Deputy Wayne J. Koester

Wayne J. Koester

Deputy Wayne Koester and two other deputies were shot while responding to a domestic violence call at a home in Ocala National Forest.

The three deputies had made contact with the female subject at a neighbor's home. The deputies searched for the male subject at the couple's home but did not locate him. As they returned the female subject to the home, the suspect ambushed them from the woods with a shotgun loaded with slugs. He exchanged shots with the deputies, wounding all three. Deputy Koester was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

The suspect fled the scene on a motorcycle, but was apprehended later in the day following a massive manhunt and a second shootout. When the suspect was apprehended, it was discovered that he suffered gunshot wounds from one of the shootouts. He was convicted of first degree murder, two counts of attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, two counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, and sentenced to death.

Deputy Koester had served with the Lake County Sheriff's Office for only 9 months and had previously served with the Umatilla Police Department for 8 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.