Hometown Hero: Officer Jordan Little

A ride of a lifetime as a Thunderbird VIP

Tipp City police officer Jordan Little flew as a VIP with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds last Friday during a practice performance the day before the CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show.

Joining the department in July 2023, Officer Little was recognized as the 2024 Officer of the Year for the Tipp City Police Department. Selected by his peers for his outstanding work, being vigilant and consistent, bringing a team approach to policing in the community, and assisting the department where he can. 

He was also selected, along with Officer Nate Jessup, for the 2024 Performance Award and also received a Life Saving Award. On February 18, 2025, Deputy Chief Jack Davis received the following letter from Justin and Sarah Trevino: “Justin and I recently learned of Officer Jordan Little being voted by his peers as Tipp City Police Officer of the Year. It is an honor which we feel is well deserved. To further recognize Officer Little and his outstanding work, we wanted to recall our personal experience dealing with this exceptionally caring, humble and talented officer. 

I will never forget the events of the evening of June 19, 2024. I came in from working in the garden to find my husband Justin in full cardiac arrest. I didn't even think to start CPR because I was overcome with shock and I panicked. I did at least manage to call 911 and, in what seemed like only a few seconds, Officer Jordan Little was at the door. He immediately took control of the critical situation and initiated chest compressions. 

Officer Little is our hero and we can't say enough about his actions that day. He was highly competent and compassionate. His demeanor and quick reactions quickly calmed me down, allowed me to help with CPR by giving rescue breaths, and gave me hope that Justin would somehow survive the event. I firmly believe that Officer Little's actions kept Justin alive, and are a big part of his doing so well today.  Justin and I continue to keep Officer Little in our thoughts and are so happy that he was selected to be honored as Officer of the Year for Tipp City. He truly embodies all the qualities needed to provide very excellent police work to the residents of Tipp City. Officer Little is a lifesaver to us, and we know he has been this for others as well. We cannot thank him enough!” Officer Little’s was then nominated for the Hero/Above & Beyond the Line of Duty Award.

The nomination letter included the following:

“Here are a few examples of Officer Little's exceptional service:

• June 19, 2024: Responding to a medical emergency, Officer Little initiated CPR on a 63-year-old man who was not breathing. His quick actions, which continued for over four minutes until EMS arrived, are credited with saving the man's life.

*Tipp City Fire and EMS nominated Officer Little for the Ohio Star of Life Award for his life-saving actions on June 19th. 

• July 8, 2024: During a high-speed vehicle pursuit on I-75, Officer Little successfully deployed stop sticks, bringing the fleeing vehicle to a safe stop and assisting in the arrest of the driver.

•October 24, 2024: Officer Little observed two• vehicles violating traffic laws, one of which was later discovered stolen. His investigation led to the arrest of individuals involved in multiple car break-ins and thefts.

•December 29, 2024: As Officer in Charge during a double shooting incident, Officer Little effectively managed the chaotic scene, made critical decisions, and ensured the safety of the victims and the community.”

Little was notified in February that he was a finalist for the Ohio Star of Life award. Months later on June 13, Sheila Wallace, a spokeswoman for the Dayton Air Show, reached out to let Little know that he would be flying with the Thunderbirds the following Friday.

“It was a lot of fun,” Little said. “I mean, it was one very unique experience, something I’ll definitely never get to do again...It’s incredible. From the time I got here, hanging out with some of the guys, getting to meet everybody, going to do the brief training on all kinds of scenarios. It was just an overall great experience.”

Family, friends, the Trevino family, members of the Tipp City Police Department and Fire/EMS Department gathered on Friday, June 20, to watch Officer Jordan Little take the ride of a lifetime.