"Deputy Matt"- Polk County S.O.
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"Deputy Matt"
Polk County Sheriff's Office
Florida
End of Watch: Thursday, September 28, 2006
Biographical Info
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, September 28, 2006
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
"Deputy Matt" and his K9 partner, Diogi, were shot and killed while pursuing a suspect who had fled on foot during a traffic stop. Another deputy had stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and the suspect fled on foot into an adjoining wooded area.
"Deputy Matt" and Diogi arrived moments later and began searching for the suspect with the other deputy. The suspect opened fire on the deputies as they tracked him, fatally wounding "Deputy Matt" and Diogi, and wounding the other deputy in the leg.
Later in the day the suspect emerged from the woods and fired at a Lakeland Police Department officer who was alerting residents to stay away from the area. The officer returned fire as the suspect fled back into the woods.
The suspect was located by SWAT team members the following day hiding underneath a fallen tree that had been covered by underbrush. The man was shot and killed by the officers when he failed to obey their commands and displayed a firearm.
"Deputy Matt" had served with the agency for 12 years and was assigned to the Northwest District K-9 Unit. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Agency Contact Information
Polk County Sheriff's Office
455 N. Broadway Avenue
Bartow, FL 33830
Phone: (863) 533-0344
Please contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office for funeral arrangements or for survivor benefit fund information.
