Sergeant Brian LaVigne
Hillsborough Co, FL SO
EOW: January 11, 2021
The HR field team attended the funeral service of brother Brian LaVigne on January 19. Brian was murdered by a suspect who was fleeing officers following an assault on a deputy at a disturbance call. The suspect intentionally rammed his patrol vehicle, fatally injuring him. Brian was one shift away from retiring from his 30+ year career with HCSO. His daughter, Caitlin, is currently serving as a deputy on HCSO. Sheriff Chronister posthumously promoted Master Corporal LaVigne to the rank of Sergeant during the funeral service. Mike and Linda were able to speak with several of the HCSO cadets following the service.
Trooper Jerry Smith
Nebraska State Patrol
EOW: June 20, 2019
The HR field team attended the funeral service of brother Jerry Smith on June 27. Jerry was on patrol in western Nebraska on US Hwy 26 when his patrol car was struck head-on by a truck. Jerry served NSP for four years after retiring from the U.S. Army. Brother Smith's military career spanned nearly 25 years and included two combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
NOT FORGOTTEN
Agent Kevin Stanton
Brevard Co, FL SO
EOW: February 17, 2018
The HR field team attended the funeral service of their brother, Agent Kevin Stanton, on 23 February. Kevin was killed when a semi-truck collided with his patrol car on I 95 early on February 17.
The service was a celebration of Kevin's life and of his eleven years of service with Brevard County SO. During the service, Sheriff Ivey posthumously promoted Kevin from Deputy to Agent. Mike and Linda spoke with several attendees at the church and at the reception.
Officer Paul Dunn
Lakeland, FL PD
EOW: January 9, 2020
Mike attended the funeral service of brother Paul Dunn on January 15. Paul was involved in a traffic crash in south Lakeland while operating his police motorcycle. Paul was a US Marine Corps veteran, and he had previously served on the Polk County Sheriff's Office and on the Ocoee Police Department. His wife serves as a Detective on Lakeland Police.
Mike was able to speak with several troopers and with the Lakeland Police Chief at a reception following the funeral service.
Engineer Michael Freeland
Jacksonville, FL
Fire Rescue
EOW: November 11, 2021
Mike attended the funeral service of brother Michael Freeland on November 20. Michael collapsed while working the scene of a lengthy vehicle extrication at about 0100 on November 11. He was a seven year veteran of JFRD assigned to Engine 73. Mike was able to speak with several attendees following the service.
PO Charles R. Kondek
Tarpon Springs, FL PD
EOW: December 21, 2014
The HR field team attended the funeral service of their brother, PO Charles "Charley K" Kondek, on December 27. Charley responded to a report of a loud stereo in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the early morning hours of December 21. A male (parolee) who had just exited the apartment approached Charley and shot him at close range. The suspect then ran over Brother Kondek with a vehicle as he fled the scene. Brother Kondek also previously served on the New York, NY PD.
LT Daniel Hinton
Florida Highway Patrol
EOW: February 19, 2019
The HR field team attended the funeral service of brother Daniel Hinton on February 27. Daniel suffered an apparent heart attack during defensive tactics training at the Fort Meyers FHP station. He served on FHP for over 32 years. Daniel was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
Mike and Linda were able to speak with several officers before and following the funeral service.
HART RESCUE
SGT Noel Ramirez and Dep Taylor Lindsey Gilchrist Co, FL SO
EOW: April 19, 2018
The HR field team attended the funeral service of brothers Noel Ramirez and Taylor Lindsey on April 24. The deputies were murdered while on their meal break in a restaurant in Trenton, FL on April 19. Unfortunately, unprovoked assassinations of peace officers seem to be on the increase over the past few years. Please pray for the families of these officers and for the safety of all of those brothers and sisters who continue to serve us every hour of every day.
Dep Michael Scott Williams
Taylor Co, FL SO
EOW: October 31, 2016
The HR field team attended the memorial service of their brother, Dep. Michael "Scott" Williams, on November 12. Scott was killed when his patol car collided with a logging truck during foggy weather early on October 31.
Field team members spoke with several of the Williams family members and with several deputies. They offered followup support to the Williams family as they live close to the HR field team's location in central Florida. Mike also visited with the two Taylor SO dispatchers who were working at the time of the accident when the field team was traveling through Perry, FL on the evening of November 2. Brother Williams also served previously on the Brooksville, FL PD.
Dep John R. Kotfila, Jr.
Hillsborough Co, FL SO
EOW: March 12, 2016
The HR field team attended the funeral service of their brother, Dep. John Kotfioa, Jr., on 18 March. John Was killed when a vehicle going the wrong way on a divided highway struck his patrol car head-on.
Brother Kotfioa's father is currently serving as a sergeant on the Massachusetts State Police, and his brother, Michael, serves on a municipal police department in Massachusetts.