CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – The 2nd annual tournament in memory of David White was held on Saturday.
The Clay County detective who was shot and killed on the job a year and a half ago in Middleburg during a raid on a meth lab.
The purpose Saturday wasn't just honoring a fallen officer, it also provided emotional support to Detective White's family, co-workers and friends.
White's partner on the job explained how White's partner in life, his bride Jennifer, formed the David White Foundation to send scholarship recipients through police academy.
The foundation also provides money for the organization called COPS, which stands for Concerns of Police Survivors.
"COPS got me through my grief," said Charles Schinholser. "My son was killed and that's how I got involved."
This event included golf, a silent auction and food. The message was that a tragedy can be turned to triumph in the community.
"I never met Det. White personally, but I understand he was a great man and a great father," said Zach Cox, a David White Law Enforcement Scholarship Recipient. "I want to be that when I grow up and have a family and go on to pursue my career in law enforcement."
"I think it's incredible that Jennifer White, his wife, who's my dear friend, established this to honor his life, and to carry on his legacy of doing good for others, and supporting our community," said Rosie Baskett, a family friend.
"He lived a positive lifestyle and she wants that to live on through that type of event and bring the community together and things like this," said Det. Matt Hanlin, White's partner, "and to portray that and turn the negative event we had into something positive."
The turnout for the event included 62 golfers.
Proceeds from the tournament go to the Northeast Florida Chapter of COPS, which sends surviving family members of officers killed in the line of duty to retreats that provide counseling, and to the National Police Week Memorial in Washington, D.C.