Jillian Hope Olson

Jillian was born on March 29, 1997, in Evanston, Illinois, and raised in Northbrook and Buffalo Grove, Illinois, where her adventurous spirit, determination, and love for family first took root.

From an early age, Jillian dreamed of moving south and serving in law enforcement. She attended Western Illinois University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration with minors in Political Science and Women’s Studies in 2019; and her Master of Science in College Student Personnel Services in 2021. After graduation, she followed her dreams of moving south and made Lexington, South Carolina, her home in 2021, along with her beloved dog, Pudge. She later welcomed Levi and Ziggy into her family and was a loving dog mom to all three until her passing.

Jillian was sworn in as a Lexington County Sheriff Deputy on June 14, 2021, by Sheriff Jay Koon. In 2023, Jillian received the Sheriff’s Tactical Operations Support Award, in recognition of her contributions to the department. Jillian joined the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Dive Team in May 2024. Her willingness to volunteer for specialized assignments reflected her dedication to serving both the department and her community above and beyond what was required for her position. She was promoted to Master Deputy of the Warrant Division in March 2025, and Jillian quickly established herself as a dependable leader who consistently sought ways to improve operations and support those around her. Jillian’s commitment to excellence continued to be recognized throughout her career. She was named the 2025 Outstanding Judicial Services Deputy by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Foundation in March of this year. This award recognized her exceptional initiative, leadership, and the lasting impact of the job tools she had created for fellow and future deputies of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Her contributions to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department will continue to benefit future deputies, and her dedication, character, and legacy will not be forgotten.

Outside of work, Jillian embraced life wholeheartedly. She loved spending time on the lake - paddleboarding, floating in the sunshine, and diving. She had recently celebrated her 100th dive, a milestone reflecting her adventurous spirit and love of exploring the underwater world. She was endlessly curious and determined. Jillian took immense pride in her home and eagerly tackled projects she had never done before - teaching herself new skills through research, persistence, and hard work. Whether it was installing ceiling fans, painting, completing electrical projects, or learning to cook, she believed almost anything could be learned with enough effort.

Jillian was known for her quick wit, infectious laugh, colorful vocabulary, and genuine honesty. She had a remarkable way of making people feel welcome and important. She was fiercely loyal, deeply compassionate, and always ready to help family, friends, coworkers, and anyone in need.

Her greatest joy came from the people she loved. She cherished her parents, siblings, grandparents, niece and nephew, friends, and her beloved dogs. She especially treasured being “Bebe” to her nephew, Lochlann, whose imaginative stories cast her as a hero capable of catching bad guys and rescuing creatures from volcanoes.

Jillian is survived by her loving parents, Jim and Molly Olson; her siblings, Corey Olson (Janedelie), Julia Wiegmann (Aaron), and Courtney Olson; her nephew Lochlann; her niece, Amelia; her grandparents John and Judy, and Ron and Mimi; her cherished dogs, Pudge, Levi, and Ziggy; and countless friends, fellow deputies, and loved ones whose lives are forever better because she was a part of them.

She will be remembered for her courage, humor, loyalty, adventurous spirit, and the extraordinary way she made every person in her life feel seen, valued, and loved.

Jillian will lie in state at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1430 North Lake Drive, Lexington, South Carolina 29072, on August 5, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place at St. Michael Lutheran Church Cemetery, 400 River Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29212, on August 5, 2026.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lexington County Sheriff's Foundation, PO Box 303, Lexington, SC 29071 or Lexington County Animal Shelter, 321 Ball Park Road, Lexington, SC 29072.