Orlando Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Thursday, February 3, 2000
Add to My HeroesGeorge Stefan DeSalvia
Officer George DeSalvia was shot and killed while backing up another officer during a traffic stop.
The second officer had arrested one of the occupants of the vehicle on an outstanding warrant. As Officer DeSalvia and the second officer attempted to remove the driver from the vehicle, he pulled out a .40 caliber Glock handgun and shot officer DeSalvia in the head. He then began shooting at the second officer, who was between the cruiser and the suspect's vehicle, striking him several times. Neither officer was able to return fire before the suspect fled the scene.
Officer DeSalvia was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The second officer was admitted to a local hospital in critical condition. The shooter was arrested several hours later after a manhunt involving several hundred police officers from several jurisdictions. A third occupant of the car was also arrested.
On October 17, 2001, the shooter was found guilty of first-degree murder of a police officer and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
Officer DeSalvia had been employed with the Orlando Police Department for eight months, and is survived by his wife and three young children.
Bio
- Age 29
- Tour 8 months
- Badge 577
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .40 caliber
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 162 ReflectionsMay God bless Officer DeSalvia and his family. I am a defense attorney. I have a deep respect for law enforcement and the demands of the job. I know. I have dealt with criminal defendants for over 30 years. All the respect for Officer Desalvia and all the men and women in law enforcement who protect us.
Russell McLatchey, Esq.
friend, citizen
April 1, 2022
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