Honoring Those Lives Lost in 2014 Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Scott Pine

Honoring Those Lives Lost in 2014
Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Scott Pine

Orange County Sheriff’s Office

End of Watch: Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Deputy Pine was shot and killed while responding to reports of car break-ins in a gated community off of South Apopka Vineland Road. When deputies arrived shortly after 11:00 pm one subject fled on foot. Deputies located the subject shortly after midnight near the intersection of South Apopka Vineland Road and Westminster Abby Blvd. The man began to flee on foot again and then fired several shots, striking Deputy Pine. The subject then ran a short distance away and committed suicide. Deputy Pine was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The man’s girlfriend, who was also at the scene, was arrested and held in connection with the incident. Deputy Pine had served with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for two years. He is survived by his wife and three young children.

Police Officer Robert G. German

Windermere Police Department

End of Watch: Saturday, Marc 22, 2014

Officer Robert German was shot and killed while investigating two suspicious people in the area of Conroy-Windermere Road and Horizon Circle at approximately 4:00 AM. When an Orange County sheriff’s deputy and an Orlando police officer arrived at the location they discovered that Officer German had been shot. Moments later they heard additional gunshots in the area and used their patrol cars to shield Officer German so he could be extracted from the scene. He was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds. Two suspects in the shooting, a male and female, were found dead across the street both suffering from self inflicted gunshot wounds. Officer German had served with the Windermere Police Department for five years.

Officer Mark H. Larson

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office

End of watch: Monday, March 24, 2014

Officer Mark Larson succumbed to injuries sustained on January 25^th, 1993, when he was intentionally dragged by a vehicle during a traffic stop. Officer Larson had been flagged down by a female who informed that a man had attempted to force her into the woods. She pointed out the vehicle, which Officer Larson then stopped. While speaking to the driver the man grabbed Officer Larson’s arm as he accelerated from the scene. Officer Larson was able to draw his weapon and shot the subject multiple times. The man then rammed Officer Larson into a guardrail breaking both of his legs and nearly severing his arm before he was thrown into a ditch. The subject continued to flee but crashed into a nearby tree where he died from the gunshot wounds. Officer Larson was transported to a nearby hospital where his arm was amputated. He was forced to medically retire and his health continued to deteriorate. He succumbed to complications from the original injury on March 24^th, 2014 and his death was subsequently ruled a homicide. Officer Larson was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served in law enforcement for eight years. He was survived by his wife and son.

Trooper Chelsea Richard

Florida Highway Patrol

End of watch: Saturday, May 3, 2014

Trooper Chelsea Richard was struck and killed by a vehicle while investigating an accident on I-75, near mile marker 341, at approximately 2:00 pm. The vehicles involved in the accident had been moved to the shoulder. She was speaking with a tow truck driver and a family member of a crash victim when another accident occurred at the same location. A pickup truck pulling a trailer left the roadway and struck all three individuals, killing Trooper Richard and the tow truck driver. The third pedestrian suffered severe injuries and died several days later. Trooper Richard had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for nine years and was assigned to the Ocala District Office. She is survived by her 4-year-old son, parents and grandparents.

K9 Baron

St. Johns County Sheriff’s office

End of watch: Tuesday, October 7, 2014

K9 Baron drowned while apprehending a suspect wanted for felony narcotics distribution. The subject had fled on foot after deputies responded to a disturbance at a home on Twin Aspen Circle. K9 Baron and his handler were tracking the man when they came upon a fence. His handler lifted him over the fence, and as the handler went over the fence she heard K9 Baron engage the suspect. She located Baron a short time later in a body of water. It is believed that the man intentionally drowned Baron during the apprehension. The subject continued to flee but turned himself in the following day. K9 Baron had served with the St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office for 1-1/2 years and conducted tracking and apprehension missions.

Deputy Sheriff Christopher Smith

Leon County Sheriff’s office

End of watch: Saturday, November 22, 2014

Deputy Christopher Smith was shot from ambush when he responded to reports of a house fire at the end of Caracas Court. Deputy Smith was among the first to arrive on scene at approximately 10:22 am and was immediately shot and killed by the subject, who had approached him from behind. The subject then took Deputy Smith’s firearm and continued to fire at other responders, including members of the Tallahassee Fire Department and Tallahassee Police Department. One other sheriff’s deputy was shot and wounded before the subject was shot and killed by an off-duty Tallahassee police officer who lived nearby and had responded to the sound of gunfire. It is believed that the subject intentionally set the house on fire with the intention to kill as many first responders as possible. Deputy Smith had previously served as a dispatcher and corrections officer. He served with the Leon County Sheriff’s office for almost six years and had served in law enforcement for almost 26 years. Deputy Smith is survived by his wife and children.

Police Officer Charles Kondek

Tarpon Springs Police Department

End of watch: Sunday, December 21, 2014

Officer Charlie Kondek was shot and killed while responding to a noise complaint call. Residents of an apartment complex had called police because a man who had been knocking on apartment doors at approximately 2:00 am. When Officer Kondek arrived at the scene he was shot by the subject. The subject, who had recently been released from prison on parole, then drove over Officer Kondek as he fled the scene. The subject was arrested a short distance away after crashing into a utility pole and parked car. Officer Kondek had served with the Tarpon Springs Police Department for 17 years and had previously served with the New York City Police Department for five years. He is survived by his wife and six children.