JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville officer shot in the line of duty got the honor of a lifetime on Thursday.
JSO Officer Malik Daricaud was nearly killed last year. He was shot in the neck and is still recovering from a spinal cord injury.
On Thursday, he was honored with a Purple Heart medal, one of the most respected awards presented to service members wounded or killed in the of duty.
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters hosted the department’s monthly award ceremony to congratulate several members for their outstanding work.
“This morning I am honored to present Police Officer Malik Daricaud a Purple Heart medal. Recognizing the serious injuries he received while performing his official duties as a police officer,” Waters said.
Daricaud was met with thunderous applause and a standing ovation as he was awarded the medal.
Daricaud was shot in the line of duty in March 2023 while door-knocking on the home of a wanted suspect.
The 26-year-old father, husband, Navy veteran, Florida Air National Guard staff sergeant, and two-year veteran patrolman with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office walked out of Brooks Rehabilitation in April.
Daricaud is back working at JSO’s Real Time Crime Unit after nearly 400 days of rehabilitation.
“I was there that night at the hospital and quite honestly the prognosis was very bleak, and I didn’t know if we’d be here today. It’s amazing, it’s inspirational,” Waters said. “It’s good to have him back, cause we’re not going to take a police officer that has given everything that he has given to this community and just throw him away, we’re going to take care of him and make sure that we have a place for him to work.”
Even after the close call that almost killed him, Daricaud’s goal is to one day return to the line of duty if he gets the chance.
This time, decorated with a Purple Heart.