Roll of Honor
Debra Goodale Tison
Incident
Special Agent Debra Tison was struck and killed by a drunk driver at the intersection of Forest Hill Boulevard and Woods Bend Road at about 11:30 pm. She was with two other agents when they were rear-ended by another vehicle on Forrest Hill Boulevard in West Palm Beach. The 19-year-old driver had been cited earlier that night by the agents for underage drinking. As Agent Tison was outside the vehicle talking with the driver from the initial crash, an off-duty West Palm Beach police officer in a third vehicle hit both of them. Agent Tison was transported to a local hospital where she died. The off-duty officer had a BAC of 0.15. He was convicted of charges related to the incident and was sentenced to one year in jail, two years probation, and five years house arrest. Special Agent Tison had served with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco for seven years. She had previously served with the Jupiter Police Department and the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Police Department. She was survived by her husband, son, two daughters, mother, and two brothers. Her husband served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
She was survived by her husband, son, two daughters, mother, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-44CA4FDF- 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.
Special Agent Tison gave the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tallahassee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Tison.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Debra Goodale Tison 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 Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Debra Goodale Tison's cause is highlighted.
How Debra Goodale Tison Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to one year
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Debra Goodale Tison is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Debra Goodale Tison was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco are honored on badge.nw.
