For those of you playing armchair quarterback in regards to the departmental policies and the attempted arrest at the shooting range, remember one thing, the perp broke the law and needed to be arrested. He had guns in his home as well as where he made contact with Deputies Lopez and York. Any deputy who came into contact with this person would have been at equal risk in any location.
Please respect the memories of these heros by just remembering that they died doing what they loved while protecting all of us.
OCSO MOURNS LOSS OF TWO DEPUTIES KILLED IN LINE OF DUTY
Okaloosa County Sheriff Ed Spooner Saturday says two Okaloosa deputies killed earlier while attempting to arrest a domestic violence suspect were fine men and excellent deputies who enjoyed serving the public.
45-year old Deputy Burt Lopez and 45-year old Deputy Warren "Skip" York were shot at the Shoal River Clay Sporting Gun Range east of Crestview shortly before 1 p.m. Saturday.
They were attempting to take 28-year old Joshua William Cartwright into custody on a domestic violence charge when Cartwright opened fire.
He fled the scene eastbound on Highway 90 in his pickup truck. The Florida Highway Patrol and DeFuniak Springs Police Department assisted with efforts to stop Cartwright. Walton County Sheriff's deputies placed spikes along the roadway near the intersection with Highway 331. Cartwright left the pavement to avoid the spikes, then lost control of his vehicle as he tried to get back onto the road. After his truck flipped, Cartwright shot at Walton deputies as he tried to exit. He was killed in an exchange of gunfire.
Prior to joining the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, Deputy York and Deputy Lopez served with the U.S. Air Force. Deputy Lopez joined the OCSO in October 2003. Deputy York joined the agency in February 2007.
Donation Information
Okaloosa County Law Enforcement Benevolent Association News Release Regarding Trust Fund Information
Accounts have been set up for both the Lopez and York family through the Okaloosa County Law Enforcement Benevolent Association at Beach Community Bank. Donations can be made at any branch of Beach Community Bank into any of the following accounts:
1. Fund solely for Deputy Lopez's family.
2. Fund solely for Deputy York's family.
3. A combined fund to be equally distributed to Deputy Lopez's family and Deputy York's family.
4. General donations may be made to the Okaloosa Law Enforcement Benevolent Association.
For more information please visit Beach Community Bank.
I'm Deputy Lopez's niece. I just wanted to say these pictures are amazing. Thank you for your thoughts and wishes. I know our family greatly appreciates it.
ReplyDelete