Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Frank Adams was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for interfering in his brother's arrest.
Deputy Adams had observed the man creating a disturbance and cursing while walking up Thomas Street. The man had just been in a fight near Jackson Square. Deputy Adams arrested the man and attempted to take him to jail, but the man resisted. Two citizens came to his aid and took hold of the man in an attempt to take him to jail. At the same time, the man's brother broke through the gathering crowd and began yelling that his brother would not be arrested. Deputy Adams then attempted to arrest this man, too, and a struggle ensued. The suspect gained control of Deputy Adams' service weapon and shot him in the arm.
All of the bystanders began to flee at the sound of the gunshot, and Deputy Adams continued to struggle with the man. The suspect then shot Deputy Adams two more times in the chest and face. Deputy Adams was taken to his home, where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect was arrested the following day and admitted to murdering Deputy Adams. No records exist about what became of the suspect.
Deputy Adams was memorialized along with three other officers in Key West in 1994, thanks to the research of a local historian.
Deputy Adams was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Deputy Adams was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-17476403- 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 Adams served with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Key West community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Adams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Frank E. Adams 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 Monroe County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 16.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank E. Adams's cause is highlighted.
How Frank E. Adams Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank E. Adams is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank E. Adams was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Monroe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
