I'd seen him driving thru our Village before that but wasn't introduced to him until I started volunteering with the South Jacksonville Celebration/Concert in the Cornfield in late June.
Tall in stature, South Jacksonville Police Officer Scot Fitzgerald stood above the other officers and wore a ready smile. I easily remembered his name because it's the same as my brother. He had a personality that put you immediately at ease.
There would be some nights, at Board meetings, when he would stop by. As he'd stand and talk with us, he'd stick his hands into the sides of his bullet-proof vest and rock, softly, from side to side. It was an endearing habit I came to associate with only him. I never notice another officer doing this. Just Scot.
The Saturday morning of our South Jacksonville Celebration Parade, Ed and I drove to a blocked-off side road to watch the entries go by. Officer Fitzgerald was at the end of that road, on duty, beyond the barricades.
We walked to stand beside his SUV with him. His very-pregnant wife, Dani, was there and their adorable little boy was mesmerized by the sights of the parade and excited at the thought of catching candy to put in his bag.
I'm not sure how it happened, but I started helping their son go out, bit by bit, into the road to pick up candy. We'd pick some up, put it in his bag, and then he'd run back to show his dad and mom. He had that look of wonderment that only children seem to express.
I recognized Dani. Her little sister, Sami, had been on our two back-to-back Turner Junior High State Championship Volleyball teams. The Suttles family were permanent fixtures in the stands back in 2009 & 2010. It really is a small world. It was great to see Dani and the family she had made with Scot.
We talked a few minutes about the baby. She was due soon and all three of them were excited to become a family of four.
Our interaction that morning was probably no more than a half an hour at most. But, as we walked away, I remember telling Ed how nice it was to see a young family together. Reminded me of the parades we used to take our kids to see as they were growing up. Those times with our children, when they're young, are so precious. I envied them the time they were sharing because I missed it so much.
I left thinking what a wonderful life they had. How lucky they were.
Some months passed and I was at Walmart one day and saw the Fitzgerald's walking toward me. They had their new baby girl in the cart. Their son was happily walking alongside.
We stopped and talked a few minutes. They introduced me to their daughter. I asked if their son had eaten all the parade candy yet and Scot laughed. He said he'd been eating it after the kids went to bed.
Typical dad stuff.
Heartwarming stuff.
The stuff that makes you smile as you walk away.
My interactions with Officer Fitzgerald were limited. But, in the little time I knew him, I figured out the type of person he was. Making people feel immediately comfortable in your presence isn't something we are all blessed with. Scot was.
When I would see him, even if it was only to wave, I would feel warmly about this man who was an incredibly loving husband and devoted father and I would feel confident about this man who was serving our Village as a member of our police department.
I last saw Scot on Tuesday when he stopped by our house to deliver my Board packet for a meeting this past Thursday.
We talked for a few moments. He was always happy to chat. Then he was off to deliver the rest of the packets to the other Trustees.
Normal, ordinary interaction.
I had no idea it was the last time we would share that simple part of life.
When I heard about the accident, all kinds of things ran thru my mind.
In my lifetime, I've only been told of one other accident which involved someone I knew. It will soon be three years since Leo and Morgan were killed.
While I didn't know Scot as well as Leo and Morgan, I can tell you the initial feeling is the same...no matter how close your relationship.
The inmediacy of the helplessness that overcomes you. The realization that life has forever changed. It is there. Front and center.
I've been praying. That's all you can do.
Praying for Scot, for Dani, and for their precious children.
Praying for both their families and all of their closest friends.
For our South Jacksonville family...I pray for Officer Fitzgerald's brothers and sisters within the police department as well as in the fire department and the first responders...everyone involved with the Village. I've never seen a closer-knit group of people.
This is, undeniably, an unspeakable tragedy.
Whether we knew Officer Fitzgerald or not, he gave his life in the line of duty for all of us.
The degrees of loss we feel will differ according to the impact he's had in our lives...the relationship he shared with us.
But, the bottom line is, he made the ultimate sacrifice for our Village.
We will never forget.
We will be forever grateful.
We will mourn this man, this officer, this example of what we all should strive to be.
Thank you is not enough.
There are no words for a loss such as this.
God Bless.
It is what it is.
p
