Behind the Badge
Jackson Egg is accustomed to being a big man on campus. At 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, he literally stood out at the Orange County Sheriff’s Basic Academy. So much so, he was voted as the Honorary Class Sergeant for Class 257.
At the February 2024 Academy graduation, Egg was selected to march his class of 56 law enforcement recruits from nine agencies into the commencement ceremonies.
Santa Ana PD’s Jackson Egg, right, stands with his classmates at attention before the start of OC Sheriff’s Department Regional Training Academy Class of 257 Graduation Ceremony in January 2024.
Photo by Steven Georges
“It felt good that my classmates trusted me,” said the newly minted Patrol Officer for the Santa Ana Police Department. “It’s kind of like an honor to be selected to lead people. They believed in my leadership and trusted me to lead them.”
In addition to physically standing head and shoulders above the crowd, Egg was a part of a particularly strong class of Santa Ana recruits that also rose above the rank-and-file in the academy. Five of the six Santa Ana recruits, including Egg, ranked in the top 10 of the class.
Although Egg is still easy to spot in the crowd of fellow officers, he is no longer literally the biggest man on campus. That distinction goes to Jacob Hughes, a two-year patrol veteran who stretches out the tape at 7 feet.
The Santa Ana PD recently accommodated Hughes’, um, stature, by equipping him with a new Ford F-150 patrol unit, which the department noted on its Facebook page.
There is no word whether Egg will gain similar consideration. He says the subject has not come up and he is able to navigate his way in and around the department’s patrol cars and SUVs.
However, when off duty, Egg admits, “I drive a truck.”
Santa Ana PD’s officer, six foot-six inch Jackson Egg, adjusts to the job as one of its tallest officers.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
California does not have height requirements for candidates as long as they can complete the physical ability test.
However, in a profession where projecting strength and authority can be an important first line of contact with the public, size matters.
A study by the National Criminal Justice Reference Service found that police officers 5 feet 10 inches and taller were assaulted less, had fewer injuries, and fewer complaints against them.
Egg says since his youth he was always one if not the biggest kid in class, so it’s something he understands.
While size sometimes begets challenges, Egg says no one has tried to take him on yet in his patrol duties.
There have been many outsized officers through the years. From Matt Dillon in “Gunsmoke” and throughout history, the strapping law officer has been an archetype. In 1997, NBC reported that 7-foot-8 Norfolk sheriff’s deputy George Bell was recognized by Guinness World Records as the tallest man in the United States. Former Los Angeles Lakers big man Shaquille O’Neill also dons the occasional uniform for the Los Angeles Port Police.
Built to be an officer
His physical stature notwithstanding, Egg was born and raised for law enforcement. His father, John Egg is a 26-year veteran with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon. And at 6-foot-3 with a stocky build, he is an imposing figure himself. Although Egg says his dad did not push him into police work, “he was encouraging,”
Santa Ana PD’s Jackson Egg receives his badge from his family during the OC Sheriff’s Department Regional Training Academy Class of 257 Graduation Ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Egg said his father told him what the job requires and the kind of person it takes to succeed.
“It’s a calling, not just something you decide to do,” Egg said.
Jackson went on ride-alongs with his dad and learned about the profession. Although many sons of policemen naturally fall into the “family business,” joining Explorers and Cadets, Egg was an athlete in high school and had other pursuits.
He was a team captain on his high school football team at Forest Grove High, where he played offensive line.
Enlisting as a Marine, like his dad, only brought out more of his leadership attributes. Egg was a mortarman and promoted to section leader before concluding his service commitment.
In addition to finishing his education, Egg said he wanted a career with the kind of camaraderie he found as a Marine.
Police work was a natural fit, and from Camp Pendleton where Egg was stationed, he was able to check out Southern California agencies.
“When I was looking, I heard about the reputation and culture,” he said of SAPD. “After my first ride along, I knew this was where I wanted to be.”
Santa Ana PD’s Jackson Egg receives his badge from Chief Robert Rodriguez during the OC Sheriff’s Department Regional Training Academy Class of 257 Graduation Ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
So far the partnership has been perfect.
“I’ve been loving it,” said Egg, who just completed his probationary period. “I’ve learned a lot through the first six months. I had really good FTOs.”
However, he admits, “Being solo is a little nerve-wracking.”
Looking ahead, Egg says eventually he would like to work in investigations and be a field training officer (FTO).
Until then, he just hopes to learn and grow, figuratively. Now, if he could just find a ride with a little more leg room.
Santa Ana PD’s Officer Jackson Egg, second row/second from left, during an afternoon briefing at police headquarters.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Santa Ana PD’s Officer Jackson Egg who joined the department in January of 2024.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
