Friends remember JSO employee who was killed in DUI crash

Friends and family of Cathy Adams gathered Saturday at the Evangel Temple Assembly of God to celebrate her life.

"She was very sweet, very kind, you know, a wonderful mother and a wonderful wife,” said Mindy Laird.

Laird is a friend of the family and she works at the credit union where Jack and Cathy are members.

“She was a beautiful person and then, of course, Jack he’s a motorman, he works on the motor unit of JSO so he’s an awesome guy too,” said Laird.

Cathy, Jack and their son and daughter were coming back from a high school football game in Orlando when they were hit by a suspected drunken driver in December.

RELATED: FHP announces manslaughter charges for suspect accused of killing JSO employee, injuring officer

Cathy died as a result of the crash and Jack is still recovering. Their children were not seriously hurt.

Jack Adams spent weeks in the hospital until he was well enough to be discharged and start rehab.

Despite the tragedy that claimed Cathy’s life, Saturday morning was spent with friends and loved ones like Laird, pouring in to celebrate her life and to say one final goodbye.

RELATED: JSO bailiff hit by DUI driver has died, per Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

MORE: JSO employee, children hurt, wife killed by suspected drunk driver early Sunday

The parking lot was packed with JSO police cruisers and support from other law enforcement agencies around the state.

Laird tells us her own father was killed in the line of duty when he worked as a JSO police officer and she knows all too well that when there’s a death on the police force, it’s felt by everyone.

“We’ve all stayed family, whether you’re killed in the line of duty or not, you always stay family, you always stay together,” she said.

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