Deputy Sheriff James Louis Anderson, Jr.

In a statement provided to the St. Johns County local news desk at Historic City News, Sheriff David Shoar said “The men and women of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office are deeply saddened today over the death of one of our own; Deputy Sheriff James Louis Anderson, Jr.”

Historic City News reported earlier this morning that the deputy died from traumatic injuries sustained while driving his patrol car to work. Anderson was struck, head-on, by a driver of a Honda Element — going north in the southbound lanes of State Road 9A in Duval County.

Anderson was was air-lifted from the scene and later pronounced dead at Shands Hospital this morning.

Anderson is survived by his wife and four children; he was 44 years old.

Deputy Anderson served 20 years in The United States Marine Corps (1984-2004), and was employed with The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office prior to becoming a deputy for St. Johns County.

Anderson received the Lifesaving Award from Putnam County in 2006. Johnny Greenwood with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office provided a narrative of the recommendation for a Lifesaving Award — given to Deputy Anderson on 5/31/2006

On May 30, 2006, both Deputy Anderson and PSA Meetze were at the Interlachen Police Department using the computer service connection when Russell Stricker pulled up.

Mr. Stricker was displaying signs of distress; however, he has a trachea and was unable to verbally express his dilemma. PSA Meetze began communicating with the victim in writing and learned that he was having difficulty breathing.

Within minutes, Mr. Stricker’s condition worsened until he stopped breathing.

Deputy Anderson and PSA Meetze removed the victim from his vehicle and positioned him on the ground. PSA Meetze retrieved his CPR mask and gave it to Deputy Anderson who began giving the victim rescue breaths. Mr. Stricker was revived and stabilized until rescue arrived and transported him to Putnam Community Medical Center. Further, Deputy Anderson secured the vehicle the victim was driving and turned it over to the registered owner.

Through calm thinking and swift actions, Deputy Anderson and PSA Meetze showed their true professionalism and their dedication to the citizens of Putnam County.

Shoar was the sheriff who appointed Anderson his deputy in March of 2007 and the sheriff was at the hospital this morning when he released the news of Anderson’s death. Shoar commented, “I was honored to have served with him.”

Anderson was currently assigned as a Law Enforcement Deputy working in the Municipal Service District, within Ponte Vedra Beach.