OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN BAKER COUNTY
FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
TROOPER SHERMAN LEE SCOTT 1965
Trooper Scott was killed
in the line of duty by an escaped prisoner during a routine
traffic
stop on Interstate 10 in
Baker County. Trooper Scott was also a resident of Baker County.
BAKER COUNTY DEPUTY
SHERIFF MORRIS FISH 1966
Deputy Fish
was killed in the line of duty while attempting to apprehend a
bank robber
from
Georgia. Deputy Morris Fish's name has been engraved on a
permanent memorial stone
placed in
front of the Baker County Sheriff's Office during our first
memorial service in 1997.
A law
enforcement officer is honored each year by receiving the Morris
Fish Award for Excellence
and
Dedication to Service. Past winners are:
1998 Dep. Earl Gonzalez
1999 Dep. John Pregony
2000 Dep. Preston Davis
2001 Sgt. Scotty Rhoden
2002 Sgt. David Bryant
RESIDENTS OF
BAKER COUNTY KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
FLORIDA GAME
AND FRESH WATER FISH COMMISSION OFFICER LEON WALKER 1970
Wildlife Officer
Walker was killed in the line of duty during a fatal car crash
while pursuing
a suspect for
fire hunting. Officer Walker's Grandson Don Pettyjohn is now an
officer with the
Florida Game and
Fresh Water Fish Commission and is assigned to Baker County.
JACKSONVILLE
SHERIFF'S OFFICE OFFICER JOSEPH BURTNER
1995
Officer Burtner was killed in the line of
duty during a shoot out with a man who had barricaded
himself inside a house in Jacksonville.
Each year two scholarships, in Officer Burtner's honor, are
awarded by The Institute of Police
Technology and Management at The University of North Florida
to two law enforcement officers from the
Baker County Sheriff's Office. Past winners are:
1997
Inv. Terry Crews
Dep. Clay Adkins
1998
Sgt. Phil Duval
Dep. Ricky Crews
1999
Inv. Mike Combs
Dep. Gerald
Ruise
2000
Inv. Greg
Burnsed
Sgt. Billy
Miller
2001
Dep. Keith Parker
Inv. Steve Harvey
2002
Sgt. Gerald Ray Rhoden
Sgt. Ryan Fraser
Baker County
Sheriff's Office Fallen Officer Memorial
Deputy Morris
Fish killed in the line of duty January 11, 1966
Go here to
view photos of past Baker
County Police Memorial Ceremonies
"A Part of America Died"
Somebody killed a policeman today, and a part of America died. A piece of our country he swore to protect, will be buried with him at his side. The suspect that shot him will stand up in court, with counsel demanding his rights. While a young widowed mother must work for her kids, and spend many long, lonely nights. The beat that he walked was a battle field too, just as if he'd gone off to war. Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast, to his name they will add a gold star. Yes, somebody killed a policeman today, in your town or mine. While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors, a cop put his life on the line. Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street, and he stands at each new rookie's side. He answered the call, of himself gave his all, And A Part Of America Died.
Links to other Memorial Pages
The Officer Down Memorial Page
The Line of Battle - A Memorial to Our
Fallen Officers
National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial Fund, Inc.
Lest We Forget 1997
ROLL OF HONOR - 1997
Writings on the Wall
This page
is a collection of poetry and thoughts written by police
officers, their wives, friends and others for police officers.
You will find the page a source of inspiration, even if you are
not a police officer.