SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — Two days after his 104th birthday, retired Oakland police Officer Toft Jessen was celebrated Thursday by dozens of Oakland police officers past and present, along with many others who lauded him as “an impressive individual” whose achievements are inspirational.

Jessen, a World War II veteran who during his nearly 37-year Oakland police career survived an ambush where he and another officer were wounded, was honored at Harry’s Hofbrau during a weekly gathering of retired and active duty Oakland officers and others known as the Thursday Club.

Jessen, who lives in southern Alameda County, uses a walker and looks younger than his age. He sat at the head of a long lunch table where many of those in attendance took a few minutes to speak with him.

Jessen said he did not really have a formula for living so long, except that he did not drink alcohol in abundance and only smoked cigars. He said being honored was “a big surprise” that felt “very good,” especially since he thinks of himself “as just another person.”

Those in attendance, which included inspectors with the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office deputies and other law enforcement agencies, believe otherwise.

Oakland police Chief Floyd Mitchell said the lunch “is an amazing testament to the fortitude of the men and women of the Oakland Police Department to have one of our own retirees still celebrated and loved by the people he worked with.”

“He’s absolutely an inspiration,” Mitchell said.

Juan Gonzalez, the mayor of San Leandro, where Jessen was born and grew up, said he enjoyed the opportunity “to honor one of our home grown.”

“When the community comes together to celebrate, it’s really a beautiful thing,” Gonzalez said. He said when a person is recognized “for a life well lived and doing it the right way, it’s impressive.”

Jessen, who is possibly the oldest living retired law enforcement officer anywhere in the country, was born in San Leandro on April 15, 1921. A talented baseball player, he played one year as an outfielder for the New York Yankees minor league team in Denver in 1941 before being drafted into the U.S. Army on April 21, 1943.

During his military service, he participated in the D-Day landings in France on June 6, 1944. He was 23 and was part of the U.S. Army glider squadron executing advance missions for Allied troops landing on the Normandy coast. He survived what became known as “the longest day” and continued his service throughout the war.

In recognition of his heroism, Jessen was awarded France’s highest distinction, the Legion of Honor, by Consul General Frédéric Jung on September 18, 2023, ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The prestigious award honors individuals who made exceptional contributions to France, including those who risked their lives to help liberate the country during WWII.

Following his military service, he became an Oakland police officer in October 1947 and retired in August 1984 serving his entire career in the patrol division where he helped train and mentor many officers. Some of those in attendance Thursday were retired Oakland officers in their 80s and 90s who worked with him.

In April 1970, Jessen and another officer were shot multiple times when they were ambushed in the area of Edes and Cary avenues in East Oakland while in a marked prisoner transport vehicle by some men linked to a radical group. After a recovery period of many months, he returned to full duty, a sign of his bravery and dedication, officers said.

Retired Oakland police Officer Tim Sanchez, an organizer of the celebratory luncheon, said Jessen “is definitely an inspiration considering he was shot on duty, persevered and came back. It’s pretty awesome.” He said he believes Jessen’s legacy will be that “he dedicated his life to public service. You hold that in high regard and high esteem and hope you can replicate.” As younger officers “have discovered who he is, they also hold him in high esteem and the ultimate respect,” Sanchez said.

Besides accolades from those present, the Thursday Club presented Jessen with a commemorative baseball bat with his name engraved on it. The New York Yankees front office also sent him a congratulatory letter, and Yankees’ manager, Aaron Boone, produced a brief video with him stating that to the best of his knowledge Jessen is the oldest living player to sign a contract with the Yankees.