A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer faces criminal charges after allegedly stealing more than $14,000 in fraudulent overtime pay while spending time at the home of his supervisor, with whom he was having a romantic relationship.
Fraud Investigation Reveals Affair
Christian Madsen, a 31-year-old officer with 11 years of service, was arrested on February 25 following a three-week internal investigation. The probe began after coworkers submitted a tip about more than 200 erroneous overtime hours claimed by Madsen. Investigators discovered he submitted falsified overtime claims for various traffic assignments between December 2025 and February 2026, collecting over $14,000 in unauthorized pay. During the investigation, officials learned Madsen spent portions of his claimed overtime hours at the residence of Chief of Patrol Support Jaime Eason, one of his superiors.
𝐉𝐒𝐎 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝⁰Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters announced the arrest of a JSO police officer.
On Wednesday, Officer Christian Madsen was arrested on one count of Grand Theft, one count of Organized Fraud, and one count of Official Misconduct, all… pic.twitter.com/MOKMzrpf83
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) February 26, 2026
Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters confirmed Madsen and Eason maintained a romantic relationship, though the duration remained unclear. Waters emphasized that Eason was not responsible for approving Madsen’s timesheet and appeared unaware of the alleged fraud scheme. After what Waters described as a lengthy discussion in his office, Eason chose to resign from her position, which she had held since her promotion in 2022.
Accountability and Consequences
Madsen faces charges of grand theft, organized fraud, and official misconduct. The department suspended him immediately following his arrest and continues pursuing his termination. Waters stressed the department’s commitment to transparency, stating that collective accountability outweighs personal allegiance to employees who violate public trust. The sheriff noted Madsen discarded an 11-year career through his alleged actions. This case marks the second Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest this year. Officer Nicholas Hicks resigned and was arrested on January 6 for allegedly collecting over $2,600 for unworked hours between June and December 2025.
Pattern of Misconduct
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has confronted multiple integrity issues in recent months. Another officer narrowly avoided termination in July after surveillance video captured him striking a man during a traffic stop, though prosecutors cleared him in August. These incidents raise concerns about oversight and accountability within the department. The repeated cases of alleged misconduct and fraud highlight ongoing challenges in maintaining public trust and ensuring officers adhere to professional standards. Waters’s public statements demonstrate the department’s commitment to addressing violations, but the frequency of these incidents suggests systemic issues requiring attention beyond individual prosecutions.