Polk County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch Monday, October 22, 2001
Gene Brian Wilkinson
Deputies Gene Wilkinson and Larry Rhoden were killed when their department helicopter crashed into a small pond near Lakeland, Florida at approximately 0200 hours, during a period of dense fog.
Deputy Wilkinson was the pilot of the Bell OH-58 helicopter. The two deputies were returning from a call when the crash occurred.
Deputy Wilkinson had been employed with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for seven years, and is survived by his wife and son.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour 7 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Aircraft accident
Related LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Larry Rhoden
Polk County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: October 22, 2001
Most Recent Reflection
View all 32 ReflectionsRest in peace deputy Sheriff Wilkinson. A Sunshine state hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
December 13, 2018
Recent LODD Deaths
Sergeant Wytasha Carter
Birmingham Police Department, AL
EOW: January 13, 2019
Trooper Christopher Lambert
Illinois State Police, IL
EOW: January 12, 2019
Police Officer Natalie Becky Corona
Davis Police Department, CA
EOW: January 10, 2019
Police Officer Clayton Joel Townsend
Salt River Police Department, TR
EOW: January 8, 2019
Police Officer Dale James Woods
Colerain Township Police Department, OH
EOW: January 7, 2019
Master Police Officer Joseph William Shinners
Provo Police Department, UT
EOW: January 5, 2019
Police Officer II Michael Wayne Smith
Henry County Police Department, GA
EOW: December 28, 2018
Corporal Ronil Singh
Newman Police Department, CA
EOW: December 26, 2018
Detective Deidre Irene Mengedoht
Louisville Metro Police Department, KY
EOW: December 24, 2018