By Angela Marshall
A credentialed federal agent with a background in foreign counter intelligence, McKeon knew he might be needed.
He was called up to active duty on Feb. 6 and shipped out on Feb. 18, leaving the Rockville Centre Police Department in the hands of Deputy Commissioner Warren Kelly.
McKeon has been assigned to an anti-terrorism investigations unit with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Although his orders were for one year, he said he really didn't know how long he would be gone. It all depends on how hostilities go, McKeon said.
We know if he's needed, he must go, said Mayor Eugene Murray. We certainly will miss him.
The mayor credited McKeon with doing an excellent job with the Police Department during his 11 years as commissioner.
McKeon joined the Army when he was 17 in response to the death of a friend in Vietnam. I wanted to make good for him, McKeon said.
He served two years active duty in South Korea and became a non-commissioned officer assigned to field artillery. He later became a 2nd Lt. with the US Army Combat Military Police Company.
McKeon returned to civilian life, joining the RVC Police in 1973 as a police office. He worked his way up through the ranks and has been police commissioner since 1991.
Still wanting to serve his country, McKeon joined the Naval Reserves in 1982. In this capacity, McKeon has served in numerous stateside assignments as well as overseas tours in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Korea, Spain, Italy, North Africa and Scotland. During these missions, he was involved in force protection duties for active-duty marines and sailors.
McKeon is a graduate of the US Army Military Police Academy, the US Navy Advanced Criminal Investigator and Foreign Counter Intelligence Courses, as well as a host of other civilian and military schools.
McKeon said the military offered him an education that would not have been possible otherwise. He grew up in Baldwin with what he called humble beginnings.
I think the military has a lot to offer, but it's not for everybody, he said.
McKeon said this is a winnable war as long as the American public continues to support it.
