Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Florida
End of Watch: Friday, September 20, 1991
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: September 20, 1991
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to one year
Special Agent Debra Tison was struck and killed by a drunk driver at the intersection of Forest Hill Boulevard and Woods Bend Road at about 11:30 pm.
She was with two other agents when they were rear-ended by another vehicle on Forrest Hill Boulevard in West Palm Beach. The 19-year-old driver had been cited earlier that night by the agents for underage drinking. As Agent Tison was outside the vehicle talking with the driver an off-duty West Palm Beach police officer hit both of them. Agent Tison was transported to a local hospital where she died.
The off-duty officer had a BAC of 0.15. He was convicted of charges related to the incident and was sentenced to one year in jail, two years probation, and five years house arrest.
Special Agent Tison had served with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco for seven years. She had previously served with the Jupiter Police Department and the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Police Department. She was survived by her husband, son, two daughters, mother and two brothers. Her husband served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.