DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Florida’s Jason Raynor Act — named for a Daytona Beach police officer killed in the line of duty — is now law, requiring a life sentence without the possibility of parole for anyone convicted of manslaughter in the death of a law enforcement officer.
Quiet reminders of Officer Jason Raynor remain around the Daytona Beach Police Department five years after his death.
“One thing that we were very afraid of was that he was just going to be another name or another plaque on the wall that collected dust and really the community has shown us otherwise,” said Melissa Raynor, Jason’s sister.
[RELATED: DeSantis signs Jason Raynor Act]
Melissa and their father, Todd Raynor, have pushed for change in Jason’s name following a verdict the family felt was unjust.
“When I heard manslaughter and I heard 30 years, what went through my mind is my brother didn’t even get to live to 30 years old,” Melissa said.
On June 23, 2021, 26-year-old Raynor approached Othal Wallace to question him. Prosecutors said Wallace was driving a car similar to one reported stolen. The exchange turned physical within seconds — Wallace shot Raynor in the head and fled the scene. Wallace argued he was in fear for his life. He faced first-degree murder charges and the death penalty, but the jury returned a manslaughter conviction instead.
“You knew what you were doing, therefore you should be facing the charges that are related to the action that you did,” Melissa said.
Under the Jason Raynor Act, anyone convicted of manslaughter of a law enforcement officer in Florida now faces life in prison. Not everyone supports the measure, however. Attorney Tim Pribisco, who defended Wallace at trial, raised concerns about language in the act.
“Now we’re litigating over the definition of ‘sincere,’ now we’re litigating over the issue of what’s reasonable. Those are things that I think give way too much power to an officer who even by the cut of the law can be acting unlawfully,” Pribisco said.
“Is this a knee-jerk reaction based on sentiments that were against the verdict? My opinion is yes,” Pribisco said.
The Raynor family pushes back on that characterization, arguing the bill does not mean an automatic conviction. For them, the law is about protection — and a continuation of who Jason was.
“I can’t speak highly enough about who he was as an individual because of his fairness and just being able to look at things objectively,” said Todd Raynor.
The act took immediate effect upon being signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. For Todd, the grief has not eased with time.