Department continues to honor Officer David Jewell

The Edgewater Police Department is still working through the loss of Officer David Jewell, eight months after he was killed while off duty in Volusia County. In an interview reported by WESH, Police Chief Charles Geiger said the agency has leaned on one another while trying to support Jewell’s family, preserve his legacy and keep the department moving forward.

Jewell, 45, was described as a devoted husband, father and officer. According to the report, he was shot multiple times on Sept. 15, 2025, at a Circle K gas station in Ormond-by-the-Sea. Investigators said the 24-year-old suspect, who worked as a clerk at the store, told deputies he shot Jewell because he was having a bad day. The killing deeply affected Edgewater officers and marked the first time the department had experienced a loss like this, Geiger said.

Chief says culture of support matters

Geiger told WESH that grief has changed the department, but it has also brought officers closer together. He said the agency has tried to normalize conversations about trauma and emotional strain, promoting the message that “it’s OK not to be OK.” The chief said he makes a point of talking with officers in the mornings in a more personal way, hoping to reduce pressure and create space for honest conversations.

For Edgewater residents, the interview offers a rare look at how a small local department handles the aftermath of a tragedy that touched the wider community. Jewell’s death prompted vigils and public expressions of support across Volusia County, and the latest comments from Geiger show that the impact has not faded inside the department.

Court date is approaching

The case is also nearing another milestone. Court records cited in the report show the suspect is scheduled to enter a plea and be sentenced on May 18. That upcoming hearing may bring renewed attention and emotion for officers, Jewell’s loved ones and community members who have followed the case since last fall.

As that date approaches, Geiger said the department remains focused on remembering what Jewell meant to those around him. He said the pain is ongoing and that recovery is not simple, but honoring Jewell’s legacy remains central to how the agency is coping. The report also pointed first responders dealing with trauma or grief to UCF RESTORES for support.

For Edgewater readers, this is both a public-safety story and a community story. It highlights the lasting effects of violence on local officers and the people who serve alongside them, while also signaling that a significant court proceeding in the case is just days away.