Former sheriff laid to rest

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Delaware County bid farewell on Saturday to Eugene T. Jackson, former Delaware County sheriff and Korean War veteran, during a funeral in Oak Grove Cemetery.

Jackson, 88, passed away on Sept. 4, and a visitation and funeral were held on Sept. 7 and Sept. 8, respectively.

Current Delaware County Sheriff Russell Martin and numerous Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies attended the funeral.

“Today, we paid our last respects to former Delaware County Sheriff Eugene Jackson, who some of us never knew, but whose service to country and county we vow to never forget,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook. “…he was the epitome of a humble hero.”

Martin issued a statement Monday and called Jackson “a true hero.”

“In 2016, I was extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with Sheriff Jackson, and to witness firsthand his humble nature and servant heart,” said Martin. “It was a privilege and an honor for our law enforcement family to pay our last respects and to support Jackson’s family this past weekend. Eugene was a true hero who served not only his country, but the citizens of Delaware County as a well-respected sheriff from 1966 to 1976.”

Jackson was born in Mazon, Illinois, on July 21, 1930, and he enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 17, where he served as sergeant in the 24th Signal Company in the 24th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. Jackson was discharged after three years of active duty and married his wife, Edith, in 1951. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his service during the war.

Jackson became a Delaware County Sheriff’s deputy in 1954, and he was elected to serve as the Delaware County Sheriff in 1966, an office he held until 1976.

Jackson oversaw the creation of the Delaware County Mounted Unit in 1967, which has been assisting in events with big crowds such as the Delaware County Fair for the last 40 years. Jackson also oversaw the foundation of an Emergency Medical Service after a change in 1972 required the sheriff’s office to also serve as medical transports and perform emergency runs as well as arrests. A separate EMS department was created by Jackson’s successor, Sheriff Bill Lavery, in 1978.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office reports that Jackson was the last Delaware County Sheriff to live in the Delaware County Jail, along with their wards. The sheriff’s office reports that at that time, the jail was located at 22 Court St. and was in such poor condition that large chains had to be wrapped around the cell doors to keep the inmates inside.

According the the sheriff’s office, Jackson once discovered that a prisoner had escaped three times by using a saw made from a metal spoon to break the chains around the door.

Jackson is survived by a son, Bradley Jackson of Delaware; a daughter, Kimberly and Russell Joan of Mount Gilead; grandchildren, Barry Jackson, Shelley Jackson, Amy Workman and Aubrey Mayle; great-grandchildren, Sarah Noel and Levi Workman; and a brother, Auvil Jackson of Powell.

Pictured are former Delaware County Sheriff Eugene Jackson, left, with current Sheriff Russell Martin, right, at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office in 2016. Martin said Monday that he was grateful for the 2016 visit. He added Jackson was “a true hero who served not only his country, but the citizens of Delaware County as a well-respected sheriff from 1966 to 1976.”
http://www.delgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2018/09/web1_Former-Sheriff-Jackson-with-Sheriff-Martin-2016.jpgPictured are former Delaware County Sheriff Eugene Jackson, left, with current Sheriff Russell Martin, right, at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office in 2016. Martin said Monday that he was grateful for the 2016 visit. He added Jackson was “a true hero who served not only his country, but the citizens of Delaware County as a well-respected sheriff from 1966 to 1976.” Tracy Whited | Delaware County Sheriff’s Office

Deputies from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office salute during Jackson’s funeral in Oak Grove Cemetery on Saturday.
http://www.delgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2018/09/web1_IMG_7434.jpgDeputies from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office salute during Jackson’s funeral in Oak Grove Cemetery on Saturday. Tracy Whited | Delaware County Sheriff’s Office

By Glenn Battishill

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Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903 or on Twitter @BattishillDG.

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