Florida Highway Patrol, Florida
End of Watch Wednesday, March 18, 1970
Add to My HeroesJohn C. Hagerty
Trooper John Hagerty was killed when the traffic plane he was piloting was struck by a low-flying U.S. Navy plane over Lakeland.
He was monitoring traffic on I-4, flying at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet, when two Navy A7B Corsair bombers entered the airspace near him. One of the jets collided with his plane, slicing it in two. The wreckage of his plane landed on I-4, approximately four miles north of Lakeland.
Trooper Hagerty and other troopers had previously reported Navy aircraft buzzing the traffic control planes and vehicles on the highway.
Trooper Hagerty had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 13 years.
Bio
- Age 44
- Tour 13 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Aircraft accident
Most Recent Reflection
View all 15 ReflectionsTrooper Hagerty,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Florida. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
March 18, 2020
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