Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Nicholas Sottile was shot and killed during a traffic stop on U.S. 27 north of Lake Placid, Florida.
During the stop one of the two occupants produced a handgun and shot Sergeant Sottile in the chest.
Despite being mortally wounded, Sergeant Sottile was able to notify dispatchers that he had been shot. He was transported to Florida Hospital Lake Placid where he was pronounced dead approximately one hour later.
Both assailants fled the scene but were arrested early the following morning following a massive manhunt. Sergeant Sottile's killer was sentenced to death.
Sergeant Sottile had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 24 years and was assigned to Troop F in Bradenton. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son. At the time of the incident, his son also served with the Florida Highway Patrol.
Sergeant Sottile had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 24 years and was assigned to Troop F in Bradenton. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son. At the time of the incident, his son also served with the Florida Highway Patrol.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-47DDD26F- Stewardship
- 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
24 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Sottile gave the Florida Highway Patrol 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of Florida. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Sottile.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Nicholas G. Sottile is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Florida Highway Patrol, 23 of 54 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nicholas G. Sottile's cause is highlighted.
How Nicholas G. Sottile Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nicholas G. Sottile is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nicholas G. Sottile was killed by handgun; .25 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
53 officers from Florida Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
