Community raises money for fallen deputy's daughter

Fundraiser held at 2 Zaxby's for 6-year-old of Deputy Eric Oliver

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – The community continues to provide support for the family of a fallen Nassau County sheriff's deputy who was killed in the line of duty last month.

A fundraiser was held Wednesday night at two Zaxby's restaurants to raise money for the 6-year-old daughter of Deputy Eric Oliver, 32, who was killed Nov. 22 when he was struck by an SUV while chasing an undocumented worker across a highway.

Multiple law enforcement officials came to the fundraiser at the Zaxby's in Yulee to support their colleague's family, and there were several others whose lives were touched by Oliver. 

"He always gave me a hard time and I asked him why he always gave me a hard time and he told me that was his way of showing that he cared. That changed my life and he got me to get my life together and do something for myself," Brandon Jones said.

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Jones told News4Jax that he used to be in and out of the Nassau County Jail, but he hasn't been back thanks to Oliver.

"It hurt, honestly, because he was a great man and that's all he ever wanted to do was save people's lives. And one way or another, whether it was from them dying or from them messing up the rest of their lives," Jones said.

As Jones and his family paid their respects to the deputy Wednesday evening, they also shared an important message with their two young boys -- who both want to become deputies just like Oliver when they grow up.

"It's very important to let them know that they are here to protect and serve and make sure they are OK. And we want them to know what he did was a sacrifice to the community and for them," Angel Love said.

Also, the Eric James Oliver Memorial Trust has been set up at First Federal Bank of Florida, and all donations will go to a trust for Oliver's daughter.