PFC Jackson Russell is the Sully District Police Station’s 2024 Officer of the Year. He was honored at the March 12 meeting of the station’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC). His nomination was written by the station commander, Maj. Jane Russell (no relation to Jackson Russell).

"PFC Jackson Russell has served with the Fairfax County Police Department for over two years, all of which have been spent at the Sully District Station,” she wrote. “He is currently assigned to the Sully Midnights A-Squad. Known for his dedication and exceptional work ethic, Russell has consistently ranked among the top performers – both in the county and within the Sully District Station in 2024.”

She noted that, over the past year, he made 148 arrests, wrote 190 incident reports and issued 54 traffic citations. “PFC Russell aims to make an arrest during every shift he works, directly contributing to the community's safety by removing criminals from the streets,” she wrote.

Additionally, Maj. Russell praised PFC Russell’s extensive knowledge of the district, saying he often helps fellow officers identify suspects based on lookout alerts or bulletins for recent crimes. She also wrote that his “commitment and expertise align perfectly with the Police Department’s mission to combat and prevent crime.”

Maj. Russell then gave details of some of his noteworthy cases during the past year:

One happened during a temporary assignment with the Fairfax County Summer Crime Team, a proactive team formed to combat specific offenses in higher-crime areas. She said PFC Russell and his team observed a vehicle from which they believed people were dealing drugs.  

“After initiating a traffic stop, two occupants bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot,” Maj. Russell wrote. “PFC Russell announced a foot pursuit and found them hiding by a nearby building. The subjects were arrested, and a search incident to arrest led to the finding of a stolen loaded firearm, seven oxycodone pills and 139 M30 fentanyl pills. This case is just one example of PFC Russell’s dedication and hard work, making Fairfax County a safer place.”

In another case, while on a temporary assignment with the Sully Neighborhood Patrol Team, PFC Russell stopped a vehicle whose driver had committed a traffic violation in a known, narcotics location. “Officers observed furtive movements by the occupant of the vehicle, which led them to remove him from the car for their safety,” wrote Maj. Russell. “PFC Russell observed evidence of narcotics in plain view, and the subject was detained.  

“The suspect was questioned and admitted to having illegal narcotics – crack cocaine. A search incident to arrest led to the discovery of more narcotics. The suspect had oxycodone and morphine sulfate pills in his vehicle. Due to the suspicion of the suspect dealing narcotics, his phone was taken, and a search warrant was written to further the investigation.”

Maj. Russell wrote that another of PFC Russell’s many significant cases of 2024 came from a suspicious-vehicle call. He then found two such vehicles that had been reported by a community member. And instead of just asking their drivers to leave, he furthered his investigation by speaking with them.

While doing so, wrote Maj. Russell, “He observed signs of narcotics use. The suspects were then detained, and probable cause was established to arrest them. The subjects were discovered to be selling cocaine.”

Furthermore, she wrote, “PFC Russell located a semi-automatic rifle with a suppressor attached, in the rear of one of the vehicles. The owner of the firearm was charged with possession of a firearm with schedule 1 and 2 narcotics. PFC Russell took his time, investigated why the vehicles were at the location and took drugs, a gun and criminals off the street.”

All in all, said Maj. Russell, “PFC Russell's dedication is evident through these brief examples of the cases he’s been involved in. He is self-driven, demonstrates a strong work ethic, consistently brings a positive attitude to his duties, and embodies the qualities of an officer with the Fairfax County Police Department. For these reasons, the Sully District is honored to nominate PFC Jackson Russell for Officer of the Year.”