DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daytona Beach police Officer Jason Raynor was honored on Thursday during a special wreath-laying ceremony.
Officers from almost every department in Volusia County came to pay their respects to Raynor, who was just 26 years old when he took his last breath at Halifax Medical Center on Tuesday night, following a nearly two-month-long medical battle.
PHOTOS: Daytona Beach police Officer Jason Raynor honored with wreath-laying ceremony
“We are all having our moments, everyone is trying to be there for each other,” Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said. “We are literally holding each other up and we are doing our best to just make it through this.”
0 of 13
Othal Wallace, who is accused of shooting Raynor in the head, faced a judge on Wednesday on upgraded charges. Wallace now faces a first-degree murder charge and the death penalty.
READ: Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor dies after being shot in the head
Officers told Channel 9 that Wallace is part of several Black militia groups. Police said Wallace shot Raynor on June 23 and fled to Georgia, where he was captured at a compound belonging to a suspect militia group three days later.
As for Raynor, a procession of blue and red lights escorted his body from Halifax Medical Center to the medical examiner’s office on Tuesday night.
READ: State attorney to seek death penalty for man accused of fatally shooting Daytona Beach officer
Raynor’s mother, sister and father stayed by his side the entire 55 days he was hospitalized.
Friends described Raynor as someone dedicated not only to his job, but to serving his community.
READ: 10-7: Dispatcher reads ‘last call’ for fallen Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor
Raynor’s family was not here for the wreath-laying ceremony and throughout this has asked that their privacy be respected.
The department said it is still working on the details, but a viewing for Raynor could happen Sunday with a funeral on Monday.
>>> CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RAYNOR’S FAMILY <<<
©2021 Cox Media Group
