Jacksonville, FL — The remains of fallen Jacksonville officer Lance Whitaker will be transported to a funeral home Thursday, and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is encouraging their members and the public to pay their respects by lining the route.
Whitaker- who was on the force 17 years- died during a single-vehicle crash on 295 at Alta Tuesday morning. He was responding to another crash as the time, and investigators believe weather was likely a factor, although the investigation is still ongoing.
JSO says he will be moved from the Medical Examiner to the Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home Thursday at 11AM. The route will be on Jefferson Street, from 8th Street down through Riverside Avenue. The escort will then turn right on Edison Avenue, left on Oak Street, and in to the back of the Funeral Home, which is on Park Street.
JSO motorcycle units will be providing an escort, and personnel have been asked to line the route with their patrol cars with lights on, to show respect. JSO says the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department also plans to have engines along the route, and officers from other local law enforcement agencies are welcome to participate.
Members of the public who want to line the route are being asked to stand in the sidewalks along either side of Riverside Avenue, between Jackson Street and Forest Street.
If you’re unable to attend, the Fraternal Order of Police 530 is also encouraging donations to Whitaker’s family.
Please donate to the Ofc. Lance Whitaker Fund at any @OfficialVyStar Credit Union to help his family in need. @JSOPIO Ofc. Whitaker died in a crash on Police Memorial Day responding to a call for service. @FCN2go @WOKVNews @wjxt4 @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/iYDMRvlesI
— FOP5-30 (@TheRealFOP530) May 16, 2018
#NeverForget7656 - #JSO Officer Lance Whitaker who died Monday morning in a traffic crash is survived by his 14 year old son Cade Whitaker. pic.twitter.com/Tvjzlz6jBN
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) May 16, 2018
Brothers & Sisters:
— Randy Wyse (@rwyse) May 16, 2018
Help raise money for the Whitaker family. Friday night at the Comedy Club, comedian Adam Ferrara will donate 50% of all police/ fire) ticket sales to the Whitaker family. This is for the 8:00pm show. Ferrara plays Chief Needles in the tv show Rescue Me. pic.twitter.com/WiYCoKVJQE