JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As the officers file in to the Jacksonville office of the Fraternal Order of Police, it is obvious that Officer Malik Daricaud is beloved by his brothers in blue. Though they have been there to cheer on his recovery, they were able to keep one secret from him.

“I am proud to announce through the FOP foundation we are making a donation of $142,000 so we can pay off Malik’s house, so they will be mortgage free,” announced FOP President Randy Reaves.

It’s a surprise that will change Daricaud’s life, one that was not certain nearly two years ago.  He was shot while trying to speak with a suspect who had run from a traffic stop days earlier.

Severely wounded, the husband and father of a young son, spent more than 400 days in the in-patient rehab at Brooks Rehabilitation learning to walk again. Then in April of 2024, he walked out of Brooks surrounded by his fellow officers. 

Reaves says this is the largest donation they have been able to make to an officer injured in the line of duty. 

“When this happened, the thought of this was in our mind and it took us a while to get there, but with a lot of help, we were able to do that,” he said. 

Even as Daricaud’s therapy continues, they wanted to make sure his family would always have their home.

“I think the best thing we can do is to make sure you guys are taken care of,” said Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters.

A gift Daricaud did not expect, but a reminder of how many are cheering him on through this journey.

“I can’t put into words how extremely grateful I am for this opportunity and to have another burden I don’t have to worry about anymore,” Daricaud said. “Just extremely grateful they have continued to support me and my family through this entire journey.”