Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Matthew Baxter and Sergeant Sam Howard were shot and killed while responding to reports of three suspicious people in the area of Palmway Street and Cypress Street at approximately 9:30 pm.
They were speaking to the men when a scuffle ensued, and both officers were shot. Both were transported to Osceola Regional Medical Center, where Officer Baxter was pronounced dead. Sergeant Howard passed away the following afternoon.
The subject who shot him was arrested approximately two hours after the shooting by members of the Osceola County Sheriff's Office. Two handguns were found in his possession when he was arrested. In September 2019 the man was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, and in November 2019, the jury recommended he receive the death penalty. In 2022, a judge sentenced the subject to the death penalty.
Officer Baxter served with the Kissimmee Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children
Today, the Radford City Police Department's A.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-0F00C630- 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.
Police Officer Baxter gave the Kissimmee Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kissimmee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Baxter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Matthew Scott Baxter 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 Kissimmee Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Matthew Scott Baxter's cause is highlighted.
How Matthew Scott Baxter Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Matthew Scott Baxter is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Matthew Scott Baxter was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kissimmee Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
