Corrections Officer Mark Lindsey Parker, Orange County Sheriff's Office, Florida

Corrections Officer Mark Lindsey Parker

Orange County Sheriff's Office, Florida

End of Watch Thursday, March 19, 2009

Mark Lindsey Parker

Corrections Officer Mark Parker succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on January 10, 1984, in the Orange County Courthouse.

A suspect had gone to the courthouse with the intention of shooting a police officer who had given him a traffic ticket. The suspect entered a courtroom and exchanged gunfire with Deputy Harry Dalton, mortally wounding him. He then shot and killed Deputy Arnold Wilkerson in the courtroom and shot at the judge, but missed.

After exiting the courtroom he exchanged shots with another deputy in hallway. Officer Parker, who was unarmed, was caught in the crossfire while attempting to shield citizens in the hallway. He was left paralyzed from the chest down and required round-the-clock care for the remainder of his life.

The suspect was convicted of murder and executed in June of 2000. Officer Parker attended the execution.

Officer Parker had served with the Orange County Department of Corrections for only one year, and was 19 years old at the time of the shooting. He was later made an honorary deputy.

Bio

Age 44
Tour 1 year
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Tuesday, January 10, 1984
Weapon Handgun
Offender Executed in 2000

Most Recent Reflection

View all 143 Reflections

I remember that day so well, I will never forget it..Mark, Harry and Arnie were my friends, we worked together for years and I still cannot believe they are gone..I was in the courthouse on the day of the shooting on the 3rd floor, I heard the shots and ran up the stairwell to the 4th floor, I peered out the window in the door and saw Arnie laying on the floor, Officer Phil Greathouse with OPD was with him, he looked up and saw me and motioned for me to come out, when I did he told me to go to Mark who was laying in front of our Sgt's office door. I went to Mark and he keep asking me if he could put his head on my lap, I told him know because we did not know where he had been shot..the emt's then came and took him , Arnie and Harry to the hospital..My heart broke for these 3 amazing men,,.. I made it a point to go see Mark every day after work, I would brush his teeth for him and help him freshen up and talk to him and answered all his questions he had about work..I stayed in cantact with him for all the years until his death..I will never forget my sweet friend..I love you and miss you all.

Deputy Judy Bourgeois
OCSO --- Deputy Sheriff assigned to Court Security --1977

March 19, 2017