Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I will never forget this day. I was in Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood MO becoming a Heavy Equipment Operator. I was called into HQ and was told two days before graduation I had to return to Columbia because Jason was KIA. My mother was his fiance. I ended up serving nine years with a tour of duty in Iraq in 2004-2005. Remember our Fallen whether they be military, police, firefighters, or paramedics.

Sgt. Michael Smith
Step Son.

April 12, 2024

When I Was A Young Woman I Did Know Jason Acton. For Me Jason Was A Big Brother. We Did Not Spend A Lot Of Time Together And I Moved Around A Lot. I Was Maid Of Honor For His First Wedding. He Was A Warm And Friendly Man And He Was Always Appropriate. Jason Was A Great Cook And His Father Was Very Kind To Me. When The News Came Confirming It Was The Jason I Had Known I Almost Went To My Knees. You Have No Idea How Much Someone Means To You Until They Are Taken So Violently. All I Could Do Was Leave A Friendship Ring For Him In His Casket. I Am Jenn Hollis.

Jennifer Hollis

October 12, 2023

Very sad loss. To the family left behind...strength. To the ones responsible, vengeance is mine saith the Lord.

Anonymous - Private

June 7, 2023

Justice has been served. Rest in peace sir.

Captain John Phillips
FDACS/Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement

June 6, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Acton,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your Supervisor for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Randolph County. There is no tougher job in Law Enforcement than that of a Corrections/Detention Officer. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

June 22, 2020

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Acton.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 10, 2019

rip brother

C/O CHIRICHELLO CERT
LANCASTER PA

June 22, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 22, 2015

I was only a friend but felt the world ripped wide when I heard the news. Jason was like a big brother to me a long time ago. He is not forgotten.

Jennifer Hollis
Friend

June 9, 2014

It's means so much knowing that I am not the only one who remembers him. He was like a father to me and even though it's been almost 14 years there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. I was. Only 8 years old when I lost my step dad. I love u Jason with all my heart and I will never forget u. I wish u would of been able to meet ur grand children they would of love u.

haley smith
step daughter

May 7, 2014

Deputy Acton, Thank you fo ryour service in law enforcement. God bless you and your family.

SSA Ellen Pierson
US ICE

August 10, 2010

On this, the 10th Anniversary of your brutal and senseless murder I just want to salute you, sir. I remember reading about this the day after it happended ans was deeply saddened. I still am. Thank you for your bravery, duty and ultimate sacrifice. You will FOREVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten!

SGT Mark B. Hanna, Retired
Fayetteville, AR PD

June 22, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 9th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

In reading the loving reflections, I see that you are missed and loved by many and that you had a profound impact on the lives of others. I hold your family and friends in my heart's embrace today.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

June 22, 2009

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 10, 2007

It took 2 lives for someone to realize that the jail wasn't protecting officers. Once the problem came to light it was quickly changed so that no one else could loose their lives in the same manner. If only the problem could have been noticed sooner. Thank you for your service, though short. You will be remembered always.

June 22, 2007

I will never forget that horrible Thursday morning. I was in class that week with a couple of guy from Randolph County. To bad it took such an event for the county to build a new jail. Rest in peace sir.

Deputy
Audrain County (MO) Sheriff's Dept

June 23, 2005

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).
Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend. Deputy Jeffrey Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 11, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Deputy Acton's faimly, friends, and department.  We too know the plight of running a rural county jail, with very little support.  I hope that ulitmate sacrifices made by Deputy Acton and Deputy Egley will not be in vein.  We feel very honored to have been able to participate in the memorial service for Deputy Acton.  Deputy Acton paid the ultimate price in doing what he knew to be so very honorable.  May God truely bless him.

Deputy Sheriff BD Jones
Iron County Sheriff's Department, MO

The Officer's stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
They hoped their shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as their brass.

"Step forward now, Officers.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"

The men squared their shoulders and
The Policeman spoke first
"No, Lord, I guess We ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.

We've had to work most Sundays,
and at times our talk was rough,
and sometimes we've been violent,
Because the streets are tough.

The Corrections Officer then added,
But we never took a penny,
That wasn't ours to keep...
Though we worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And we never passed a cry for help,
Though at times we shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive us,
We've wept unmanly tears.

Together they say,
We know We don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted us around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for us here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
We never expected or had too much,
But if you don't...We'll understand.

There was silence around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Officers waited quietly,
For the judgment of their God.

"Step forward now, Officers,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

Anonymous