Special to Seniors Today
On June 23 Daytona Beach Po- lice Officer Jayson Raynor started his shift just as he did for the past three years he had been with the department. Hours later he would be in Halifax Hospital fighting for his life from a gunshot wound in his head.
Many law enforcement, even from other states, joined in the manhunt for the suspect, Othal Wallace and were able to arrest him in Georgia and extradite him to Daytona Beach.
While there is a sense of relief the suspect has been captured, everyone is keeping the faith for the officer that was shot.
The entire community continues to pour out their love, concern, and prayers for Jason Raynor and his family. Several donation campaigns have been set up, businesses have donated to the department, there have been raffles and blood drives, and many businesses have taken turns donating lunch to the Daytona Beach Police Department to show their appreciation for the officers and their continued hard work.
Recently, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, South Daytona and Seniors Today newspaper donated lunch for the officers. Church Administrator, Tammy Liles was key in putting the lunch together. The department is near and dear to her heart since her son, Matthew Liles is an officer there. Seniors Today, which has been published for 30 years, is always community minded and ready to help our police departments and Sheriff’s Office.
However, you don’t have to be a business to help and show your support. There have been several fund raisers set up to help Jason Raynor and his family.
Here are some ways you can help:
Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said shortly after the shooting, “This officer is 26 years old—26 years old. Behind me (in the hospital) fighting for his life. Most of us are just starting to live at 26 years old. This particular cop, knowing him, if he were to pull through this, this cop would do everything in his power to get back on the job and continue serving the community. He would do so with zero hatred or malice in his heart.”