JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The public Tuesday paid their respects to a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office corrections officer who was killed at a truck stop 10 days ago on Jacksonville’s Northside.
Officer Brad McNew’s memorial mass took place at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Old St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville. The mass was followed by a procession to Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Cemetery where there was a 21-gun salute, a flyover, and other tributes.
Though Bob Baughman did not know McNew’s family, he felt compelled to put up a flag across from the church to show support.
“They’re putting themselves on the line for us. And here was a situation which it didn’t work out for the gentleman who was just trying to help,” Baughman. “So, it’s very important to show support, if not for the community, then for the family.”
The memorial events were open to the public, and the community was also invited to pay their respects by lining the sidewalks around the church. A viewing for family, friends, and JSO family was held Monday night.
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Rest easy, Officer McNew. We’ll take it from here.
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) October 23, 2024
Today, your #JSO paid respects to a fallen hero, Corrections Officer Brad McNew. From the Mass of Christian Burial to the cemetery service, the outpouring of support and love for McNew’s family, friends, and colleagues was… pic.twitter.com/mH5M1fSR0P
McNew, a 24-year veteran, leaves behind his wife, Elda, and son, Liam, and was very active with his parishes’ choirs, St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Jacksonville Beach, and St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Jacksonville. He also worked with the Fletcher High School Marching Band when he was off-duty.
Sheriff T.K. Waters says the department wants the officer’s family to know just how much McNew meant to the agency. He called McNew the “ultimate public servant.”
“They’re hurt at the loss of a friend, a fellow public servant and a family member quite frankly. We are more than just co-workers here. We step into a situation where we will defend this community with our lives if need be and he did that,” Waters said." He was off. He was in his T-shirt. He could have just let it go.”
Officer McNew is expected to be honored by the Jacksonville City Council with a special tribute resolution. It says in part: “Officer McNew was the epitome of a public servant; he was a loving husband, father and a man of strong faith; he was a proud resident of Atlantic Beach who volunteered his time to support his community and the Fletcher High School band, and he will be missed by all of those who knew him.”
Through this heartache comes a feeling of community togetherness. Baughman had a message to McNew’s loved ones.
“Have hope,” Baughman said with emotion in his voice. “Remember him and cherish those memories. Nobody lives forever.”
Police arrested the man accused of shooting McNew after a 24-hour manhunt that ended in North Carolina. He’s currently being held there without bond, awaiting extradition to Florida to face charges.
