Patrolman William T. Barnett

William T. Barnett

Patrolman Barnett and Patrolman Thomas Nicholson were shot and killed after they responded to a domestic disturbance in North Lakeland. The two officers were struggling with two men when they shot and killed both officers. Other officers arrived at the scene and took both men into custody. It was later determined that both suspects used the same gun and each killed one officer.

Both suspects were convicted of Patrolman Barnett's and Patrolman Nicholson's murder. One of the suspects was sentenced to death on April 18, 1932. He escaped from a mental institution; committed a murder and robbery in Levy County, Florida; and was recaptured. He was executed in the electric chair on November 22, 1943.