Four Local Lawmen Killed In The Line Of Duty To Be Honored In Washington

Washington, DC. (2011-05-11) On May 13 – 15, 2001, law enforcement officers from throughout the United Sates, and internationally, will come together in Washington, DC to honor the service and sacrifice of 316 law enforcement professionals, including three Scott County Deputies and one Scott County Constable.

On January 31, 1924, Deputy Sheriff John Acres was ambushed and shot as he assisted Sheriff Ellis to conduct a raid on a, “moonshine still”. Deputy Acres was shot in the chest and died at the scene. Deputy Acres is just one of three Scott County Deputies that will be honored during ceremonies at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, which is located in the heart of the nation’s Capital.

Also being honored will be: Deputy Sheriff John Wesley West, whose watch ended on March 5, 1927, and Deputy Sheriff Levi Harness, who lost his life in the line of duty on February 11, 1962. Constable Alvin Jeffers, who died in the same incident in Robbins on February 11, 1962, will also be honored.

“When I was elected Sheriff, one of my goals was to ensure that every Scott County Deputy or Constable that had been killed in the line of duty be appropriately honored at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial,” stated Scott County Sheriff Mike Cross. “We are working with both the Fraternal Order of Police and Memorial Fund to make that a reality,” he added. “(These men) gave their lives to protect the citizens of this community; we will never forget their sacrifice,” he concluded.

The Scott County Historical Society also provided vital background information that verified the lawmen’s sacrifice to the people of the community.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designed May 15^th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, which is sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, is one in a series of events which includes the Candlelight Vigil, which is sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and seminars sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors.

In 2004, Sgt. Hubert Dean “John John” Yancey was honored at the Memorial. Yancey was killed by friendly fire incident on November 28, 2003 while investigating a methamphetamine lab.