The many different origin stories of the fable.
There are various myths surrounding the origins of the Jersey Devil. One of the most popular stories concerns a Mrs Leeds of Estelville, New Jersey, who was upset at the news of her thirteenth pregnancy and is said to have cried out 'may it be a devil!'. They say the child was born hideously deformed with a tail and wings.
Another tale names the mother of the creature as a 'Mother Leeds' of Burlington, New Jersey, who was reputed locally to be a witch. She claimed that the father of the baby was the devil himself. The child was allegedly born normal, only to change later into a winged, hoofed creature and to fly off into the Pine Barrens.
The third most popular story marks the location of the creature's birth as Leeds Point, New Jersey, to a Mrs Shroud after she made the wish that if she ever gave birth again that the child would be a devil. Legend says she got her wish. There are many other stories, but the one thing that seems to connect them all is the name of 'Leeds'.
Origins stories are never consistent.
Most likely scenario.
Policeman, judge, government official, it does not matter, whether you hold an official position or not it does not account for concrete evidence.