LCSD dive team member dies in training session

Lexington Co., S.C. (WOLO)– Deputies with the Lexington Co. Sheriff’s Department say a member of its dive team died Thursday during an underwater training session on Lake Murray.

Officials say Jillian Olson, 29, began her career with the department in 2021 and has been a member of the dive team since 2024.

“Our hearts are broken by the loss of a valuable member of the Sheriff’s Department,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Jillian exemplified commitment and service. She faithfully carried out her duties and selflessly worked to make those around her better.”

Sheriff Koon says Olson was named the Lexington Co. Sheriff’s Foundation’s outstanding judicial services deputy of the year at its annual awards banquet last spring.

“The foundation recognized Jillian for showing exceptional initiative and leadership by, on her own time, developing reference guides and document templates for use by judicial services deputies,” Koon said.

“The tools Jillian developed improved deputy training and operational workflow.”

Officials say the Illinois native was also given the department’s tactical operations support award in 2023 and was scheduled to receive the department’s five-year  honorable service award in August.

“Jillian’s dedication to her community and department is well-documented with awards and recognitions,” Koon said. “She’ll be most remembered for what she did with no fanfare. Her decision to join our dive team is just one example of her going above and beyond.”

Deputies say the SC Dept. of Natural Resources is leading the investigation into Olson’s death with assistance from SLED.

“I am grateful to DNR, SLED and our county coroner for the sensitive and respectful way they’ve handled everything,” Koon said. “I would also like to express my thanks to the countless public safety agencies that responded without hesitation from across the whole state to help us in our time of need.”