Highlands County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch Monday, July 10, 1995
Add to My HeroesRobert F. Hopton, Jr.
Captain Robert Hopton and Inspector James Rodgers were killed when their plane crashed while assisting deputies on the ground search for two suspects.
The suspects, who were trespassing on a ranch, matched the description of two men wanted for a home invasion and sexual battery in the same area the previous week. The single-engine Piper L-21-A stalled and crashed into trees just north of Lake Istokpoga. The men they were searching for were charged with trespassing and narcotics violations, but were determined not to be connected to the earlier incident.
Captain Hopton had served in law enforcement for 22 years. He is survived by wife, son, and two daughters.
Bio
- Age 52
- Tour 22 years
- Badge 905
Incident Details
- Cause Aircraft accident
Related LODD Deaths
Inspector James E. Rodgers
Highlands County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: July 10, 1995
Most Recent Reflection
View all 12 Reflections"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9
Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service
May 7, 2018
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer William Buechner
Auburn Police Division, AL
EOW: May 19, 2019
Constable Willie Houston "Hoot" West
Lowndes County Constable's Office, MS
EOW: May 9, 2019
Sergeant Kelvin Ansari
Savannah Police Department, GA
EOW: May 11, 2019
Police Officer Anthony Neri
Sanibel Police Department, FL
EOW: May 6, 2019
Trooper Matthew Elias Gatti
Tennessee Highway Patrol, TN
EOW: May 6, 2019
Police Officer Robert McKeithen
Biloxi Police Department, MS
EOW: May 5, 2019
K9 Officer Jordan Harris Sheldon
Mooresville Police Department, NC
EOW: May 4, 2019
Special Agent in Charge Liquat A. "Leo" Khan
United States Army Criminal Investigation Division, US
EOW: April 30, 2019
Police Officer Kyle Olinger
Montgomery County Police Department, MD
EOW: April 18, 2019