Jacksonville, FL – Phillip Hetzner is already planning what to say as master of ceremonies at his daughter’s wedding in August.
His only child, Madison, said she and her father were best friends.
“We bought him a leather-bound book, and obviously he’s been talking to all his friends, like ‘What should I say?’ Was really excited about writing it,” said Hetzner’s daughter.
Those plans were cut short in December. On the 4th, her father was found shot dead at Keystone Terminals, a business near Tallyrand. Investigators said the 67-year-old was found with an open wallet in his hand.
Last week, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released photos including a silver Honda, asking for help in identifying potential suspects in the shooting.
related: Jacksonville police seek help identifying potential suspect in murder investigation
“The person pictured is driving a Honda, visiting various businesses and trying to use the deceased victim’s credit card,” JSO wrote on Twitter.
He was caught on surveillance video at businesses along Beach Boulevard west of I-295 less than a half-hour after the shooting, police said.
Madison Herzner said: “It’s completely unnecessary and wrong, and my dad wasn’t a threatening person, and honestly, he probably would have given him his wallet.”
Her father was the treasurer of a private port. Generous, kind, inquisitive, adventurous and “truly brilliant” — words she used to describe her father.
She said he worked on his days off.
“That’s what he did, just paint one side of the building because he wanted it to look good,” says Madison Herzner. “He really takes pride in his work. He wants the port to look as good as possible.”
“I just want to know, why? Just, why?” she added. “I just don’t get it. Actually, when you killed my dad — you killed a best friend, you killed a father, you killed a brother.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and qualify for an award of up to $3,000, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
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