Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch: Tuesday, February 21, 1978
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 16
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 21, 1978
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentence commuted to life
Deputy Lonnie Coburn was shot and killed when he confronted two suspects wanted in the connection of the rape, kidnapping, and murder of a young woman who was six months pregnant.
The two attacked him, gained control of his service weapon, and shot him twice. Both suspects were eventually apprehended, convicted of both murders, and sentenced to death. Both, 32 and 22, later had their sentences commuted to life. As on November 23, 2020, both were in prison.
A portion of State Road 50 near the scene of his murder was dedicated in his memory.