First Coast News: Kirsten Bridegan presented 'Back the Blue' award for Bexley Box initiative
The Bexley Box initiative honors Kirsten's late husband, Jared Bridegan, who was gunned down in Jacksonville Beach in 2022.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — It was a tearful yet celebratory occasion at the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Thursday morning.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier presented the widow of Jared Bridegan, Kirsten Bridegan, the 'Back the Blue Award' for her Bexley Box initiative.
The St. Augustine father of four was gunned down in Jacksonville Beach in 2022 in front of his and Kirsten Bridegan's oldest child, Bexley. Police described the shooting as a murder-for-hire plot.
Bexley spent hours at the Jacksonville Beach Police Department afterward, and officers had a few items to comfort her. So, in her husband and daughters' honor, Kirsten Bridegan began the Bridegan Foundation, which makes 'Bexley Boxes' for law enforcement offices across the country. In the boxes are comfort items like toys, diapers, formula and snacks to help children in traumatic situations.
The Florida attorney general's Back the Blue campaign highlights law enforcement officers, citizens and organizations who take "extraordinary steps to forge positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve."
Battling tears, Kirsten Bridegan said the award is a "huge honor," but explained that she doesn't see it as an award, but rather a testament to "every single person who has helped us on this journey."
"The Bexley Boxes and being able to help other kids who might be in a similar situation has really been therapeutic," Kirsten Bridegan said. "And when I am able to hear from other law enforcement about the children this has helped, that makes us want to keep doing it even more."
The Bridegan Foundation currently has 66 boxes in law enforcement offices across 17 states. Uthmeier said he is committed to getting a Bexley Box in every law enforcement office in Florida by the end of 2025.
On the legal side of things, the two charged in Jared's murder -- Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez -- are set to be back in Duval County court Friday; their trial starts in October.
Article and video can be found at First Coast News here.