FOP to collect donations for wounded Jacksonville Officer, family

Jacksonville, FL — The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 530 is collecting donations for the family of Jacksonville Officer Jack Adams, who was critically injured in a crash while the family was driving home from the Mandarin football state championship game in Orlando.

Officer Adams' wife, Cathy Adams, died in the crash on I-95 near State Road 16 in St. Augustine.  The driver of another car, Kim Johnston, is charged with two counts of driving under the influence causing serious injuries. Bond was set at $100,000 during a Monday court appearance.

FOP Lodge 530 is hosting an event on Thursday where kids can get their pictures taken with Santa.  While the event is free, the FOP will collect financial donations for the family of Officer Adams.

“It’s so heartbreaking. He and his family really deserve so much better than this”, said Officer Shannon Hartley with the FOP Lodge 530.

“When I was a rookie officer he was more of a veteran and I was fortunate enough to land on a midnight squad working with him and seeing how he operated. Knowing he was a former Marine, you’re talking about a guy that was truly larger than life”, Hartley said.

You can make a donation during the Santa photo event at the FOP Lodge 530 on Thursday from 9:00 am - 11:00 am, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm and 4:00 - 6:00 pm at 5530 Beach Boulevard.

The FOP also operates a death benefit fund, and donations can be made directly to the family of Officer Adams.

“While they’re dealing with the emotional loss of a mother and a wife and they’re having to deal with the lack of income in the recovery of Officer Adams will likely be very significant”, Hartley said.

Hartley says Adams’ daughter was part of the cheerleading squad for Mandarin High School,and  the family had nearly made it home after the Class 8A championship game in Orlando late Saturday.  Mandarin won 37-35.

“You should be celebrating as a community. Such awesome heights for that program and here we are. She’s devastated”, Hartley said.

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