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Jefferson Hancock Davis
Incident
Deputy Jefferson Davis succumbed to injuries received the previous night in an automobile accident while responding to a burglary-in-progress call.
He was responding on County Road 133 when he swerved to avoid three juveniles who were walking against traffic in his lane of travel on the unlit road at 2301 hours. His patrol car left the roadway and struck a pine tree and burst into flames. Deputy Davis received burns over 65% of his body.
The incident occurred one hour before Deputy Davis' 24th. birthday and he succumbed to his injuries on his birthday.
Deputy Davis had been employed with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office for two years, and is survived by his parents, brother, and sister.
Survivors
Deputy Davis had been employed with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office for two years, and is survived by his parents, brother, and sister.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Davis gave the Columbia County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lake City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Davis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Columbia County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Jefferson is one of 314 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Jefferson is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jefferson is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2002, 3 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 37th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2002, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Jefferson was 24. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Jefferson had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Jefferson was 24. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Jefferson had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jefferson was 24. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Jefferson had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Thursdays: 11.8%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Columbia County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Columbia County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Jefferson among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Columbia County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
