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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Roland Davis suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after directing traffic at the intersection of Brainerd and Z Streets at approximately 1:00 pm.
He began to feel ill and told another deputy that he was going to sit down under a tree. As he did so he collapsed and fell over. He was transported to Escambia General Hospital where he passed away a short time later.
Deputy Davis had served in law enforcement for almost 30 years with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office and as the elected constable for Escambia County District 1. He is survived by his wife, four daughters, three sons, mother, four sisters, three brothers, and seven grandchildren. One of his sons went on to become the sheriff of Escambia County.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, four daughters, three sons, mother, four sisters, three brothers, and seven grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
30 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Davis gave the Escambia County Sheriff's Office 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Pensacola community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Davis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Escambia County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 3 of them lost to cardiac events.
Roland is one of 62 officers lost to cardiac events in FL, 6.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Roland is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Roland is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1955, 1 officer in FL was lost to cardiac events, the 17th heaviest of 39 years on record. The heaviest was 2017, with 4.
In 1955, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1955, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Roland was 49. Of the 61 lost to cardiac events in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 49. Roland had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Roland was 49. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Roland had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Roland was 49. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Roland had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
September holds 11.3% of these deaths in FL; May holds the most, 19.4%. Saturdays: 11.3%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 23.1% of all 13 deaths at Escambia County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Escambia County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Roland among them.
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A. Cary Ellis
Sep 25, 1923
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Joseph Elmer Whitworth
Apr 22, 1954
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Roland E. Davis, Sr.
Sep 24, 1955
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Len Burt Adams
Jun 16, 1958
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Joseph Mallory Gassman
Jan 30, 1966
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Charles Leroy Wilkerson
Jan 19, 1974
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Morley G. Ray
Apr 7, 1978
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Floyd Douglas Heist, Sr.
May 3, 1980
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Eric Byron Streeter
Mar 13, 1984
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Donald Ray Cook
Dec 3, 1988
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Roosevelt Walker, Jr.
May 22, 1998
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George Hura, Jr.
May 4, 2004
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Jeremy H. Cassady
Jul 15, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Escambia County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
