An Eternal Record of Service and Sacrifice.
Since the first watch began in Polk County, brave men and women have stepped forward to protect our families, our homes, and our way of life. This Roll Call serves as a permanent tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. We remember their names, we honor their families, and we carry their legacy forward.
Our Sacred Debt of Remembrance.
Listed below are the heroes of Polk County, organized by their End of Watch (EOW). We invite you to read their names, reflect on their service, and ensure that their light continues to shine in the community they gave everything to protect.
Silas W. Campbell
Marshal Campbell was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two drunk brothers who were creating a disturbance.
The two men were arrested by other officers but were removed from the jail by an angry mob and lynched.
Marshal Campbell had served as town marshal for one year and was survived by his wife and children.
Oliver Thomas Smith
On January 16, 1922, 29-year-old Deputy Smith was fatally shot while attempting to arrest a suspect at the Hartzog Sawmill in Nalaca. The suspect, wanted for an earlier attempted shooting of a sawmill foreman over a financial dispute, ambushed the deputy during the arrest. After hiding in the woods for several days, the suspect eventually surrendered to authorities.
J. Edward Harrelson
On December 21, 1926, 35-year-old Deputy Harrelson was fatally shot while intercepting two armed robbery suspects north of Lakeland. Following the encounter, the suspects fled on foot under fire from the deputy’s father and brother. Deputy Harrelson was transported to Lakeland General Hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his wounds.
Frank Dixon
Constable Frank Dixon was ambushed, shot and killed in a wooded area while investigating liquor law violations allegedly involving “Moon shiners”.
W. T. Barnett
Patrolman Barnett and Patrolman Thomas Nicholson were shot and killed after they responded to a domestic disturbance in North Lakeland.
It was later determined that both suspects used the same gun and each killed one officer. Both suspects were convicted.
T. A. Nicholson
Patrolman Thomas Nicholson and Patrolman Barnett were shot and killed after they responded to a domestic disturbance in North Lakeland.
It was later determined that both suspects used the same gun and each killed one officer. Both suspects were convicted.
A. G. Bush
Patrolman A. G. Bush was killed in a motorcycle accident while responding to a call for service. Another vehicle turned in front of his motorcycle causing a collision.
Myrle A. Whidden
Constable Myrle Whidden was shot while attempting to break up a domestic disturbance at a residence in Mulberry. Though shot by the suspect and severely wounded, Constable Whidden arrested the subject.
He then went for medical treatment and subsequently died from his injuries.
Officer Pascal (Pat) Brown
Officer Brown was shot and killed while attempting to close a tavern that was open past its operating hours.
John C. Hagerty
Trooper Hagerty was piloting a traffic plane over Lakeland when he was struck by a low-flying U.S. Navy jet.
He had served the citizens of Florida, with the Florida Highway Patrol, for 13 years.
Leon A. Bernard
On April 9, 1963, 51-year-old Deputy Benard was off-duty when he spotted two armed robbery suspects fleeing a Bartow shopping center. He pursued the vehicle toward State Road 60, but upon reaching Lake Garfield Road, he was confronted and fatally shot by one of the suspects who had exited the vehicle.
Paul A. Powell
On May 26, 1967, Deputy Powell was enroute to his duty station. At approximately 3:14 PM, his vehicle was struck by a train on South Crystal Lake Drive, east of U.S.
Highway 98 South, in Lakeland. Deputy Powell died at the scene as a result of the injuries sustained during the crash.
Deputy Powell was 26 years of age at the time of his death.
Sgt Sollie Waller Rabun Jr.
On March 13th, 1974, Sergeant Rabun was responding to conduct a follow up investigation in an area southeast of Winter Haven. At approximately 1:20 p.m., his vehicle was struck by a train at the rail road crossing, located on Hoover Road, north of SR 655, in Eloise. Sergeant Rabun died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained during the crash.
Sergeant Rabun was 26 years old at the time of his death.
Gordon E. Stotz
Officer Stotz was killed in an automobile accident while pursuing another vehicle.
Officer Stotz has served with the agency for 3 years.
Jimmy Lee Cook
Officer Cook drowned while on boat patrol.
E. E. Deberry
Patrolman DeBerry succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in 1966 while he attempted to overtake a speeding vehicle. The accident left him permanently paralyzed and he eventually succumbed to the injuries.
Patrolman DeBerry had served with the agency for 22 years.
T. A. Burnham
On January 9, 1981, 27-year-old Deputy Burnham was fatally shot with his own service weapon while searching for an abduction suspect near Lakeland Regional Airport. During the encounter on Dranefield Road, a struggle ensued with the suspect—who had already killed two others earlier that day—resulting in the deputy’s death.
Patrolman Henry David McCall
On March 5, 1981, Officer McCall responded to alarm at the 1st Federal Bank at the corner of Hwy 630 and Scenic Hwy in Frostproof. Upon arrival, he was shot and killed by the suspects). He died at the scene.
David Michael Goddard
On February 2nd, 1989, at approximately 5:15 AM, while on routine patrol, Deputy Goddard was involved in a traffic crash during which his patrol vehicle impacted the rear of a truck on Airport Road, southwest of Lakeland. Deputy Goddard died at the scene as a result of the injuries sustained during the crash.
Deputy Goddard was 34 years old at the time of his death.
Waymon D. Allen
On May 29, 1986, while serving an undercover search warrant at a rooming house in Winter Haven, Deputy Allen was accidentally shot by another officer. After a 10-month struggle, the 39-year-old deputy passed away on March 15, 1987, from heart failure directly attributed to the gunshot wound.
Carl H. Cushman
In July 1980, Officer Carl H. “Scooter” Cushman was shot in the line of duty and sustained very serious injury. The injury occurred during the armed robbery and subsequent pursuit of the suspect vehicle. The suspect was currently on parole from Florida DOC. Officer Cushman died in April 11, 1988 as a result of the injuries sustained in this shooting incident.
Christopher T. Horner
On March 3, 1998, in the early morning at approximately 0638 hours, Officer Christopher Todd Horner of the Haines City Police Department checked out with a suspicious vehicle at the Oakland Cemetery. Afterwards, Officer Horner did not respond to radio checks. Officers responded to the area to find Officer Horner had been fatally shot with his own weapon.
Johnny B. Smith
On May 8, 1990, Officer Smith was patrolling in the vicinity of Hwy 630 E, when he was struck head on by a vehicle. Officer Smith died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained during the crash.
Johnnie Patterson Jr.
Officer Johnnie Patterson was fatally shot at 0430 hours following a traffic stop and foot pursuit in a wooded area. Though his father was present for a ride-along, Officer Patterson was alone when he was ambushed by the suspect; his body was discovered an hour later by a K9 unit. The suspect was eventually captured, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life without parole.
Brian Wilkinson
Deputy Sheriff Pilot Brian Wilkinson, 33, of Lake Alfred, and Deputy Sheriff Flight Officer Larry Rhoden, 33, of Ft.
Meade, were killed when their Sheriff’s Office helicopter – a 1971 0H58 Bell Jet Ranger – crashed into a pond/pasture near Old Bartow Eagle Lake Road in Bartow (near Lake Hancock) shortly after 1 a.m. on October 22, 2001.
Wilkinson began his career at the Sheriff’s Office in 1994.
He joined the Aviation Unit in March of 2001.
Lee Chuck Dunn
Officer Lee Dunn was killed in an automobile accident while serving as the Community Control Officer.
He was attempting to make a left turn when the driver of a tractor trailer tried to pass him on the left, causing a collision.
Larry Rhoden
Deputy Sheriff Flight Officer Larry Rhoden, 33, of Ft. Meade, and Deputy Sheriff Pilot Brian Wilkinson, 33, of Lake Alfred, were killed when their Sheriff’s Office helicopter – a 1971 OH58 Bell Jet Ranger – crashed into a pond/pasture near Old Bartow Eagle Lake Road in Bartow (near Lake Hancock) shortly after 1 a.m. on October 22, 2001.
Rhoden was hired in 1991, and joined the Aviation Unit in January of 2001.
Sgt. Ronnie O’neal Brown
Sgt. Brown died on September 9, 2009, from injuries sustained during a struggle with an agitated inmate at the South County Jail. While responding to a broken sprinkler in a cell on August 30, Sgt. Brown was battered and shoved into a wall, requiring rescue by fellow deputies. He underwent back surgery on September 2 but tragically passed away during his recovery at Winter Haven Hospital.
Matthew Williams
On September 28th, 2006, Deputy Sheriff Vernon “Matt” Williams and his K-9 partner DiGi were killed in the line of duty by Angilo Freeland after Freeland fled the scene of a traffic stop and shot fellow Deputy Sheriff Doug Speirs in the leg.
The suspect was later shot and killed by law enforcement.
Delmar Harold Teagan
Lieutenant Delmar Teagan, a 10-year veteran of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, was killed in a head-on collision while driving home from training. An opposing vehicle swerved into his path on Rockridge Road, causing fatal injuries at the scene; the other driver faces charges.
Joesph Robbins
Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Master Deputy Sheriff, Joseph S. (Shane) Robbins died on April 26, 2013 while on duty, as a result of a single vehicle crash.
Sgt. Wesley Richard Whitmore Jr.
Sergeant Wesley Whitmore, a 15-year veteran of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Air Force retiree, was struck and killed in a Winter Haven parking lot. The accident occurred when an elderly driver lost control of an SUV, crashed through a barrier, and hit Whitmore’s patrol car, pinning him as he exited the vehicle.
Arnulfo Crispin
Officer Arnulfo Crispin was shot and killed while making contact with suspicious individuals near Crystal Grove Drive in Lakeland at approximately 10:15 pm on the evening of December 21, 2011.
Officer Crispin had served with the Lakeland Police Department for 18 months. He is survived by eight siblings.
Christopher Broadhead
Deputy Sheriff Christopher Broadhead contracted
COVID-19 on-duty during the pandemic and died from complications caused by the viral infection.
Kenneth Foley
Officer Ken Foley suffered an on-duty, job-related medical episode and died as a result.
Paul Dunn
Officer Paul Dunn was involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident and died as a result of traumatic injuries sustained in the accident.
Blane Lane
Deputy Sheriff Blane Lane was shot and killed while serving a felony arrest warrant for a previous narcotic charge at a residence in Polk City.
Deputy Sheriff Lane previously served as a Detention Deputy and had one year as a Law Enforcement Deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office when he was killed. He is survived by his children.