Incident
Officer Arnulfo Crispin was shot and killed while making contact with suspicious individuals near Crystal Grove Drive at approximately 10:15 pm.
Officer Crispin exited his cruiser to make contact with the three subjects in a closed park and while checking one subject for weapons, was shot from behind by another.
A second officer arrived at the scene seven minutes later and found Officer Crispin unresponsive. He was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he underwent several hours of surgery. He remained in grave condition for two days before succumbing to his wounds.
Twelve agencies responded to search for the suspect, who turned himself in after a ten-hour manhunt. On August 21, 2013, he was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life.
Officer Crispin had served with the Lakeland Police Department for 18 months.
Officer Crispin had served with the Lakeland Police Department for 18 months.
Survivors
He is survived by eight siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-3D254F26- 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
You barely got started.
Police Officer Crispin gave the Lakeland Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Lakeland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Crispin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Arnulfo Crispin 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 Lakeland Police Dept., 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Arnulfo Crispin's cause is highlighted.
How Arnulfo Crispin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arnulfo Crispin is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arnulfo Crispin was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Lakeland Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.




