Jillian Olson was only 29 years old, but everyone who worked alongside her knew she was the kind of deputy who always stepped up when duty called. On Thursday, that same dedication took her into the waters of Lake Murray for what was supposed to be a routine training exercise with the sheriff’s department dive team. She never surfaced alive, leaving an entire community in deep mourning.
The news hit the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department hard. First responders spent hours out near the Lake Murray Dam searching the water, while folks on shore watched emergency boats crowd the area, praying for an outcome that unfortunately never came. Later that day, sheriff officials delivered the heavy confirmation that Olson had passed away underwater.
Olson started her career in law enforcement back in 2021, jumping right in as a patrol deputy in Lexington County. From day one, her focus and strong work ethic stood out to her fellow officers. She took real pride in wearing the badge and put in the long hours required to keep local neighborhoods safe.
After putting in over a year on patrol, Olson earned a transfer to the Warrant Division. She kept climbing the ranks through hard work and steady performance, eventually earning a well-deserved promotion to Master Deputy in 2025. Her colleagues knew her as someone who tackled tough assignments without ever complaining.
Taking on extra challenges was just who she was. Back in 2024, Olson volunteered to join the department’s specialized dive team. Underwater dive work takes serious grit and specialized skills, but she jumped at the chance to serve her department in an even bigger way.
Her effort never went unnoticed by those around her. Earlier this year, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Foundation honored her as the outstanding judicial services deputy of the year. It was a clear recognition for someone who constantly went above and beyond for her team.
That award was far from her first recognition either. Olson earned the department’s Tactical Operations Support Award back in 2023, and she was actually scheduled to receive her five-year honorable service award next month. Her track record spoke volumes about how much she cared about her community.
Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon shared how deeply the loss hits the department, stating that Olson exemplified commitment and selflessly worked to make everyone around her better. State authorities with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and SLED are currently investigating the accident to figure out exactly what happened during the dive.
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