JOHN F KENNEDY'S SPEEDING TICKET IN MIDDLE ISLAND

Young John F. Kennedy was driving through Middle Island in 1935.Traveling a bit too fast, he was pulled over by Brookhaven Town police officer Jake Backensky. Years later Jake remembered the incident and wrote of his brief contact with the future President. The original ticket is on display at the Police Museum in Yaphank.

…Iam a retired policeman, age 73 having served in the Brookhaven Townpolice department and Suffolk County police department for over 35years. Starting in 1923 I served in the vicinity of Middle Island, N.Y.,mostly on Route 25 and rode a motorcycle.

On August 11, 1935 at9:30 a.m. I was parked when a speeding car traveling west on Rte. 25,which I pursued. Stopping the car it was proved to be drivenby John (Jack) Kennedy of Hainesport, Massachusetts. Car owned by hisfather Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., same address. At that time he was about 18years old and a gentleman. He was given a ticket for passing two lanesof traffic in one direction.

No, I did not know the Kennedy family. He entered a guilty plea and was fined $3.00

Jake Backensky

BrookhavenTown patrolmen. Jake Backensky on motorcycle, Alvin (Smitty the cop)standing. Booth was on the southeast corner of rte 112 and rte. 25.​