Retired Sgt. Stephen Hammers pinning the new badge on Sgt. Jesse Hammers.

Sgt. Jesse Hammers Sworn in

Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg on Thursday swore in Sgt. Jesse Hammers. The promotion from detective to sergeant was announced several weeks ago, but Sgt. Hammers asked that the ceremony be postponed until his father – retired KWPD Sgt. Stephen Hammers — could attend.

Born and raised in Key West, Sgt. Hammers joined the Key West Police Department in 2014, following in his father’s footsteps. He has served as a patrol officer as well as a detective with the Special Investigations Unit and as a K9 handler.

A throng of friends, family, and colleagues were on hand for the ceremony, and retired Sgt. Hammers proudly pinned the new badge on his son’s uniform.

Sgt. Stephen Hammers served the department from 1987 until 1997. He was critically wounded in a shooting in 1989. Retired KWPD Sgt. Robert Allen, who was also shot in the 1989 incident, was on hand for the ceremony, as was retired KWPD Lt. Gary Armstrong, who was serving the department during the same time. Lt. Armstrong noted that the senior Hammers’s pride in his son is what has kept him going through many hardships.

Sgt. Jesse Hammers is extremely active in the community. He has been dedicated to the Police Athletic League for years and serves on its executive board. Several years ago, he single-handedly started the Key West Mango Fest, which benefits PAL.

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