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State honors seven officers who lost lives

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published May 9, 2006

TALLAHASSEE - Six Florida police officers who died in the line of duty last year and one who died 50 years ago were remembered Monday at a memorial ceremony that drew Gov. Jeb Bush and hundreds of law enforcement officers.

Bush, who released a box of butterflies as part of the ceremony, said the annual event sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police was an opportunity to recognize all officers who put their lives on the line.

"Thanks to the courage and dedication of Florida's officers, Florida has the lowest crime rate in 33 years," Bush said. "Floridians owe all of our law enforcement officers a debt of gratitude."

The officers who gave their lives last year included Orange County sheriff's Deputy Mariano "Rocky" Lemus Jr., who died of hepatitis C after being infected by a man who bit him during a domestic violence call.

New Smyrna Beach Officer Roy L. Nelson Jr. was killed in car crash while responding to a burglary call, and Fort Lauderdale patrolman Jose Antonio Diaz died when he fell 100 feet off a roadway as he maneuvered between a parked police car and a median wall while investigating a suspicious vehicle.

Panama City Beach Sgt. Kevin Kight was shot during a traffic stop, and Lake County Deputy Wayne J. Koester died from gunfire when ambushed while responding to a domestic dispute.

University of Central Florida plainclothes Officer Mario Jenkins was shot by a reserve Orlando police officer during a melee with tailgaters before a football game after Jenkins pulled his gun and fired, investigators said. The Orlando officer was cleared of wrongdoing.

Their names are being engraved in a wall honoring fallen officers on the Capitol grounds.

Starke police Officer William Jackson's name also is being added. He died of a heart attack while responding to a disturbance call in 1956, but his name had been omitted until now.

[Last modified May 9, 2006, 00:41:15]