Fallen Skagit County deputy mourned

BURLINGTON — Anne Jackson sometimes asked to be reminded that her career in law enforcement was real.

“She said, ‘Pinch me, I’m a deputy,’ ” her supervisor, Sgt. Annette Lindquist, remembered Tuesday.

Jackson, a Skagit County sheriff’s deputy, was fatally shot responding to a call to help a mentally disturbed man. She was 40.

A lone gunman, Isaac Zamora, 28, is charged with six counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Jackson and five other people on Sept. 2. Four other people, including a Washington State Patrol trooper, were wounded in the violence.

On Tuesday, about 4,000 people, most of them dressed in their best police uniforms, paid respects to the slain deputy during a two-hour funeral service at Burlington-Edison High School’s football field. Every badge was covered by a black band of mourning for a fallen comrade.

The funeral procession was led by a tartan-clad pipe-and-drum corps. A riderless horse was led in front of Jackson’s casket, and her absence was marked by a pair of leather riding boots turned backward in the stirrups. Jackson loved horses and began her law enforcement career as Skagit County’s first animal control officer.

Nearly 300 honor guards slowly raised their hands in salute as the cortege passed.

Although Jackson’s relatives had wanted a small, short and intimate funeral, her extended family in the law enforcement community asked to honor their fallen sister with time-honored police traditions, Mount Vernon Police Lt. Chris Cammock said.

The rat-tat-tat of a snare drum echoed through the field. A pair of buglers played taps.

A Washington State Patrol honor guard stood at attention as they carefully folded the Stars and Stripes that covered Jackson’s casket.

“She lifted up the spirits of those she served,” Cammock said.

Born in Georgia, Jackson moved to Bellingham after high school.

Two years after becoming the county’s first animal control officer, she was sworn in as a deputy. She had a great rapport with her fellow deputies, had infectious laughter and a great smile, Lindquist said.

Jackson used to joke with other deputies. She would say when she grew up, she wanted to be just like them.

“When I grow up, I want to be just like her,” Lindquist told the crowd.

Jackson’s death is a tremendous loss to the department, Skagit County Sheriff Rick Grimstead said. “She will be greatly missed by all of us,” he said. “Rest in peace, our precious warrior.”

Jackson was the best the state of Washington has to offer, Gov. Chris Gregoire wrote in a statement read by Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste.

“She gave her life trying to help,” the governor wrote.

Jackson’s family asked that the community remember all the people who lost their lives last week, Cammock said. Other victims were Chester M. Rose, 58, of Alger; David Thomas Radcliffe, 57, and Gregory Neil Gillum, 38, both of Mount Vernon; Julie A. Binschus, 48, of Sedro-Woolley; and LeRoy Lange, 64, of Methow.

Detectives from a special team drawn from several Snohomish County police departments and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office continue to help with the massive investigation into the killings. Zamora also is charged with four counts of first-degree assault.

The somber ceremony was attended by Snohomish County police and sheriff’s officials and law enforcement from throughout the region, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz marched with the honor guard in the procession.

“It saddens me to have to attend another funeral,” he said.

Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick said he was upset to see a deputy lost to senseless violence.

“We all have to support this community and this family,” Lovick said.

Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.