As the Tamiami Trail was nearing completion, six way-stations manned with a husband and wife team were located every ten miles along the Tamiami Trail starting five miles east of the Gordon River in Naples. The six men assigned to these stations became members of an elite and extremely unique "Southwest Mounted Police" whose duties were to patrol the limestone and pot marked highway five miles on each side of their assigned station; assisting motorists, spreading good-will, enforcing traffic laws, catching poachers and intercepting moonshine. Within a few months of the opening of the Tamiami Trail in April 1928 several of these men on their motorcycles would be involved in horrific accidents and two would perish.
For years the members of the Southwest Mounted Police were thought to be one of Barron Gift Collier's private police forces. However in 1990, documents were discovered that confirmed they may have started their career that way but within a few weeks of the trail's opening then Collier County Sheriff Maynard approached the County's new Commissioners with a plan to deputize them; removing a possible conflict of interest between the County Sheriff and his "Collier's men". Being that they had actually been deputized members of the Collier County Sheriff's Office, yet still bearing the name of their private assignment (the Southwest Mounted Police) added to historical confusion; but in 1991 those who had died along the Tamiami Trail were added to the CCSO Memorial and to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC.
Throughout the years other brave deputies have given their lives for this community and to preserve the safety of others. We salute them, we appreciate them and we honor them. You can also honor them by remembering their sacrifice and reading their stories below.
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is commemorated May 15th each year.
May of each year is a great time to visit the CCSO Law Enforcement Memorial or the National Memorial in Washington, DC. for candle light vigils and other commemorations.
May - CCSO H.Q. Memorial
Previous Ceremony Program and Speech
The CCSO commemorates National Police Week and Peace Officer's Memorial Day in a ceremony at the CCSO LE Memorial each year. Special family guests were provided an opportunity to light a candle for there lost loved one. This annual ceremony pays tribute to our fallen deputies and honors those who serve and protect us each day. The CCSO Alumni was honored to take part in this year's program with a speech on the history of the CCSO.
Died: December 14, 1928
Assigned to: The city of Everglade / Paolita Station of the Southwest Mounted Police
Bio: Deputy W.B. Richardson was killed in the line of duty on December 14th, 1928 when his 1928 Harley Davidson motorcycle struck a bridge guardrail while he was patrolling the rough, potholed and loose gravel Tamiami Trail from Paolita Station (the last station before the Dade Co. Line). He was a deputy sheriff for only 14 days before being killed. Upon his death, Richardson’s body was shipped to his hometown in Kansas accompanied by his wife and children, who were never heard from again. READ MORE >>>>>>>>
Died: January 20, 1929
Assigned to: The city of Everglade / Monroe Station of the Southwest Mounted Police
Bio: Deputy Irwin was killed in the line of duty on January 20th, 1929 when his motorcycle was struck head on by a motorcar in heavy fog, while he patrolled from Monroe station. He was a deputy for only sixty (60) days before being killed. William Irwin was survived by his wife Nettie Irwin and their two children (Blanche and Billy). Nettie died in August 1965 and is buried next to William at Arlington National Cemetery. READ MORE >>>>>>>>
Died: December 24, 1931
Assigned to: The city of Everglade
Bio: William "Bill" and his wife were lured from Bamberg, SC to Everglade by their long time friend D. Graham Copeland, who had been working as an Engineer for Barron Collier. Copeland promised Bill that he would be the Everglade Chief of Police and also deputized him for county-wide arrest powers. Bill, his wife and two daughters lived above the County Jail.
On December 24th, 1931, Christmas Eve, after leaving a party where he distributed gifts to children, Deputy Hutto surprised a group of liquor handlers, near the Baron River. While attempting to effect their arrest he was shot, a bullet penetrated his heart. Deputy Hutto clung to the escaping law breakers vehicle, trying to stop their escape while the vehicle dragged him a considerable distance before he died. READ MORE >>>>>>>>
Died: December 2, 1972
Assigned to: Marco Island Substation
Bio: On Saturday, December 2nd, 1972, at 11:30 PM, Deputy Anglin (two months shy of his first year of service), while on patrol was investigating a vehicle accident on SR-92, 4 miles north of Goodland /Marco. The driver of the vehicle (22 YOA) was being arrested for DWI, when he began to resist. Several civilian witnesses assisted in placing the subject in Deputy Anglin's vehicle. Deputy Anglin was on the radio advising dispatch of the arrest when he suffered a heart attack and died. READ MORE >>>>>>>>
Died: December 3, 1979
Assigned to: Immokalee Substation
Bio: Allen Amos, a life long resident of Immokalee, on December 3rd, 1979 responded to a report of gun shots in the area of the Immokalee Ranch Feed Lots. Upon arriving he and one other deputy observed two (2) juveniles, who had apparently illegally killed a hog. While arresting these juveniles a shot was fired by a 26 year old male who was concealed near-by. Allen was struck, by a bullet, in the head and died instantly. READ MORE >>>>>>>>
Died: March 29, 1983
Assigned to: Immokalee Substation
Bio: On Tuesday, March 29th, 1983, 9:10 PM, Cpl. Med Howell observed an Armed Robbery in progress at a convenience store on Lake Trafford Road, Immokalee. After calling for assistance, a high speed pursuit ensued. The five (5) subjects attempted to evade road blocks and fled through several residential areas. The chase ended when the suspect vehicle crashed into a parked bus. As Cpl. Med Howell stopped his vehicle and began top step out, a volley of gunfire erupted. Med was struck by a single bullet just above his protective vest and died. READ MORE >>>>>>>>
Died: September 23, 1984
Assigned to: East Naples Substation
Bio: On September 23rd, 1984, at 2:25 AM, Cpl. Mark Caperton was involved in a two vehicle crash on US-41, while he was en-route to assist a cab driver who had been assaulted. Cpl. Caperton's Police vehicle was struck by a vehicle being driven by a drunk driver, who was traveling west in the east bound lane on US-41 near Thomason Drive. Mark was killed instantly, as were the driver and passenger of the other vehicle. READ MORE >>>>>>>>
Died: August 22, 1991
Assigned to: Everglades Substation
Bio: On August 22nd, 1991, at 12:05 AM, Sgt. Williams died, the result of a single vehicle crash. Sergeant Williams had been returning through Jane's Scenic Highway, north of Everglades City, investigating a suspicious aircraft (believed to be a smuggler), when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. READ MORE >>>>>>>>
Died: December 13, 1997
Assigned to: Immokalee D.R.I.L.L. Academy
Bio: On December 13th, 1997, Sgt. Jones died, the result of a two vehicle crash on Oil Well Road. Sgt. Jones died instantly when his marked patrol unit left the roadway and struck a tree after being struck by another vehicle. Sergeant Jones was an eleven year veteran having served in Uniform Patrol, the SWAT team, Vice and Narcotics and the D.R.I.L.L. Academy. He was an avid athlete. In 1995, he won a Silver Medal in weight lifting competitions during the Florida Police Olympics. Sgt. Jones worked closely with troubled youth and was a positive role model.READ MORE >>>>>>>>
Died: may 124, 1999
Assigned to: Immokalee Substation
Bio: Deputy Raul "Rudy" Dimas, Sr., was driving west along Immokalee Road when he drifted into the eastbound lane. There he struck the left rear axle of a flatbed trailer with his car. Deputy Dimas, 50, and a 16-year veteran of the Collier County Sheriff's Office, was killed in the resulting collision. At the time of his death, Rudy was assigned to Road Patrol Duties in Immokalee. He was well liked by citizens and his fellow Deputies alike, and was noted for being able to bring calm to potentially explosive situations. He received several awards for his distinguished service in helping to solve burglary cases. His bilingual skills helped in many emergency situations in the heavily Spanish-speaking community of Immokalee. READ MORE >>>>>>>>