In honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day, Pasco Sheriff’s Office is remembering the courageous officers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their communities. We want to share information about the local law enforcement officers we have lost. We will never forget these heroes and their commitment to the citizens of Pasco County. Please join us in honoring their sacrifice.

Deputy Sheriff Sheldon S. “Shelley” Nicks

Pasco County Sheriff’s Office | Age: 23 | EOW: Saturday, May 8th, 1909

“Deputy Shelley Nicks was shot and killed as he accompanied his father, the town marshal of Fivay, to serve a warrant. As the marshal attempted to take the suspect into custody, the man produced a handgun. Seeing the gun, Deputy Nicks immediately jumped in front of his father as the suspect fired a single shot. The shot passed through Deputy Nicks’ body, killing him instantly, and struck his father in the shoulder. Deputy Nicks was survived by his wife and father and is buried in Brooksville Cemetery in Brooksville, Florida.”

Federal Prohibition Agent John Van Waters

United States Treasury Department | Age: 46 | EOW: Wednesday, October 4th, 1922

“Federal Prohibition Agent John Van Waters of the United States Treasury Department, and Constable Arthur Crenshaw, were shot and killed while investigating illegal stills in Pasco County, Florida. They were ambushed and shot while sitting in their car.

Six men, five of them brothers, were arrested and charged with both murders. All were tried, but none were convicted. One was shot and killed on February 24th, 1925, by officers raiding a liquor still near the site where Constable Crenshaw and Agent Waters were killed.

Agent Waters had served with the agency for 8 years. He was survived by his wife and child and is buried in Williams Cemetery, Dade City, Pasco County, Florida.”

Constable Arthur Fleece Crenshaw

Pasco Sheriff’s Office | Age: 32 | EOW: Wednesday, October 4th, 1922

“Constable Arthur Crenshaw and Federal Prohibition Agent John Waters, of the United States Treasury Department, were shot and killed while investigating illegal stills in Pasco County, Florida. They were ambushed and shot while sitting in their car.

Six men, five of them brothers, were arrested and charged with both murders. All were tried, but none were convicted. One was shot and killed on February 24th, 1925, by officers raiding a liquor still near the site where Constable Crenshaw and Agent Waters were killed.

Constable Crenshaw was survived by his wife, son, mother, and brother. He is buried in Trilby Cemetery, Trilby, Pasco County, Florida.”

Deputy Sheriff William Henry O’Berry

Pasco Sheriff’s Office | Age: 36 | EOW: Friday, January 1st, 1926

“Deputy William Henry O’Berry was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man in Hernando County. The suspect was wanted in Pasco County for stealing an automobile. As Deputy O’Berry placed handcuffs on the suspect, the man suddenly ran towards the back of his house. Deputy O’Berry chased the man to the rear of the house, where the suspect shot him.

The man fled the scene and avoided a massive search. He was arrested in Marion County several days later after being shot while fleeing officers. As the Hernando County Sheriff and a deputy returned the suspect from Marion County, they were accosted by a group of angry citizens. The citizens took custody of the suspect and lynched him.

Deputy O’Berry was survived by his parents and siblings. He is buried in Townsend House Cemetery in Dade City, Florida.”

Deputy Sheriff John Herbert “Bert” McCabe

Pasco Sheriff’s Office | Age: 24 | EOW: Saturday, June 26th, 1948

“On June 26, 1948, Deputy John Herbert ‘Bert’ McCabe was killed when a truck that had veered into his travel lane hit his patrol car. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Deputy McCabe was a U.S. Navy veteran and served with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office for one year. He was survived by his wife, mother, three brothers, and a sister.”

Trooper James Bradford-Jean Crooks

Florida Highway Patrol | Age: 23 | EOW: Tuesday, May 19th, 1998

“Trooper James Crooks was shot and killed while he was involved in a chase of a suspect who had just killed two Tampa detectives, Detectives Randy Bell and Ricky Childers.

Trooper Crooks was attempting to stop the suspect, who had just carjacked another driver, on I-75 just south of State Road 54 in Pasco County when gunfire erupted. Trooper Crooks was struck in the head before exiting his cruiser. The suspect then fled the scene and holed up in a gas station for several hours before committing suicide.

Trooper Crooks had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for nine months. He was survived by his parents and fiancée.”

Captain Charles “Bo” Harrison

Pasco Sheriff’s Office | Age: 57 | EOW: Sunday, June 1st, 2003

“While performing surveillance duties near a nightclub on U.S. Highway 301 in Lacoochee, Captain Charles’ Bo’ Harrison was shot and killed by a suspect from a nearby wooded area.

Captain Harrison, who had been with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office for 31 years, was struck and killed just 15 days shy of his retirement. The retired U.S. Army Ranger and Vietnam Veteran was the highest ranking African-American deputy in the history of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

Captain Harrison was a respected and beloved member not only of PSO but of his entire community. He coached youth sports, was an active member of his church, and received numerous awards throughout his career.”

Deputy John Mecklenburg

Hernando County Sheriff’s Office | Age: 35 | EOW: Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

“Deputy John Mecklenburg was killed in an automobile accident in Pasco County while involved in a vehicle pursuit.

Officers from the Brooksville Police Department started pursuing a vehicle on U.S. Highway 41 at approximately 4:40 am. Deputies joined in the pursuit and attempted a PIT maneuver on the vehicle. The suspect driver regained control of his vehicle and continued to flee. Deputy Mecklenburg continued to pursue the vehicle into Pasco County. His vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree near the intersection of Painter Road.

His cruiser caught fire upon impact, but other officers in the pursuit were able to extinguish the flames. He was flown to a hospital in Tampa, where he succumbed to his injuries. Another deputy was also injured earlier in the pursuit when his vehicle crashed.

The suspect driver of the vehicle was arrested by members of the Florida Highway Patrol shortly after being pursued through four counties. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Deputy Mecklenburg was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office for two years. He is survived by his wife and two young children.”

Detective Raymond Orion Williamson

Pasco Sheriff’s Office | Age: 36 | EOW: Monday, August 16th, 2021

“Detective Ray Williamson died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Detective Williamson served with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office for over 14 years. He is survived by his wife and child.”

— We will never forget —