BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County Deputy Jameson Wall has completed the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s basic training in Richmond, graduating Aug. 27 as a member of Class 572.

Wall has served with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office for more than a year and was already Peace Officer Professional Standards certified when he joined the department. His graduation marks the completion of the basic police academy training required for his law enforcement career.

A Lawrence County native and 2012 graduate of Raceland High School, Wall previously served four years on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps and currently serves in the Kentucky Army National Guard. He has also worked for the Department of Corrections and began training at the Lexington Metro Academy before a family matter interrupted it.

Wall’s path to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office began during the February 2025 flooding in Eastern Kentucky.

He was among National Guard members assisting Martin County residents and businesses during the disaster. He became acquainted with local residents, law enforcement officers and first responders while working in the county.

Wall said he mentioned during that time that he wanted to return to law enforcement and learned Sheriff John Kirk’s department needed additional help.

“After a short time passed, we had numerous conversations, and the end result was him hiring me as a deputy,” Wall said.

Since joining the department, Wall said he has developed a strong connection with Martin County and particularly values the opportunity to meet residents and help people during difficult circumstances.

“Sometimes as an officer, you meet people at some of the worst times of their lives,” Wall said. “They may be a victim of a crime, or they may be the perpetrator. No matter what the situation is, I always treat the individual fairly and try to encourage them to take a new path and rise above their past.”

Wall said officers do not always know whether their words or actions have made an impact, but they continue trying.

“An officer is still a person; under the uniform there’s still a heart,” he said.

A recent message to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office offered an example.

Johnson County resident Tiffany Auxier wrote to Sheriff Kirk about Wall’s actions late one night toward the end of May when her husband suffered a serious medical episode while driving on U.S. 460 in Johnson County after leaving a funeral home.

Her husband had their young son with him, and Auxier located them through the Life360 app. Believing at first that her husband might be suffering a heart attack, she was trying to get him to a hospital when Wall came upon the family.

“That is when Officer Jameson Wall came along, and I truly believe he was heaven-sent that night,” Auxier wrote.

Wall was off duty but stopped to help. Auxier said he made sure the family reached the hospital safely, parked her vehicle, brought her keys inside the emergency department and remained long enough to make sure the family was being cared for.

“His kindness and compassion during an incredibly frightening moment meant more to our family than I could ever put into words,” Auxier wrote.

Her husband is now recovering at University of Kentucky Hospital following open-heart surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm.

“Looking back to that evening in May, I am now even more grateful that Officer Wall chose to stop and help our family when he had no obligation to do so,” Auxier wrote.

She described Wall as an example of what it means to protect and serve, saying his actions went beyond his duties as a law enforcement officer.

“Our family is beyond thankful for him and for the care he showed us during one of the scariest nights of our life,” Auxier wrote. “We will never be able to fully repay him for what he did, and we want him to know just how much his kindness was appreciated.”

She ended her message simply: “Thank you, Officer Wall. You truly made a difference, and we will never forget it.”

Kirk said receiving such a message about one of his deputies was especially meaningful in a profession where officers often hear more complaints than compliments.

“Deputy Wall is still a young deputy who is gaining experience with every shift, and I believe that if he stays committed and dedicated to his decision to choose this line of work, he will make a fine police officer,” Kirk said.

The sheriff said residents have complimented Wall’s demeanor and the respect he shows others.

“The residents of the county have been complimentary of his demeanor and have told me he treats people with respect, and that is always nice to hear,” Kirk said.

With four months remaining in Kirk’s term, the sheriff said he hopes to continue helping Wall develop as an officer.

“I hope I can continue to play a part in him growing as an officer,” Kirk said. “I wish him the best after I am gone.”