Inspector Austin Dewey Gay

Inspector Austin Dewey Gay

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, Florida

End of Watch Saturday, April 14, 1979

Add to My Heroes

Austin Dewey Gay

Inspector Austin Gay was shot and killed after being abducted from his inspection station on U.S. 441 south of the Florida - Georgia border.

Seven days later, his body was located on a farm in Brooks County, Georgia, suffering from a single gunshot wound to the head. His body had been stripped of his uniform and duty weapon.

The previous month another inspector at a nearby station had been abducted after discovering a load of marijuana being smuggled by a group of corrupt police officers from Chicago, Illinois. The group had handcuffed the inspector to a tree in a remote area and left him for dead, but he was found about eight hours later unharmed.

The corrupt officers then hired a hitman to murder that inspector to prevent him from testifying. The hitman mistook Inspector Gay for the other inspector, abducted him, and murdered him.

In 1983 the six corrupt Chicago police officers were convicted of charges in connection with Inspector Gay's murder. The alleged hitman was acquitted of the charges.

Inspector Gay had served with the Florida Department of Agriculture as a road guard inspector for 14 years.

Bio

  • Age 61
  • Tour 14 years
  • Badge Not available
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Location Georgia
  • Weapon Handgun
  • Offender Six suspects convicted

abducted, retaliation

Most Recent Reflection

View all 18 Reflections

Thank you for your service. RIP

Ginger Beck

March 25, 2022

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.