Richland County Sheriff’s Department unveils sign in honor of fallen Deputy Jake Salrin

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are honoring one of their own, Deputy Jake Salrin after his tragic death last September.

According to the sheriff’s department, 23-year-old Salrin was killed in a collision with a tractor trailer while driving his patrol car on Bluff Road.

His fellow officers began the ceremony at their headquarters on Two Notch Road, unveiling a mock version of the sign now found at the site of the accident.

Sheriff Leon Lott described Jake as full of life.

“He was a very energetic young man who loved being a cop. He wrote in his journal that today is a good day to be a police officer. He loved what he did. He loved every minute of it. And while his career may have been short, his love for life and how he lived life to the fullest was not short,” says Lott.

And after a procession of nearly 30 patrol vehicles made their way to the site, his sister who is also a deputy with the department –Allie Salrin-Zammuto describes her brother with equal affection.

“I hope that Jake is remembered as being funny, as being hardworking, and being somebody that cared more than anybody I’ve ever met or have ever known since. He cared a lot about his job, about people, his family, about his friends, about his squad, everyone that’s behind you, he cared immensely, so that’s what I hope people remember about Jake,” says Salrin-Zammuto.

She says she hopes other deputies feel a sense of pride about Jake when they travel down Bluff Road.

“It shows a lot about our department and how much people care about the department but also how much people care about Jake. I know that he probably didn’t realize that people cared that much, but he worked really hard and he made a lot of people really proud, and I appreciate the community has stood behind my family and department and showed that they care and again that Jake matters,” she says.

Since the accident, the SC Highway Patrol has charged the driver of the truck, Everett Knapper, owner of Knapper’s Transport LLC, with failure to yield the right of way. Salrin’s estate is also suing Knapper for recklessness.