TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried issued a statement Sunday afternoon addressing the death of Officer James McWhorter.
RELATED: Officer with Dept. of Agriculture killed in crash on I-95 in Yulee
Officer McWhorter, 31, tragically died Saturday night in a crash on I-95 in Nassau County.
“The Florida Department of Agriculture is devastated to learn of the passing of one of our own while on duty last night. Our hearts are with Officer McWhorter’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We are so grateful to him for his service to our state, and we owe him and his family a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid,” Commissioner Fried said.
STORY: JSO: Jax man stabbed in armed robbery
McWhorter was hired by the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement in January 2019 and sponsored through the law enforcement academy at the Florida Gateway College Public Safety Training Center, where he graduated and was certified in June 2019. He was stationed on I-95 in Nassau County where he was well-liked and respected by his peers.
“Officer McWhorter was an excellent officer and devoted to his family, co-workers and the public he served. We will miss him greatly and send our condolences to his family, friends and fellow officers during this difficult time,” said Colonel James Wiggins, director of the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement.
McWhorter is also described as a loving family man who loved helping people and was a great listener. He leaves behind a fiancée and four children.
©2022 Cox Media Group
