yeah maybe just maybe they were.

edit: well, actually:

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/butler-county-penn-township-house-fire-renfrew-three-degree-road-smoky-porch/

>"The Butler County 911 Center received a call for a porch on fire. It was a two-story log cabin. When units arrived, it was pretty much fully involved. I know there were six occupants in the house," said Cpl. Jack D. Ripper with the Penn Township Police Department.

and then:

Longtime police officer eyes district judge post in Butler County https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/longtime-police-officer-eyes-district-judge-post-in-butler-county/

>Butler County native and longtime Penn Township police Officer Jack D. Ripper announced his candidacy Wednesday for district judge in Southeastern Magisterial District 50-3-03. The position is being vacated by District Judge Sue Haggarty, who recently announced her retirement

And it is not all recent! This one dates to 2017:

https://www.facebook.com/ABC10tv/posts/penn-township-police-cpl-jack-ripper-said-the-man-in-a-halloween-mask-came-up-fr/10155276761955000/

He is also listed in online white pages as a butler area resident.

So ... Maybe not!!!

I think maybe he even seems to relish that middle initial, heh.