Category Archives: Officer Down

Mecklenburg Act Brings Murder Charge for Aggravated Fleeing

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Randall

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott attended a ceremonial bill signing at the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office for the Deputy John C. Mecklenburg Act.  Deputy Mecklenburg was killed in the line of duty on July 3, 2011 during a high speed pursuit. The act provides for capital or life murder charges when a human being is killed during the commission of a crime involving aggravated fleeing or eluding from law enforcement officers when there is serious bodily injury or death. Mecklenburg, a Hernando County deputy for just over two years, was one of a number of officers and deputies who were attempting to stop a vehicle traveling the wrong way against … Continue reading →

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St. Petersburg Officer’s Killer Gets Life Sentence

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Randall

Yesterday, Nicholas Lindsey was found guilty of first degree murder in the killing of St. Petersburg Police Officer David Crawford.  At 17 years of age, Lindsey was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The defense attempted to portray Lindsey, who was tried as an adult for the February 21, 2011 murder, as a “scared child” who accidentally shot Crawford.  Five times.  Jurors did not believe the rhetoric. Ofc. David Crawford’s widow, who was harassed in the 6th Judicial Circuit Criminal Courts Complex by Lindsey supporters, had no sympathy as she read her statement to the Court: “My name is Donna Crawford. I am the wife of … Continue reading →

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Florida Department of Corrections Sergeant Stabbed to Death

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Randall

Sgt. Ruben Thomas, of the Florida Department of Corrections, was murdered in the line of duty on 3/18/2012 at the Columbia Correctional Institute Annex, which is near Lake City, FL.  Sgt. Thomas was checking on an inmate in one of the dormitory wings at approximately 2200 hrs last night when he was attacked by Inmate Richard Franklin. Thomas was stabbed in the neck with an improvised weapon by Franklin, who also injured Corrections Officer William Brewer with a loaded sock.  Brewer’s injuries are non life-threatening.  Franklin was sentenced to life in prison in 1995 for first degree murder, armed robbery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, battery on a law … Continue reading →

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Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Shot to Death

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Randall

Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Barbara Pill was shot and killed in the line of duty on March 6, 2012.  According to Brevard Sheriff Jack Parker, Pill stopped two theft suspects on a traffic stop in Melbourne.  She ordered them out of their vehicle, but they did not comply.  She had requested back-up and was making a radio transmission, when she was fatally shot. Suspects Brandon Lee Bradley and Andria Michelle Kerchner fled in their SUV, but were captured several miles from the shooting. Deputy Pill had previously worked for the Miami-Dade Police Department.  She was 52 years old and a grandmother.  Pill had over 30 years of law enforcement experience, … Continue reading →

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Ofc. David Crawford Murdered A Year Ago Today

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Randall

One year ago today, St. Petersburg Police Ofc. David S. Crawford was murdered in the line of duty by Nicholas Lindsey.  St. Petersburg Police was still reeling from the murders of Sgt. Tom Baitinger and K9 Ofc. Jeffrey Yaslowitz, less than a month earlier. To say our local law enforcement community was crushed would be a severe understatement.  Many of the officers and deputies involved in the manhunt for Lindsey were also involved in the response and investigation of the previous officers’ killings. My department had a large class of rookies in field training.  I guess it didn’t hurt for the sober realities of this profession to hit them early.  … Continue reading →

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Clay County Deputy is First Florida Officer Killed in 2012

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Randall

Clay County Sheriff’s Detective David White was shot and killed Thursday during the investigation of a methamphetamine lab at a residence in Middleburg, FL.  Detective Matt Hanlin was wounded by gunfire in the same raid.  He is in serious but stable condition. Detectives went to the single family dwelling in the 4800 Block of Alligator Boulevard on a tip of a meth lab.  The house was vacant, had a power cord running to it from a neighboring house, and was believed to be occupied by squatters.  The homeowner, Terrance Smith, gave deputies permission to go and enter the house. Nine deputies arrived at the house.  White and Hanlin were at … Continue reading →

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