Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch: Tuesday, August 22, 1989
Age:
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 22, 1989
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Released after 12 years
Deputy Sheriff James Dickinson was shot and killed while attempting to serve a commitment order on a disturbed Vietnam War veteran at the man's home at 4180 122nd Drive North in Royal Palm Beach.
The suspect was barricaded in his home and opened fire on Deputy Dickinson with a high-powered rifle.
The suspect was eventually taken into custody. He was convicted of second-degree murder but released after only 12 years. The man died in 2003.
Deputy Dickinson had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office for nine years.