Jim Haydn Sears ~ 1952 - 2023

As his wife held his hands, Jim Haydn Sears passed away peacefully on July 26, 2023, in Carbondale, Colo., at the age of 71. Throughout his life, Jim found immense satisfaction in serving and protecting his country and community, both in the U.S. Army and in various law enforcement positions. Numerous accolades note his intelligence, ingenuity, initiative, common sense approach to challenges, calm and easygoing nature, and, above all, his interest in helping others. He was not averse to challenging tradition or providing his point of view, even when it conflicted with that of his superior.

Born in 1952 to Evelyn (Brettell) and Jack Sears in Lincoln, Nebr., Jim spent his first decade in Downs, Ill., before moving with his family to Greeley, Colorado. After graduating in 1970 from Greeley West High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His aptitude for learning languages determined the direction of his six-year military service. Trained in the Vietnamese language, Jim was assigned to the 509th Radio Research Group under the Army Security Agency (ASA), where he provided time-sensitive intelligence on Northern Vietnamese fighters -- key to successful ground fighting operations by allied and U.S. Army units. His intelligence efforts saved the lives of U.S. soldiers, earning him the Army Bronze Star in 1973. Following Jim's departure from Vietnam, he was enrolled in the Army's Japanese language school in Monterey, Calif., and was then assigned to Camp Zama, Japan, with the U.S. 500th Military Intelligence Group. He conducted critical intelligence collection operations as a counterintelligence agent, inconspicuously supporting the U.S. and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and contributing to security in the Far East. After separating from active duty with the Army (Staff Sergeant, E-6), Jim returned home in 1976.

He began his career in law enforcement as a patrol officer with the Greeley Police Department. While working full-time, Jim earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1981 from the University of Northern Colorado. A brief marriage during this time led to the birth of his son, Eric. From 1984 to 1987, Jim served as a liquor enforcement investigator for the Colorado Department of Revenue. After that agency was dissolved, Jim worked as a Special Agent for the Naval Investigative Service, in San Francisco, from 1988 to 1991. From that post, he was recruited to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Following training at the FBI Academy, Jim was assigned to the agency's field office in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. He was part of the Jaycee Lee Dugard investigation during the early years and the partner of longtime FBI agent in South Lake Tahoe, Chris Campion.

While in Tahoe he met Andrea Holland during a mountain bike outing. She was a hydrologist for the Forest Service in South Lake Tahoe at the time. They married in December 1993, in an outdoor ceremony during an auspicious drought-busting snowstorm. Four months later, Andrea took a job in Glenwood Springs, Colo. In 1995 Jim joined the Garfield County Sheriff's Department as Undersheriff. Except for a two-year hiatus, he served there until his retirement in 2018.

In 2008, Jim felt called to serve his country again. He joined a team of skilled investigators supporting the U.S. 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion mission in Afghanistan. Deployed to Gardez, Afghanistan, Jim assisted in counterinsurgency operations in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces and NATO. Jim's white hair proved to be a diplomatic perk in a country where elders are greatly respected. After growing a magnificent beard, Jim was warmly accepted by his Afghan counterparts, earning him and the battalion their trust and cooperation in U.S. and Afghan joint efforts.

He returned home safely in 2010. Jim enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and overseas. He was a dedicated runner and cyclist, an avid reader of history books, a dedicated husband, father, and friend, and the best kitty-dad ever. He is survived by his wife, Andrea Holland, son Eric (Amy) Sears, grandchildren James and Ethan Sears, brother Gary Sears, niece Megan Flores, nephew Lucas Sears, and a slew of cherished cousins and friends. We will all miss Jim's sparkling blue eyes, his wry wit, and his stories of the absurdities he encountered throughout his career in law enforcement.

Donations in his memory can be made to Advocate Safe House, the Alzheimer's Association, or Hospice. Jim kept notes in little memo books that included phone numbers, phrases in Dari, fire weather, search-and-rescue coordinates, and other information useful in his line of work. The notebooks also contained pearls of wisdom, including this one: "The more you extend kindness to yourself, the more it becomes your automatic response to others."