Funeral held for fallen Daytona Beach Police Officer Jason Raynor
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The funeral for fallen police Officer Jason Raynor was held Monday morning in Daytona Beach.
On Tuesday, Aug. 17, The Daytona Beach Police Department announced that Officer Jason Raynor had died almost two months after being shot in the line of duty.
Officer Raynor, 26, was shot in the head on June 23 while responding to a call of suspicious activity.
A manhunt for the suspect, Othal Wallace, 29, went nationwide, with Wallace eventually being tracked down in a treehouse near Atlanta, Georgia days later.
Wallace was extradited back to Volusia County after the shooting and has remained behind bars.
Officer Raynor passed away at 8:09 p.m. at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach with his family by his side, according to a police department spokesman.
RELATED: Law enforcement, community leaders mourn Officer Jason Raynor's death
Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young released a statement about Officer Raynor's death.
He said, in part, "It is with an extremely heavy heart that I inform everyone that our beloved brother, Officer Jason Raynor, has passed away," Chief Young said. "The outpouring of love and support that all of you have shown to our police department and to Officer Raynor's family since he was severely injured has been nothing short of amazing."
An ‘End of Watch’ call was also given for Officer Jaynor on Tuesday evening.
On Thursday, a wreath was placed in front of Officer Raynor's patrol car during a ceremony. People from across the area lined up to pay their respects.
The memorial will stay up through the weekend for those who want to visit.
On Sunday, it was a somber day in Daytona Beach as hundreds paid their respects for Officer Raynor. A viewing was held that day for him.
FOX 35 wasn’t allowed inside but a Daytona Beach Police Department spokesman tells us Raynor’s casket was draped in an American flag with two honor guards standing next to it.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has also ordered that flags fly at half-staff at the Daytona Beach Police Department, the Volusia County Courthouse, and the City Hall of Daytona Beach from sunrise to sunset on Monday.
"Officer Raynor will be remembered for his selfless courage to protect the lives of others at the cost of his own," the Governor's Office said.
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Meanwhile, a private funeral service was held for Officer Raynor on Monday in Daytona Beach. A procession followed with hundreds lined up in Daytona Beach to pay their respect.
FOX 35 was there as hundreds of law enforcement officers arrived for the private funeral.
Speakers included Chief Jakari Young, along with a member of the Raynor family. Governor Ron DeSantis was reportedly in attendance along with other elected officials.
Following the service, Honor Guard performed a 21-gun salute and a flyover flew over the Ocean Center.
The service was then followed by a procession along International Speedway Boulevard where people lined up on the sidewalk to say goodbye.
"We’ve seen the pictures, we know what happened, and knowing he’s in there was just really hard," said Sherry Ferrell.
Miles of police cars followed behind the white hearse carrying Officer Raynor’s body.
Officer Raynor becomes the 10th DBPD officer to fall in the line of duty, according to the police department.
Prior to this, the last DBPD officer to lose his life from injuries sustained while on patrol was Kevin Fischer in 1998.
The last officer to pass away from injuries while on duty was Thomas Coulter in 2018 during a training exercise.
RELATED: State Attorney's Office says they are seeking death penalty against Othal Wallace
Meanwhile, the State Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday that they are seeking the death penalty against Wallace.
Othal Wallace appears before judge following upgraded murder charge
Othal Wallace appears before a judge as he now faces an upgraded murder charge following the passing of Daytona Beach Police Officer Jason Raynor. The State Attorney’s Office has already announced that they are pursuing the death penalty.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Officer Jason Raynor, the Daytona Beach Police Department, and all our brothers and sisters in law enforcement," said State Attorney R.J. Larizza. "We will proceed with our solemn mission to hold Officer Jason Raynor’s murderer accountable." He then added, "Justice equals accountability and justice demands the death penalty."
Wallace now faces a "First Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer" charge.
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