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Incident
Sheriff David Mizell was shot and killed after being ambushed while trying to settle a dispute over the sale of several head of cattle. Sheriff Mizell set out with his son and another man to locate the suspects. As they were crossing a stream they were ambushed and Sheriff Mizell was mortally wounded. As he lay dying in his son's arms he asked that his death not be avenged. Nevertheless, a posse was formed and captured the suspected triggerman. He was tied to a plowshare and tossed over the side of a boat. When he failed to sink the posse shot and killed him in a volley of rifle fire. Sheriff Mizell had previously served with the confederate army during the Civil War and was survived by his wife and five children. He is buried in the Mizell Family Graveyard in Orlando, Florida.
Survivors
Sheriff Mizell had previously served with the confederate army during the Civil War and was survived by his wife and five children.
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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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.
Sheriff Mizell served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Orlando 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
David William L. Mizell served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Orange County Sheriff's Office has lost 21 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
David 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 1870, 1 officer at Orange County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1870, 2 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 93rd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1870, 31 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 155th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1870, 31 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 157th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 36. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Orange County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 44; the middle age was 36.
David was 36. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
David was 36. 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.
David was 36. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 18.2% of these deaths at Orange County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 27.3%. Mondays: 18.2%.
February holds 7.8% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Mondays: 10.6%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 52.4% of all 21 deaths at Orange County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 6.7% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Orange County Sheriff's Office has 21 officers remembered here, David among them.
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David William L. Mizell
Feb 21, 1870
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Bobby L. Corley, Sr.
Aug 8, 1965
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Samuel Parker, Jr.
Jan 23, 1975
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Arnold William Wilkerson
Jan 10, 1984
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Frank Nelson Seton
Jan 4, 1989
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Thomas Allen Ingram
May 12, 1990
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Harry Jordan Dalton, Jr.
Mar 25, 1991
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John Joseph Creegan
May 29, 1996
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Grady Terrill Braddock
May 27, 1998
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John Harold Hollomon
Dec 15, 1998
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James Marcus Weaver
Nov 24, 2003
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Mariano Lemus, Jr.
May 6, 2005
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Michael Anthony Callin
Aug 2, 2006
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Mark Lindsey Parker
Mar 19, 2009
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Craig A. Heber
Jul 21, 2010
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Brandon Lee Coates
Dec 8, 2010
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Sebastian Edward Diana
Mar 12, 2011
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Michael K. Erickson
Mar 16, 2011
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Jonathan Scott Pine
Feb 11, 2014
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Norman Cecil Lewis
Jan 9, 2017
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Craig Seijos
Aug 5, 2021
Military Service
David William L. Mizell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit David William L. Mizell’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 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Orange County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
