering the profession.
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