Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Deputy Bob Wilcox was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a man who had escaped from jail after having been arrested for assaulting his sister-in-law near Lacoochee, Florida.
He and the county sheriff learned the suspect was hiding in the swamps approximately 12 miles south of Clermont. The man opened fire on them as they searched for him and Chief Deputy Wilcox was killed.
The 31-year-old suspect was apprehended three months later in Polk County. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to four years. On August 19, 1921, he escaped from a state work camp in Holmes County. Two months later he was shot and killed while resisting arrest near Clermont.
Chief Deputy Wilcox was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
Chief Deputy Wilcox was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-33D5C09B- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Bob. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief Deputy Wilcox gave the Lake County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tavares community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Wilcox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief Deputy Bob C. Wilcox 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 Lake County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bob C. Wilcox's cause is highlighted.
How Bob C. Wilcox Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 4 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bob C. Wilcox is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bob C. Wilcox was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Lake County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
