The entire Broward County community suffered a terrible loss with the death of Sheriff's Deputy Shannon Bennett. The 39-year-old died on April 3 after a two-week-long battle with the coronavirus.
The loss feels the hardest to Shannon's partner, Jonathan Frey. Jonathan was incredibly proud of Shannon for being an out and proud member of the police force. The couple had gotten engaged in December when Shannon got down on one knee at Disney World.
Shannon and Jonathan first met in 2013 while volunteering at an LGBTQ mental health center, Jonathan revealed to People magazine. They didn't start seeing each other until a year and a half ago. Shannon's dedication to serving his community in different ways was one of the reasons why Jonathan fell so hard for him.
Shannon, like many young people who have contracted the virus, was very healthy. His condition seemed to be improving before he took a turn for the worse. Now Jonathan is left to mourn his loss during a time of social distancing while also trying to keep Shannon's spirit alive.
Jonathan Frey is heartbroken after losing the love of his life. He met Broward County Sheriff’s Deputy Shannon Bennett in 2013 when both were volunteering at an LGBTQ mental health center. The two began dating a year and a half ago.
"I knew at that moment that we started dating, he was going to be my person," Jonathan told People magazine. "I knew it in my soul and in my heart. He was an amazing guy."
Shannon worked not only within the police force but also as a resource officer at Deerfield Beach Elementary School and as a local LGBTQ advocate.
"He always was supporting people and he was always at volunteer events," Jonathan noted. "He was selfless in that way, he loved to be able to help people."
The couple enjoyed a "very transparent" relationship. They looked forward to the future and having kids together. "One of the things that he cared most about was making sure that each of us was heard and that we knew exactly we were on the same page," Jonathan explained.
"There was never a moment where we were not on the same page."
Jonathan was still shocked when Shannon got down on one knee and proposed during a December trip to Disney World. "I had no idea that he was even thinking about proposing," he admitted.
"I was just so happy. It was in front of the castle. The castle was lit up. I saw him for what he wanted and everything that we had talked about flashed before my eyes."
"Like, this was the man who I wanted to spend my life with and he was saying the same thing to me," he continued.
"Again, we were on the same page … That memory for me is going to be something that lives on forever because [it] was like a perfect moment for me."
Jonathan and Shannon wasted no time and got to wedding planning right away. They were set to marry this December. "He knew that I wanted the ceremony and the wedding. He did everything in his power to make this special," Jonathan says.
"That was who he was. He was very much a person who made you feel special and would give you the shirt off his back."
In March, Shannon began to feel ill. Four days after he started feeling off, Jonathan drove him to the hospital. It would be the last time they saw each other.
"I never stepped a foot in the hospital. I dropped him out right in front and that’s the last time I saw him," he explained tearfully.
"My heart will always be heavy knowing that I wasn’t able to hold his hand, or be next to him, or even just be across the room so he could see me and know that I was there."
They weren't able to talk much while he was in the hospital. When they did, Shannon's focus was still Jonathan. "He said his chest hurt and that he loved me," he recalled.
"But even while he was in the hospital, one of his main priorities was just making sure I was okay. He would always text me, and see how I was doing, and how I felt … was I eating, did I get enough sleep."
Things looked like they were improving before they took a final turn for the worse. Shannon died on April 3, a week after he was admitted to the hospital. Shannon's death was difficult not only for Jonathan but also for the entire community touched by his endless sense of giving.
"He just wanted to be remembered as a fun-loving guy and somebody that was always here for people," Jonathan said. "He was going to be an amazing father, and it actually really pains me because Shannon talked about having a family very often and he never was given the opportunity."
Mourning during the time of social distancing has been incredibly difficult for Jonathan. He believes keeping Shannon's spirit alive is what's pushing him through.
"It’s been incredibly hard. I imagine this is going to be the hardest thing I ever have to deal with," he noted. "It’s coming in waves, and I’m taking it minute by minute. But, ultimately, I want Shannon’s story to be told … he was just so amazing. He was dynamic, and he was so full of life."
"I loved Shannon with every fiber of being. Just thinking about his life, his love, that’s what pulls me through," Jonathan says.
"I think about how he kept me safe here. It’s going to be the same thing up there. He’s going to keep me safe there, as well."
Jonathan is also hopeful that sharing Shannon's story will help people take the virus more seriously. "This is scary. I wasn’t able to see my fiancé, my future husband, before he passed away. That pain is going to stay with me forever," he noted.
"So, if there’s anything I can say about the virus, it’s that this is serious."
"This is real," he continued. "I don’t want anybody else to have to go through what I’m going through. In order to do that, we just have to remain vigilant and remain safe."
Shannon's colleagues honored him by lining the streets to salute his body on the way from the hospital to a local funeral home. "The BSO family always stands together, bound by the service we provide to others. We thank Deputy Bennett for his service, today and always. We will never forget your sacrifice," they shared.
