Escambia County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch: Saturday, May 3, 1980
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 9 years, 7 months
Badge Number: 119
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 3, 1980
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to live without parole
Deputy Sheriff Floyd Heist was shot and killed while attempting to negotiate with a suspect to release a hostage during an armed robbery.
He was the first officer on scene and entered the business before the armed robbery was confirmed. When the suspect saw him he took a hostage. While Deputy Heist attempted to negotiate the hostage's release the 21-year-old suspect suddenly shot him.
The 21-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced life. As of November 25, 2020, he was in prison.
Deputy Heist had served with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office for 9-1/2 years. He is survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters.