CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Family, friends and local law enforcement on Wednesday honored the life and legacy of Green Cove Springs Police Chief Derek Asdot, who died Sept. 28 after contracting COVID-19 while on duty.
The funeral service began at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Blanding Boulevard in Orange Park. It was a line-of-duty death funeral with full honors.
“We’re here because although Derek was a big man, his personality and presence was even bigger,” said Cmdr. John Guzman with the Green Cove Springs Police Department. “He was so proud to be representing the men and women of the Green Cove Springs Police Department — a department that Derek loved, a department I saw him he shed blood, sweat and tears for, a department Derek wholeheartedly believed was just as good as any other department and a department he ultimately gave his life for.”
Family and friends remembered the man they could always count on to bring lessons, joy and laughter into their lives.
“Not only was he an outstanding dad, he was a wonderful husband to my mom, a protector to everyone, a friend, a smiling face, a leader,” said Asdot’s daughter, Ashley. “There’s no doubt he wanted to help each and every one of you accomplish your dreams and goals and help you become an outstanding person. He had the same mission for Green Cove and for, you know, his community, and he did that. He accomplished everything that he wanted to do, and he helped turn Green Cove into an amazing place.”
Following the funeral, there was a procession to escort Asdot’s body from the church to Jacksonville National Cemetery, where he was laid to rest surrounded by loved ones.
News4Jax records show Asdot was the 13th first responder in the area to die from COVID-19 complications.
According to the Police Department, Asdot was an Army veteran who joined the agency in 2002 and was named chief of police in 2017. Asdot was a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Southern Police Institute and held a master’s degree from the University of Louisville.
Asdot also served as a DEA task force officer and he served as a board member on the St. Johns State River Academy law enforcement board.
The Police Department said Asdot was “widely regarded as a progressive leader who spearheaded dynamic transformational changes” at the agency in a short period of time.
“The Chief will forever be remembered as a great leader, an outstanding law enforcement officer, a patriot, and an inspiration to all who knew him,” the Police Department wrote in a statement following his death. “He will be immensely missed. We ask for our community’s support and prayers as we navigate this great loss.”
Asdot is survived by his wife, Angie, his son, Jake, and his daughter, Ashley.