PRESS RELEASE FROM THE BIG BEND CHAPTER OF THE FLORIDA PBA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 8, 2022

STATEMENT FROM FLORIDA PBA BIG BEND CHAPTER PRESIDENT RICHARD MURPHY ON THE TRAGIC DEATH OF ONE OF TALLAHASSEE’S FINEST 

TALLAHASSEE–The following statement can be attributed to Florida PBA Big Bend Chapter President Richard Murphy:

“Every day, Tallahassee police officers sacrifice their personal safety as they work courageously to respond to dangerous situations where public safety is threatened. That is exactly what one of our police officers did in the early morning hours when he aided in the pursuit of a perpetrator, who was fleeing from law enforcement after having just shot three family members. As the deputy attempted to engage the fleeing perpetrator, the suspect used his vehicle to crash into our officer’s vehicle, killing him almost instantly. Our officer was just 34 years old and had been on the Tallahassee police force for four years, after having served at the Wilton Manors Police Department in Broward County. This tragic loss is a painful reminder that law enforcement officers are often victims of violent criminal acts and they put their lives at risk on a daily basis to serve and protect others.  Our officers appreciate the support of the City of Tallahassee and the community during this extraordinarily painful time. All of us at the PBA extend our deepest condolences to the officer’s family, friends, and fellow officers. We will do all that we can to support them during this painful time.”