The widow of a St. Johns County Microsoft executive who was gunned down in front of his daughter in 2022 gave the keynote address Wednesday at a victims’ rights event.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier selected Jared Bridegan’s tireless widow, Kirsten Bridegan, to speak at the event in Tallahassee.
“Honored to be the keynote speaker at the Florida Victims’ Rights Week Ceremony,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “It was such a meaningful experience to speak to officers, victim advocates, lawmakers, and leaders who are working tirelessly for justice and healing.”
Jared Bridegan was driving home to St. Johns County from Jacksonville Beach in Feb. 2022 when he was murdered in front of their 2-year-old daughter Bexley.
The father-of-four’s former wife, Shanna Gardner, is now facing capital murder charges for conspiring to kill her ex-husband with her new spouse, Mario Fernandez, and triggerman Henry Tenon.
Tenon has pleaded guilty to shooting Bridegan, while Gardner and Fernandez have maintained their innocence.
Gardner and Bridegan were locked in a contentious fight over finances and the custody of their shared twins when the slaying took place.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Cmdr. George Harrigan accompanied Bridegan to the conference, and later lauded her resilience and activism in the face of tragedy.
“Kirsten Bridegan was keynote speaker and gave a powerful and emotional message,” Harrigan wrote on a social media post.Â
In a release, Uthmeier highlighted the commitment of those dedicated to easing the trauma shouldered by victims of serious crimes.
“I’m honored to recognize several outstanding law enforcement officers and victim advocates who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help victims of crime,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Through their vital, selfless work, they are assisting victims and their families through their darkest days, as well as helping us make our home safe, strong, and free.”
The following law enforcement officers received the Attorney General’s Distinguished Victim Services Award:
- Detective Andrew Arteaga, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
- Officer Shawn Crocker, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
- Detective Sergeant Shawn Galarza, Hernando County Sheriff’s Office
The following victim advocates received the Attorney General’s Distinguished Victim Services Award:
- Tiffany Petro, Indian Harbour Beach and Satellite Beach Police Departments
- City of Miami Police Department’s Victim Advocate Services Unit, Ana Rodriguez, Vida Abril, Sharon Marbury-Vester, Osmaira Llaneras, and Ronia Williams
- Hilda Sagastume and Nicole Charbonier, Coral Springs Police Department
