Family, friends, and law enforcement officials gathered to pay their respects to Sergeant Michael Kunovich during his funeral service on Friday morning. The fallen St. Johns County sergeant received an emotional tribute from his son who asked him to be his “guardian angel.” CLICK TO READ SOURCE Images/Source: www.news4jax.com
Year: 2023
Community and Law Enforcement Honor St. Johns Sheriff’s Officer in End of Watch Ceremony
Hundreds of people, including officers from Florida and beyond, gathered at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns County to honor Sergeant Michael Kunovich, a veteran St. Johns County sheriff’s officer who collapsed and died on May 19 after a struggle with a suspect. Kunovich’s two sons talked about how proud they were of their father and how he always stressed the importance of not letting work consume one’s life. Officers from Hillsborough County, Sarasota, Winter Springs, Green Cove Springs, Flagler County, and other departments joined Kunovich’s colleagues for the service. The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Vergilio Aguilar Mendez, has…
Continue Reading
Women of Fort Mose Highlighted at The Waterworks on June 3
On June 3, Fort Mose Historic State Park and the Fort Mose Historical Society will host “The Courageous Women of Fort Mose” at The Waterworks. Attendees will be taken back in time through a reenactment in a theatrical setting, that tells the story of how the first leg of the Underground Railroad led to St. Augustine. The event features Dr. Dorothy Israel, Ms. Twila Hudson, and Harold “Red Bear” Lock, along with the Courageous Women of Fort Mose, who will recount the experiences of the women who settled and lived in the community of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de…
Continue Reading
Sheriff’s office releases more details on deadly encounter
St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick revealed new details about the death of Sergeant Michael Kunovich. Kunovich had interacted with Vergilio Aguilar Mendez, who has been charged with capital homicide and resisting arrest. Mendez is reportedly homeless and living in the country illegally. The new information explains why Kunovich and Aguila Mendez interacted. According to the Sheriff, Kunovich was interacting with Mendez after a report of trespassing. Kunovich attempted to conduct a patdown of Mendez, who refused to comply and tried to remove a knife from his pocket. A struggle followed, during which Mendez grabbed Kunovich’s taser. After handcuffing Mendez,…
Continue Reading