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Signal 34 Foundation raises money for family of Jacksonville corrections officer killed at truck stop

Officer Brad McNew was off-duty when he was shot and killed on Jacksonville’s Northside

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local organization founded by officers to support other officers injured in the line of duty is hosting a fundraiser Friday night to help the family of Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office corrections officer Brad McNew.

McNew, a 24-year veteran, was killed while off duty when he intervened in an argument that turned physical at a Love’s gas station on Duval Road. He saw a woman being assaulted and tried to help.

McNew 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.

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.

Signal 34 Foundation co-founder Kevin Munger, who personally knew McNew, said Friday‘s fundraiser at the American Legion Post 137 on San Juan Avenue is open to the public and McNew’s wife and son are expected to attend.

“We are just trying to be a bright spot in this dark place that has happened. This senseless tragedy that has occurred. We want to raise some money and put some people together,” said Munger, a sergeant who has worked with JSO for 22 years and often saw McNew while working out at the station’s gym. “Brad was a nice guy. A really nice guy. It was definitely a tragedy. Senseless. This could not have happened to a nicer person honestly.”

RELATED: ‘Kind to a fault’: Loved ones, colleagues remember murdered JSO corrections officer

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.”

Friday’s event will include T-shirt sales, a raffle and a silent auction. Visitors can pay $25 for barbecue dinner and an open bar, and live music will be from 6-10 p.m. by D’Marvin Band.

“Everything that we raise tonight will go to the family,” Munger said.

People who cannot make it to the event Friday can still donate to the fundraiser through the foundation’s Venmo account.

Munger said the Foundation doesn’t have a specific goal in mind because "no amount is good enough.“

“But whatever we do tonight, we will feel blessed. Whatever that is,” Munger said.

Since the foundation began eight years ago, it has helped more than 15 officers and their families.

The Signal 34 name comes from the call that an officer is down and in need of immediate help.

“It is the most serious signal that we have,” Munger said.


About the Authors
Brianna Andrews headshot

This native of the Big Apple joined the News4Jax team in July 2021.

Ashley Harding headshot

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She anchors News4Jax at 5:30 and 6:30 and covers Jacksonville city hall.

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