Sheriff Summerlin
The name of an Okaloosa County Sheriff killed in the line of duty in 1921 has been added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. and the State Memorial in Tallahassee.
Representatives from the OCSO have been taking part in National Police Week events in the nation’s capitol to honor the country’s fallen officers. Deputy Pat Jenkins, whose research on the accident that killed Sheriff John Summerlin helped lead to Summerlin’s long overdue recognition, was there this week to take part and was able to see the results of his work.
Deputy Jenkins got assistance in his research campaign from Sheriff Larry Ashley and the OCSO, the Northwest Florida Daily News, Baker Block Museum, Crestview FOP and numerous citizens in tracking down information. He located the last two direct descendants of the late Sheriff, great-nephew Scott Morrison of Ruckersville Virginia and great-niece Debbie Morrison of Pensacola.
Deputy Jenkins learned that 17 days after taking office in January 1921, Sheriff Summerlin was killed when the car he was driving was struck by a train east of Crestview. Only 34 years old at the time, Sheriff Summerlin was driving a man to the train station as part of his official duties when the accident took place. Three other passengers were also killed.
Sheriff Summerlin’s name has now also been added to the State Memorial in Tallahassee as well, and it will be engraved on the OCSO Memorial at the Shalimar Headquarters building.
Deputy Pat Jenkins at Name of Okaloosa Sheriff John Summerlin on National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C.
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