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Incident
Sergeant Luther Howard suffered a fatal heart attack while struggling with a man he and two other officers were attempting to arrest for domestic violence.
He collapsed when he was thrown against a wall during the struggle inside the Seminole Apartments on East Central Avenue. The other officers subdued the man then carried Sergeant Howard to their patrol cars and called for an ambulance. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The man they were arresting was charged with two counts of assault with intent to murder and threats to kill for the assaults against his wife and children. He was also charged with resisting arrest and use of force and violence against an officer.
Sergeant Howard was a U.S. Army veteran of both WWI and WWII. He had served with the Winter Haven Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, three sons, seven grandchildren, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Luther is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Howard gave the Winter Haven Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Winter Haven community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Luther Thomas Howard served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Winter Haven Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Luther is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Luther is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Luther is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1958, 3 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1958, 63 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 119th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1958, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Luther was 60. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Luther had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Luther was 60. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Luther had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Luther was 60. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Luther had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.3% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Mondays: 10.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Winter Haven Police Department, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Winter Haven Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Luther among them.
Where
Military Service
Luther Thomas Howard served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Luther Thomas Howard’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-ET
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Winter Haven Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
