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Willie Taylor
Tommy and I were roommates at Camp Blanding for SWAT. We roomies for over ten years. Tommy did all the cooking and was always good. Tommy had this awkward gait when we ran, but it did not bother him. He could go on for ever. We doing low roll off the rappel tower at Camp Blanding. When Tommy slide to the edge to go over his harness came lose andTommy free fell 30 feet tothe ground. Said he was not hurt but Lt Farley made him go to the hospital. Came a fewhours later ready to go. He is Mr. SWAT! Love you boy! Carry on!
Shannon Desmond
Rest Easy Tommy, Brother in Blue 💙 🙏
Greg Strickland
I have known few men who truly gave 100 percent in every endeavor that undertook. Tom was a great, fearless police officer and a kind and giving human being. I will miss seeing him jogging down the Greenway! God Speed Tom!
Victoria English
Rest in peace, my friend and colleague.
Joe Collins
Tommy always was friendly to me and I enjoyed interacting while working. Tommy was a great man and person. RIP Tommy and may God Bless the Family 🙏❤️💙🙏🇺🇸🤛🏻✝️
T.C. & Marica Edwards
Our deepest condolences to the family. Tommy was an amazing coworker and friend.
John Turner
When my son, Chris, and I considered scuba diving. Tom came to our community pool with three sets of diving equipment! He had Chris and I using his diving equipment including teaching us how to clear our masks! It was an awesome experience. Chris was 12 at the time and his is now 43!!! Tom has a big heart and would help anyone! What a great man of God!!
jDClark and Christine Clark
Worked with Tom at JSO I was his training officer when he came on then we were divers together and on the same Squad Tom was a great office his whole career may rest in peace my brother
Gary Cobb
Rest in Peace my brother, until we meet again and may God Bless.
Mark Bowen
Tommy and I were on the SWAT team together for many years and worked together as Narcotics Detectives while at JSO. Tommy was a dedicated police officer and a good friend. Rest in peace sir.
James Little
A real trailblazer. When l took a break from digging a fire scene, Tom kept on going. So l would get up and try to keep up!
Ana Diaz
Sandy Gottlieb
As a fellow runner and Marine, we swooped stories from our military days as we ran. Becky and Tom were my first running friends when I joined the Galloway group. I found they both inspired everyone they met. We will miss you Tom and know you are running now in peace
Kathy Partridge
The world is a lesser place without Tom in it. A man devoted to his country and community. He loved Becky with his whole heart and those around them could see it. Tom was always willing to help me train for races and worked on my running skills. There were a few times in races Tom was ahead of me and as long as I could see his bright yellow shirt, I was keeping pace he trained me for. He will surely be missed.
Janet Morrison
With First Step, Tom, Becky and I spent many Saturday mornings running and walking with our friends. At times, Tom talked about some aspects of his career and his service to our Country. Many days he would wear the Red, White and Blue. However, his humble demeanor did not relay the breadth and the depth of his service to the USA, the community and our beautiful little island. Rest well friend. Your work is done. You are missed.
Marie Ackley
Tom will long be remembered as a wonderful man who would do anything for anyone and was an encouragement to all, always the first to jump in whenever help was needed. Tom had such a kind, generous, caring, courageous heart. He lived an amazing, rich life and will be deeply missed by many.
Holly Hamilton
So many great memories with Tom and the group. Always encouraging us and giving us tips. The miles he ran with us even when he didn’t need them. He swore by mustard. IYKYK I loved when he would tell us stories about his police investigations and running the Donna with a camera back in the beginning. I’m so thankful for those times. He is already missed.
Robbin Smith
Tom was a quiet inspirational leader. I remember a time when he would get home late from a work call and be up bright and early to help me and others train for our upcoming races. His kindness and compassion were always on display. His love for Becky was truly inspiring. Hugs and prayers to Becky and his family.
Lydia Frank
Mary Kay Armour
Tom was a true warrior and humanitarian. He was an inspiration to all. Kind and generous to everyone. Prayers to Becky and family.
Robyn Mejia
Tom was a great source of inspiration to me. My prayers go out to the family
Suzanne Maute
Tom was an inspiration to all in The First Step Group. He encouraged us every step of the way,to reach goals we thought unimaginable. He is solely misses. They dont make them like Tom anymore.
Katherine W Rogers
Thomas Edward White
2025-11-14
Thomas Edward White, 76 of Amelia Island, Florida passed away peacefully at home on Friday November 14th.
Tom was born on December 8,1948 in Portsmouth, Virginia to the late Jesse Lee White and Eunice Claire Hitchcock. Growing up in a military family he moved to New Mexico, California, Florida and settled in Corpus Christi, Texas where he graduated high school.
In 1968 he enlisted with the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. He was awarded numerous decorations and medals including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
He joined the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in 1975 and while working as a police officer he attended the University of North Florida graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1980. Tom was a patrolman for his first 12 years then became a detective in Intelligence. He was a member of the S.W.A.T. Team for 17 years, the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team for 20 years as a rescue diver and becoming a Certified Cave Diver on a team that could go anywhere in the world for underwater cave recovery. He assisted the State Fire Marshal’s Office with arson investigations, assisted with Organized Crime investigations, Terrorist investigations, received special training for Dignitary Protection, Domestic Violence, Narcotics and Hostage Negotiation. He received numerous letters for Meritorious Service as well as several “Officer of the Year” awards from his peers.
After 33 years he retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and after a short break went back to work as a police officer as campus police office at the University of North Florida in 2009 then the State Fire Marshalls Office retiring in 2019. While at the University of Forida he received a State of Florida “Life Saving Medal” and an award from the Student Government for “Exemplifying Excellence” for rescuing a motorist who drove her car into a pond. “Exemplifying Excellence” along with his name and date were permanently engraved in a paver brick at their entrance inside the campus.
Tom and Becky retired to Amelia Island Florida. It wasn’t long before he became involved with helping wherever he could. Neighbors quickly realized he would drop anything to help someone with just about anything. He volunteered at Baptist Medical Center Nassau, he became a “turtler” with the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, but his first love was being a mentor and running coach to anyone who wanted to complete a race, a marathon or just walk around the block. With his wife by his side, he aspired to run a marathon in every state, a dream they realized despite his developing health issues midway through their quest. His resilience and commitment inspired all who knew him, as he pressed on to complete marathons in all fifty states. Their journey was filled with unforgettable experiences and triumphs. His extraordinary determination was even recognized in medical journals.
He leaves behind his spouse of 25 years, Rebecca White; Children: Jaqueline (Eric) Card, Rachel (Lynwood) Joiner, Summer (Walt) Rivera; Grandchildren: Hunter Tittle, Jaden Rivera and Jasmine Rivera and Great-grandchild: Jade Evelynn.
Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach on Monday, November 24th at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service.
He will be laid to rest at the Jacksonville National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, www.ameliaislandseaturtlewatch.com, in memory of Tom.
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