Staff Reports
Gov. Rick Scott has ordered flags at half-staff for two Kissimmee Police officers slain in the line of duty.
Last Friday, Officer Matthew Baxter and Sgt. Richard “Sam” Howard of the Kissimmee Police Department were shot when a suspect fired at them during a scuffle while they were on patrol. Both succumbed from their injuries. The alleged shooter was later arrested at a bar.
In their honor, Scott ordered flags at half-staff at the Osceola County Courthouse in Kissimmee, the Kissimmee Police Department, and Kissimmee City Hall, from sunrise to sunset on Thursday.
“Last Friday, we suffered the heartbreaking loss of two dedicated members of the Kissimmee Police Department,” Scott said in a statement.
“I join their brothers and sisters in uniform, their families and every Floridian across the state to honor these law enforcement heroes,” he added. “May Matthew and Sam’s service and the service of our law enforcement community be a constant reminder of the sacrifice of those who serve to keep us safe.”
(The Associated Press contributed to this post, reprinted with permission.)
