In Memory
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Christopher E. TaylorNovember 22, 2022 - Deputy Christopher Taylor, 23, joined the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office in August of 2021 and was officially sworn in on February 14, 2022, pinned by his fiance, Madi Williams. He was known throughout the agency for his bright smile and positive attitude. While conducting a traffic stop in Punta Gorda on November 22, 2022 - just three days after his 23rd birthday and two days before Thanksgiving - Taylor's vehicle was hit by a suspected drunk driver at a high rate of speed, which in turn struck Deputy Taylor. Lifesaving efforts were made on scene before he was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Taylor was posthumously promoted to Deputy First Class. |
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Michael L. WilsonAugust 5th 2013 - Sergeant Michael L. Wilson, 42, was responding to a domestic violence call when he was shot and killed. Sergeant Wilson had served with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office for more than 21 years in a variety of positions - Corrections, Road Patrol, School Resource Officer, Detective, Street Crimes and Narcotics. Sergeant Wilson left a wife and three teenage children. On August 10, 2013 at 12:21 pm, Wilson's radio ID, 405, was called for the last time and the number retired. |
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Darla K. LathremJune 11th 2003 - Correctional Officer Darla K. Lathrem, 38, became the first female correctional officer in Florida history to be killed in the line of duty when she was murdered during an escape attempt at Charlotte Correctional Institute. She had been at CCI less than a year. |
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Curtis M. MooreApril 24th 1983 - Deputy Curtis M. Moore, 45, was ending his shift as a motorcycle patrol officer when a woman pulled her car out in front of him on SR 775 in Placida. He was transported to Fawcett Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Deputy Moore had been in law enforcement for 13 years, four of those years with Charlotte County. He left a wife of less than two years. Moore's radio ID, 311, was retired after its last call at his funeral. |
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Richard L. BeecherOctober 10th 1978 - Punta Gorda Assistant Police Chief Richard L. Beecher was killed while looking for escaped killer, Raleigh Porter. Assistant Chief Beecher had flagged down a passing sod truck and, after speaking with the driver, stepped back into the roadway off the running board of the truck. As soon as Assistant Chief Beecher stepped into the roadway he was struck by a passing motorist. He died a few hours later at Lee Memorial Hospital. |
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John H. BowmanJan 29th 1903 - City Marshal John H. Bowman was assassinated by a suspect that fired a shotgun blast through a screened front window of Bowman's home on Taylor Street in Punta Gorda. He was shot in response to his tough stance against drinking and gambling. His wife and four children were present when he was killed. The suspect was arrested, convicted and sentenced to death, but the sentence was later commuted to life in prison. |
