John T. Downey, American CIA agent and judge (b. 1930)
John Thomas Downey (April 19, 1930 – November 17, 2014), known as Jack, was a Central Intelligence Agency operative who was shot down over Manchuria in an abortive raid, then held captive as a prisoner of war in China from November 1952 to March 1973. He was the longest-held prisoner of war in United States history. After release, he studied law and became a Connecticut Superior Court Judge.
Downey was appointed to the bench in 1987 by Governor William O'Neill, and he became Chief Administrative Judge for Juvenile Matters in 1990. He served in that capacity until 1997, when he elected to take senior status.