Fallen police officer in Florida was a dedicated Orleans County Jail employee

Jared Forsyth

ALBION – A police officer in Florida who died in a tragic accident on Monday worked nearly three years as a corrections officer at the Orleans County Jail.

That part-time job, often on the night shift, helped Jared Forsyth pursue his dream of becoming a police officer.

“He was friends with a lot of the staff and stayed in touch with them,” said Scott Wilson, superintendent of the jail.

The jail staff is in mourning after learning that Forsyth, 33, was killed Monday during a firearms training exercise in Ocala, Fla. Forsyth worked three years as a patrolman for the City of Ocala.

He was killed when another officer’s gun discharged as it was being unloaded at the end of the training session, The Buffalo News reported. The bullet ricocheted off a bench, went through Forsyth’s arm, damaged his lung and severed his aorta, according to the newspaper.

Forsyth was wearing a bulletproof vest, but there is no protective material under the arms, Ocala Police Chief Greg Graham told local reporters.

Forsyth, a Lockport native, worked at the county jail in Albion from December 2007 to September 2010.

“A lot of younger guys start here,” Wilson said. “It’s a foot in the door to a career in law enforcement.”

Wilson was lieutenant of the jail during that time and he sometimes worked the same shift with Forsyth.

“He was a dedicated employee who did a good job,” Wilson said. “There were never any discipline issues or complaints.”

Forsyth had a friendly demeanor and got along well with the other staff and the inmates, Wilson said.

The union representing the corrections officers plans to send a memorial in honor of Forsyth to his family.