David Stephen Starrett, 59, of Orange Park, Florida passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2008 in Jacksonville, Florida after a courageous seven year battle against cancer. Funeral services will be held 10AM Tuesday, August 12, 2008 in the chapel at JACKSONVILLE MEMORY GARDENS FUNERAL HOME 111 Blanding Blvd. Orange Park, Florida with Dr. Tim Roberts officiating. Family will receive friends on Monday, (TODAY) from 5PM-7PM at the funeral home. David was born on January 13, 1949 and was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He entered the United States Army in 1969, serving a one year tour of duty in Vietnam as a member of the First Cavalry Division. After completing his three years of service to our country, he enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh, where he graduated in three and a half years with a degree in criminal justice. In May 1975, David began what would be his thirty one year career as a police officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. As a police officer, he served the Jacksonville community in many capacities including patrol, detective, aviation, and concluded his JSO career in community affairs where he was one of the first DARE instructors in Duval County. After retiring from JSO in June 2006, he continued working as a sworn bailiff at the Duval County Courthouse. David was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley Starrett, Sr., and Dorothy Starrett. He is survived by his wife, Miechell Duce Starrett; his son, Damon Starrett and his wife Karen of Kissimmee, Florida; step-son, Justin Duce of Orange Park; step-daughter, Danielle Duce of Orange Park; brother, Stanley Starrett, Jr., of Wimberley, Texas; Sister, Dorothy Seitz of Katy, Texas, Diane Schirm of Monroeville, Pennsylvania, and Linda Berthold of Tigard, Oregon; granddaughter, Katherine Grace Starrett of Kissimmee, Florida; and many other extended family, friends and fellow police officers; and his loyal labrador retriever Mocha. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial contribution to either Community Hospice Foundation at 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32257 or at www.communityhospice.com or the University of Florida Foundation, Inc- University of Florida Shands Cancer Center P.O. Box 100243, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0243 or at www. Ufscc.ufl.edu. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com

Published in the Florida Times-Union on Aug. 11, 2008