Highlands County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch Monday, July 10, 1995
James E. Rodgers
Inspector James Rodgers and Captain Robert Hopton were killed when their plane crashed while assisting deputies on the ground search for two suspects.
The suspects, who were trespassing on a ranch, matched the description of two men wanted for a home invasion and sexual battery in the same area the previous week. The single-engine Piper L-21-A stalled and crashed into trees just north of Lake Istokpoga. The men they were searching for were charged with trespassing and narcotics violations, but were determined not to be connected to the earlier incident.
Inspector Rodgers had served with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office for four years. He is survived by his wife and daughters.
Bio
- Age 46
- Tour 4 years
- Badge 501
Incident Details
- Cause Aircraft accident
Related LODD Deaths
Captain Robert F. Hopton, Jr.
Highlands County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: July 10, 1995
Most Recent Reflection
View all 12 Reflections"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9
Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service
May 7, 2018
Recent LODD Deaths
Correctional Officer Tawanna Marin
Florida Department of Corrections, FL
EOW: June 18, 2018
Deputy Sheriff Theresa King
Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, KS
EOW: June 16, 2018
Deputy Sheriff Patrick Rohrer
Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, KS
EOW: June 15, 2018
Sergeant Charles Salaway
New York State Police, NY
EOW: June 9, 2018
Police Officer Malcus Williams, II
Ashland Police Department, OR
EOW: March 2, 2018
Collection Operations Manager Christopher Todd Bacon
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Intelligence, US
EOW: June 7, 2018
Police Officer Charles G. Irvine, Jr.
Milwaukee Police Department, WI
EOW: June 7, 2018
Trooper First Class Walter Greene
Connecticut State Police, CT
EOW: May 31, 2018
Sergeant Daniel Scott Baker
Dickson County Sheriff's Office, TN
EOW: May 30, 2018