Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Carl Strickland was shot and killed from ambush by a man he had encountered about 15 minutes earlier.
Officer Strickland had broken up a fight between two men in the McDonalds Quarter. He warned the men to go home or that he would arrest them. When the subjects left the scene, one of them went home and obtained a .38 caliber pistol.
At approximately 10:30 pm the man ambushed and shot Officer Strickland between two houses. Officer Strickland's service revolver was still holstered and his flashlight was shining when he was found.
His killer, 52, fled the scene but turned himself in to the Collier County sheriff two days later. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Officer Strickland was the first black police officer to serve with the Naples Police Department, and had been with the agency for only 30 days.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-61897D20- 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.
Officer Strickland served with the Naples Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Naples community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Strickland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Carl Strickland 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 Naples Police Department, 1 of 2 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. Carl Strickland's cause is highlighted.
How Carl Strickland Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Carl Strickland is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Carl Strickland was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Naples Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
