Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Donald Cook was struck and killed while manning a roadblock during a vehicle pursuit on Interstate 10, east of U.S. 29. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office chased the armed robbery suspects' vehicle into Escambia County. The subjects attempted to run the roadblock and swerved at the last minute to avoid Deputy Cook. The vehicle in pursuit struck him at 7:30 p.m. The suspects were apprehended several miles down the road when their vehicle was disabled. The subjects were convicted of second-degree murder, armed robbery, and kidnapping. One was sentenced to 27 years with ten years of probation. His brother was sentenced to 15 years with ten years probation. Deputy Cook had served with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four children, and six grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-3425F6A1- 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 Cook gave the Escambia County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pensacola community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cook.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Donald Ray Cook 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 Escambia County Sheriff's Office, 10 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald Ray Cook's cause is highlighted.
How Donald Ray Cook Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 27 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald Ray Cook is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald Ray Cook was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Escambia County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
