DELAND, Fla. — The family of a man hit and killed by a DeLand police officer said they are outraged over a controversial fundraiser.
Some businesses in DeLand are taking a strong and potentially risky stance. Mirino's Deli, Tom's Pizza and other DeLand businesses put up fliers for a raffle. The winner takes home an AR-15 rifle.
"We stand behind JP," said Lloyd Petro, owner of Tom's Pizza.
"JP" is James Harris, the former DeLand police officer who ran over Marlon Brown as he took off from officers.
All proceeds go to Harris for any future legal costs stemming from the incident.
Graphic dashcam video shows his final moments before his May 8 death.
"We're sad for that. JP needs us and we'll come together for his defense," Petro said.
Petro said he's known Harris for decades and feels for the war veteran and his family.
"JP just wanted to serve. Like he served his country -- he wanted to serve his community and do his job," Petro said.
However, Brown's ex-wife, Krystal, said she felt victimized again when she saw the flier at Mirino's, which claims Brown jumped in front of the cruiser.
"He may be a cool, nice person, that may be true. That doesn't alleviate the fact what he did May 8 at 12:30 in the morning," Krystal Brown said. "I think that it's insulting now that we have seen the objective evidence. Now that we have seen the video that speaks the truth."
She said she finds the fundraiser insensitive.
"It's a slap in my face, (a) slap in the community's face," Krystal Brown said. "We're still fighting for justice."
The city of DeLand settled with the family for more than $500,000 to avoiding civil suits against the city.