Thomas M. Jackson, 36, of Pensacola, Florida, is headed to federal prison for 135 months after plowing a motor vehicle into a uniformed officer at Naval Air Station Pensacola. The brutal 2016 attack left the officer battered with strained muscles and raw abrasions, all captured on gate surveillance that prosecutors say left no doubt about Jackson’s intent.
On March 2016, Jackson pulled up to the base’s main gate while on duty. The officer, responding to erratic driving and probable intoxication, ordered Jackson to shut off the engine and hand over the keys. Instead of complying, Jackson slammed the accelerator, ramming the officer with the vehicle before attempting to flee the scene.
“Our law enforcement officers strive to keep us all safe, while putting themselves at risk,” said United States Attorney Christopher P. Canova, who announced the sentence. “Those who seek to harm our officers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” The statement underscored the federal government’s zero-tolerance stance on attacks against uniformed personnel.
The investigation was led by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Naval Air Station Pensacola Police Department—agencies that don’t back down when service members or their protectors are targeted. Their joint probe built airtight evidence, including dash cam footage and eyewitness testimony, that sealed Jackson’s fate in court.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp prosecuted the case with precision, pushing for maximum consequences under federal statutes that treat assaults on law enforcement as aggravated offenses. The 135-month sentence—more than 11 years behind bars—sends a message: targeting a badge is a one-way ticket to hard time.
For public records related to the case, visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. Additional information is available from Amy Alexander, Public Information Officer, at (850) 216-3854 or amy.alexander@usdoj.gov.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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