Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Cleveland Jacobs was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for stealing a pair of pants. Deputy Jacobs was pursuing a suspect who had stolen another man's trousers. The subject ran into a home. When Deputy Jacob's followed him, the subject shot him, striking him in the chest. Deputy Jacobs died before reaching the hospital. The suspect was arrested and convicted of the murder. He was sentenced to death and later hanged. His hanging was the only hanging in Seminole County history. Deputy Jacobs had served with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-867E674D- Stewardship
- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Jacobs gave the Seminole County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sanford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Jacobs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Cleveland Jacobs is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Seminole County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Cleveland Jacobs's cause is highlighted.
How James Cleveland Jacobs Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Cleveland Jacobs is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Cleveland Jacobs was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Seminole County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
