Polk County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch Monday, October 22, 2001
Add to My HeroesGene Brian Wilkinson
Deputies Gene Wilkinson and Larry Rhoden were killed when their department helicopter crashed into a small pond near Lakeland, Florida at approximately 0200 hours, during a period of dense fog.
Deputy Wilkinson was the pilot of the Bell OH-58 helicopter. The two deputies were returning from a call when the crash occurred.
Deputy Wilkinson had been employed with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for seven years, and is survived by his wife and son.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour 7 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Aircraft accident
Related LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Larry Rhoden
Polk County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: October 22, 2001
Most Recent Reflection
View all 32 ReflectionsRest in peace deputy Sheriff Wilkinson. A Sunshine state hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
December 13, 2018
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Sean Tuder
Mobile Police Department, AL
EOW: January 20, 2019
Deputy Sheriff Ray Horn
Comal County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: January 17, 2019
Sergeant Wytasha Carter
Birmingham Police Department, AL
EOW: January 13, 2019
Trooper Christopher Lambert
Illinois State Police, IL
EOW: January 12, 2019
Police Officer Natalie Becky Corona
Davis Police Department, CA
EOW: January 10, 2019
Police Officer Clayton Joel Townsend
Salt River Police Department, TR
EOW: January 8, 2019
Police Officer Dale James Woods
Colerain Township Police Department, OH
EOW: January 7, 2019
Master Police Officer Joseph William Shinners
Provo Police Department, UT
EOW: January 5, 2019
Police Officer II Michael Wayne Smith
Henry County Police Department, GA
EOW: December 28, 2018