Daytona Beach police establish scholarship fund in honor of officer killed in the line of duty

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Daytona Beach Police Department is using money raised after one of their officers was shot to establish a scholarship fund for future DBPD officers.

Officer Jason Raynor was shot in the line of duty in June and died from the injury two months later.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

READ: Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida hosting drive-thru college fair

According to the police department, hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised after Officer Raynor was shot to help support his family.

The family has since decided to use those funds to establish a scholarship in Officer Raynor’s name that will assist future sworn Daytona Beach police officers with their education and training.

READ: White House program will let private citizens sponsor resettling Afghans

“Our decision was based on Jason’s determination to enter into law enforcement academy training and other educational goals he accomplished in order to realize his dream of being a police officer without family assistance,” Raynor’s father Todd Raynor said in a statement. “Jason often worked two or three jobs at a time while also completing his studies. We felt it was appropriate to assist future Daytona Beach Police officers in a similar situation so they can focus on their career instead of having to worry about how to pay for it all.”

The scholarship will be used specifically for people who want to join the Daytona Beach Police Department and who graduate from an accredited law enforcement academy.

READ: Beep conducts first responder training on two types of self-driving shuttles in Orlando

“This generous gift ensures that this hero and his story will never be forgotten,” Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said. “We hope this will inspire future generations to wear our badge with pride and serve our community as bravely as Jason did.”

To apply for the Officer Jason Raynor Scholarship fund, contact the Daytona Beach Police Department recruiting office by sending an email to Recruiting@DBPD.us or calling (386) 671-5407.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Cox Media Group