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Incident
Deputies Gene Wilkinson and Larry Rhoden were killed when their department helicopter crashed into a small pond near Lakeland, Florida at approximately 0200 hours, during a period of dense fog.
Deputy Wilkinson was the pilot of the Bell OH-58 helicopter. The two deputies were returning from a call when the crash occurred.
Deputy Wilkinson had been employed with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for seven years, and is survived by his wife and son.
Survivors
Deputy Wilkinson had been employed with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for seven years, and is survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Wilkinson gave the Polk County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Winter Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wilkinson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Polk County Sheriff's Department has lost 18 officers; 9 of them lost to accidents.
Gene is one of 314 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Gene is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gene is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 2 officers at Polk County Sheriff's Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2001, 8 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 2001, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2001, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gene was 34. Of the 9 lost to accidents at Polk County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26 and 39; the middle age was 34. Gene had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Gene was 34. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Gene had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Gene was 34. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Gene had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gene was 34. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gene had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 33.3% of these deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 22.2%.
October holds 9.9% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Mondays: 16.6%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 18 deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Polk County Sheriff's Department has 18 officers remembered here, Gene among them.
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Oliver Thomas Smith Jan 16, 1922
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J. Edward Harrelson
Dec 21, 1926
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Frank Dixon Sep 22, 1932
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Leon Alexander Bernard
Apr 9, 1963
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Paul Andrew Powell
May 26, 1967
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Sollie Waller Rabun, Jr.
Mar 3, 1974
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Theron Anthony Burnham
Jan 9, 1981
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Waymon Dee Allen
Mar 15, 1987
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David Michael Goddard
Feb 2, 1989
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Larry Willis Rhoden
Oct 22, 2001
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Gene Brian Wilkinson
Oct 22, 2001
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Vernon Matthew Williams
Sep 28, 2006
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Ronnie O'Neal Brown
Sep 8, 2009
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Wesley Richard Whitmore, Jr.
Dec 12, 2010
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Joseph Robbins
Apr 26, 2013
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Ricky Carlton Anderson
Feb 21, 2016
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Christopher Broadhead
Aug 23, 2021
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Blane Lane
Oct 4, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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