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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.