Support strong two years since deputy slayed

WEST ORANGE COUNTY  There are some dedications that last a mere moment, but the dedications to slain Orange County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jonathan Scott Pine two years after his death might be stronger than ever.

His widow, Bridget, and children, Haley; Ryker; and Maddox, gathered with friends, family and community members for a vigil Feb. 11, the second anniversary of the day Benjamin Holtermann fatally shot Scott in the Westminster Landing subdivision of West Orange County. Pine had been a deputy for just three years when he worked the midnight shift and pursued a suspected car burglar on foot, ending in the shooting.

"Last night was an amazing event," Bridget said. "It showed our family how many people truly cared about my husband and still care about us two years later. It was very honoring to be able to have different people speak in his honor, and watching the candles light was amazing."

Haley, 8, had asked whether she could speak at this vigil on behalf of her father.

"I am so proud of her," Bridget said. "She sat down and wrote her own speech. What she talked about was how old she was when her daddy died and how old her brothers were ... and her dad was a lot of fun and he wrestled with them. I remember her saying, 'My dad's a cool dad.' She said, 'I know he's watching over me in heaven, and I think he's eating chocolate in heaven.'

A LASTING LEGACY

Also this week, the Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill bearing Scott's name, Senate Bill 7012, which would increase retirement benefits for families of officers and first responders who die on duty.

A press release on the bill notes Bridget is currently ineligible for benefits beyond Scott's three years on the force.

"We do not want the spouses of Florida’s fallen heroes to struggle to meet the basic needs of their children," said Senate President Andy Gardiner, of Orlando. "This legislation will help families like Officer Pine’s by replacing the monthly income lost when a loved one is killed in the line of duty. For those in the pension plan, this legislation increases the pension benefit to 100% of the monthly salary earned by the deceased family member. Those families whose loved one was a member of the investment plan will be able to convert those benefits to a monthly annuity that will serve to replace lost income in a similar manner."

The pension benefit now stands at 50% of the monthly salary. If this bill becomes law, families of first responders killed on duty after June 2013 would be able to opt into a survivor benefits investment program instead of receiving normal retirement benefits in the plan.

The Pines traveled to Tallahassee to witness the vote.

"It's so important to me and my family," Bridget said. "I feel like for what my husband and my family gave up, as well as other law-enforcement officers, it should be written as 100%. It is an injustice to these first responders that come and protect us when we are in need. The state should help us get access for the families."

Bridget remains hopeful the Florida House and Gov. Rick Scott will follow the lead of the Senate.

"This bill in my husband's name is going to change future people's lives that walk in my footsteps," she said. "So not only will it help me and my children, but it's going to help (others), which is so important, because my husband was all about helping others."

By next summer, there also will be two parks dedicated to Pine -- one in Westminster Landing and the other at the Dorman Property where the West Orange High relief school's stadium will be.

Contact Zak Kerr at [email protected].