JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and city officials held a special presentation Monday morning to honor an officer shot and injured in the line of duty in March 2023.
Councilman Ron Salem, Sheriff T.K. Waters and other officials surprised JSO Officer Malik Daricaud with a donation of $142,000 to pay off his and his family’s mortgage.
“Just extremely grateful,” Daricaud said. “I just can’t put into words how appreciative I am for this opportunity, and to have another burden that I don’t have to worry about anymore. Like I said, just can’t put into words how excited I am and just doing work to keep food on my family’s table and stuff like that.”
Press play above to watch the special presentation for Officer Daricaud
Daricaud was shot and injured while responding to an investigation at a home on Ridgeview Avenue. He was shot in the neck and suffered a spinal cord injury, which left him in a wheelchair.
“Officer Daricaud is living proof of what true bravery looks like and what it means to put service above self in the line of duty. Face to face with danger, he risked his life to protect our community,” Salem said.
After over 400 days in rehabilitation, Daricaud left Brooks Rehabilitation in April 2024.
“Just taking it one day at a time,” Daricaud said. “Still go to therapy every day, just to get working on getting back on my feet. So, actively walking and just still working with my doctors and to see how much progress I’ll get back.”
This was all made possible through a Fallen Officer Relief Fund, which is solely there to help families like Daricaud’s. FOP Lodge 5-30 President, Randy Reaves, said it’s helped close to 100 officers.
“This is huge, the biggest donation we’ve made to one of our officers,” Reaves said. “Obviously, it’s something that we would hope that we don’t have to do, but when this happened, the thought of this was in our mind and it took us a while to get there, but with a lot of help, we were able to do that.”
Moreover, Reaves said being able to help is an honor.
“When we have these extreme events like Malik went through, we want to be able to have an arm, a financial security that we can bring to these officers,” Reaves said. “Because the sacrifice that they give this community is, they’re never paid enough for it.”
RELATED | ‘I’m staying in the fight’: Jacksonville officer shot in March motivated to walk again, return to duty | ‘I didn’t know if we’d be here today’: JSO awards Purple Heart to officer shot in line of duty in 2023
Salem said paying off Daricaud’s mortgage is more than just a gesture. He said it also serves as a declaration of support to those who protect residents and their families.
“To Malik’s family, you have shown extraordinary strength through this journey, and we know each time Malik puts on that uniform, you carry the weight of worry,” Salem said. “Today we honor you, because heroes aren’t just the ones wearing the badge, they’re also the ones standing beside and behind him.”
Daricaud continues his journey forward with his wife and young son. He has a message for anyone going through challenges.
“Just don’t give up hope, just keep praying,” Daricaud said. “At the end of the day, there’s someone that depends on you. So, even if you know you’re just in the dumps or feeling low, just think to those loved ones. Think to those people that either have your back or that love you and things like that, will keep you going.”
In July 2024, Daricaud was honored with a Purple Heart medal, one of the most respected awards presented to service members wounded or killed in the line of duty.