West Jefferson Police Department

05/30/2026

Assist in Locating Suspected Kidnapping Vehicle

On May 30, 2026, at approximately 12:09 a.m., our officers were dispatched to assist the Columbus Division of Police in locating a vehicle believed to be involved in a reported kidnapping incident within their jurisdiction.

Officers were provided with a vehicle description and an expected direction of travel toward West Jefferson. Shortly thereafter, Officer Youngblood located the suspect vehicle traveling westbound on W. Main St. near Taylor Blair Road.

Officer Youngblood, with the assistance of Officer Brison, conducted a felony traffic stop at W. Main St. and Eastgate Avenue. Multiple Columbus Police units responded to the scene and assisted. All occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody without incident, and Columbus Police are investigating.

This serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of strong mutual aid partnerships between law enforcement agencies. The ability to quickly share information, coordinate resources, and work together across jurisdictional boundaries allows agencies to respond effectively to critical incidents and enhances public safety throughout our region.

We are grateful for the efforts of dispatchers, all responding officers, and thankful that the situation concluded safely. We remain committed to supporting our law enforcement partners and protecting the communities we serve.

05/29/2026

🚔☀️ The “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” are here.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, teen traffic fatalities historically increase nationwide as more young drivers hit the road during summer break. Speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and not wearing seatbelts all contribute to these tragic crashes.

The West Jefferson Police Department is asking everyone — especially our young drivers — to make safe choices this summer:

✅ Buckle up every trip
📵 Put the phone away while driving
🚫 Never drive impaired
🐢 Slow down and follow speed limits
👥 Speak up if a friend is driving recklessly

Parents: Please take time to talk with your teens about safe driving habits before handing over the keys.

Together, we can help make this summer safe for everyone on our roads.

05/27/2026

🌧️ FLOOD SAFETY REMINDER 🌧️

With heavy rain in the forecast, the West Jefferson Police Department wants to remind everyone:

🚧 TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN 🚧

We are already experiencing heavy flooding in Madison County and surrounding areas.

Just 6 inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet, and 12 inches can carry away a vehicle. Never drive through flooded roadways — you may not know how deep the water is or if the road underneath has been damaged.

✅ Stay alert for road closure signs
✅ Avoid flooded areas and low-lying roads
✅ Slow down during heavy rain
✅ Give yourself extra travel time
✅ Report hazardous conditions if safe to do so

Your safety is our priority. Please use caution and help keep our community safe during severe weather.

05/26/2026

🐾🚓 K-9 Diego spent the day training and continuing to refine his detection skills related to locating discarded articles and criminal tools. Ongoing training is essential to maintaining and strengthening the abilities that make the team such a valuable asset in the field.

During investigations, it can be incredibly beneficial to deploy a police K-9 to help narrow down the location of evidence that may have been dropped, hidden, or thrown by suspects during or after the commission of a crime. Once Diego locates an article, he communicates its location through a trained alert, allowing the handler to identify and recover important evidence without disturbing the scene.

Training days help ensure K-9 Diego is always ready to assist our officers and community day and night.
🐕‍🦺💪


🚔🐾

05/25/2026

National Missing Children’s Day was established in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan following the disappearance and murder of six-year-old Etan Patz in New York City. Etan vanished on May 25, 1979, while walking to his school bus stop alone for the first time. His case brought national attention to the issue of missing children and helped inspire significant changes in child safety awareness and efforts to locate missing children across the country.

Today, on National Missing Children’s Day, the West Jefferson Police Department joins communities across the country in raising awareness about missing children and reaffirming our commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of every child.

This day serves as a reminder that even one missing child is too many. We encourage parents, guardians, educators, and community members to stay informed, maintain open communication with children, and discuss personal safety and awareness.

If you have information regarding a missing child or suspicious activity, report it immediately. Community awareness and vigilance can make a difference.

Please take a moment today to remember missing children and the families who continue searching for answers.

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice protects the freedoms we enjoy every day and will never be forgotten.

As we gather with family and friends this Memorial Day, let us take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of this day and pay tribute to our fallen heroes and the families who carry their legacy forward.

From all of us at the West Jefferson Police Department, we thank those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

05/25/2026

Over the holiday weekend, our K-9 Unit remained proactive in helping keep our community safe as officers continued serving around the clock.

On Saturday, May 23rd, Officer Salem observed a violation on Main St. and conducted a traffic stop on London Rd. During the stop, K-9 Diego was deployed for an open-air sniff and alerted to the odor of narcotics. A subsequent search led to the discovery of white powder and crystal-like substances suspected to be illicit drugs, along with drug-related instruments. Charges were filed on instruments and evidence will be submitted to BCI for analysis. Upon results, the remainder of the case will be presented to the Madison County Prosecutors Office for review.

We are especially grateful for the dedicated officers who spent their holiday weekend serving and protecting West Jeff. Their commitment, professionalism, and proactive efforts continue to make a difference and help keep our community safe every day.

05/22/2026

Today, we mourn alongside the Marion Police Department following the heartbreaking loss of retired K-9 Six. 🖤🐾

Chief Smith had the honor of training alongside Lieutenant Elliott and Six, with both teams beginning their journey through Storm Dogs in Sunbury. Together, Lt. Elliott and K-9 Six set an incredibly high standard for K-9 service in Ohio and represented the profession with excellence, dedication, and unwavering commitment.

The bond between a handler and K-9 partner is unlike any other, built through countless hours of training, trust, service, and sacrifice. K-9 Six was more than a partner; he was family.

On behalf of our department, we extend our deepest appreciation for K-9 Six’s years of service and offer our heartfelt prayers and support to Lieutenant Elliott and all those grieving this tremendous loss during this difficult time. 💙🙏

Run free, Six. Your watch has ended, but your legacy and impact will never be forgotten. 🌈🐕

🐾💙

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

☀️ As summer begins and temperatures rise, the West Jefferson Police Department would like to remind everyone to stay safe around water this season.

Whether you’re spending time at the pool, lake, river, or backyard water activities, a few simple precautions can save lives:

💧 Never leave children unattended near water
💧Designate a "water watcher." When everyone is watching, nobody is watching!
💧 Always wear a life jacket when boating or fishing
💧 Avoid swimming alone
💧 Stay hydrated and take breaks from the heat
💧 Keep an eye on changing weather conditions
💧 Never swim or operate watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Remember — drowning can happen quickly and quietly. Staying alert and prepared helps keep everyone safe while enjoying summer fun.

🚨Most fatal drownings happen in the presence of adults! Go here for more information about water watchers and why they are important: https://ndpa.org/designateawaterwatcher/

Have a safe and enjoyable summer from all of us at the West Jefferson Police Department! ☀️🚓