Hundreds honor the life of Lexington County Master Deputy Jillian Olson
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Wednesday morning, law enforcement officers and loved ones attended the funeral service for Lexington County Master Deputy Jillian Olson at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Lexington.
According to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the 29-year-old died during a dive training exercise in Lake Murray on July 30th.
Nearly 1,000 fellow deputies and officers from across the state paid tribute to their late comrade.
Speaking to the crowd, Sheriff Jay Koon said Olson joined the department in 2021 and was recently recognized by the Sheriff’s Foundation as the Outstanding Judicial Service Deputy of the Year.
“She received our Tactical Operations Support Award in 2023. Wanting to do more, she joined our dive team in 2024 and recently celebrated her 100th dive,” Koon says, adding, “We will cherish our memories of Jillian and the mark she’s made on our profession and everyone she’s touched.”
Her siblings — Corey, Julia, and Courtney — describe Jillian as a loyal, loving goofball — with a larger than life personality.
“As Winnie the Pooh once said, ‘How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. How lucky are we that we had you even if it was for far too short a time. We will endure a life time of missing you but know that you were loved and you will be missed everyday for the rest of our lives,” says her brother Corey.
Her parents — Jim and Molly — say their daughter loved the lake and loved diving.
“She didn’t watch life, she jumped in literally and figuratively,” says her dad Jim, adding, “What we’ll remember most isn’t just what Jillian accomplished. We’ll remember how she made people feel. She made people feel protected. She made people laugh. She made people feel important. She made people feel loved. Jillian lived boldly. She loved fiercely. She knew herself. She built the life she wanted, and though life was far too short, it was incredibly full.”
Following the ceremony, the procession traveled to St. Michael’s Lutheran Church where Olson’s remains were buried — honoring her with the playing of taps and a 21-gun salute.
Sheriff Koon says Olson’s call sign 122 will be retired in her honor.
