Jay J. Armes
Encyclopedia
Jay J. Armes is an American
amputee, private investigator
, and actor. He is known for his prosthetic
hands.
. At the age of fourteen, he and a friend broke into a Texas & Pacific Railroad section house and stole railway torpedoes
. Armes hit one with an ice-pick, detonating it and causing the loss of both hands.
agency, The Investigators. In 1978, he launched The Investigators Security Force. Designed as a mobile patrol and security service, this branch of the organization served the community for a number of years until the patrol division was discontinued. Today, The Investigators Security Force specializes in domestic government contracts and industrial security management abroad.
In addition to his work as a private investigator, Armes has been a certified Peace Officer. He served eight years as Chief Deputy Constable for the El Paso County Constables Department, Precinct 2, and four years as Chief Deputy Constable, Precinct 3. He is also a former Law Enforcement Instructor for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department. In 1989, Armes was elected as a city councilman in El Paso and served two terms.
Jay J. Armes takes on cases in the U.S. and worldwide. He is often paid $1 million per case. He sometimes takes on pro bono cases, such as missing Baby Gabriel’s. Among his diverse cases, he has rescued 100+ children from underground adoptions.
launched the Jay J. Armes Toy Line, which featured a Jay J. Armes action figure with detachable prosthetics, various gadgets, and a Mobile Investigation Unit.
In 1978, Armes and Ideal Toy Corp. launched an Investigative Course for Children which was introduced to a number of school districts throughout the United States. The same year, Armes authored a comprehensive correspondence-based investigative training course, and founded The Investigators Training Academy.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
amputee, private investigator
Private investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
, and actor. He is known for his prosthetic
Prosthesis
In medicine, a prosthesis, prosthetic, or prosthetic limb is an artificial device extension that replaces a missing body part. It is part of the field of biomechatronics, the science of using mechanical devices with human muscle, skeleton, and nervous systems to assist or enhance motor control...
hands.
Early life and amputation
Armes was born Julian Armas to Mexican-American parents Pedro and Beatriz in Ysleta, a low-income area close to El Paso, TexasEl Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
. At the age of fourteen, he and a friend broke into a Texas & Pacific Railroad section house and stole railway torpedoes
Detonator (railway)
A railway detonator is a device used to make a loud sound as a warning signal to train drivers. The detonator is the size of a large coin with two lead straps, one on each side. The detonator is placed on the top of the rail and the straps are used to secure it...
. Armes hit one with an ice-pick, detonating it and causing the loss of both hands.
Career
In 1958, after briefly working as an actor in California and returning to El Paso, Armes started his private investigativePrivate investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
agency, The Investigators. In 1978, he launched The Investigators Security Force. Designed as a mobile patrol and security service, this branch of the organization served the community for a number of years until the patrol division was discontinued. Today, The Investigators Security Force specializes in domestic government contracts and industrial security management abroad.
In addition to his work as a private investigator, Armes has been a certified Peace Officer. He served eight years as Chief Deputy Constable for the El Paso County Constables Department, Precinct 2, and four years as Chief Deputy Constable, Precinct 3. He is also a former Law Enforcement Instructor for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department. In 1989, Armes was elected as a city councilman in El Paso and served two terms.
Jay J. Armes takes on cases in the U.S. and worldwide. He is often paid $1 million per case. He sometimes takes on pro bono cases, such as missing Baby Gabriel’s. Among his diverse cases, he has rescued 100+ children from underground adoptions.
Books and toys
In 1976, Armes published his autobiography, Jay J. Armes, Investigator, ISBN 0025032003. In 1977, the Ideal Toy CompanyIdeal Toy Company
Ideal Toy Company was founded as Ideal Novelty and Toy Company in New York in 1907 by Morris and Rose Michtom after they had invented the Teddy bear in 1903. The company changed its name to Ideal Toy Company in 1938...
launched the Jay J. Armes Toy Line, which featured a Jay J. Armes action figure with detachable prosthetics, various gadgets, and a Mobile Investigation Unit.
In 1978, Armes and Ideal Toy Corp. launched an Investigative Course for Children which was introduced to a number of school districts throughout the United States. The same year, Armes authored a comprehensive correspondence-based investigative training course, and founded The Investigators Training Academy.
Awards and recognition
- 1975: featured in People Magazine as one of the "The 25 Most Intriguing People" of the year
- 1976: received the "Golden Plate Achievement Award"
- 1977: featured in the Book of Lists
- 1979: selected as one of forty individuals honored as the "Most Successful Celebrities of America" by the Academy of AchievementAcademy of AchievementThe Academy of Achievement is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization founded in 1961 by photographer Hy Peskin. He established the Academy of Achievement to bring aspiring young people together with accomplished people...
in Beverly Hills, CaliforniaBeverly Hills, CaliforniaBeverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together... - 1981: featured in the book Dreaming and Winning in America
- 1989: received the "Most Successful Investigator in the Country" Award from the International Society of Private Investigators (ISPI)
- 1991: featured in the book Watching the Detectives
- 1992: honored as a member of the "Who's Who in Leading American Executives"
- 1994: featured in the Time Life book series, Crimes of Passion, along with son Jay J. Armes III, for their work on an international murder case
- 1997: featured in "The Hispanic-American Hall of Fame" poster, card set and learning guide
- 1998: Inducted into Investigator's Hall Of Fame, NAIS and named top ten investigators of the century for 1900's-NAIS. National Association Of Investigative Specialists
External links
- Official website
- http://www.thrillingdetective.com/eyes/armes.html
- http://www.spymall.com/investigators/action_figures.html
- J J Armes action figure at MondoCollecto.Com