Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch: Wednesday, July 8, 1998
Age: 55
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 8, 1998
Weapon Used: Handgun; 9 mm
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Deputy Sheriff Gene Gregory was shot and killed after responding to a shots fired call at 8:45 p.m.
The suspect had threatened his landlord with a weapon after the landlord attempted to evict him. Upon Deputy Gregory's arrival, he was met with gunfire and shot and killed. He was able to radio in that he needed backup. Several SWAT teams responded and surrounded the suspect, who fired several hundred shots at the officers, wounding two others, during the ensuing 13-hour standoff. It took over two hours for responders to retrieve Deputy Gregory's body.
The suspect was shot and killed at 10:00 a.m. the next day after firing at officers while trying to escape.
Deputy Gregory was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office for seven years. He had served as an auxiliary officer prior to becoming a deputy. He is survived by his wife and three children. Two of his sons also serve in law enforcement.