Augustus "Gus" Jackson first appears in Season 5 as Constable "Slugger" Jackson, working for Station House Five who participates in the Toronto Constabulary baseball competition, played by Kristian Bruun. By Season 6, Jackson becomes a reoccurring character.
Character Arc
First considered to be a drunkard and a lout but a great baseball player, he is used as a pawn by the Station House Inspectors in an elaborate web of deceit, whereupon it is revealed that he is a lovable chap. Inspector Brackenreid offers him a spot at Station House Four.
Constable Jackson is a musician and plays the trumpet (ep.803), but he discovers he can't "sing a stitch" in Once Upon a Murdoch Christmas.
A young widower, Jackson loves Christmas and comes from a large family who celebrate Christmas in a big way: "We open our presents one by one. Given that there are eleven of us in the family, it does take some time, so we draw lots to see who gets to pick the first one. That takes up the first part of the morning... After we open all the presents, the entire family goes for a winter walk. Of course, it won't be the same without snow. And upon our return, we all break into my sister's fantastic plum pudding."
Jackson does not like Inspector Slorach's cabbage rolls (ep.801) nor Detective Watts' (large soft) pretzel. Jackson explains, "I'm not interested in anything unusual." (ep.1012) He and Watts become friends while teaming up to solve cases.
Augustus "Gus" Jackson is a compassionate, steadfast copper, and loyal friend throughout his time at Station House No. 4, whose life is cut short in the line of duty. He is missed by all who knew him and his portrait hangs on the bullpen wall of the Station House to this date.
Appearances and Mentions
Winston's Lost Night
- Jackson was on patrol when he spots Winston Churchill and his friend running from an Irish mob. He promptly arrests them for singing "Rule Britannia" and thus provoking the mob; He later releases them after the bars are closed with a warning against singing again.
Murdoch and the Cloud of Doom
Twisted Sisters
Crime and Punishment
The Murdoch Trap
Murdoch Ahoy
Republic of Murdoch
A Midnight Train to Kingston
Journey to the Centre of Toronto
Friday the 13th, 1901
Kung Fu Crabtree
Blast of Silence
The Death of Dr. Ogden
On the Waterfront Part 1
On the Waterfront Part 2
Glory Days
Murdoch Takes Manhattan
The Murdoch Appreciation Society
Artful Detective
Nolo Contendere
The Local Option
Raised On Robbery
- Inspector Brackenreid boasts that Jackson is the best in the Station House at reading the telegraph. Jackson does an admirable job at calling the football match over telegraph to the attendees in the Station eager to listen to the championship game, with Crabtree contributing commentary with some "color".
Cometh the Archer
Painted Ladies
A Murdog Mystery
The Missing
- Jackson was married: After closing the office door, he confides in Det. Watts, "Two years ago, I lost my wife. She passed away in my arms."
Mr. Murdoch's Neighbourhood
- Jackson reveals to medical student Anne Baxter that his wife died of dropsy. Soon, he tells her to call him Gus and a romance begins.
Hades Hath No Fury
Hell to Pay
- Along with Constables Higgins and George, Jackson is caught in an ambush, with all three constables being shot.
Up From Ashes
- Jackson was indeed killed in the ambush at the church. He is buried under the witness of Detective Murdoch and Detective Watts and is given a tribute at Station House No. 4 by George, Henry and Inspector Brackenreid at the end. His photograph hangs on the Station House bullpen wall.
Merlot Mysteries (Mention)
- When the Station House gets back to normal without Jackson, George shares with Murdoch, "sir,...I think he died doing something that he loved, serving a cause that he believed in, a cause that you and I continue to serve. I think he would have wanted that."
The Book of Jackson (Web Series)
A Merry Murdoch Christmas
Once Upon a Murdoch Christmas
Trivia
- Called "Kris" by his friends and colleagues, Kristian Bruun's full name is Charles Kristian Bonnycastle Bruun.
- While Kristian Bruun relishes being the one to provide comedic interludes with Constables Crabtree and Higgins, he would love to do a spin-off in the style of the Keystone Cops with the other constables, “We would do everything but catch a murderer – there’d be a whole lot of slapstick comedy!”
- Bruun claims he can really sing, unlike Constable Jackson.
- Remembering Constable Jackson link, cast of Murdoch Mysteries say goodbye to Constable “Slugger” Jackson and reflect on what star Kristian Bruun brought to the role.
Gallery
