Police Officer George Stefan DeSalvia
Orlando Police Department
Florida
End of Watch: Thursday, February 3, 2000

Biographical Info
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 8 months
Badge Number: 577

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, February 3, 2000
Weapon Used: Handgun; .40 caliber
Suspect Info: Guilty of first-degree murder

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.

In 2001, the shooter was found guilty of first-degree murder of a police officer.

Officer DeSalvia had been employed with the Orlando Police Department for eight months, and is survived by his wife and three young children.