Franklin County, Ohio  ·  Marine Veteran  ·  Decorated Former Deputy  ·  Pastor

Michael "Jason" Meade

A life defined by service — to country, community, and congregation.

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Operation Iraqi Freedom Decorated Former Deputy Pastor
About

A Son of Franklin County
Built for Service

Michael "Jason" Meade is a United States Marine Corps veteran, decorated former Franklin County sheriff's deputy, ordained minister, and devoted family man from Central Ohio. His life's story is one of extraordinary commitment — to the nation he defended abroad, to the community he spent decades serving at home, and to the faith that anchors everything he does.

During his law-enforcement career, Jason served with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team and as part of the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Force — an elite unit established to apprehend dangerous offenders. Those who served alongside him have described him as someone who led from the front, whether during high-risk operations or while mentoring fellow deputies.

Beyond his public-safety career, he is a husband, father, and pastor — three roles he carries with the same seriousness of purpose. Friends and family know him as generous, grounded, and deeply committed to the people around him.

"Recognized and honored for his leadership to county and country, and changing the lives of residents and their families through his pastoral as well as law enforcement career."
— Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Resolution of Recognition · November 2018
Michael Jason Meade receiving an award in uniform
Documented Service

A Life Dedicated to Others

Military, civic, law enforcement, and legislative institutions have formally recognized Jason's service. The documents and awards below anchor the story in a public record of duty, leadership, and sacrifice.

Medal of Honor plaque awarded to Deputy Michael Meade by the Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association Medal of Honor Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal associated with Michael Jason Meade's military service Marine Corps Service Franklin County Board of Commissioners resolution recognizing Deputy Michael Jason Meade County Resolution
Archive

The Record Behind the Story

The photographs and clippings below are fragments from a life of service and sacrifice.

Jason Meade wearing military helmet and communications gear during service
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Newspaper clipping about welcomed heroes connected to Jason Meade service
Welcomed Heroes
Welcome home sign for Lima Company
Lima Company
Journey

Timeline of
Faithful Service

August 2000
Enlists — U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Completed basic training at Parris Island and infantry training at Camp Lejeune, then assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, stationed at Rickenbacker Air Base.
September 2003
Joins Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Began his law enforcement career, furthering leadership skills that would define his professional identity for decades to come.
2005
Deployed — Operation Iraqi Freedom
Reserve unit was activated and deployed to Iraq, where his company was engaged in some of the conflict's heaviest fighting. Served as a platoon sergeant in the Combined Action Platoon, personally responsible for training nearly 100 Iraqi National Guard soldiers at Camp Hit.
October 2005
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Awarded by the Secretary of the Navy for professional achievement, outstanding leadership, and conducting joint combat patrols that denied multiple enemy attacks on the camp.
November 2006
Basic Police Officer Training — Certified
Completed the 600-hour Basic Police Officer Training program at Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools, as prescribed by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission.
August 2008
Honorable Discharge — Sergeant, USMC
Received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps, earning a testimonial of Honest and Faithful Service.
November 2013
Ordained Minister & Elected Pastor
Became an ordained minister at Southwest Free Will Baptist Church. Within two months, was elected pastor of Rosedale Free Will Baptist Church — a congregation he has shepherded with dedication ever since.
December 2017
Officer of the Month — Crime Stoppers
Named Officer of the Month by the FOP Bryan Hurst/Tony Luzio Crime Stoppers program in recognition of outstanding service to the community.
November 2018
Medal of Honor — Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association
Awarded the Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism — voluntarily placing himself in imminent danger and acting above and beyond the call of duty at great personal risk.
November 2018
Franklin County Commissioner's Resolution of Recognition
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners passed a formal resolution recognizing Deputy Meade for his leadership and service to community and country, signed by all three commissioners.
November 2018
Knights of Columbus Public Service Award
Honored by the Knights of Columbus for continued devotion to God and country — as a United States Marine, a law enforcement officer, and a pastor to his congregation.
November 2018
Ohio House of Representatives Commendation
Congratulated by the 132nd General Assembly of Ohio under the sponsorship of Representative Laura Lanese, House District 23, and signed by Speaker Ryan Smith as one of Ohio's finest citizens.
December 2018
Franklin County Sheriff's Office Citation
Awarded an Office Citation by Sheriff Dallas Baldwin in recognition of efficient and valuable service to the office.
Jason Meade with Marines during military service
I
Soldier
Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Iraq War veteran. Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal recipient. A warrior who served in some of the heaviest combat of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Jason Meade wearing sheriff tactical gear
II
Servant
Decorated former SWAT deputy. Fugitive task-force veteran. DEA collaborator during his law-enforcement career. Medal of Honor recipient. Two decades of service to Franklin County marked by courage and distinction.
Jason Meade officiating a wedding ceremony
III
Shepherd
Ordained minister and pastor of Rosedale Free Will Baptist Church. A man of deep faith who serves his congregation with the same selflessness that has defined his life of service.
Recognition

Awards & Honors

Throughout his years of military, law-enforcement, and civic service, Jason has been recognized by institutions that documented his courage, leadership, and devotion to others.

Department of the Navy certificate for the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal awarded to Corporal Michael J. Meade Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal Ohio House of Representatives commendation for Deputy Michael Jason Meade Ohio House Commendation Franklin County Board of Commissioners resolution honoring Deputy Michael Jason Meade Franklin County Resolution Honorable discharge certificate for Sergeant Michael J. Meade from the United States Marine Corps Honorable Discharge
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
U.S. Department of the Navy · 2005
Awarded by the Secretary of the Navy for outstanding professional achievement as Platoon Sergeant during Operation Iraqi Freedom, including training Iraqi soldiers and leading combat patrols.
Medal of Honor
Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association · 2018
Awarded for extraordinary heroism — voluntarily placing himself in imminent danger and acting above and beyond the call of duty at great risk to his own life.
Commissioner's Resolution of Recognition
Franklin County Board of Commissioners · 2018
A formal resolution passed by all three Franklin County Commissioners honoring Deputy Meade for his leadership and service to community and country.
Ohio House of Representatives Commendation
132nd General Assembly of Ohio · 2018
Formally commended by the Ohio House of Representatives, sponsored by Representative Laura Lanese, and saluted as one of Ohio's finest citizens.
DEA Certificate of Appreciation
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration · Department of Justice
Recognized by the DEA Columbus District Office for outstanding contributions in the field of drug law enforcement.
Knights of Columbus Public Service Award
Knights of Columbus · November 2018
Honored for continued devotion to God and country as a United States Marine, law enforcement officer, and pastor at Rosedale Free Will Baptist Church.
Office Citation
Franklin County Sheriff's Office · December 2018
Awarded by Sheriff Dallas Baldwin in recognition of efficient and valuable service to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
Officer of the Month
FOP / Crime Stoppers · December 2017
Named Officer of the Month by the Bryan Hurst/Tony Luzio award program in appreciation for outstanding service to the community.
Honorable Discharge — USMC
United States Marine Corps · August 2008
Discharged as Sergeant with a testimonial of Honest and Faithful Service from the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
"You are a remarkable individual, combining civic concern and dedication with selfless initiative to become a dynamic leader in the area."
— Ohio House of Representatives, 132nd General Assembly · 2018
Welcome home collage showing Michael Jason Meade's military homecoming with family and community
Homecoming · Family · Service
Abby and Jason Meade together in a formal photo
A Life Built Together
Character

Family Man.
Faithful Leader.

Behind every award and every chapter of public service is a man who comes home to a family. Jason Meade is, at his core, a devoted husband and father. The same values that have driven his service — loyalty, sacrifice, and love — are what define him in the quiet moments at home.

Whether serving in high-risk law-enforcement assignments, preaching on Sunday morning, or coaching his kids, Jason brings his whole self to every role. Those who know him describe a man of rare integrity: someone who doesn't just talk about values, but lives them out every single day.

The photographs of his homecoming from Iraq tell the story better than words ever could — a community that lined the streets, a family that held banners, and a young father reunited with his daughter. That is Jason Meade: a man worth welcoming home.