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Incident
Patrol Officer Samuel Stephens was shot and killed while conducting a check of a car he believed to be stolen. He had radioed a description of the car to the dispatch at 1:55 am. When dispatch radioed back that the car was stolen a few minutes later they received no response from Officer Stephens. Another officer was sent to the scene on East Main Street and found Officer Stephens slumped over the steering wheel of his car suffering from a gunshot wound to the head and one to the chest. He was transported to John F. Kennedy Hospital where he died about 8 hours later. One of two suspects was arrested several days later. Officer Stephens was a U.S. Army veteran. He had served with the Pahokee Police Department for two years and had previously served as a deputy for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office for three years. He was survived by his two daughters. His body was interred at Port Mayaca Cemetery in Martin County, Florida.
Survivors
He was survived by his two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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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. Samuel 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.
Patrol Officer Stephens gave the Pahokee Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pahokee community, and 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
Samuel Melvin Stephens served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Samuel is the only officer of Pahokee Police Department remembered here.
Samuel is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Samuel 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 1971, 3 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 34. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Samuel had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Samuel was 34. 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. Samuel had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.7% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Sundays: 15.9%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Pahokee Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Samuel Melvin Stephens served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Samuel Melvin Stephens’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 2-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Pahokee Police Department are honored on badge.nw.