Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Steve Saboda was shot and killed by a man who had taken hostages at his home on Oak Park Drive in DeLand. Deputy Saboda was a member of the department's SWAT team that had responded to the call after the man inside the home had shot and wounded his girlfriend and another deputy. During the standoff, the suspect was able to slip out of the house and hide in the backyard. Thinking the suspect was still in the house, the SWAT team attempted to introduce tear gas into the home. Deputy Saboda was conducting the operation in the backyard when the suspect opened fire with a .223 caliber rifle. One of the rounds penetrated the rear of Deputy Saboda's vest, which was not rated for rifle rounds. The suspect continued to fire at officers for several more hours before committing suicide. Deputy Saboda had served with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-19B53672- 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 Saboda gave the Volusia County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the DeLand community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Saboda.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Stephen Saboda 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 Volusia County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Stephen Saboda's cause is highlighted.
How Stephen Saboda Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Stephen Saboda is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Stephen Saboda was killed by rifle; .223 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Volusia County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
