NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. – The Neptune Beach City Council on Monday recognized the actions of a police officer, who served the beaches community for 42 years.
Eddie Bounds is remembered as a veteran officer in Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach. He officially retired from the Neptune Beach Police Department on June 3, but came back to work for the department as a civilian employee.
On Aug. 21, he died from complications related to COVID-19.
During its meeting Monday night, the city council issued a resolution, honoring Bounds and declaring a namesake roadway. The resolution reads in part of Bounds:
“An Officer that put his uniform, badge and gun on, day in and day out, to unselfishly protect the community he loved. An Officer that used his love for sports and unwavering love for his community and Fletcher High School as a gateway to connect, mentor and coach hundreds of children and student athletes. A Police Officer who was known and respected for performing his law enforcement duties with honor, integrity and compassion.”
In recognition of his service to the community, the resolution states that Seagate Avenue from A1A to Penman Road will be dedicated as “Officer Paul Eddie Bounds-Legacy Lane.”
Furthermore, a proclamation was signed, declaring June 3 as “Eddie Bounds Day.”
“WHEREAS, Officer Bounds’ untimely death on August 21, 2021, has left a void in the hearts of many, there is comfort knowing that Eddie’s legacy will never die,” the resolution notes.
It was an emotional ceremony, as his family accepted the proclamation in his memory.
“More than anything, I’m very proud of my husband,” said his wife, Janice. “The man he was, the life he lived. He was a great man.”
Commander Michael Key, with the Police Department, said it’s impossible to sum Bounds up in just one word.
“You really can’t,” he said. “He was everything to so many people.”
Bounds served for the beaches departments and school board police for more than 40 years and also coached baseball and football at Fletcher High School, mentored youth, helped feed homeless people and raised his family in the community he grew up in.