James Uthmeier honors Jared Bridegan widow for ‘Bexley’s boxes’

St. Johns County was the scene for Attorney General James Uthmeier teaming up with Sheriff Rob Hardwick to recognize “great sacrifice” in law enforcement. But this time, it wasn’t the cops being honored.

Uthmeier recognized a victim who turned tragedy into an opportunity to help people at their lowest points.

Widow Kirsten Bridegan “found in herself to put together a really creative idea,” Uthmeier said.

That idea: “Bexley’s boxes,” which contain toys and sippy cups for children who are dealing with law enforcement under trying circumstances, like Kirsten’s daughter Bexley was when her father Jared Bridegan was shot.

“Three years ago we lost the man who meant the most to us, and our lives felt a little chaotic,” Kirsten Bridegan said.

Her hope is that the boxes are “therapeutic” for those children facing unimaginable tragedy.

“My kids know way too many cops,” she added. “But hopefully that will scare them into being good people growing up.”

Jared Bridegan was ambushed while then-2-year-old Bexley watched from her car seat. She was taken to a police station, where she had no diapers or a sippy cup. These boxes emerged from that tragedy.

Uthmeier vows that all 67 counties will have them soon enough.

The AG told his own story about how his child fears cops, relating to the tragedy.

“I’ve got a 2-year-old at home and it’s funny. He associates the police with sirens and scary situations,” Uthmeier said.

“He’d do something wrong, I’d get onto him, and he’s like, ‘Oh, you know, the policemen going to come get me.’ And I would joke with him and say they might. And I realized the horror in his face. We worked with Florida Highway Patrol and they flashed their lights and he gets all nervous. But I realize I need to correct this right away. These guys are not scary. Like if you see a law enforcement officer, that should give you a sense of relief, of protection, of safeguard.”