JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Officer Ed Krawczyk came to work at JSO Thursday, just like he had for the last 20 years. But shortly after 2 a.m. on Friday, his fellow officers couldn't reach him by radio.
A couple of hours later, police say, he was found dead in his patrol car outside police headquarters, the victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Family friend Bonnie Smedley said, "He was having a really difficult time, a lot of pain. But he was battling it."
She said she knew Officer Krawczyk had been battling cancer, but she was surprised and saddened to hear that he had taken his own life.
"I've never really seen him down in the dumps," she said.
JSO Undersheriff Dwain Senterfitt said, "He has been undergoing cancer treatment for years. He's been cleared and it came back and that kind of thing, so. "
Senterfitt was emotional when he said he knew Officer Krawczyk well. He was a highly respected K-9 officer. "It hurts," said Senterfitt.
Smedley said Officer Krawczyk had a loving family at JSO and at home. He leaves behind a wife, and three children. He was just 46 years old.
JSO says it sent officers to help comfort Krawczyk's family today. No word on funeral arrangements.
