Florida Highway Patrol, Florida
End of Watch: Tuesday, May 19, 1998
Age: 23
Tour of Duty: 9 months
Badge Number: 1777
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 19, 1998
Weapon Used: Rifle; Semi-automatic
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Trooper James Crooks was shot and killed while he was involved in a chase of a suspect who had just killed two Tampa detectives, Detectives Randy Bell and Ricky Childers.
Trooper Crooks was attempting to stop the suspect, who had just car-jacked another driver, on I-75 just south of State Road 54 in Pasco County when gunfire erupted. Trooper Crooks was struck in the head before exiting his cruiser. The suspect then fled the scene and holed up in a gas station for several hours before committing suicide.
Trooper Crooks had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for nine months. He was survived by his parents and fiancee.