Sentence closes criminal case in killing of Edgewater officer

A defendant has been sentenced to life in prison in the fatal shooting of off-duty Edgewater Police Officer David Jewell, according to a release published Wednesday by the Office of State Attorney R.J. Larizza. The sentence followed a no-contest plea to first-degree murder with a firearm, bringing a formal end to one of the most devastating cases tied to the Edgewater Police Department in recent memory.

The case stems from the killing of Jewell on Sept. 15, 2025, at a convenience store in Ormond-by-the-Sea. Authorities said Eduardo Labrada Machado was working a shift at the store when Jewell entered. Video surveillance, according to prosecutors, showed the defendant stepping outside, retrieving a jacket from the passenger side of his vehicle, then returning inside and opening fire on the officer at the front counter.

Details released by prosecutors

State attorneys said Jewell was shot repeatedly and died at the scene. The release states that after the officer fell, the gunman continued firing. Investigators said the defendant was arrested shortly after leaving the store. Prosecutors also said he later told detectives he had been having a “rough start” to his day and had thought about shooting Jewell during his drive to work.

The Volusia Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, and Assistant State Attorney Andrew Urbanak prosecuted it. Judge Elizabeth Blackburn accepted the plea and imposed the life sentence. State Attorney Larizza said the agreement ensures the defendant will never be released from prison while also sparing the victim’s family a lengthy trial.

Why it matters in Edgewater

Although the shooting happened outside city limits, the victim was an Edgewater police officer, making the outcome highly significant for local residents, city staff and law enforcement colleagues. Cases involving officers often reverberate well beyond the scene itself, especially in smaller communities where residents may know the people involved or feel the impact through local memorials, department staffing and public safety morale.

For Edgewater readers, the sentencing represents a major legal milestone after months of grief and public attention. It does not erase the loss, but it does provide a measure of finality in the criminal case. The prosecutor’s office said it hopes avoiding a prolonged trial process offers some peace to Jewell’s family.

No additional proceedings were described in the published release. Residents looking for official updates related to memorials or department observances would likely need to follow Edgewater Police Department or city channels separately. For now, the central development is clear: the defendant has been convicted through a plea and sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison.