They Served With Honor

Field Service Officer David Grassi 

Field Service Officer David Grassi was a cherished member of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office family for nearly 19 years. He started as a 911 operator and moved into the vital FSO role five years later. In the early morning hours of Saturday, December 11, 2021, FSO Grassi was working off-duty guarding construction workers on I-4, when an impaired driver struck his patrol vehicle. FSO Grassi was rushed to the hospital, but tragically lost his life. He will always be remembered for his positivity, strong work ethic and willingness to help without hesitation.

Deputy First Class Craig Seijos 

Deputy First Class Craig Seijos served Orange County for nearly 30 years as a dedicated member of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. He began his OCSO career in Communications in 1993, before completing the law enforcement academy two years later and beginning work as a patrol deputy. In addition to serving on the road, Deputy Seijos spent time in Youth Services, the Judicial Process Section and Court Security. On August 5, 2021, Deputy Seijos tragically passed away from complications related to COVID-19. He leaves behind a legacy of selfless service, devotion to family and extreme generosity.

Deputy First Class Norman C. Lewis 

The morning of Monday, January 9, 2017, would turn out to be another horrible day for law enforcement in Orange County, with the loss of two law enforcement heroes.  

Law enforcement officers, including Motor Officer-Deputy First Class (DFC) Norman C. Lewis, responded to the area of south central Orange County to a call regarding a shooting involving OPD Sgt. Debra Clayton, who confronted a murder suspect and was shot and killed while trying to make the apprehension.

DFC Lewis, without hesitation, immediately responded to the area when he heard the call for help and was part of the police presence searching for the dangerous suspect, who had fled the scene and fired on another deputy.  DFC Lewis maintained his mobility on his motorcycle while assisting with the ground search or any other need. As DFC Lewis was travelling southbound on Pine Hills Road a vehicle driving from the opposite direction, turned left into DFC. Lewis' path of travel causing a collision.  DFC Lewis was transported to the trauma unit, but sadly succumbed to his injuries.

DFC Lewis was a beloved member of this agency and proudly served the citizens of Orange County for 11 of his young 35 years. 

Deputy Jonathan "Scott" Pine

On the evening of February 11, 2014, Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Scott Pine was working patrol on the midnight shift protecting Orange County's southwestern side as a dedicated community servant; when a radio call of a vehicle burglary was broadcast in the Courtleigh Park subdivision. Jonathan was aware that a string of similar burglaries had been occurring in the area and responded to assist in any search or apprehension. A little past midnight, Jonathan radioed in to the agency's communications center that he was making a stop on a suspicious subject. Minutes later the agency received a follow-up radio transmission from Jonathan advising that he was in a foot pursuit of the fleeing suspect when the chase took a tragic turn. As he gave chase, the suspect was able to shoot at and strike Jonathan. As deputies arrived, they found Jonathan seriously wounded and rendered aid. The suspect was located a few homes away from the murder scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A second suspect was arrested on felony charges. Jonathan was rushed to the trauma center, but sadly succumbed to his injuries.

 

 

 

Deputy Sebastian E. Diana

Deputy Sebastian Diana unselfishly responded to a medical call for assistance in February, 2006. Upon arrival he immediately initiated CPR on an infant who was not breathing.  Deputy Diana would later learn that he was exposed to an infectious disease during that life-saving attempt that would ultimately claim his own life.  He was known for being respectful and polite to those he encountered during the course of his duties, regardless of a person's guilt or innocence, and recognized for being a dedicated and unselfish member of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Diana worked through this injury and was able to return to his duties, but never fully recovered and succumbed to complications on March 12, 2011. 
 

Deputy First Class Brandon Coates

Deputy First Class Brandon Coates was on Tactical Patrol on Orange County's south side during the evening of December 8, 2010, when something went horribly wrong.  Brandon's final radio transmission to the agency's communications center stated that he was making a traffic stop on a white pickup truck.  Minutes later the agency started to receive 9-1-1 calls from citizens stating that a Deputy Sheriff had been shot and that a white pickup truck was seen speeding away from the shooting scene.  Twenty-seven year old Brandon was rushed to a hospital, but there was little that could be done for the deputy.  He died from his injuries. The suspect's unoccupied vehicle would later be located at an apartment complex not far from the murder scene.  During an extensive search for a suspect, the body of a man, later identified as Brandon's murderer, was found in a wooded area with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 
 

Deputy Craig Heber

On July 21, 2010 Deputy Craig Heber was working an off duty detail for Bay Hill. While on duty, he responded to an alarm call and discovered water running out of a garage door. He found that a pipe burst, flooding the garage and part of the house. The homeowner was out of state. In an effort to save the homeowner’s property, he moved rooms of furniture out of the water. The temperature was over 90 degrees that day with high humidity. That evening he suffered a heart attack caused by the strenuous and stressful activity of the alarm call. He was transported to the hospital where he passed away. Master Deputy Craig Heber served his community with compassion and dedication.
 

Correctional Officer Mark Parker

Mark Parker had law enforcement in his blood.  He had wrapped up his commitment as a military policeman in the United States Army Reserves with an honorable discharge and harbored aspirations of being a Deputy Sheriff while he was serving as an Orange County Sheriff's Office Correctional Officer.  His dream came to a grinding halt on the morning of January 10, 1984 when he was shot and critically injured by a crazed gunman who had come to the Orange County Courthouse.  His injuries left him paralyzed and sentenced him to life in a wheelchair.  Despite his injuries Mark remained upbeat, positive, and despite ongoing and mounting health issues related to his injuries, was always up for a new adventure or willing to try something new.  Much to the surprise of those who knew Mark, he went into a hospital to be treated for what was thought to be a minor issue related to the injuries he suffered during that dark day in January and never came out.  Mark Parker passed away on March 19, 2009.

Deputy First Class Michael Callin

On August 1, 2006 DFC Michael A. Callin was working a traffic detail at the Kirkman Road entrance to Interstate 4.  Deputy Callin was standing under an overpass when he attempted to stop a speeding vehicle.  The driver of the speeding car sped up, aimed his vehicle at Deputy Callin, and intentionally struck him.  The driver then fled the scene and became the subject of a massive manhunt.  Deputy Callin was transported to the Orlando Regional Medical Center where, despite his valiant struggle to survive his injuries, he passed away on August 2, 2006.  Deputy Callin was murdered on the dawn of his promising career and made the ultimate sacrifice to the community he so proudly served.
 

Deputy Mariano "Rocky" Lemus

Deputy Mariano "Rocky" Lemus joined the Orange County Sheriff's Office in February, 1994.  His duties and assignment in Court Services and Sector I Patrol often put him in situations where he had direct contact with violent or seriously injured subjects.  He never hesitated to render aid to seriously injured victims at crime scenes.  Tragically, his willingness to assist those critically injured victims or arrest a violent offender exposed him to blood and body fluids.  In 2004 Deputy Lemus learned that he had suffered an on-duty exposure to a life threatening disease.  On May 6, 2005 that disease took the life of Deputy Lemus.  His unselfish attitude to assist the citizens he so proudly served led him to making the ultimate sacrifice.
 

Deputy James Weaver

Deputy James Weaver responded to an accident at the intersection of International Drive and Vineland Road.  Deputy Weaver was with several other deputies who had taken control of the accident scene by blocking the intersection with their marked patrol units with their blue lights activated. Deputy Weaver was in the process of stopping traffic to allow Orange County Fire Rescue Units into the accident scene when he was struck and critically injured by a motorist.  Deputy Weaver succumbed to his injuries on the evening of November 24, 2003.  He gave his life while serving his community.

Deputy John Hollomon

Deputy John Hollomon had just left the jail after arresting a felony suspect when he heard another deputy requesting assistance with two drug suspects.  Without hesitation Deputy Hollomon responded to back up his fellow deputy.  While enroute Deputy Hollomon's marked car was struck by a tractor trailer.  Deputy Hollomon passed away from his injuries later that evening.  On December 15, 1998 Deputy John Hollomon made the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens he so proudly served.
 

Deputy Grady Braddock

Deputy Grady Braddock was on routine patrol when he learned that officers from the Windermere Police Department were trying to apprehend two suspects in a stolen vehicle.  Deputy Braddock began to drive towards the area of the pursuit to assist.  He positioned his marked unit so as to see the fleeing suspects as they approached, when his vehicle was struck broadside by the stolen car.  The investigation revealed that the suspect vehicle was being driven without headlights when it struck Deputy Braddock's car at over 90 miles per hour.  Deputy Braddock's life was taken from him on May 27, 1998 while performing his duties as an Orange County Deputy Sheriff.

Deputy Chris Hylton

During the early morning hours of July 22, 1996 Deputy Chris Hylton was on his way to work when his vehicle was struck head-on by a car that crossed the center line of the roadway.  The accident investigation revealed that the driver of that car was DUI.  Deputy Hylton died from the injuries he sustained in the accident.

Deputy John Creegan

While on routine patrol Deputy John Creegan was advised of a pursuit heading into his area.  The vehicle being pursued was stolen and being driven by a young man out for a joy ride.  Deputy Creegan positioned himself and his vehicle just off of the roadway and was going to attempt to deploy Stopsticks.  The driver of the stolen pickup truck saw Deputy Creegan was out of his vehicle and, without hesitation, intentionally drove across several lanes of traffic and ran Deputy Creegan down.  Deputy Creegan died from his massive injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.  On May 29, 1996 Deputy John Creegan's life was taken from him while he served his community.

Deputy Harry Dalton

Deputy Harry Dalton was assigned to the Orange County Courthouse and tasked with providing security during trial proceedings on the morning of January 10, 1984.  Deputy Dalton approached a man with a backpack acting in a suspicious manner when, without provocation, the man produced a handgun and shot Deputy Dalton in the head.  The suspect continued shooting killing Deputy Arnie Wilkerson and seriously injuring correctional officer Mark Parker.  On March 25, 1991 Deputy Dalton died from complications relating to the injuries he incurred while serving and protecting his community.
 

Deputy Thomas Ingram

Deputy Tom Ingram was assigned to the agency's Motorcycle Unit when he responded to a serious car crash involving a drunk driver during the early morning hours of May 12, 1990.  He was giving first aid to the intoxicated driver on a protected scene awash in the red and blue lights of several marked police cars.  That didn't deter another drunk driver from barreling through the accident scene and running down Deputy Ingram killing him instantly.  Deputy Ingram's life was taken from him while he served his community.

Deputy Frank Seton

Deputy Frank Seton was working an off duty job on the evening of January 4, 1989 when he heard a fellow deputy come up on the radio to advise he was trying to stop five shooting suspects.  The suspects vaulted from their vehicle and ran into a heavily wooded, swampy area.  Without hesitation Deputy Seton responded to the scene and gave chase into the dark, heavily wooded and marshy area.  He became stuck in the thick underbrush and mud and was unable to extricate himself.  He requested assistance from the agency's helicopter which had been on station and assisting in the suspect search.  Deputy Seton fell from the helicopter as he was being lifted out of the area and died from his injuries.  He courageously gave his life to the citizens of Orange County while assisting his fellow deputies.

Deputy Arnold Wilkerson

Deputy Wilkerson was assigned to the Orange County Courthouse to provide security during trial proceedings.  On the morning of January 10, 1984 a deranged individual walked into the courthouse and, without provocation, started shooting.  Deputy Harry Dalton and Correctional Officer Mark Parker were the first law enforcement officers to confront this individual and both were severely injured by the gunfire.  Deputy Wilkerson rushed towards the shooting scene and was mortally wounded.  Deputy Wilkerson was gunned down while rushing to assist his fellow lawmen and died in the service to his community.

Deputy Samuel Parker, Jr.

Deputy Samuel Parker was assigned to the Orange County Sheriff's Office Motorcycle Unit.  He was an accomplished motorcycle rider who clearly loved his job.  He was well liked, highly respected by his peers, and was known for his outgoing and friendly disposition.  On the morning of December 19, 1973 Deputy Parker was on routine patrol on his motorcycle when he was involved in a serious accident.  Deputy Parker endured several painful operations following that accident but vowed to return to the Traffic Division riding a motorcycle.  On January 23, 1975 Deputy Parker died from complications relating to his injuries from his crash.  He made the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of Orange County.
 

Deputy Bobby Corley, Sr.

Deputy Bobby Corley, Sr. earned a reputation for being a fair and compassionate law enforcement officer.  Deputy Corley was on routine patrol on the Orange Blossom Trail on the county's north side when his patrol vehicle was struck head-on by a speeding car that had crossed the median.  Deputy Corley lost his life in that crash while serving the citizens of Orange County on August 8, 1965.

Sheriff David Mizell

Sheriff David Mizell was investigating the theft of cattle and was riding his horse into rural Orange County in search of suspects. As he was crossing a creek he was ambushed by the very suspects he was looking for.  Sheriff Mizell never had a chance. He was shot and reportedly died in his son's arms.  Sheriff Mizell was murdered while performing his duties as Sheriff of Orange County.  He gave his life while serving his community on February 21, 1870.