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
Deputy Sheriff Jarid Taylor
Bryan County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: January 14, 2020
Detective Amber Joy Leist
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 12, 2020
Police Officer Nicholas Reyna
Lubbock Police Department, TX
EOW: January 11, 2020
Police Officer Paul Dunn
Lakeland Police Department, FL
EOW: January 9, 2020
Public Safety Officer Jackson Ryan Winkeler
Florence Regional Airport Department of Public Safety, SC
EOW: January 5, 2020
Police Officer Jerry Clyde Singleton
Fairfield Glade Police Department, TN
EOW: December 31, 2019
Detective Maureen M. O'Flaherty
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: November 28, 2019
Investigator Ryan D. Fortini
New York State Police, NY
EOW: January 1, 2020
Deputy Sheriff Chris Dickerson
Panola County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: December 31, 2019