Despite heroics, deputy stays out of spotlight

By ABBIE VANSICKLE, Times Staff Writer
Published January 11, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT Related content View photos, share yours State's role in I-4 pileup questioned FHP officials say agency responded properly Loss devastates newlywed's family Heroic deputy stays out of the spotlight Deputy Carlton Turner helped bring crash victims to safety.

WINTER HAVEN - The Polk County sheriff's deputy praised for his heroism in the fiery Interstate 4 crash stayed out of the spotlight Thursday.

Shying from attention for good deeds is in character for Deputy Carlton Turner, his friends say.

"He's doing this job because he wanted to do it," Barry Burgoon says. "It's not like it's some kind of fallback. He's obviously shaken. I mean, he watched a guy burn to death."

In the early hours of Wednesday, Turner drove to I-4 after hearing a report of a crash. He was caught up in the mayhem, his car hit. He helped rescue people and bring them to safety, according to Polk Sheriff Grady Judd.

Burgoon, who runs Visual Images in Winter Haven, met the deputy years before, when Turner worked for the business.

Turner, a 26-year-old deputy who has been with the Sheriff's Office for 1 1/2 years, would never seek attention, Burgoon says.

Shortly after the crashes on I-4, Turner's supervisor at the Sheriff's Office called Burgoon to tell him Turner was safe. And he has spoken to his old friend several times since then.

Turner worked for Visual Images while he attended Polk Community College, and he still comes in from time to time, Burgoon says.

On Lake Link Circle, a quiet street of ranch homes along a Winter Haven lake, Turner is known more for his neighborly skills than his crime fighting, said Yahselah Matai, 28, who lives next door to the deputy.

He is always ready to help out by lending tools or a lawn mower, Matai said.

When a reporter told Matai about Turner's bravery at the accident scene, Matai smiled said he wasn't surprised.

"Great neighbor. Hardworking guy. Giving guy. Very focused," Matai said. "He's not one of those Rambo-type law enforcement officers you hear about."

Abbie VanSickle can be reached at vansickle@sptimes.com or 813-226-3373.

[Last modified January 11, 2008, 06:54:18]