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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jerry Mattox was shot and killed by a man as he exited his patrol car at the scene of a domestic disturbance on 8th Street in Fernandina Beach, just two blocks from where he lived. Sadly, his wife, who was returning from the beach with friends, witnessed the entire incident. Deputy Mattox was a United States WWII veteran and was Nassau County Sheriff's Office's first black deputy who served for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Mattox gave the Nassau County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yulee community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Jeremiah M. Mattox served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nassau County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Jeremiah is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Jeremiah is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jeremiah is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1954, 1 officer at Nassau County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1954, 3 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jeremiah was 34. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Nassau County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 35; the middle age was 34. Jeremiah had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jeremiah was 34. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Jeremiah had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Jeremiah was 34. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jeremiah had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jeremiah was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jeremiah had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Nassau County Sheriff's Office; December holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 40%.
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Saturdays: 20.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Nassau County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Nassau County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Jeremiah among them.
Military Service
Jeremiah M. Mattox served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Jeremiah M. Mattox’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Nassau County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
