Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Michael Magli was struck and killed by a drunk driver who fled at a high rate of speed after a sheriff's sergeant attempted to stop him.
Deputies and rescue personnel had responded to reports of a subject passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle at the intersection of Forelock Road and East Lake Road. The man was unresponsive, so paramedics broke the vehicle's window. The man suddenly awoke and accelerated at a high rate of speed. When the sergeant attempted to stop him the man fled again, driving recklessly and crossing over the median into oncoming traffic.
Deputy Magli was preparing to deploy spike strips when the driver lost control, overturned, and struck him. He was pinned beneath his patrol car and succumbed to his injuries.
The driver, who had 16 felony convictions and was out on parole, was arrested in connection with this incident. In September 2022, the subject accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 35 years.
Deputy Magli had served with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two young children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-10E8E53F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Magli gave the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Largo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Magli.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Michael James Magli is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael James Magli's cause is highlighted.
How Michael James Magli Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael James Magli is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Pinellas County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
