Age, John Fisher is fond of saying, is “just a letter.” It’s apt that Fisher, who recently retired after a long career as a producer in Hollywood, turns to a movie (“Dumb and Dumber” in this case) to explain his second act. At 70, last year he became the oldest person in California to graduate from a basic police academy program.  

“Half of my class was under 30. The youngest didn’t even turn 21 until halfway through the academy,” he says. “I think the next oldest person was probably in their forties. Initially, no one could figure out what I was doing there. I was a bit of a mystery. Early on, I knew I had something to prove. But within a few weeks, they saw that I was serious about this and that I was up to the physical and academic challenges.”  

Fisher earned a communication degree from TU before embarking on a career at Sony Pictures Television. An avid mountain biker, he joined a group advocating for trail access. That led to a volunteer stint with search and rescue.

I get so much out of helping people. There are opportunities out there—you just have to say, ‘I’m going to go do it.’

John Fisher ’77

Over the last 11 years, he’s volunteered with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue team and the LAPD’s California Emergency Mobile Patrol. He went on earn his emergency medical technician certification and graduate from Rio Hondo College’s police academy.

“It was a full spectrum of academics, physical training, driving skills, arrest and control skills and defensive skills. We worked on the range with pistols and shotguns,” he says of his training. “The academic side of it was everything from case law to history to ethics and integrity and report writing.”

Fisher’s volunteerism has turned into a second career. He’s now employed full-time as a ranger for California’s Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. Law enforcement is only a part of his role; other duties include maintenance, working on park interpretation, interacting with park visitors and patrolling roughly 100,000 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains to the coast of Malibu. Fisher wasn’t necessarily looking for another full-time gig, but he doesn’t play golf and genealogy can wait a few more years. Service is at the core of his being.  

“Maybe it’s my lack of maturity or being a Baby Boomer, but I like to challenge myself, get out of my comfort zone,” he says. “I get so much out of helping people. There are opportunities out there—you just have to say, ‘I’m going to go do it.’”