Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Norman Pearson was shot and killed as he and his deputy attempted to arrest a man for illegally transporting liquor. Sheriff Pearson was shot in the stomach several times and died after being transported to a hospital. His deputy was shot in the hand and the suspect was shot and slightly wounded.
The suspect was arrested, tried for murder and sentenced to life. He received a conditional pardon on April 24, 1941.
Sheriff Pearson had served with the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office for nearly two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 10 children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-6BEA131B- 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 Norman. 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
You barely got started.
Sheriff Pearson gave the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Mayo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Pearson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Norman Pearson 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 Lafayette County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Norman Pearson's cause is highlighted.
How Norman Pearson Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1941
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Norman Pearson is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Norman Pearson was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lafayette County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
