John Woerdehoff’s life reflects a commitment to service, technical skill, and personal discipline. His military career began with the U.S. Air Force, where he served as an HH-60 crew chief and aerial gunner in combat search and rescue. During his service, John Woerdehoff supported demanding missions, including deployment to Iraq, and contributed to efforts to recover isolated personnel.
He later served as an Army Scout, conducting reconnaissance and security operations, before joining the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department as a court security deputy. In that role, John Woerdehoff was selected for the department’s search and rescue squadron, becoming the first member of the Court Security Team to receive that distinction.
John Woerdehoff’s professional experience also extends to engineering and industrial service. He has worked with CAD modeling, structural design, equipment repair, and heavy machinery maintenance. Today, as an industrial service technician, he supports nationwide construction projects and helps maintain complex equipment while emphasizing safety and operational readiness.
Outside of work, he enjoys weightlifting, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and driving his Hummer H2s. Fitness has been a constant in his life for more than three decades, reflecting his belief in strength, discipline, and resilience. He also enjoys remodeling homes, planting trees, traveling, and following Notre Dame football. His interests in faith and community are reflected in his involvement with Bible study, the American Legion, the Arbor Day Foundation, and volunteer service.