JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A funeral service was held Saturday for retired Jacksonville sheriff’s officer Jerry Smoot who served his community for 53 years. 

Smoot’s family and loved ones all gathered to honor his life and legacy.

Smoot’s nephew, Benjamin Maltby, told First Coast News his uncle was a man he looked up to his whole life and even followed in his footsteps by joining the marines.

“He was honorable, courageous,” Maltby said. “Obviously serving that long with JSO, commitment. He knocked that one out the park.” 

Smoot was a huge fan of the Florida Gators and shared this passion with his whole family.

“Somebody asked him, ‘Do you wear anything but orange and blue?'” Maltby said. “And he said, ‘Yeah sometimes I wear blue and orange.’” 

The family dressed in Gator colors Saturday morning to honor his passion for his team. 

“He was successful,” Maltby added. “He didn’t invest in things, he invested in people.”