Corrections Officer Brad McNew, a 24-year veteran of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, was fatally shot on October 12, 2024, in Jacksonville, Florida. After completing his shift at the Montgomery Correctional Center on the Northside, McNew stopped at the Love's Travel Stop on Duval Road near Jacksonville International Airport. There, he intervened in a violent dispute between a man and a woman at one of the gas pumps.
When McNew, who was out of his uniform, asked if the woman was alright, the man walked towards him and pointed a gun. As the woman drove away with the man in the car, he leaned out the window and fired the fatal shot at McNew.
The incident led to a nationwide manhunt, which resulted in the arrest of Demaurea Grant, 29, in Gastonia, North Carolina, the following day. Grant was charged with murder and other related charges. The arrest was praised by Sheriff T.K. Waters, who emphasized the community's solidarity with those who act to protect others.
McNew's death has had a profound impact on his family, including his wife, Elda, and their son, Liam. The family had previously suffered the loss of their 12-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, in September 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Elda and Liam have been coping with their grief, with Liam finding solace in his role as a saxophone player in the Fletcher High School marching band.
Memorial services for Officer McNew were held on October 22, 2024, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Jacksonville. The services included a private viewing, a memorial mass, and a procession to Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Cemetery, where a 21-gun salute and a flyover were conducted in his honor. The community was invited to pay their respects by lining the sidewalks around the church.
McNew was remembered as a dedicated public servant and an active member of his community, particularly through his involvement in local church choirs. His colleagues and the community have come together to honor his memory and support his family during this difficult time.
