JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The procession escorting the body of JSO Corrections Officer, Brad McNew, Monday morning was one fit for a hero.
That’s how he is remembered by many within the walls of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. But those who knew Officer McNew behind the badge say he was a devoted husband, father, and friend.
Melissa Biltoc has known McNew’s widow, Elda, since their days in junior high school.
“Brad was an amazing person, Brad was selfless,” Biltoc said. “This act that he did was a selfless thing. He went to help this person who was being attacked, and that was just him.”
RELATED | JSO corrections officer fatally shot at truck stop honored with procession
McNew was shot early Saturday morning at the Love’s Truck Stop on Duval Road, just minutes after finishing his shift.
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said McNew intervened after witnessing the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Demaurea Grant, battering a woman. Moments after Grant and the woman got back in the car, Waters said he shot McNew. McNew later died at the hospital.
Biltoc said she went on to teach the McNew children in pre-school. The couple had a daughter, Elizabeth, and son, Liam. In September 2020, Elizabeth died from COVID-19 when she was just 12 years old. Biltoc said McNew was the ultimate proud father. One any child would dream of having.
“When he would come to pick up the kids, he’d be in uniform, and he was that dad who would sit down and talk with the kids and play with the kids,“ Biltoc said. ”That’s a great thing too, because when you have an officer who is like that, some kids are maybe scared of a police officer, but you know, that took that fear away and I think that’s an amazing thing to do.”
From his family at home to his law enforcement family at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, McNew is remembered as a leader.
His longtime colleague at the Duval County jail, Corrections Lieutenant Shawn Burkhalter, now wears a black stripe over his badge in his memory. Though he’s worn the black stripe in the past, he never imagined wearing one for someone he so admired.
“We’ve kind of gotten used to natural causes taking one of us from time to time, but we’d never thought that we’d see, definitely not one of our corrections officers murdered,” Lt. Burkhalter said. “It was a big shock to hear that. I couldn’t believe it. Didn’t know how to process it."
Watch the full interview with Lt. Burkhalter in the video below
Lt. Burkhalter said Officer McNew was all business when it came to doing the job. He remembers him as talkative, someone who could hold a good conversation and very passionate.
“He was very much into his fitness, and sometimes it was funny to see him outside,” Lt. Burkhalter said with a chuckle. “He was in the gym a lot, but then we’d catch him outside every now and then and he’d bang on that tire with that sledgehammer."
Lt. Burkhalter said Officer McNew was also open about his faith in God.
“It wasn’t something he minded talking about,“ Lt. Burkhalter said. ”Now, I like talking about it as well."
Faith is now helping Officer McNew’s family, friends, and colleagues through their shock and grief.
In a statement shared by JSO, Officer McNew’s widow, Elda, paid tribute to her husband.
“Brad has always been, since the moment he marched into my life, kind, close to God and happy!” Elda McNew shared. “Brad was almost kind to a fault, but he always had God on his side. Only the good die young,” she said.
During a candlelight vigil in Atlantic Beach Saturday, people spoke up and shared stories about Officer McNew.
“Liam shared stories about his dad, and Elda shared stories about Brad when they met, and just funny little things from college,” Biltoc explained. “Liam, he said, ‘You know, I’m just thankful that God let me have him, he was able to make it to my senior pictures, and he was able to be here for my birthday."
Given his passion for fitness, Lt. Burkhalter said plans are now underway to name the gymnasium inside the Duval County jail in honor of Officer McNew. Funeral preparations are underway.
A GoFundMe was created to support the McNew family.
