Chief Derek Scott Asdot

In elementary school, his family moved to Middleburg, Florida where he attended Doctors Lake Elementary. He completed elementary school at Timucuan Elementary in Jacksonville. Derek attended S.P. Livingston, Eugene Butler, and Jefferson Davis Junior High School. He graduated from Forrest High School in 1992. During his middle and high school years, Derek played football, basketball and baseball, participated in track, diving, and bowling, and he proudly sang in the chorus.

After high school graduation, Derek attended Basic Training and U.S. Army Infantry School at FT Benning, GA. Upon completion, he was assigned as an infantryman for Alpha Company 5th Battalion, Eighty Seventh (5/87th) Infantry located in Fort Davis Panama.

As a member of the 5/87th, Derek served as an M-60 Machine Gunner for the 3rd Platoon, and earned Expert Rifle Marksmanship on multiple weapon systems. He also received training at the Jungle Operations Training Center, where he earned the status of Jungle Expert. Due to his exemplary technical, tactical, and physical abilities, he was hand-selected to become a member of the Protective Services Detail for the Commanding General of the United States Army South at Fort Clayton, Panama.

Never one to become complacent, Derek continued to challenge himself, earning his Air Assault Badge, qualify as a Sniper, and earned the coveted Airborne Ranger tab. These achievements are a true testament to Derek’s willingness to strive for greatness and persevere through the various challenges inherent in the pursuit of greatness. In addition to the above, while in Panama, Derek was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar.

Derek married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Angie Marvin in 1995. Afterward, Derek completed his tour of duty in Panama, returning in 1996 to Jacksonville, where they began their life. Derek served in the Army National Guard at Camp Blanding until 2000.

Derek and Angie welcomed their son, Jacob Derek Asdot, in December 2000, and their daughter, Ashley Savannah Asdot in December 2003.

Derek began his law enforcement career with the Duval County School Board Police Department in 1999. He joined the Green Cove Springs Police Department in 2002, working his way through the ranks as a Patrolman, Street Crimes Officer, Narcotics Detective with the Clay County Narcotics Task Force, Task Force Officer with the Jacksonville area Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, Patrol Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Assistant Chief of Police. In October 2017, Derek was appointed Chief of Police, after serving as Acting- Chief.

He earned his Associate in Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from St. Johns River Community College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College and earned his Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisville. He is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute Administrative Officers' Course, the F.B.I. National Academy (Class # 274), and numerous advanced and specialized training courses within the law enforcement field.

Throughout his career, Derek enjoyed many professional accomplishments, including serving as a DEA Task Force Officer out of the Jacksonville regional office and being named as Officer of the Year by the Florida Narcotics Officers’ Association in 2007.

In addition to his public service, Derek taught Police Administration at and sat on the board of St. John's River State College's Law Enforcement Academy.

Derek was an active member of the Green Cove Springs community, organizing, attending and assisting in countless events. He was proud of Green Cove Springs and its citizens, and they loved him. Derek was an outdoorsman and loved to fish, work out, hike, and be with his family.

Derek was fiercely loyal to and immensely proud of Angie, Jacob, and Ashley. He could frequently be found throwing a baseball or a football with Jacob, playing volleyball in the yard with Ashley, or on walks with his newest trainee, Hank. He loved attending their various sporting events and school functions, and he kept us all entertained with his professions of undying love for Angie in his annual anniversary and birthday Facebook posts to her.

After a valiant fight, on September 28, 2021, Derek died from complications resulting from COVID-19. He will forever be remembered as a great leader, an outstanding law enforcement officer, a patriot, and an inspiration to all who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife Angie, his son Jacob, and his daughter Ashley; his siblings Bryan McDonald, Dawn (McDonald) Allen, Michael McDonald, Mark Asdot, Kevin McDonald, and Tracey Asdot-Gaver; his father Charles Asdot, Jr.; several nieces and nephews; and an entire community who loved him.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the Asdot family.