Deputy Sheriff Hal P. Croft

Hal P. Croft

Deputy Croft and a civilian assisting him were shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant on a man for firing a shotgun into a occupied dwelling. The suspect opened fire with a shotgun as they stepped onto his front porch. The suspect then took Deputy Croft's service revolver and shot himself in the chest. He recovered from his wounds and was charged with two counts of first degree murder.

The suspect was convicted of both murders and sentenced to death. In 1964 he was tried again and sentenced to two life terms. In 1976 his appeal for a new trial was denied.

Deputy Croft was survived by his wife and child. He had previously served with the Florida Highway Patrol.