Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Jacob May and Nashville City Marshal August Leker were shot and killed after confronting a suspect, a former city marshal, who was disgruntled with his daughter's planned wedding. The suspect had earlier consented to his teenage daughter's marriage, but developed a dislike for the groom. On the night before the wedding the suspect, in a drunken rage, tore up his daughter's wedding dress and assaulted her before she fled to the home of the groom's parents. Early on the morning of the wedding day, the suspect appeared at the home of the groom's parents, began threatening the family and demanding his daughter's return. After being unsuccessful, the suspect went to the Jankowski Saloon, going home only briefly to get his 16-gauge shotgun before returning to continue drinking. When leaving the saloon at 12:30 pm, the suspect was confronted by Sheriff May and Marshal Leker who told the suspect to go home. As the suspect backed across the street, he stopped, pointed his shotgun at Sheriff May and both officers drew their revolvers. The suspect shot at Marshal Leker twice, who returned fire wounding the suspect in the stomach, before dying from a blast to his chest. Turning to Sheriff May, the suspect fired once, killing him instantly with a blast to his head. The suspect was disarmed by the saloon's owner and died a couple of days later in a hospital. Sheriff May had served with the Washington County Sheriff's Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-A0D24F82- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jacob. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff May gave the Washington County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff May.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Jacob K. "Jake" May 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jacob K. "Jake" May's cause is highlighted.
How Jacob K. "Jake" May Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jacob K. "Jake" May is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jacob K. "Jake" May was killed by shotgun; 16 gauge.