Jasper Police Chief dies in crash
Jasper Police Chief Anthony (Tony) Rickerson
Jasper Police Chief Anthony (Tony) Rickerson dies in vehicle crash on the evening of June 11, 2023, after reportedly striking a deer, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), on County Road 143, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the vehicle then veered off the roadway and struck a tree before catching on fire.
His body was sent to the medical examiner's office in Jacksonville, although, the cause of death was not released.
He served on the police department for twelve years and was the Chief of Police in Jasper for the last four years.
In a press release, on June 27, Global nonprofit Point 27 https://point27.org/ recently honored fallen Jasper, Florida, Police Chief Tony Rickerson.
To honor Rickerson: Point 27 sent gifts of scripture-inscribed Thin Blue Line Shields of Strength dog-tag necklaces to the Jasper, Florida Police Department for officers who worked closely with him, and a scripture-inscribed Folded Flag Pendant Keepsake Necklaces for his family.
Based in Atlanta, Point 27 is headed by US Army (Ret.) Col. David Dodd. “It is tragic that this officer and his family sacrificed so much,” Dodd said. “We salute his courageous and selfless commitment to service and sacrifice.”
POINT 27 SCOPE OF OUTREACH
“In the last few years, the radical turn in some communities against law enforcement has magnified the need for encouraging law enforcement officers and their families, who are risking and facing so much,” Dodd said.
“In these days when so many are publicly criticizing and questioning law enforcement, we are resolutely dedicated to sharing God’s Word with them and their families to encourage them and to show appreciation for their sacrifice and service. We want them to know we value them, God loves them, and they are never alone” Dodd said.
The face of the Thin Blue Line Shield of Strength shows an engraved silver American flag face designed with one flag stripe of blue. The back of the dog tag is inscribed with Matthew 5:9," Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." The design and scripture were chosen by law enforcement officers.
The Folded Flag Pendant necklaces are engraved with John 15:13; “Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Dodd first founded Point 27 to honor members of the military, fallen members of the military and their families. In 2016–at the request of the law enforcement community, Point 27’s outreach expanded to include gifts of the Thin Blue Line Shields of Strength for law enforcement officers.
Since its founding in 2014, Point 27 reports gifting more than 762,935 scripture-inscribed Shields of Strength to members of the military, first responders and law enforcement officers; bereaved families of fallen first responders and Gold Star Families of fallen military members.
In 2022, Point 27 reports outreach to more than 37,000: including 31,935 first responders and families of fallen first responders, 3,935 members of the military and Gold Star Families, and 1,435 at-risk youth, women and girls living in or rescued from human trafficking.
