Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
In this week's edition of the Attorney General's “News Briefs” General McCollum delivers a solemn message about the senseless deaths of two Florida’s dedicated Deputies’ Sheriffs and hope of a speed recovery for the third dedicated Sheriff who was critically injured.
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August 17, 2007
A Message from Attorney General Bill McCollum
Today, on what would have been a day to celebrate 21 years of a Deputy Sheriff’s dedicated service to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, we are instead joining Florida’s law enforcement community to mourn his tragic death. Deputy Ron Harrison was killed in a hail of bullets in what is being described as a random act of violence. With Ron’s death, Florida has lost an invaluable public servant.
Even more tragic, Deputy Harrison was gunned down on the very day when another fallen sheriff’s deputy was being remembered by his family, friends and colleagues. Broward County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Reyka was ambushed and killed last Friday while investigating a
stolen license plate. Chris is described by family and friends as a dedicated and exemplary Deputy Sheriff, intent upon protecting his community. He will, without question, be greatly missed by countless Floridians.
To add to what has been a devastating 10 days for Florida’s law enforcement family, a third deputy remains in critical condition in Broward County, fighting for his life. Maury Hernandez, a five-year
veteran, is a detective with the Broward Sheriff's Office's Selective Enforcement Team. A strong leader, Maury has also been instrumental in providing encouragement and advice to his younger brother, Josue, who just began serving with the Hallandale Beach Police Department. I know I speak on behalf of Floridians throughout the state when I say that Maury has our unconditional support as he battles for a full recovery.
It is difficult to express in words how much we owe to the dedicated men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of public safety. Florida has more than 53,000 law enforcement officers working in city, county, state and federal agencies to protect our residents and guests. Imagine what your neighborhoods and communities would be like withoutthe law enforcement watching over your family and loved ones. It is a situation in which we certainly could not survive for very long.
I invite you to take a moment with me to recognize the ultimate sacrifice Deputies Reyka and Harrison made for us, the people of Florida. I would also ask that the entire state remember the
Hernandez family as they endure this time of incredible trial. These men are heroes. They should be remembered and treated as such.
My thanks, and the thanks of our great state, goes out to our law enforcement community. We will always stand with you, but especially now in your time of tragic loss.
Thank you.
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Thank you.
Evelyn out.
