‘Heart of gold’: Who is Jason Raynor, the Daytona Beach police officer shot in the head?

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daytona Beach police announced Thursday afternoon that the officer shot in the head is 26-year-old Jason Raynor.

Raynor joined the department in February 2019. Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young described Raynor as an officer with a “heart of gold.” And if he pulls through, he will do return to the force as soon as possible and perform his duties “without an ounce of malice or hate.”

Before serving with Daytona Beach police, Raynor was a member of the Port Orange Police Department from October 2016 to February 2019.

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In a Facebook post, the Port Orange Police Department described Raynor as an “exemplary officer at our agency where he still maintains friendships with many of our current officers and staff.”

While employed with the Port Orange Police Department, Raynor received an award of achievement in December 2018 “where he and two other officers were able to successfully rescue a female who was attempting to jump off of the Dunlawton Bridge,” the police department said.

“Officer Raynor’s on the job accolades are surpassed only by his jovial spirit and genuine concern for his brothers and sisters and the communities he serves,” the police department said. “We join the Daytona Beach Police Department and the rest of law enforcement in Central Florida and across our state in prayers for Officer Raynor’s speedy recovery.”

LIVE UPDATES: Daytona Beach police officer shot in the head identified as 26-year-old Jason Raynor

Raynor is unmarried with no children, Young said. Raynor’s mother and sister have been at his side as he remains in critical condition in the hospital, Young said.

Young during the news conference called the shooting “completely senseless” and that Othal Wallace shot him in the head “with zero remorse.”

A multi-state manhunt is underway for Wallace. Anyone with information is asked to call 386-671-5555.

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