FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *Media Release* BOONE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE 1905 Indianapolis Ave. Lebanon, IN 46052 Sheriff Michael T. Nielsen ________________________________________________________________________________________ Jon and Jeremy Victim Statement Jacob Pickett was a Deputy Sheriff for Boone County, a loving husband, and a father to two young sons, age 3 and 4 when he was murdered by shooter. In just those few seconds that early morning in March 2018, the shooter pulled his gun and fired 3 shots at Jake and Brik, one of them striking and taking Jake's life. He didn’t just shoot and kill a Sheriff's Deputy that day, he also killed Jake's family, and this death would shatter the lives of Jake's friends, family, co-workers and community. Jake loved to help people and animals. He had a way of making everyone around him feel special. One of the great things about Jake was his genuine concern for our world. Service to others was one of Jake's great passions and he was constantly assisting those in need. He would routinely pick up stray animals when the opportunity would present itself and bring them home until their owners could be found, and on numerous occasions they would become another one of the household pets. The lost opportunities of yesterday and now struggling to move forward in a world without Jake is what really hurts the most. Moments gone and taken for granted like Jake kissing my sister on his way out the door, Jake patting the kids on their heads and telling them that he loves them and that he will see them later as he heads out the door for another shift. Everyday small things that we all take for granted like Jake's tennis shoes that were left in the living room that morning that eventually would be moved. The smell of Jake lingering on his pillow that eventually faded and Jake's toothbrush that will no longer be used. It's the unfinished promise of the future together: Jake never getting to see his kids off on their first day of school. Jake never getting to help his kids learn to ride a bike. Jake never being able to teach his kids to drive. Sergeant Chris Burcham Enforcement Division Public Information Officer Boone County Sheriff's Office 1905 Indianapolis Avenue Lebanon, IN 46052 W (765) 482-1412 C (765) 481-0796 F (765) 483-3370 cburcham@co.boone.in.us Deputy Wesley Garst Enforcement Division Public Information Officer Boone County Sheriff's Office 1905 Indianapolis Avenue Lebanon, IN 46052 W (765) 482-1412 F (765) 483-3370 wgarst@co.boone.in.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *Media Release* BOONE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE 1905 Indianapolis Ave. Lebanon, IN 46052 Sheriff Michael T. Nielsen ________________________________________________________________________________________ Jake never being able to watch his kids grow up, fall in love, get married and move out and live lives of their own. Jake's kids will never have their Daddy there in the stands to support them during baseball games. Jake's kids will not have Daddy’s help on homework or school projects. Jake's kids will not have Daddy’s reassuring grip on their shoulders as they learn to ride bikes without training wheels. Jake's kids will never be able to share stories of bad days at school with their Daddy. Jake's kids will never have their Daddy teach them to fish, go on a camping trip, play a game of catch or help them get passed hard parts in a video game. Jake's kids will never feel the hug and safety of their father's arms ever again. Jake's two children now must accept a life ahead without their Daddy. The shooter didn't just shoot a cop that day. He shot and killed a family. Can you imagine having to explain to a 3 year old and a 4 year old, that a bad man has killed their Daddy and still try to somehow let them know they are safe and loved in a world where everything has shown them the opposite. It's the memories and the promise of a future that should have been; That is what was stolen from Jake's family and community on this nightmare that started that morning in March 2018 and this nightmare will continue for the rest of our lives as we continue to mourn for the loss of Jake and everyday knowing that he should be here next to us sharing in these milestones with his wife and kids. We may end a chapter of this story here today, but we will always remember Jake for who he was in life and in death, a giving person that not only gave his all during his short life but also gave life to others in his death with organ donation. That is the kind of guy Jake was and will be remembered by his actions. Jake’s friends and family now have the monumental task to continue Jake’s legacy of service to others, we will try and step in and continue to keep Jake’s memory alive for his kids and remind them of who Sergeant Chris Burcham Enforcement Division Public Information Officer Boone County Sheriff's Office 1905 Indianapolis Avenue Lebanon, IN 46052 W (765) 482-1412 C (765) 481-0796 F (765) 483-3370 cburcham@co.boone.in.us Deputy Wesley Garst Enforcement Division Public Information Officer Boone County Sheriff's Office 1905 Indianapolis Avenue Lebanon, IN 46052 W (765) 482-1412 F (765) 483-3370 wgarst@co.boone.in.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *Media Release* BOONE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE 1905 Indianapolis Ave. Lebanon, IN 46052 Sheriff Michael T. Nielsen ________________________________________________________________________________________ their Daddy was and continue to tell them stories of Jake as they grow older, and continue to let them know how much Jake had loved them. We will continue to let them know that their Daddy was and is still loved, and we will continue to remind them that even though Jake was a big guy, the only thing bigger than Jake was his heart and his capacity to love others. Sergeant Chris Burcham Enforcement Division Public Information Officer Boone County Sheriff's Office 1905 Indianapolis Avenue Lebanon, IN 46052 W (765) 482-1412 C (765) 481-0796 F (765) 483-3370 cburcham@co.boone.in.us Deputy Wesley Garst Enforcement Division Public Information Officer Boone County Sheriff's Office 1905 Indianapolis Avenue Lebanon, IN 46052 W (765) 482-1412 F (765) 483-3370 wgarst@co.boone.in.us