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.
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.
Jimmy Lee Cook
Officer Cook drowned while on boat patrol.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Officer Pascal (Pat) Brown
Officer Brown was shot and killed while attempting to close a tavern that was open past its operating hours.
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.