Jonathan H. Cofer, the third director of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, retired Mon., Dec. 9, during a ceremony hosted by Department of Defense Deputy Chief Management Officer Lisa W. Hershman at the Pentagon Auditorium.
Cofer leaves behind a legacy of distinguished federal service, having served more than 30 years as a United States Army officer, retiring as a brigadier general, and 14 years as a civil servant.
Cofer’s service was recognized yesterday as the former senior executive was presented with the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the highest civilian award given by the United States Department of Defense.
“We are very grateful that Jon Cofer did come back to law enforcement,” said the Deputy Chief Management Officer, Lisa W. Hershman. “He applied the breadth of his experience in the military and at DoD agencies to improve the level of service at PFPA and improve the quality of life for his law enforcement professionals. He had a vision of what PFPA needed to be and the dedication to fight for the resourcing necessary to achieve that vision.”
Cofer’s became the deputy director of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency in 2007 and then its director three years ago. Cofer developed the young defense agency into one of the nation’s premier law enforcement and force protection agencies.
Cofer oversaw dramatic changes in the Pentagon Force Protection Agency during his time there, as the agency’s scope of operations, responsibilities, and mission capabilities markedly increased.
He helped lead the establishment of a centralized Pentagon Operations Center, integrating 911 call-taking, emergency dispatch and building-systems monitoring. Cofer also oversaw the establishment of an emergency response facility to house chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) and emergency response functions, an onsite bio-safety level 3 laboratory and an explosive ordnance disposal unit.
Cofer devoted considerable resources and attention to workforce development. He championed a PFPA Leadership Academy, an in-house leadership development program for aspiring agency leaders. The program produced more than 200 graduates during his time with the agency. He also instituted PFPA’s Maximizing Women in Leadership program, and introduced a new corporal rank, to help develop police officers for future leadership roles.
Cofer oversaw and implemented noteworthy contributions to support the Office of the Secretary of Defense, such as assuming protective services responsibilities for designated senior DOD officials, which included planning, coordination and execution of over 130 protective service details outside of the U.S., often in high risk locations.
“In an environment characterized by formidable threats,” said Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper, “his astute leadership directly ensured the security of the department’s headquarters, the National Military Command Center, the DOD leadership team, designated high-risk personnel on overseas missions, and the employees and service members located in the Pentagon and throughout the National Capital Region.”
Prior to PFPA, Cofer served as the chief for the Advanced Concepts and Technology Division at the Defense Information Systems Agency. He served more than 30 years as an Army military police officer, rising to the rank of brigadier general, and retiring from military service after serving as deputy director for antiterrorism and force protection on the Joint Staff.
PFPA’s current deputy director, Dr. Daniel Walsh, will serve as acting director until a permanent selection is made.