Fallen Deputies
Deputy First Class Norman Lewis was killed in a motorcycle crash while participating in the search of the subject who had just murdered Lieutenant Debra Clayton, of the Orlando Police Department.
Lieutenant Clayton had been shot and killed when she encountered a wanted murder suspect in the parking lot of the Walmart on Princeton Street. After shooting her, the subject fled in a carjacked vehicle and shot at an Orange County deputy who located the vehicle. During the ensuing search, Deputy Lewis' motorcycle collided with a vehicle that turned in front of him at the intersection of Pine Hills Road and Balboa Drive.
The subject who murdered Lieutenant Clayton was captured on January 17th, 2017.
Deputy Lewis had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 11 years.
Lieutenant Clayton had been shot and killed when she encountered a wanted murder suspect in the parking lot of the Walmart on Princeton Street. After shooting her, the subject fled in a carjacked vehicle and shot at an Orange County deputy who located the vehicle. During the ensuing search, Deputy Lewis' motorcycle collided with a vehicle that turned in front of him at the intersection of Pine Hills Road and Balboa Drive.
The subject who murdered Lieutenant Clayton was captured on January 17th, 2017.
Deputy Lewis had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 11 years.
Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Pine was shot and killed while responding to reports of car break-ins in a gated community off of South Apopka Vineland Road.
When deputies arrived shortly after 11:00 pm one subject fled on foot. Deputies located the subject shortly after midnight near the intersection of South Apopka Vineland Road and Westminster Abby Boulevard. The man began to flee on foot again and then fired several shots, striking Deputy Pine.
The subject then ran a short distance away and committed suicide. Deputy Pine was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
The man's girlfriend, who was also at the scene, was arrested and held in connection with the incident. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison in January 2015.
Deputy Pine had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for two years. He is survived by his wife and three young children.
When deputies arrived shortly after 11:00 pm one subject fled on foot. Deputies located the subject shortly after midnight near the intersection of South Apopka Vineland Road and Westminster Abby Boulevard. The man began to flee on foot again and then fired several shots, striking Deputy Pine.
The subject then ran a short distance away and committed suicide. Deputy Pine was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
The man's girlfriend, who was also at the scene, was arrested and held in connection with the incident. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison in January 2015.
Deputy Pine had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for two years. He is survived by his wife and three young children.
Detective Michael Erickson suffered a fatal heart attack after responding to several high-stress calls, including an infant being shot in the face and a multiple homicide scene.
Detective Erickson was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 20 years. He was survived by his wife, four children, and five grandchildren.
Detective Erickson was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 20 years. He was survived by his wife, four children, and five grandchildren.
Deputy Sheriff Sebastian Diana died from complications of a bacterial infection he contracted while attempting to save an infant.
n February 26, 2006, Deputy Diana responded to a 911 call involving an 3-month-old child who wasn't breathing. He was the first deputy on scene and immediately began CPR, during which time he came in contact with the child's vomit.
As a result of his efforts he contracted a bacterial infection that caused him to suffer continued health issues that ultimately led to heart failure.
Deputy Diana was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.
n February 26, 2006, Deputy Diana responded to a 911 call involving an 3-month-old child who wasn't breathing. He was the first deputy on scene and immediately began CPR, during which time he came in contact with the child's vomit.
As a result of his efforts he contracted a bacterial infection that caused him to suffer continued health issues that ultimately led to heart failure.
Deputy Diana was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.
Deputy Sheriff Brandon Coates was shot and killed while making a traffic stop near the intersection of South Nashville Avenue and 45th Street at around 8:30 pm. Moments after radioing in the traffic stop 911 dispatchers received calls stating a deputy had been shot and received a description of the suspect's vehicle.
The vehicle was located at a nearby apartment complex. During the ensuing search for the suspect, the man's body was found suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputy Coates had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 4½ years and was assigned to the Tactical Anti-Crime Unit. He is survived by his wife, who also serves as a deputy with the agency, his mother and brother. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
The vehicle was located at a nearby apartment complex. During the ensuing search for the suspect, the man's body was found suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputy Coates had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 4½ years and was assigned to the Tactical Anti-Crime Unit. He is survived by his wife, who also serves as a deputy with the agency, his mother and brother. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Master Deputy Craig Heber suffered a fatal heart attack after responding to a home alarm earlier in the day.
Upon his arrival and examination of the home, he determined that the main water pipe had burst and flooded a portion of the home. After turning off the water valve he began to move furniture to dry areas of the home to prevent it from becoming damaged.
He collapsed a short time later.
Deputy Heber was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 28 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
Upon his arrival and examination of the home, he determined that the main water pipe had burst and flooded a portion of the home. After turning off the water valve he began to move furniture to dry areas of the home to prevent it from becoming damaged.
He collapsed a short time later.
Deputy Heber was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 28 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
Corrections Officer Mark Parker succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on January 10, 1984, in the Orange County Courthouse.
A suspect had gone to the courthouse with the intention of shooting a police officer who had given him a traffic ticket. The suspect entered a courtroom and exchanged gunfire with Deputy Harry Dalton, mortally wounding him. He then shot and killed Deputy Arnold Wilkerson in the courtroom and shot at the judge, but missed.
After exiting the courtroom he exchanged shots with another deputy in hallway. Officer Parker, who was unarmed, was caught in the crossfire while attempting to shield citizens in the hallway. He was left paralyzed from the chest down and required round-the-clock care for the remainder of his life.
The suspect was convicted of murder and executed in June of 2000. Officer Parker attended the execution.
Officer Parker had served with the Orange County Department of Corrections for only one year, and was 19 years old at the time of the shooting. He was later made an honorary deputy.
A suspect had gone to the courthouse with the intention of shooting a police officer who had given him a traffic ticket. The suspect entered a courtroom and exchanged gunfire with Deputy Harry Dalton, mortally wounding him. He then shot and killed Deputy Arnold Wilkerson in the courtroom and shot at the judge, but missed.
After exiting the courtroom he exchanged shots with another deputy in hallway. Officer Parker, who was unarmed, was caught in the crossfire while attempting to shield citizens in the hallway. He was left paralyzed from the chest down and required round-the-clock care for the remainder of his life.
The suspect was convicted of murder and executed in June of 2000. Officer Parker attended the execution.
Officer Parker had served with the Orange County Department of Corrections for only one year, and was 19 years old at the time of the shooting. He was later made an honorary deputy.
Deputy Michael Callin succumbed to injuries inflicted the previous day when he was intentionally struck by the driver of a vehicle while operating a radar.
Deputy Callin was standing under an overpass when he attempted to stop a speeding vehicle. The driver of the vehicle intentionally sped up and struck Deputy Callin and then fled the scene. Deputy Callin was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
The driver of the vehicle, who had been cited 14 times in the previous 2 years for driving with a suspended license, was located and arrested early the following morning. In 2007 he was sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Deputy Callin had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 4 years. He is survived by his wife, parents, and sister. His father also serves with the Orange County Sheriff's Office and his sister was in the academy at the time of his death.
Deputy Callin was standing under an overpass when he attempted to stop a speeding vehicle. The driver of the vehicle intentionally sped up and struck Deputy Callin and then fled the scene. Deputy Callin was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
The driver of the vehicle, who had been cited 14 times in the previous 2 years for driving with a suspended license, was located and arrested early the following morning. In 2007 he was sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Deputy Callin had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 4 years. He is survived by his wife, parents, and sister. His father also serves with the Orange County Sheriff's Office and his sister was in the academy at the time of his death.
Deputy Rocky Lemus succumbed to hepatitis C, which he had contracted years earlier while on duty. He had been diagnosed with the late stages of the disease in 2004.
He had been exposed to people infected with the disease during drunk driving enforcement activities. In addition, he had been bitten by a man infected with the disease when he responded to a domestic violence call.
Deputy Lemus had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 14 years. He is survived by is wife, son, daughter, parents, brother, sisters, nieces, and nephews.
He had been exposed to people infected with the disease during drunk driving enforcement activities. In addition, he had been bitten by a man infected with the disease when he responded to a domestic violence call.
Deputy Lemus had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 14 years. He is survived by is wife, son, daughter, parents, brother, sisters, nieces, and nephews.
Deputy Hollomon was killed after his cruiser struck a tractor trailer in an intersection. He was responding to assist an officer on a call involving drugs and firearms. He was trapped in the vehicle for several minutes after the crash, which occurred at 23:00 hours, before being freed by rescue personnel. He was airlifted to a local hospital where he died approximately three hours later from massive head injuries. He is survived by his father, a lieutenant with the sheriff's office.
Deputy James Weaver succumbed to injuries sustained the previous day.
He was struck by a car while directing traffic at the scene of a minor accident at Vineland Road and International Drive. The driver of the vehicle claimed that she did not see Deputy Weaver because of the flashing lights at the accident scene. Deputy Weaver was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he died.
Deputy Weaver had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 4 years, and had previously served with the Rockledge Police Department for 10 years.
He was struck by a car while directing traffic at the scene of a minor accident at Vineland Road and International Drive. The driver of the vehicle claimed that she did not see Deputy Weaver because of the flashing lights at the accident scene. Deputy Weaver was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he died.
Deputy Weaver had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 4 years, and had previously served with the Rockledge Police Department for 10 years.
Deputy Sheriff Grady Braddock was killed when a vehicle involved in a pursuit struck his patrol car. Deputy Braddock was responding to an officer needs assistance call for an officer from a local police agency who was chasing the vehicle.
Deputy Braddock was approaching the area when the suspect vehicle, traveling approximately 100 mph, broadsided his patrol car on the driver’s side. Deputy Braddock and the passenger in the suspect's vehicle were killed while the suspect suffered minor injuries.
Deputy Braddock was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for three years. He is survived by his wife and parents.
Deputy Braddock was approaching the area when the suspect vehicle, traveling approximately 100 mph, broadsided his patrol car on the driver’s side. Deputy Braddock and the passenger in the suspect's vehicle were killed while the suspect suffered minor injuries.
Deputy Braddock was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for three years. He is survived by his wife and parents.
Deputy John Creegan struck and killed by a vehicle being pursued by other officers. Deputy Creegan had just deployed stop sticks in order to stop a stolen truck, driven by an 18-year-old.The driver of the vehicle drove off the road, around two patrol car, and then intentionally struck Deputy Creegan.
As the driver continued to flee he was observed making obscene hand gestures at other deputies and laughing after he struck Deputy Creegan.
The driver was later shot by a pursuing deputy and ultimately crashed the truck. As a result of being shot, the suspect was paralyzed from the neck down, and died several years later.
Deputy Creegan was a U.S. Navy veteran. He had served with the Orange County Sheriff's for 1 year and had previously served with the Casselberry Police Department for 1 year. He is survived by his wife and three children.
As the driver continued to flee he was observed making obscene hand gestures at other deputies and laughing after he struck Deputy Creegan.
The driver was later shot by a pursuing deputy and ultimately crashed the truck. As a result of being shot, the suspect was paralyzed from the neck down, and died several years later.
Deputy Creegan was a U.S. Navy veteran. He had served with the Orange County Sheriff's for 1 year and had previously served with the Casselberry Police Department for 1 year. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Deputy Sheriff Harry Dalton died of injuries he received when he was shot at the Orange County Courthouse on January 10, 1984.
A suspect had gone to the courthouse with the intention of shooting a police officer who had given him a traffic ticket.
The suspect entered a courtroom and exchanged gunfire with Deputy Harry Dalton, mortally wounding him. He then shot and killed Deputy Arnold Wilkerson in the courtroom and shot at the judge, but missed.
After exiting the courtroom he exchanged shots with another deputy in hallway. Corrections Officer Mark Parker, who was unarmed, was caught in the crossfire while attempting to shield citizens in the hallway. He was left paralyzed from the chest down and required round-the-clock care for the remainder of his life, until succumbing to his wounds on March 19th, 2009.
The suspect was convicted of murder and executed in June of 2000. Officer Parker attended the execution.
Deputy Dalton is survived by his wife, three sons, and three daughters.
A suspect had gone to the courthouse with the intention of shooting a police officer who had given him a traffic ticket.
The suspect entered a courtroom and exchanged gunfire with Deputy Harry Dalton, mortally wounding him. He then shot and killed Deputy Arnold Wilkerson in the courtroom and shot at the judge, but missed.
After exiting the courtroom he exchanged shots with another deputy in hallway. Corrections Officer Mark Parker, who was unarmed, was caught in the crossfire while attempting to shield citizens in the hallway. He was left paralyzed from the chest down and required round-the-clock care for the remainder of his life, until succumbing to his wounds on March 19th, 2009.
The suspect was convicted of murder and executed in June of 2000. Officer Parker attended the execution.
Deputy Dalton is survived by his wife, three sons, and three daughters.
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Ingram was killed when he was struck by a drunk driver while assisting an accident victim.
He was assigned to the agency's motorcycle unit when he responded to an auto accident involving a drunk driver in the early hours of May 12th, 1990. While giving first aid to the intoxicated driver of the first incident, another drunk driver drove through the accident scene, striking Deputy Ingram and killing him instantly.
He is survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.
He was assigned to the agency's motorcycle unit when he responded to an auto accident involving a drunk driver in the early hours of May 12th, 1990. While giving first aid to the intoxicated driver of the first incident, another drunk driver drove through the accident scene, striking Deputy Ingram and killing him instantly.
He is survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.
Deputy Sheriff Frank Seton died after falling from a helicopter during a search for two suspects.
Deputy Seton was off duty when he heard a call of a deputy stopping five shooting suspects. After assisting the deputy arrest three of the suspects, he began searching a densely wooded area. He requested the helicopter lift him out of the area and over a flooded ditch. During the lift, he lost his grip and fell from the helicopter.
Deputy Seton was survived by his wife, also a deputy, and his daughter.
Deputy Seton was off duty when he heard a call of a deputy stopping five shooting suspects. After assisting the deputy arrest three of the suspects, he began searching a densely wooded area. He requested the helicopter lift him out of the area and over a flooded ditch. During the lift, he lost his grip and fell from the helicopter.
Deputy Seton was survived by his wife, also a deputy, and his daughter.
Deputy Sheriff Arnold Wilkerson was shot and killed while acting as a bailiff in the county courthouse. A suspect had gone to the courthouse with the intention of shooting a police officer who had given him a traffic ticket.
The suspect entered a courtroom and exchanged gunfire with Deputy Sheriff Harry Dalton, mortally wounding him. He then shot and killed Deputy Arnold Wilkerson in the courtroom and shot at the judge, but missed.
After exiting the courtroom he exchanged shots with another deputy in hallway. Corrections Officer Mark Parker, who was unarmed, was caught in the crossfire while attempting to shield citizens in the hallway. He was left paralyzed from the chest down and required round-the-clock care for the remainder of his life, until succumbing to his wounds on March 19th, 2009.
The suspect was convicted of murder and executed in June of 2000. Officer Parker attended the execution.
Deputy Wilkerson retired from the U.S. Navy prior to his service in law enforcement.
The suspect entered a courtroom and exchanged gunfire with Deputy Sheriff Harry Dalton, mortally wounding him. He then shot and killed Deputy Arnold Wilkerson in the courtroom and shot at the judge, but missed.
After exiting the courtroom he exchanged shots with another deputy in hallway. Corrections Officer Mark Parker, who was unarmed, was caught in the crossfire while attempting to shield citizens in the hallway. He was left paralyzed from the chest down and required round-the-clock care for the remainder of his life, until succumbing to his wounds on March 19th, 2009.
The suspect was convicted of murder and executed in June of 2000. Officer Parker attended the execution.
Deputy Wilkerson retired from the U.S. Navy prior to his service in law enforcement.
Deputy Samuel Parker succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident one month earlier.
The accident caused one of his feet to be severed. As he was being prepared for surgery the next month, he suffered a fatal heart attack.
Deputy Parker had previously served with the United States Marine Corps. He is survived by his wife and three children.
The accident caused one of his feet to be severed. As he was being prepared for surgery the next month, he suffered a fatal heart attack.
Deputy Parker had previously served with the United States Marine Corps. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Deputy Bobby Corley was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by a vehicle being operated by a drunk driver. Deputy Corley, and a department cadet on a ride-along, were driving Orange Blossom Trail when an oncoming vehicle crossed the median directly in front of them. Deputy Corley swerved to prevent his passenger from absorbing the full impact of the crash. The cadet was saved but Deputy Corley suffered fatal injuries.
Deputy Corley had served with the agency for 3 years. He was survived by his wife and son. On December 10, 1997, his son accepted the Purple Heart award posthumously awarded to Deputy Corley.
Deputy Corley had served with the agency for 3 years. He was survived by his wife and son. On December 10, 1997, his son accepted the Purple Heart award posthumously awarded to Deputy Corley.
Sheriff Mizell was shot and killed from an ambush while en route to arrest a fellow cattleman. Sheriff Mizell and his brother went to arrest a Cattleman Moses Barber for refusal to pay a tax on cattle he had purchased. Sheriff Mizell and his brother were ambushed while en route to arrest the suspect. The murder of Sheriff Mizell intensified a feud that resulted in at least seven more deaths.