JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — On Tuesday Friends, family, and fellow law enforcement officers held a celebration of life for longtime Neptune Beach police officer Eddie Bounds at the Church of Eleven22.
But Bounds was more than a police officer. He was a husband, father, friend, mentor, and coach, just to name a few. He impacted many lives over the years.
Getting ready here at the Church of 1122 for the celebration of life for Neptune Beach Police Officer Eddie Bounds, who died after fighting COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/qcI4gWoAOq
— Stephanie Bennett (@StephanieANJax) August 31, 2021
”Last Saturday when he had passed it hit a lot of us hard. He was a very big part of the beach. Had been for all of his life,” Scott Hylton said.
Hylton was in Bounds’ circle longer than he can remember. He described Bounds as a remarkable public servant who believed in second chances.
”He helped a lot of people, kept a lot of people from getting in more trouble than they would have because he took an interest in them as a person,” Hylton added.
Hylton says Bounds’ death has allowed his tight-knit group from Fletcher High’s Class of ‘83 to stir up stories from the past, sharing fond memories and even some laughs.
Friends told Action News Jax that Bounds was a special person who had the ability to make everyone feel special.
Hylton’s heart goes out to the other seven local first responders who’ve reportedly died of COVID-19.
”The attitude in this country right now toward law enforcement is not what it needs to be. These people work hard for us and they don’t ask for much in return, in fact, they give way more, in the case of Eddie Bounds than his pay ever gave him. He was just a very good man. He will be missed.”
Hylton says the beaches lost a good one.
Bounds will be being carried to his final resting place at H. Warren Smith Cemetery in Jacksonville Beach.
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