[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 41 (Thursday, March 8, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE HEROIC SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF BOONE COUNTY DEPUTY JACOB 
                                PICKETT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2018

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I 
rise today to honor the life of an outstanding public servant, Boone 
County Deputy Jacob Pickett, who served his city and country with 
principle and integrity. Tragically, Deputy Pickett was killed in the 
line of duty on March 2, 2018.
  Deputy Pickett, or ``Jake'' as he was known to his family and 
friends, served in law enforcement for the last eight years. Jake made 
the decision every day to put his life on the line to make Indiana a 
safer place. A true Hoosier, Jake graduated from Brownsburg High School 
and then graduated from the Marion County Sheriffs Office Training 
Academy in 2010. In 2014, he was a member of class 202 and completed 
training with the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy as a pistol expert.
  Jake served with the Boone County Sheriff's Office for three years. 
Before joining the Boone County Sheriff's Office, he served as a Deputy 
with the Tipton County Sheriff Department. Jake also worked in the 
Marion County Jail. Although, I did not have the good fortune of 
knowing Deputy Pickett, I am incredibly proud of his heroic and brave 
actions to protect his fellow Hoosiers.
  On March 2, Jake pinned on his badge and went to work on what he 
thought would be an ordinary day on the job. He was out on patrol, and 
joined officers from the Lebanon Police Department in pursuit of three 
suspects. Deputy Pickett was on foot in pursuit of the suspects when he 
was fatally shot. Jake laid down his life to protect his community from 
a dangerous individual. His last moments demonstrate the bravery, 
commitment, and sacrifice that he and his brothers and sisters in 
uniform display every day while working to make Indiana a safer and 
better state. Each and every day, officers like Jake put their lives in 
harm's way to protect us.
  For the last two years, Jake led the Boone County Sheriff's 
Department K-9 team. His partner was Brik, a brown and black German 
shepherd-Belgian Malinois. They began working together in March 2016, 
and Brik rarely left Jake's side. On Tuesday, when Boone County Sheriff 
Mike Nielsen and prosecutors held a news conference to announce charges 
against the man accused of fatally shooting Jake, Brik was there with 
Sheriff Nielsen.
  I join with Sheriff Nielsen and all of Boone County in mourning 
Jake's loss. As Sheriff Nielsen said, ``There will forever be a loss 
felt in our community for him. He was a warrior, and he died laying 
down his life for you. He will never be forgotten.''
  Day after day, Jake displayed the compassion and integrity of a true 
public servant. In uniform, Jake would greet children at school. When 
off-duty, Jake spent time saving rescue animals. Jake's selflessness 
extended in death. He was an organ donor, and his heart saved the life 
of another patient at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis.
  Jake and his wife, Jennifer, were married for ten years and have two 
young sons. Jake was a beloved husband and a devoted father. In 
addition to his wife and two sons, Jake is survived by his parents, 
Marlin and Rebecca Pickett; his sister Kristi Woo and niece Hannah Woo; 
his parents-in-law, Jon and Carol Lindstrom; his brothers-in-law, 
Jeremy Lindstrom and Christopher Lindstrom. Deputy Pickett is a hero.
  Jake will be forever missed by his colleagues at the Boone County 
Sheriff's office and by his family. The people of Indiana's Fifth 
Congressional District are eternally grateful for Jake's contributions 
to our Hoosier community and it is my privilege to honor him today. On 
behalf of all Hoosiers, I would like to salute Deputy Jacob Pickett for 
his impact and service to our community. His work with the Boone County 
Sheriff's Department and the K-9 unit were unmatched, and his presence 
will be greatly missed. I extend my deepest condolences to Jake's 
family, the Boone County Sheriff's Department, his friends, and the 
fellow officers who mourn his loss. My thoughts and prayers are with 
them.

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