A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office corrections officer took the lead to restore the recently destroyed memorial to the victims of the Dollar General racially motivated shooting.
After her shifts at the jail downtown, Mary Malcom drives past the 2161 Kings Road store to get home, the Sheriff’s Office said in posting a tribute on its Facebook. A week ago she noticed the beautiful memorial that the community came together to build was now in shambles.
“She took it upon herself to rebuild what had been lost with the help of her husband and nine children,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “… She listened to what her heart pulled her to do.”
There’s now a new display of the three victims ― Anolt “AJ” Laguerre Jr., Angela Carr and Jerrald Gallion ― surrounded by crosses, flowers, American flags and white stones.
“Rebuilding, and healing our community here in Jacksonville,” Malcom posted on her Facebook with photos of the project. “Power of love over material loss. What was shattered is now stronger, held by glue of love. We didn’t just fix it, we loved it back to life. Broken peices often fit together to make something even more beautiful. It was worth the effort to mend, because it holds our story.”
As of 6 p.m. May 6, the Sheriff’s Office Facebook post had received 6,500 likes.
“Beautiful work Corrections Officer Malcom, not only on the memorial to those that were killed at DG but also with the work you are showing your children on how to serve your community well,” one commenter posted.
“This brought tears to my eyes,” another said. “Thank you Mrs Malcom for your hard work and your dedication to our community.”
“What a wonderful family! And parents teaching their kids that kind of love and respect for their lost neighbors… wonderful!” added another.
Malcom wasn’t alone in people stepping up to offer help.
“Thank you to her and everyone who contributed their time, money and resources,” a commenter posted. “This is what’s called community and we all have a hand at making ours better.”
As far as an update on the case, the Sheriff’s Office said it has not received any calls for service about what happened. From the look at the damage, it did not appear to be random.
Anyone with information in the case can contact the Sheriff’s Office at (904) 630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and be eligible for rewards at First Coast Crime Stoppers, call (866) 845-8477 (845-TIPS), text **8477 or email rewards@fccrimestoppers.com. Crime Stoppers recently increased its base reward to $5,000.
(This story has been updated with a minor adjustment.)
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jail officer leads the way for a resurrected Dollar General memorial
Reporting by Scott Butler, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
