Roll of Honor

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Deputy

James Leslie Jackson

Washington County Sheriff's Office — Akron, CO

Felonious

End of Watch November 8, 1952

Age 28

The Vigil Panel 88 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 2

Incident

Deputy Jackson and Sheriff McDonald were attempting to take a subject into custody when the subject opened fire with a rifle.

After arriving at the subject's farm, Sheriff McDonald approached the rear door and was shot by the subject from the doorway. Deputy Jackson was still in the police car and was shot through the door immediately after Sheriff McDonald was killed.

The subject escaped after shooting the officers. A manhunt for the subject was initiated by other officers, and the subject was located after an overnight search. The subject shot and killed himself as the officers closed in.

Sheriff McDonald had known the subject for a number of years, and the subject reportedly suffered from a mental disability.

Thank you for your service and rest in peace always knowing that your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) November 8th, 2020

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CO-C9C8BF29
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Jackson served with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Akron community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Jackson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Washington County Sheriff's Office

Location Akron, CO

Platform Identity wcso.washington.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 8, 1952

Age 28

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Rifle

Offender Committed suicide

Deputy James Leslie Jackson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Washington County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Washington County Sheriff's Office

of 3 officers

66.7% Felonious

CO — Statewide

235

of 360 officers

65.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Leslie Jackson's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How James Leslie Jackson Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Committed suicide

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Leslie Jackson is highlighted in Nov.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Leslie Jackson was killed by rifle.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Washington County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.