Police Officer George Stefan DeSalvia

George Stefan DeSalvia

Officer George DeSalvia was shot and killed while backing up another officer during a traffic stop on John Young Parkway between 33rd Street and LB McLeod Road.

The second officer had arrested one of the occupants of the vehicle on an outstanding warrant. As Officer DeSalvia and the second officer attempted to remove the driver from the vehicle, he pulled out a .40 caliber Glock handgun and shot Officer DeSalvia in the head. He then began shooting at the second officer, who was between the cruiser and the suspect's vehicle, striking him several times. Neither officer was able to return fire before the suspect fled the scene.

Officer DeSalvia was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The second officer was admitted to a local hospital in critical condition. He survived but was paralyzed.

The shooter was arrested several hours later after a manhunt involving several hundred police officers from several jurisdictions. A third occupant of the car was also arrested.

On October 17, 2001, the shooter, 21, was found guilty of first-degree murder of a police officer and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

Officer DeSalvia had served with the Orlando Police Department for eight months. He is survived by his wife and three young children. In 2012 a street where the police communications and training center is located was renamed "George Desalvia Way" in his honer.