Officer Colson spent formative years in Chichester area

People are also mourning the loss of another police officer shot and killed over the weekend in Maryland. Authorities announced that he was a casualty of friendly fire.

Today we're learning more about his life and his ties to our area.

FOX 29's Bill Anderson joined us from the newsroom with the details. Officer Jacai Colson was a police officer in Landover, Maryland but most of his formative years were spent in our area.

He was a young man in Delaware County described as always smiling. Now friends and family are wondering what led to their friend's seemingly senseless death.

28-year old Maryland police officer Jacai Colson was shot and killed outside a Landover police station Sunday afternoon as three men ambushed officers since that time those who knew him have been sharing the high quality individual that he was.

Officer Colson was serving in Maryland but had deep ties to the Philadelphia area. He grew up in Boothwyn, played basketball and football at Chichester High School and maintained several close friendships. School officials who knew him said the community lost a great young man

Officer Colson's commitment to serving others also originated in the Boothwyn Chichester area. His grandfather James was a 40-year veteran of the Chichester Police Department and friends say Officer Colson was inspired by his grandfather.

Jacai was described as a leader, a role model and a good friend and those who knew him are at a loss over why someone would take a life from someone who was already giving it to so many.

The investigation continues into exactly what led to the officers being ambushed and how much the friendly fire questions will impact this case moving forward.

Colson was a four-year veteran of the department, and was assigned to the Narcotics Enforcement Division. He was working undercover when the shooting happened. He would have celebrated his 29th birthday this week.