Trooper Jeffrey Dale Young, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida

Trooper Jeffrey Dale Young

Florida Highway Patrol, Florida

End of Watch Tuesday, August 18, 1987

Jeffrey Dale Young

Trooper Jeffrey Young was shot and killed with his own weapon during a traffic stop in Manatee, Florida.

Trooper Young was a member of the narcotics squad and was attempting to arrest a drug courier during a traffic stop. Two suspects were en route to Detroit, Michigan, on I 75 when they were stopped by Trooper Young. Consent was given to search the vehicle, during which Trooper Young discovered a substantial amount of cocaine. A violent struggle between the Trooper and suspects ensued and the one of the suspects gained control of Trooper Young's revolver and shot him in the face at point blank range. The shooter was apprehended, convicted of first degree murder, and sentenced to death.

Trooper Young was assigned to Troop F and had been with the agency for three years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.

Bio

Age 28
Tour 3 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Sentenced to death

Most Recent Reflection

View all 44 Reflections

Jeff profoundly impacted my life 43 years ago while we were both students at Sarasota Junior High School. He was the first born again Christian I had encountered, at least the first who made it a point of spreading the Gospel.
Jeff would stand on the benches near the cafeteria during lunch or wherever their was a crowd and preach and hand out tracts. While there were the inevitable few hecklers, many, like myself, would listen intently.
There was one other student, who claimed to be a satanist, who would get in heated arguments with Jeff, causing them both to be suspended, but Jeff would be back preaching, undeterred.
His love for Christ, his passion for spreading the gospel, his example, never left me. The seeds he planted took root in my heart and I came to accept the Lord and be born again, praise God!
I strive to live my life with the same passion for the lost that Jeff had. I think of him often. I know without a doubt that he heard the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant," when he went home to be with our Lord.
I look forward to seeing him again and thanking him for the role he played in my salvation.

Debbie Dayton
Former classmate

August 19, 2017