Anthony William Rickerson

Chief of Police Anthony “Tony” Rickerson of the Jasper Police Department in Florida was tragically killed in an accident on June 11, 2023 while en route to backup officers who were responding to numerous calls related to a block party as directed by the city council to address the issue. He struck a deer in the roadway, causing his police vehicle to veer off the road and strike a tree. His vehicle was engulfed in flames. Officers from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and the Jasper Police Department responded to the accident scene. Chief Rickerson was declared dead at the scene. He was 43 years old.

Rickerson grew up in Live Oak, Florida, and moved to Jasper as a teenager. He was raised by his parents, Pedro and Chris. He graduated from Suwannee High School in 1998. He began working for the Florida Department of Corrections at the Hamilton Correctional Institute in 2008. He then went into the crossover program to become a law enforcement officer, joining the Police Academy in 2010. He served with the Jennings Police Department part-time and then worked full-time for the Jasper Police Department, where he remained faithfully for 13 years.

While a patrol officer, Rickerson met his future wife, Sheena, during criminal depositions at the Hamilton County Courthouse where, at the time, she was a misdemeanor prosecutor. His southern accent and tall, dark and handsome good looks attracted her immediately. They married soon after and went on to have three children, Annalee, Wyatt and Wade. Rickerson loved the outdoors and activities with his family. They went camping, fishing, on river trips and riding their side by side ATV off road near their home. Rickerson had an overwhelming love for his children and his wife, always putting family first. Many young children in the community he served looked up to him. Other officers wanted to be like him. His even temperament, kindness and magnetic personality made him loved by many. He trained officers from the ground up, many of whom attribute their success in law enforcement careers directly to Rickerson. He had a true servant’s heart. In his 13 years in the Jasper PD, he moved up from Officer to Sergeant to Lieutenant to Captain to Interim Police Chief. In September, 2022, he was named Chief of Police. He also worked as a part-time Deputy at the Sheriff’s office as a Drug Task Force investigator before becoming Chief. He loved his job, serving his community with respect, fairness and compassion. He exemplified the very fabric of dedication and sacrifice. His wife has set up a Memorial Scholarship to the police academy in his name for local high school students pursuing a law enforcement career.

Chief of Police Anthony “Tony” Rickerson is survived by his loving wife, Sheena, children, Annalee, Wyatt and Wade, his mother, Chris, his sister Tammy, and many other cherished family members.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Rickerson family home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.