Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I still miss you Jeff

Diane Dalessio
MSO retired

October 15, 2023

I wish I could have been there for him that day.I always carry my firearm but hope I never have to use it. I want to meet him in Heaven.

John Barry Miller
Barry miller crane operator

August 25, 2023

I never met Trooper Young, but my life was greatly impacted by his actions on the 2nd day as a trooper. As Trooper Young approached the toll booth at the Skyway Bridge, a toll person said they thinks there is a man going to try to jump off the bridge. Trooper Young went to the top to find a man standing on the ledge. After talking to the man and convincing him that his children needed him at home, Trooper Young helped my Dad come off that ledge and brought him home to us.

Thank you Trooper Young for your service. I am a life that was changed by your brave actions. Rest in peace.

Matthew LaRaviere
Friend

October 30, 2022

Thinking of you. Never forgotten.

Delaney

August 13, 2021

Thank you for your service and rest in peace always knowing that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 18, 2020

I knew jd an had passed his car just as he pulled over these killers honked an waved an drive on I was sick to my stomach an hour later when i heard he had been killed. I had my gun in my car with me an it sickened me that had i been driving just a little slower i could have been there to save him. It still haunts me. He was a great guy. To this day i carry a gun on me to never be in the right place wo a gun to save someone. R.i.p J. D

Jeff abelman

July 27, 2020

Trooper Young rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 6, 2019

I was a week into the academy when you were killed. I'm retired now after 30 years after the fact. Daniel Burns still sits on death row. We've elected a new governor now, hopefully, he has the balls sign the execution order.

Sergeant Floyd Elms (Retired)
Manatee County Sheriff's Office Bradenton Florida

December 26, 2018

Just drove over the J. D. Young bridge while on vacation. I hadn’t heard of this LODD previously, and it’s a shocking reminder of the dangers of the job. Rest In Peace and thank you for your service, brother.

H. Nadeau, LEO
USFS

April 20, 2018

Jeff profoundly impacted my life 43 years ago while we were both students at Sarasota Junior High School. He was the first born again Christian I had encountered, at least the first who made it a point of spreading the Gospel.
Jeff would stand on the benches near the cafeteria during lunch or wherever their was a crowd and preach and hand out tracts. While there were the inevitable few hecklers, many, like myself, would listen intently.
There was one other student, who claimed to be a satanist, who would get in heated arguments with Jeff, causing them both to be suspended, but Jeff would be back preaching, undeterred.
His love for Christ, his passion for spreading the gospel, his example, never left me. The seeds he planted took root in my heart and I came to accept the Lord and be born again, praise God!
I strive to live my life with the same passion for the lost that Jeff had. I think of him often. I know without a doubt that he heard the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant," when he went home to be with our Lord.
I look forward to seeing him again and thanking him for the role he played in my salvation.

Debbie Dayton
Former classmate

August 19, 2017

Rest in peace Trooper Young.

Steve Van Slyke, retired K9 Handler
El Cajon Police Department

August 18, 2017

To Mr. Young (father of Jeff) - I am so sorry I did not know about this event honoring Jeff. As you know Jeff and I went thru the FHP academy together and were good friends. Jeff and I drove back and forth from the FHP academy in Tallahassee and shared many a war story. I was working at the Sheriff's Department at the time when I heard about the call of an officer down. When I learned it was Jeff I was in shock. That night was one of the most difficult of my life. I constantly check the Department of Corrections website to see if Daniel Burns has been executed yet. Sadly he still lives. Every time I drive over the bridge named for Jeff, I always pause for a moment and reminisce about him and the great guy he was. RIP Jeff!

Retired Sgt. Chris Iorio
former Trooper and friend

August 18, 2017

It will be 30 years on August 18, 2017 and the community should flood the bridge with flowers on that day. Apparently, his murderer is still on death row.

I moved to Florida a few months after this happened. I have driven over the bridge everyday on my way to work in Tampa for 29 years and respect his dedicated service, as well as that of every other member of the FHP.

Stephen Durham
none, grateful member of the public to the FHP

July 21, 2017

I have driven over your bridge hundreds of times but today I noticed the sign. I decided to google it and found this page. I just wanted to thank you for your years of dedicated service. Your selflessness may have ended your life that day but your spirit lives on forever and I'll never forget you and I'll spread your story around for others to reflect and learn from. I now understand why they always have so many cop car for one car pulled over. I hope your family finds solace and peace.

Nadia
Grateful Citizen

July 4, 2016

I remember when the call came out that an officer was down. I was a new student sitting in a Law Enforcement class at Mañatee Vo-Tech, being taught by Sgt. Brad Steube,. He was a part of the Swàt team. He dismissed class immediately. Sgt, Steube, became the Sheriff years later. Àt that moment I hàd to make a life changing deçision. Do I continue to pursue a career in Law Enforcement or do I let a coward run me away? I decided to stay, àfter attending the funeral service of Trooper Jeffrey Young. I realized more thañ ever it was my calling and civil duty to make a different in my community añd not to allow the bad guy to win. Not knowiñg many years làter, I would have the opportuñity to train his niece ànd brother at Manatee Sheriff Office. I was taught to treat people the way you wanted to be treated and i found out through them and others that is how Jeff felt, there was good in everyone. Trooper Jeffrey Young sacrificed his life to make a difference and I personally will be forever grateful to him añd his family for their sacrifice. To this day, when i cross the bridge named in your hoñour, Trooper Jeffrey Youñg, it takes me back approx, 28 years. I say a prayer for you and your family, Thank you. Eternal Peace, Brother iñ Blue, until we meet again !!!

Deputy Lydia Copeland-McNeal {retired)
Manatee County Sheriff Office

August 11, 2015

I was a young patrol deputy just promoted to Detective. I was on my way home from buying my dress suits when I heard that Jeff had been shot and killed. I went to the scene and spent the remainder of the night on scene until the POS was apprehended. I-75 was packed with patrol cars and red & blue lights for as far as you could see.
I worked with Jeff at Manatee SO prior to him joining FHP.
I later found out that a close friend of mine stopped to help as he was shot. My friend was on his way to Tampa Airport. He was driving his 1960's Cadillac with a broken glove box and didn't carry his gun as he normally did, only because he was going to the airport. He ran to help Jeff, then saw Burns(def) get Jeff's firearm. My friend then ran to jeffs car and tried to get the shotgun out but was unsuccessful as he heard the single shot fired as Jeff was murdered. My friend then used the car radio to notify dispatch. He was not able to get Jeffs shotgun out of the holder.

Lt retired. New Detective at the time
Manatee Sheriff's Office, Fl

August 5, 2015

I was watching the 11:00 pm news when I learned of Jeff's death. I was in field training and had just finished my shift.
I met Jeff when he was a reservist with The Game Commission. Jeff and Grady Caffin would frequently stopped by our house at the Rusty Pot Ranch when they were out patrolling.
Although I am now retired after 28 years of service I still think of and remember what a kind, caring and easy going person Jeff was. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten Jeff you are a true HERO.

Officer Bud Johnson
Sarasota Police Department

May 31, 2015

Jeff, you are not forgotten. I remember your easy going manner when you and Larry would drop by the SAO after court to see Jerri. You'd use that time to catch up on reports between hearings, and you always had a smile and a genuine interest for those of us working in the office. You had a terrific work ethic and such professionalism.
Now-Judge Deno Economu speaks passionately about you and is unapologetic about the justice he doggedly pursued when prosecuting the man who choose to take you from us. Your legacy of selflessness and courage live on. He uses your decision to place others before self to drive home the real meaning of "defining moments."
I continued to serve law enforcement officers for my entire career, retiring just a few months ago. Next week, I will visit the American Law Enforcement Memorial while participating in the Brevard Law Ride. Although I've worked with other officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, yours is the first name I will look for on the memorial wall.
Jeff, you are still among us in the good and selfless decisions we try to make. One day we still meet again and I know you'll have a ready smile and we can have another great chat. Until then ...

Lee Ann Freeman, J.D.,
former ASA 12th Cir., retired Police Legal Advisor, Orlando P.D.

April 5, 2015

I never got to meet my uncle Jeff which really upsets me, after all I've heard about him I know we would've been close. Even though I never got to meet my uncle I will always feel that he is with me and my family.

Joseph Cullars
Great nephew

October 29, 2014

I went to a conference this fall in Florida. A judge addressed us on the ethics and rofessionslusm of ur profession. What he impressed upon us was that in his days as a prosecutor he handled the homicide prosecution of your cold blooded killer. He told us... Everyone has defining moments in their lives. Your killers defining moment was to kill. Trooper Young, yours, and your legacy SHALL show, was in the face of horror - you chose to protect and serve. You lived always with honor and bravery. Rest in peace. At your most defining moment, trooper Young, you acted with courage and bravery and honor and empathy. Defining moment indeed

Hillah Mendez, legal advisor
Hialeah PD

October 15, 2013

Jeff, so many years ago I stood on the short bridge just east of where you died holding spotlights helping search for your killer. I remember meeting you only a few weeks before when you stopped me for speeding and chewed my backside off for driving that fast in a Manatee County vehicle.

I was so shocked, saddened and angered when I heard of your death, and how and why your were murdered. It made me cry, and also made my blood boil. I was so sad standing on that bridge that night, praying they would find the thing that had taken the life of a such a person. You will never know how happy I was that he was found in the marsh, and you will never know how I prayed that he would try to resist arrest and be killed right there on the spot. But, I know that you weren't that type person, you believed in people to be honest and true, no matter if they were involved in drugs or not. You always believed that there was good in even the most evil. Alas, the person who took your life didn't have any good or even kind feelings at all in their soul.

I cry at your loss even today. You were a good and honest and decent person who harbored no ill feelings toward another person. You were never able to see your wife or child again. To be able to tell them that you loved them, and always would. You made sure you wore your vest each day, only to still loose your life. You were doing your job, and I feel honored to have known you in your position as a Florida Highway Patrol Officer.

I retired from Manatee County in 2005, and left Manatee County and moved to Alabama in 2006. I still think of Trooper Young to this day. I still remember the feeling of loss on the day Tpr Young died. I have been back to Bradenton several times and always remember the good things about Tpr Young when I cross the I-75 bridge between Ellenton and Bradenton, the Trooper J.D. Young Bridge. I feel honored and blessed to have known him.

William A. (Drew) Dobbins, Retired
Meter Service Supervisor
Manatee County Public Works
Easter, March 31, 2013

Police Communications Officer W Dobbins
Elba Police Department, Elba AL

March 31, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 26th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. I thank your family and friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

February 26, 2013

We will never forget the heroes who gave their all for us, and you sir are a hero. Continue to rest in peace Trooper Young.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

August 18, 2012

Jeff, it has been 25 years now and you have been in my thoughts ever since. It seems like yesterday when we were at the Academy in Tallahassee. I remember the times there and in Miami. I remember the day your transfer came in to Bradenton and we said our good-bye's and stay safe. That was the last time we spoke. Speak well of me up there... I might need the extra help... Until then my friend.

Master Corporal Gregory A. Cohn
Florida Highway Patrol - Saint Augustine

August 18, 2012

Little Brother:

It has been 25 years ago this August that you were taken from us.. There is not a day goes by that I do not think of you and my heart aches when I do... I think of the good times we had hunting and fishing and the "camp-outs" at Horse Creek. And when I reflect on those times, I cannot hold back the tears. I close my eyes and I can see you, standing there, with that sheepish grin on your face.. Jeff, they say that "time heals all wounds", but you are and always will be, an empty part in my heart and the emptiness and sadness will never go away.. I miss you and love you very much.

Big Brother.....

Sgt. Dave Smith
Manatee Sheriffs Office (Retired)

May 3, 2012