Polk County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch: Monday, October 22, 2001
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Aircraft accident
Date of Incident: October 22, 2001
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Deputies Gene Wilkinson and Larry Rhoden were killed when their department helicopter crashed into a small pond near Lakeland, Florida at approximately 0200 hours, during a period of dense fog.
Deputy Wilkinson was the pilot of the Bell OH-58 helicopter. The two deputies were returning from a call when the crash occurred.
Deputy Wilkinson had been employed with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for seven years, and is survived by his wife and son.