Let us not
forget Lieutenant Debra Clayton of Orlando Police
Department, Florida, who was shot and killed on January 9, 2017. Let us
honor this fallen policewoman by remembering how she lived on this earth and
treasure her memories.
Lieutenant Debra Lucinda
Clayton
Orlando Police Department,
Florida
End of Watch:
Monday, January 9, 2017
Age: 42
Tour:
17 years
Badge:
9
Incident Details
Cause: Gunfire
Weapon:
Handgun
Offender: Sentenced to death
Lieutenant Debra Clayton was shot and
killed when she encountered a wanted murder suspect in the parking lot of a
Walmart at the intersection of Princeton Street and John Young Parkway.
A citizen approached Lieutenant Clayton in the parking lot and informed her
that a wanted subject was inside the store. As she walked towards the building
the man exited and opened fire on her, striking her multiple times.
The subject was wanted for murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend and for
shooting her brother one month prior. After shooting Lieutenant Clayton, the
man carjacked a vehicle and fled the scene. A captain from the Orange County
Sheriff's Office spotted the vehicle moments later and was shot at as he got
behind it. The subject was captured on January 17th, 2017.
During the ensuing search Deputy First Class Norman Lewis, of the Orange County
Sheriff's Office, was killed in a motorcycle crash at the intersection of Pine
Hills Road and Balboa Drive when another vehicle turned in front of his
motorcycle.
Lieutenant Clayton had served with the Orlando Police Department for 17 years.
She is survived by her husband and son. She was posthumously promoted from the
rank of Master Sergeant to the rank of Lieutenant. https://www.odmp.org/officer/23085-lieutenant-debra-lucinda-clayton
Hero Down: What We Know About Murdered
Hero Sergeant Debra Clayton
Orlando, FL - Orlando Police Department
Master Sgt. Debra Clayton, and an Orange County Deputy Sheriff, whose name has
not yet been released, were killed Monday, January 9, 2017, in separate but
related incidents. According to FoxNews US, the suspect, Markeith Loyd, had
been a fugitive since December.
Orlando, FL - Orlando Police Department Master Sgt.
Debra Clayton, and an Orange County Deputy Sheriff, whose name has not yet been
released, were killed Monday, January 9, 2017, in separate but related
incidents.
According to FoxNews US, the suspect, Markeith
Loyd, had been a fugitive since December 13, 2016, when he shot and killed Sade
Dixon, age 24, who was pregnant, after she broke up with him. During the same
incident, Loyd shot and critically wounded her brother, Ronald Stewart.
Master Sgt. Debra Clayton was putting bags in the
trunk of her vehicle in the Walmart shopping lot around 7:40 AM this morning
when a shopper approached her. The shopper told her that Loyd, who was wanted
by the Orange County Sheriff's Office for Sade Dixon's Murder and Ronald
Stewart's Assault, was inside the Walmart in the checkout line. Master Sgt.
Clayton walked toward the Walmart as Loyd came out of the store.
Markeith Loyd began shooting at Master Sgt.
Clayton, who was struck repeatedly. A witness, James Herman, said that Loyd
fired at least 12 times and was wearing a security officer uniform. James
Herman also said that he witnessed the shooting and that Sergeant Clayton just
asked Loyd to stop and Loyd "shot her down." The ambulance that
transported Master Sgt. Clayton to the hospital was escorted by multiple
Orlando Police Officers and Orange County Deputies. She was pronounced dead at
the hospital.
Multiple Officers arrived to assist Master Sgt.
Clayton. Markeith Loyd, age 41, began shooting at the responding officers,
hitting one Deputy's unmarked SUV. He then carjacked a vehicle, and fled to
another apartment complex. A massive manhunt was launched and Loyd was thought
to be barricaded inside an apartment. The SWAT team was called out but has
since stood down.
An Orange County Sheriff's Deputy, who was a
motorcycle officer, was enroute to assist Master Sgt. Clayton, when a van
pulled out in front of him. Witnesses say that the deputy had a green light
when the vehicle pulled in front of him. The Deputy, who has not yet been
identified, was ejected from his 2014 Harley Davidson. He was critically
injured and transported to a local hospital, where he died a short time later.
He was 35-years-old. The driver of the van was not injured.
Multiple schools in the area were placed on
lockdown and the Walmart was closed. Traffic was diverted from several areas. A
reward of up to $60,000 has been offered for information on Loyd's location.
The intense manhunt continues for Loyd. Orlando Police Chief John Mina said
"We're going to bring this dirtbag to justice. There's going to be someone
who knows where he is." Florida Governor Rick Scott said "Any act of
violence against our heroes is cowardly and shameful and our state will not
stand for it."
City Commissioner Regina Hill said that Master Sgt.
Clayton was her Orlando Police Department liaison. She had served for 17 years
with the Orlando Police Department. She had two children and had been married
for one year. Police released a video earlier today that showed Master Sgt.
Clayton's flag-draped coffin leaving the hospital while multiple Officers were
saluting as they stood outside and other Officers following behind. Orlando Police
said via Twitter that "The Orlando Police Department family is heartbroken
today. One of our own was taken in the line of duty. There are no words."
Orlando PD Chief John Mina said “Debra Clayton is a
hero, and she gave her life to protect the community she loves." Orlando
Mayor Buddy Guy declared today to be a day of mourning. Derrick McRae, pastor
of the Experience Christian Center in Orlando, was a childhood friend of Master
Sgt. Clayton. He said that he once told her that she was too nice to be a
police officer, and that her reply was “I’m going to make a change." He
also said that she did make a change in the community, helping various
initiatives, including one where his church gave away bicycles and toys at
Christmas. Pastor McRae also said that Master Sgt.
Clayton was one of the first responders at the
fairly recent Pulse Nightclub mass shooting. He said that she "lived her
life as an example for others."
Sergeant Debra Clayton was 42 years old, married
just one year ago and her husband was at the hospital with her. She was a
17-year veteran of the department. She leaves behind her husband and her son.
We send our thoughts and prayers are with Orlando.
Godspeed, sister and brother, we will take it from here. Thank you for your
service.
Sergeant Debra Clayton, your life mattered.
No comments:
Post a Comment